Updated on 08/19/25

Game Play

The SSRFL will utilize the latest Strat-O-Matic Computer Football game each season. 

Requirements

SOM Football latest computer version, the current season disk/key, an email account, subscription to the SSRFL Google Group, and Slack .  The league will cost no money.

League Structure

The SSRFL is a "STOCK" team, continuous ownership league 1956 through each season SOM has produced in sequential order.  All NFL teams for the particular season we are playing will participate.  There are no player trades allowed.  There are no annual player drafts.  Each head coach operates his own NFL affiliated franchise as carded by Strat-o-matic each year with no adjustments.  ALL games are to be played live using the Net Play feature.

League Pace

I anticipate playing approximately 2 seasons per calendar year with each season taking about 20 weeks to complete.  

Team Distribution

The initial 1963 team distribution was done via a random draft.   

When the league has a waitlist no owner will be allowed to own a 2nd team.  Owners currently with 2 teams will be grandfathered and allowed to keep 2 teams.    Once there is no waitlist owners can be put on the waitlist for a multiple teams if they have met all the league deadlines in the past.

League Format

We will play the exact regular season schedule and a playoff system identical to the actual NFL set-up.  

Switching Franchises

The team assignments will be made by the commisioner.  If you would like to switch franchises among each other check with the commish first but it should be ok.  A preference is given to match up coaches with their favorite teams where possible.

League Sportsmanship

SSRFL is about having fun.  This league will have a zero tolerance policy for any head coach that cannot respect their peers nor the rules of this league.  All conflicts will be decided by the commissioner and his words are final.
We have a Sportsmanship Committee that will handle complaints concerning sportsmanship per the league Constitution.As far as implementation along the lines of - 1st offense a warning, 2nd offense another warning and/or next game the first defensive play he has to call run, 3rd offense next game opponent gets to play against the cm, 4th offense out for a year, 5th offense out for good.Harsher problems some steps can be skipped and less harsh it can stay at the same offense level as the previous offense.The Sportsmanship Committee forwards their findings to the commish who makes the call.To stifle running up the score, the playoffs will not take into account points and that the last tiebreaker stops before it gets to points.

League Voting

From time to time the commissioner might ask for a league wide vote on rule changes or new rules.   On new rules a simple majority will determine the rule we use.

Three Punts and your OUT

Any coach in the SSRFL that fails to meet three deadlines during the season will be instantly removed from the league.  A missed deadline is considered an act of non-communication to both the commissioner or their opponent on any given week.  If you cannot participate in any given week of play you must contact your opponent and the commissioner in advance to advise of your situation so a replacement coach can be assigned.  Failure to communicate will penalize that coach a PUNT.

League options

Penalties - ON
Player over usage - ON 150% (REGULAR SEASON) - OFF (PLAYOFFS and COY)
Use QB Starter File - OFF
QB overusage - ON 150%  (REGULAR SEASON) - OFF (PLAYOFFS and COY)
Limit Overusage For All - OFF
Running back fatique - ON
Home field advantage - ON
Linebacker run containment - ON 
Low-Usage RB run containment - OFF
Use individualized fumble ratings - OFF
Do not allow exceeding longest run - ON
Do not allow exceeding longest reception - ON
Do not limit WR longest reception - ON
Exhausted RBs will get Injured - OFF
Don't Allow QB's to get injured - OFF
Use Split Defensive Ratings - ON
Dump off rule - ON
Updated sack rule - ON
In-game rest system - OFF
Emphasize 6-rated LBs - ON
Great player impact rule - OFF
Looser substitution restrictions - OFF
Empty flat pass = guessed wrong - ON
Use Variable FG Rule - ON
QB end run limits - ON
Use actual team interception returns - ON
Use Historical Team Pace - OFF
Variable Pass Interference - ON 
Consider Flats as Runs - OFF
Use Yards After Catch - OFF
Injuries - No injuries
Rules through the years - Use Home team rules

MANDATORY LEAGUE OPTIONS TO BE VERIFIED BEFORE KICKING OFF:

Auto save after each play - YES

GAME PLAY RULES:

1)  Running Backs must play the position they are rated for thus, a HB rated for HB and FB can play both.  Any formation that requires a FB/BB must use one.

2)  Wide Receivers – SE/FL may not be switched as per the looser substitution rule but in 3 WR & 4 WR formations, a teams 3^rd and 4^th WR must be the two weakest WRs on the team.  The term weakest will be defined as the two WR that have the least total yards receiving from that teams WR Group.

3) Once your Starting QB is relieved by the back-up QB, he may not return to the game.  Once your back-up QB is relieved by the third string QB, he may not return to the game.

4) Only players who are rated at BB, FB, RB, and/or HB are eligible to be positioned at BB; for example, a player who is rated only as a TE may not play the BB position (the offense may use the 1RB 2WR 2TE formation or the "Tight End" formation, however, as examples to get the second TE in the game.

Playoff Rules are the same as Regular season except for no overusage and unlimited overtime.

Playoff teams will match the same number of playoff teams in that season replayed.

We will follow the NFL Tie-Breakers for the playoffs and playoff seeding, including the rule that states that teams cannot play teams in their division until it can't be avoided.

Superbowl will be at played at neutral site with the AFC home in odd years and NFC home in even years.

SSRFL Coach of the year Tournament:

This tournament will be held for Non-Playoff teams only.  Entrance will be given to those teams in the SSRFL that have performed ahead of their actual affiliated NFL teams record in that given season.  Only current members can participate.  If more than one team per conference qualifies the commissioner will create a playoff tree.

COY teams will be seeded by team with the most wins over actual record.
If tie for seeding winner is team with the lower real life actual wins.  Additional tie breakers listed below in order.
1. Head to Head games.
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
4. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
5. Head to Head net points.   (Points scored - Points Allowed)
6. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division net points (Points scored - Points Allowed)
7. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games net points.  (Points scored - Points Allowed)
8. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference net points.
9. Coin Flip.

Other COY Rules:
Rules for COY are same as regular season except for no overusage and unlimited overtime.
Teams will be re-seeded after each round of the playoffs in the COY.