Different Times of Year :
Different rules apply at different times during the game. Different schedules also apply to different
leagues. You can view your league schedule by going to
My Teams > Team Name > Other Options > League Calendar.
Below shows what options exists and how rules are enforced at different times of the season.
The following times occur during the course of the game :
|
Time of Season
|
Roster Limit
|
Sign FAs
|
Under Cap
|
Cuts Applied
|
| Preaseason |
80 |
Allowed |
Cap x 150% |
Partial Upcoming Year |
| Preseason Cut Period 1 |
80 |
Allowed |
Cap x 150% |
Partial Upcoming Year |
| Preseason Cut Period - Last Day |
45 + 8 |
Allowed |
YES |
Partial Upcoming Year |
| Regular Season |
45 + 8 |
Allowed |
YES |
Partial Upcoming Year |
| Playoffs |
45 + 8 |
NOT Allowed |
YES |
Partial Upcoming Year |
| End of Season (13 Weeks Rolled off) |
45 + 8 |
NOT Allowed |
YES |
No Cuts Allowed |
| Free Agent Period |
80 |
Allowed |
Cap x 150% |
Current Year |
| Draft (5 Weeks Rolled off) |
80 |
Allowed |
Cap x 150% |
Current Year |
| Pre June-1 (10 Weeks Rolled off) |
80 |
Allowed |
Cap x 150% |
Current Year |
| Post June-1 |
80 |
Allowed |
Cap x 150% |
Partial Upcoming Year |
Preseason
You can carry up to 80 players during this time. Even if your league uses one, the salary cap is not enforced.
During this time, your team will play 4 games against other teams. These are exhibition games. While the records of these games are kept, they do not count toward your "regular season" records.
The first half of these games, the players you have designated as starters will play. The second half, the players you have designated as reserves will play, and the game will try to avoid using players designated as starters in the formation it has selected. The game may pick players from either your active or inactive roster when determining substitutions.
The primary goal of these games is to help you determine your starters, the players you will keep, the players you will cut, etc. This is the reason for the unique substitution patterns. Once the regular season begins, your starters will player the entire game (except, of course, when they need to rest or are injured).
During the 2 days of Preseason Cut Period in which games are not played, you should focus on reducing your roster to 45 active players and 8 inactive players (53 players in all).
If you do not reduce your roster to the 53 player minimum by the end of the preseason, the game will make these decisions for you!
Also note that, if required by your league, you must be under your imposed salary cap at the end of this period.
If your league requires it, and you are not under the cap after the preseason is over, the game will make decisions for you to get you under (or equal to) the cap!
Regular Season
Games during this time are played to determine which teams advance to the league playoffs. Players can be added during this time through Free Agency, although it is necessary that you stay under the salary cap during the entire season.
Playoffs
The league championship is determined during this period. No free agents can be added during this time.
End of Season
The season is over. Retirements are announced and player awards given. Draft orders are determined and the ability to see the upcoming prospects now exists. You are given the chance to sign your free agents during this period before they become available to other teams. Yes, you are required to stay under the salary cap during this time. If you are not under the cap after this period is over, the game will make decisions for you to get you under (or equal to) the cap!
Free Agent Period
This is the time you can begin putting in for Free Agents. The salary cap is lifted during this time.
Draft
The league draft takes place. Free agency period continues.
Pre June 1
Free agency period continues.
NOTE : This is the last time you can cut a player and have part of his bonus be counted against the upcoming year's salary cap. If you wait until Post June 1, it will all count toward the following year's salary cap. This is an important distinction when managing the salary cap! This is explained in the "Salary Cap" instructions.
Post June 1
Free Agency Period continues.
..and we start over again.