2003 Tournament Rules
From Damon, WotC guru...these rules become official September 1st for all DCI sanctioned tournaments. They will be used at league stores too.
721. STRATEGY DECK-SIZE LIMITS & USAGE
All coaches Strategy Decks must contain exactly 28 cards, with
no more than 4 copies of any card. A coach may not have more than
one copy of the same player on his or her Constructed roster.
722. POINT VALUE CAP AND BACKUP/SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS VALUES
The total point value of a constructed team, including backup and
special teams players, must not exceed 5,000 points.
Number one kickers and punters are always counted at full value.
Point values for each player beyond the seventeen starters may
be set using one of the following two ways:
701. NEW RELEASES
New NFL(tm) Showdown card sets, including any expansions, are allowed
in Constructed tournament play on the first day of their retail releases.
New card sets are allowed in Limited tournament play immediately,
including before their retail release dates in the case of Prerelease tournaments.
702. ROSTER MANAGEMENT
The starting team rosters of each coach must consist of one quarterback,
two running backs, two offensive linemen, two tight ends, two wide
receivers, two defensive linemen, two linebackers, two cornerbacks, and two safeties. Kickers and punters are optional.
710. NFL SHOWDOWN TOURNAMENT MECHANICS
711. MATCH STRUCTURE
NFL Showdown matches consist of one game per match.
712. MATCH TIME LIMITS
The DCI recommends using 75-minute time limits for all NFL Showdown single-game matches.
713. DETERMINING KICK OFF
The winner of a coin toss, or any other random method, determines
which team will kick or receive the ball at the start of the game.
714. PRE-GAME PROCEDURE
The following steps must be performed in order before each game begins:
1. Put all players in their correct columns. The highest valued
starter at each position must have his card placed on top of all
lower valued starters at that position. Some positions will only have one player.
2. Determine kick off.
3. Coaches shuffle their strategy card decks (see Universal Tournament Rules, section 21).
4. Coaches present their decks to their opponents for additional shuffling and/or cutting.
5. If the opponent has shuffled the coaches' deck, the coach may make one final cut.
6. Each coach draws three cards before the opening kickoff.
7. Play begins.
715. KEEPING SCORE
Over the course of each game, coaches must maintain a written record
of the information listed below on a score sheet.
717. FULL-PLAY SEQUENCE
1. The offensive coach either announces a kick or chooses a play.
The play is put on the play mat, formation side up. No audibles allowed.
2. If the offense isn't kicking, the defensive coach chooses a
play. The play is put on the playmat formation side up. No audibles allowed.
3. Strategy card may be played. (Defense always has the opportunity
to play strategy cards first).
4. Offensive coach swipes a play. The offensive play is put on the playmat play, side up.
5. Defensive coach swipes play. The defensive play is put on the playmat play, side up.
6. Strategy card may be played. (Defense always has the opportunity
to play strategy cards first).
7. Defensive coach swipes player.
8. Offensive coach swipes player.
9. Determine the result of the play.
10. Strategy card may be played. (Defense always has the opportunity to play strategy cards first).
11. Determine the final result of the play.
12. Begin next down.
Thanks again Damon!