League rules · updated Aug 2026
The rules, in plain English.
Twelve teams, a 14-week season, six playoff spots and a brass trophy. Everything else is below, including the parts people argue about.
Scoring
Try the rules on real player weeks.
Our defaults are highlighted. Switch any rule to see what a change would do before you propose it.
The rulebook
Six sections, most of them the result of a specific incident.
ROSTERS
Sixteen players, nine starters.
QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, TE, FLEX, K and a team defense, plus seven on the bench. One injured-reserve spot.
LINEUPS
Each player locks at his own kickoff.
Set Thursday players by Thursday. A player on bye scores zero, even if the app lets you start him.
WAIVERS
Claims run Tuesday night.
Rolling priority: making a claim sends you to the back of the line. Free agents after Wednesday 9:00 am.
TRADES
League vote within 24 hours.
Deadline Tuesday of week 11. No trades within a household. The commissioner can’t approve his own.
PLAYOFFS
Top six, weeks 15 to 17.
Top two seeds sit out week 15. Ties break on points for, then head-to-head.
THE WOODEN SPOON
Last place hosts the draft.
Venue, snacks, projector and a written apology to the league. Theo is hosting in 2026.
How rules change
Proposals in August, votes before the draft.
PROPOSE
Any manager can propose a change.
Post it in the commissioner hub by August 1 with a one-paragraph reason.
VOTE
Seven of twelve votes to pass.
Votes close a week before the draft. Changes start that season, never mid-season.
APPEAL
The commissioner rules on disputes.
His rulings can be overturned by eight votes. It has happened once, in 2020.
2026 dates
The dates that matter.
20 AUG
Keeper deadline.
One keeper each. Passed. Everyone submitted, including Sam.
30 AUG
Draft night.
Theo’s place, 8:00 pm, 90 seconds a pick.
17 NOV
Trade deadline.
Tuesday of week 11 at midnight.
28 DEC
The final.
Monday night of week 17. The loser writes the recap.
Records book