Rules & Guidelines of SIM (defense)

Defensive Rules


1. Manually Moving defenders - You may move ONE and ONLY ONE player manually pre-snap, and once that player is moved, you MUST maintain control of that player until after the ball is snapped. The following also apply:
• Defensive linemen may NOT be moved manually side to side, “picked off the line”, or dropped into coverage until after the ball is snapped. This includes punts and field goals.
• If you choose to move a LB, you may move him side to side, or up 5 yards from his current spot. You may not drop a LB into deep pass coverage pre-snap. U can move a Linebacker into a gap because that is wat real nfl teams do. it is up to the offense to pinch the line or shift the line to pass block.
• If you choose to move a CB or Safety, you may move him anywhere on the field outside of the LB box. You may manually blitz or “speed rush” the QB with a manually-controlled CB or Safety but the saftey must be outside the tackle box.
• Manually Controlling Defenders: You can control anyone on the field at any time. It would make it too difficult, relying on the computer to tackle all of the time. There's not too much of an advantage being able to switch players, the only problem I can foresee is the lack of pass interference penalties.

***I must add that using the show blitz feature is accepted as long as it is a base defense such as the 3-4, 4-3, 4-6 or 4-4*** and another thing ***me being the head man here am not concerned with moving 1 other person on defense AS LONG AS they are not blitzing...for example if u have an OLB in a flat zone u can move him closer to his zone as long as he is not blitzing.***

***Also Note: if your opponent on offense, audibles to different formation, formation shifts or puts someone in motion say TE from one side of field to the other you are at liberty to go control a different defender once one of those instances occurs*

2. Defensive Playmaker and Shifts:
• All shifts, LB, DB, DL, are all allowed.
• 8/9 In the Box: You can only put 8/9 men in the box if you are running 4-3, 3-4, 46, or Goalline. There is no reason to come out in Quarter or Dime and go into 8 in the box, its just like subbing DB's in at LB in a 46. The offense will not be audibling down, so there is no need to do this in any other formation.
• Shifting DE LB's: You can shift them however you want, but you cannot keep shifting them back and forth so that they are in a weird position when the ball is snapped. Shift them, and leave em there. Dont shift back and forth and back and forth, etc.

4. Defensive Playcalling: Be realistic. If someone comes out in a 2-wide, 2-back, 1-te set. Dont come out in Quarter. Now if u feel u can cover 3 wr's in shotgun with the 46 by all means call your defense but We are aiming for "sim" like football here, not arcade, NFL Blitz style here. Play like an NFL team would play. The only defense that can handle 3 wr's is the 3-4 defense.

We've had problems with this in the past. People calling defenses before the offense even picked their play. Defense is more proned to be called out on money plays, and not mixing it up. Do not over use any 1 thing on defense. Blitzing definately is apart of the game and depending on your playing style depends on if u bring more heat or not. 3-4, 4-3, 46 or 4-4 are base defenses. nickle 1-5-5 is not a base defense. Dime flat is not a base defense. quarters is not a base defense and really should not be used unless its the end of the game or your opponent comes out in a 5 wide wr set.

SPECIAL TEAMS




1. XP, FG, Punt Return Defense: You CANNOT move any defenders pre-snap. FG block, XP block. On Punt defense you can move your RETURNER and returner only to catch the ball, and thats all.

2. Fair Catch Interference: When receiving a punt, you may NOT intentionally call for a fair catch and then run into the opponents special teams player to induce a 15 yard penalty. This is not sim and will not be allowed. If you do this by mistake, simply decline the penalty.

3. Kickoffs:
• Onside kicks are allowed anytime, but ONLY from onside kick formation. Any normal kickoff must travel at least 20 yards in the air.
• "Squib" kicks are ONLY allowed with 3:00 minutes left in the 2nd and 4th quarters.

4. Fake Punt - RB Direct Snap: You can only use it once a game, regardless of any situations.

5. NEW: Punting - Line Driving Punts: Cannot be done at any time. You cannot line drive a punt at a returner looking to force an easy fumble because the returner has no chance to call a fair catch. This will not be allowed!