Season 2 Updates

Operational Structure

• Chuck Adams and Errol Allen will assist with league operations.
• Their role is to help maintain pace of play, enforce quick decisions, and manage controversial situations (ejections, suspensions, disputes) when the commissioner is unable to be at the games.
• Please view them as additional leaders armed to keep games moving and prevent unnecessary delays or escalation in controversial scenarios. They have the right to throw you out of the game.
• In-Season Awards – Each week Errol will run a poll in the league for everyone to vote on players and positions of the week – the winners by volume will be tallied at end of season and used for in-season awards. A great idea by Errol – please vote for true winners not your team or the votes can be disregarded.
• We will need a clock operator for every game – ask your family members if they're interested.

Self-Refereed Format

• The league requested a self-ref model due to inconsistency frustrations with the FCPRD refs. This saves us $4,200 and allows us to include film in league fees and avoid massive cost increase.
• Discipline is required for the format to work: no excessive arguing, no slowing the game over judgment calls, respect ref decisions even when you disagree.
• Primary Refs: Robert Still and Taylor O'Neill (when available).
• Secondary Refs: Volunteers from teams not currently playing (preferably NOFO vets), identified by midweek when possible.
• Minimum 2 refs required per game (3 ideal including a line judge).
• Focus is safety and clear, obvious penalties — not ticky-tack calls.
• Refs may eject players for aggressive arguing, profanity around kids, slowing pace of play, or unsafe play.
• Suspensions may be reviewed by Nate, Chuck, or Errol if de-escalation is warranted.

Rosters (Strict Enforcement)

• Rosters lock March 1.
• No mid-season additions or random players allowed. Anyone showing up will not play or game will be forfeited.
• All players must be in GroupMe with a clear headshot or player pic where the face is seen. These can be taken at the park game 1 if necessary and will be used for Chuck's website.
• GroupMe Display Name, Team, and Number (Example: Nate Mersberger – Mambas #15).

Gameplay Emphasis – Safety

• Stricter enforcement of unnecessary roughness.
• Allowed: straight arm blocks and competitive play.
• Not allowed: driving players into the ground, excessive pancakes, dangerous stiff arms, overly aggressive contact. This was in last year's playbook but two of our fights came from pancakes this year and we have to lock up on this to keep the league a contact league.
• We are not wearing pads; safety is mandatory.
• If a punch, choke, or intentional physical altercation is initiated you are immediately suspended for the season. A punch is automatic suspension whether it lands or not.

Instant Replay / Challenges

• One challenge per team per game.
• If the challenge is lost, the team loses a timeout. No timeouts means no challenge.
• Thirty seconds given to the refs to review and make their decision.
• Videographer may show the play but may not suggest or encourage a challenge to the team. If the videographer influences the decision, the play becomes unchallengeable.
• Final ruling belongs to the refs; videographer can share angles and zoom, but cannot influence the ruling by persuasion.

Clock Update – 2 MIN XP

• Final two minutes: clock stops on extra point attempts.
• Clock restarts when the opposing team begins possession.

7-Team Single Elimination Bracket

Format:

• Top seed receives a bye.
• Six teams play in the opening round. Date TBD.
• Standard semifinals and championship. Following week. Date TBD.

Quarterfinals (Round 1)

• #2 vs #7
• #3 vs #6
• #4 vs #5
• #1 Seed receives a bye to the semifinals.

Semifinals (Round 2)

• #1 vs Winner of #4/#5
• Winner of #2/#7 vs Winner of #3/#6

Championship

• Winner Game 4 vs Winner Game 5

Trophies: Park shirts were nice, plaques were pretty boring and out of my control.

This season's awards will be for playoff champion only. Think rings, shirts, etc – designs and final winner trophy idea still in the works. Limited budgets with 8 team dropping.