GAME RULES
Chew Clock Rules
• Chew Clock, also known as Conservative Tempo from coach suggestions, is allowed throughout the game should the Head Coach choose to enable it.
User Control
• If a player is caught usering in any capacity (outside of fair catching), that player will be banned immediately from the RFCL.
• If you are found to have usered on defense:
• The offense automatically receives a touchdown.
• If you are found to have usered on offense:
• The defense automatically forces a turnover.
• Passing Meter must be set to On or anything other than None.
Camera Angles
• Teams must use the broadcast camera angle at all times.
• You may not change this camera angle for anything, including pre-snap.
Coaches Cameras
• To be featured on the RFCL Game of the Week broadcast, Head Coaches are required to be on camera.
• All coaches are encouraged to use a camera for every game, but Game of the Week is the only game where it is mandatory.
• If you choose not to be on camera, your team will not be eligible for a Game of the Week broadcast until that changes.
Voice Channels (VCs)
• Coaching staffs must use the RFCL Discord voice channels.
• No team is allowed to play games outside of the official RFCL voice channels.
Play Cooldowns
• Teams may not run the same play from the same formation on back-to-back plays, even if a first down was gained on the previous play.
• Once a play has been run, teams cannot use that same play from the same formation again until:
• A first down is gained, or
• A new offensive drive begins.
• Goal Line Formation is the only exception due to the limited number of available plays.
• The in-game Play Cooldown setting will be set to 1, but all RFCL cooldown rules still apply regardless of what the game allows.
QB Sneak Limit
• Beginning in Season 10, QB Sneaks are limited to 2 uses per game, regardless of formation.
Fake Punt / Fake Field Goal Rules
• Teams are limited to one total fake punt or fake field goal per game.
• If you run a fake punt, you may not run another fake punt or fake field goal for the remainder of the game.
• If you run a fake field goal, you may not run another fake punt or fake field goal for the remainder of the game.
• Fake punts and fake field goals do not count against your 4th-down attempt limit.
Play Call Limits
• Offenses are limited to one play audible after breaking the huddle.
• Hot routes do not count toward this limit.
• This rule applies only to changing to an entirely different formation.
• Coaches may audible multiple times as long as they do not change formations.
Hurry-Up Play Call Limits (Drastic Formation Changes)
• Teams may not perform drastic formation changes while in Hurry-Up.
• Teams must maintain the same number of:
• Wide Receivers (WRs)
• Tight Ends (TEs)
• Running Backs/Backfield Players
• Example:
• You may not run Pistol Spread on 1st Down and then Hurry-Up into an Empty set.
• You may not run Empty and then Hurry-Up into Pistol Spread.
• This rule does not apply to:
• Audibles
• Motioning players while at the line of scrimmage
• Other LOS adjustments
Spamming Plays
• Effective February 20, 2026, Head Coaches have been warned that spamming plays, stunts, or similar tactics may result in game suspensions.
• This policy was approved by a 9-0 RFCL Committee vote.
• If the RFCL Committee determines that a coach was spamming plays, that Head Coach will be suspended the following week.
4th Down Rules
• Coaches may attempt 4th downs from anywhere on the field and at any distance.
• Teams are limited to 2 fourth-down attempts per game.
Additional Rules:
• If both attempts are converted, teams may continue attempting 4th downs until they fail.
• If tied or trailing in the 4th quarter, teams may attempt unlimited 4th downs.
• If trailing by 18 or more points at any point in the game, teams may attempt unlimited 4th downs while trailing by 18+ points.
• Once the game reaches the 4th quarter, teams may continue unlimited attempts if tied or trailing.
• Fake punts and fake field goals do not count against 4th-down attempt limits.
Coach Play Calling Rules
• If an Offensive Coordinator (OC) is present, Assistant Coaches may not call offensive plays.
• If a Defensive Coordinator (DC) is present, Assistant Coaches may not call defensive plays.
• Example:
• If an OC is present but no DC is present, an Assistant Coach may call defensive plays only.
• Violations may result in suspensions or removal from the league.
90-Second Timeouts
• Effective Season 4, Week 5, teams may use one 90-second timeout during each half.
To activate:
• The team must still possess a timeout.
• The team must call an in-game timeout.
• The game must then be paused.
• The 90-second timeout begins upon pausing.
Fair Catch Rule
• Beginning Season 9, Week 2, coaches may fair catch kickoffs and punts.
• This is currently the only allowed user input in the RFCL.
Pressing R3 to Send Defenders
• Pressing R3 to send additional defenders at the quarterback is prohibited.
Trick Play Limits
• Teams are limited to one trick play per game.
• If you have to ask whether it is a trick play, it probably is.
Blitzing Rule
• Beginning in Season 10, coaches may not add additional blitzers to a blitz already called.
• Example:
• If a blitz is designed to send 6 defenders, you may not manually add a 7th blitzer.
• Coaches may remove blitzers.
• This rule applies to all blitz types.
Possible Penalties:
• Suspension of the Head Coach and/or Defensive Coordinator.
• Loss of recruiting scholarships.
• Your next opponent may choose the defensive base playbook you must use.
Defensive Line Stunts
• All 3-man and 4-man stunts/twists are banned.
• Only stunts or twists involving 2 defensive linemen are allowed.
Player Editing
• Editing player attributes is strictly prohibited.
• Any coach found editing player attributes will be immediately banned from the RFCL.
Banned Formations
The following formations are banned in RFCL on CFB26:
• Power I Hulk
• Wide Stack
• Double Stack