Rule 010 Luther Football League 1. Definition. The Luther Football League is a fantasy football league consisting of an even number of at least 4, but not more than 16 teams, owned and operated by those with Luther College connections. 2. Purpose. To have fun and enjoy cockin' off to one another. 3. League Headquarters. League Headquarters shall be located at 11525 49th Avenue North, Plymouth, MN 55442. The official league phone number is (763) 577-2440. 4. Internet site. The LFL Internet Site can be found at 'www.lutherfootballleague.com'.
Rule 020 Luther Football League Charter Members 1. Definition. Charter Members of the Luther Football League are the founding members: Dave Boese, John Grunwald, Ellen Knautz and Keith Knautz. 2. Loss of Charter Membership. Any unexcused absence from the League shall result in loss of Charter Membership.
Rule 030 Luther Football League Commissioner 1. Definition. The Luther Football League Commissioner shall be elected to a two-year term, with no limit on the number of consecutive terms. Powers include those outlined in these Bylaws, as well as the right to make decisions in the best interests of the league. 2. Election. Prior to the start of an election-year season, owners with one year or more of experience in the Luther Football League may submit their names on the Commissioner's Ballot. The deadline to declare candidacy is July 15. a) First Vote. All owners, including approved expansion owners, vote for one candidate. The candidate with the most votes shall be declared Commissioner. Tie votes among the top candidates shall be broken as in Section b) below.
b) Second Ballot. Candidates who tie for the most votes shall be involved in a second vote. i) Second Vote Tie. If the second vote is a tie, the matter shall move to the Board of Governors for a vote. a) A member of the Board of Governors who is a finalist is not allowed to vote, and the acting Commissioner shall replace him/her, unless he/she is also a finalist. In this case, no one will replace them. 3. Before the Draft. Election of the Commissioner, if necessary, shall occur before the draft and before a Board of Governors election (see Rule 040). 4. Resolving Disputes. Disputes shall be settled by the Commissioner. In the event a dispute cannot be settled by the Commissioner, as in a decision involving the Commissioner and his/her team, said dispute shall be sent to the Board of Governors for a vote. 5. Calling Special Meetings. The Commissioner has the right to call a special meeting of the Luther Football League owners if he/she deems it necessary.
Rule 040 Luther Football League Board of Governors 1. Definition. The Luther Football League Board of Governors shall consist of an odd number and consist exclusively of the Charter Members, excluding any Charter Member who is the Commissioner. If that number is even, a vote among regular, non-expansion owners shall be held for the final position, a two-year term concurrent with the Commissioner's term. a) Vote. The voting process shall be similar to the process outlined in Rule 030, Paragraph Two. 2. Duties. The primary duty of the Luther Football League Board of Governors is to resolve disputes that cannot be resolved by the Commissioner, as in Rule 030 Paragraph Four. a) Expansion. Before each new season, the Board of Governors must submit and recommend to the current owners a list of potential new owners. The Board of Governors has sole jurisdiction in submitting names and limiting the maximum number of additions for a single season. See Rule 700 for further clarification.
b) Draft Day and Site. The Draft Day and Site shall be determined by the Board of Governors.
Rule 050 Luther Football League Executive Committee 1. Definition. The Luther Football League Executive Committee shall be made up of the Commissioner and the Board of Governors. 2. Authority. The Luther Football league Executive Committee may authorize the transfer of funds from one League account to another in order to help cover expenses incurred by the League. 3. Hall of Fame Nomination. Before each season the LFL Executive Committee shall submit 0-5 players/coaches for consideration of election to the LFL Hall of Fame.
Rule 060 Luther Football League Statistician 1. Definition. The Luther Football League Statistician is a volunteer position appointed by the Board of Governors. This position must be applied for on a yearly basis. 2. Responsibility. The Statistician is responsible for weekly updates, career stats, a financial report and the LFL Internet Site.
Rule 070 Luther Football League Hall of Fame 1. Definition. The Luther Football League Hall of Fame is a shrine to honor the all-time great coaches and players of the LFL. 2. Location. The LFL Hall of Fame shall be located at 350 Wildwood Drive, North Aurorua, IL 60542. Return to  Home Page
Rule 100 Luther Football League Regular Season 1. Regular Season - Dorsey Levens Rule. The regular season shall consist of fourteen games. a) One-Division Format. The league shall consist of a single division if the number of teams is less than eight.
b) Two-Division Format. The league shall consist of two divisions, the Dieseth Division and Miller Division, if the number of teams is eight or greater. Teams will be placed according to draft order (Example: 1-4 in one division and 5-8 in the other).
c) Schedule. The season schedule shall be determined by and fall under the jurisdiction of the Luther Football League Executive Committee. 2. Regular Season Record Tie. If two teams finish the season with identical records, the following criteria shall be used to break the tie: a) Head-to-head regular season competition.
b) Highest head-to-head, regular season points-for total.
c) Best Division record (two-division format only, and only if teams are in same division).
d) Highest regular season points-for total.
e) Coin Toss. i) Procedure. The League Commissioner shall perform the coin toss, unless his/her team is involved. In this case, a member of the Board of Governors, not involved and appointed by the Commissioner, shall make the toss.
ii) Representation. The owners of the respective teams shall be represented either in person, over the phone, on-line or by an owner-designated representative. In addition, at least one other owner must be present as a witness.
iii) Calling the Coin Toss. In even years, the team that is first alphabetically shall make the call. In odd years, the team that is last alphabetically shall make the call.
Rule 150 Luther Football League Playoffs 1. Playoffs. Weeks fifteen and sixteen shall be playoffs. a) First Round Pairings, one-division format. The pairings for the playoffs shall be #4 at #1 and #3 at #2.
b) First Round Pairings, two-division format. Four teams shall qualify, paired as in Rule 150.1.a. i) Two division winners, seeded #1 and #2 based on best record.
ii) Two wild cards, with the next two best regular season records, regardless of division, seeded #3 and #4, based on best record. 2. Luther Bowl. The first round playoff winners shall meet in the championship game, the Luther Bowl, in week sixteen. 3. Toilet Bowl. The first round playoff losers shall meet in the consolation game, the Toilet Bowl, in week sixteen. Return to Home Page
Rule 200 Luther Football League Franchise Fees 1. League Fees. A team owner must pay the mandatory $15.00 Annual League Fee before or on draft day, or have prior arrangements with the Commissioner. a) Championship Payouts. $7.50 of a team's League Fees shall be designated towards the prize pool. Playoff teams receive prize money, broken down as follows: i) Luther Bowl Champion, $40.00, plus the Luther Football League traveling trophy.
ii) Luther Bowl Runner-up, $20.00.
iii) Toilet Bowl Champion, $10.00.
iv) Toilet Bowl Runner-up, $5.00. b) Administrative Fees. $7.50 of a team's League Fees shall be designated towards the cost of the trophy and engraving and fanball.com online league manager. 2. New Franchise Fees. An expansion owner must pay a one-time, new franchise fee of $2.00 before or on draft day, or have prior arrangements with the Commissioner. a) Designation. This fee shall go towards League Trophy fees.
Rule 250 Luther Football League Draft and Roster Requirements 1. Draft Day and Site. The Luther Football League Draft Day and Site shall be determined by the Luther Football League Board of Governors. 2. Number of Rounds. The draft shall consist of 16 rounds. 3. Draft Order. Draft order shall be determined by lottery. a) Lottery. The team with the worst regular season record the season before will get to pick a number from the hat first (with a guarantee they will pick no lower than 6th), and so on down the line based on regular season record, until all non-expansion owners have a number. Expansion owners will then draw based on earliest birthday month, then day, then year.
b) Draft Order. The draft order is determined by numbers drawn in 250.3.a. The draft shall be conducted in alternating rounds (i.e., 1-10 then 10-1).
c) Time Limit. Teams will be allowed two minutes per pick. If a team exceeds this limit, the next team will get to pick, then control will return to the skipped team. 4. Roster Requirements. Each team must choose and have on their roster at all times at least one quarterback, two running backs, three receivers and/or tight ends, one kicker one defensive team/special team. Each team must have 16 players after the draft. After that, uneven trades will be allowed, so long as the teams have the minimum players above, and no more than 16 players. 5. Tim Nybroten Rule. If an onwer fails to show up in person or on-line for the LFL draft, and fails to submit a draft sheet, he/she shall have their team chosen by the Commissioner, on a best-available-player-basis, from the official position guide.
Rule 255 Luther Football League Position Guide 1. Position Guide. NFL.com shall serve as the official position guide of the LFL. Return to Home Page
Rule 300 Luther Football League Weekly Lineup 1. Weekly Lineup. A lineup shall consist of: one quarterback, two running backs, three receivers and/or tight ends, one kicker, one defensive team/special team. a) Empty Lineup Spot. If an owner has just one player/team on the roster at a certain position and it is that player/units bye week, he/she is allowed to leave the starting spot empty. The only requirement is to have the slot filled on the roster, as in Rule 250.4. 2. Lineup Deadlines. Lineups must be submitted to the League Manager site at fanball.com. The deadline is five minutes prior to the player's kickoff. 3. Lineup Default. In the event a lineup is not turned in on time, the previous week's lineup will be used as a default, without regard to bye weeks or injuries.
Rule 325 Luther Football League Playoff Rosters 1. Playoff Rosters. Playoff rosters and lineup guidelines shall be similar to those outlined in Rule 250.4 and Rule 300. 2. Playoff Eligibility. In order for a player to be eligible for the playoffs, he must be on the active roster of the team he will play for before the start of the fifteenth week of the regular season. A player may not be acquired just for the playoffs.
Rule 350 Luther Football League Trades 1. Approval of Commissioner. The Commissioner has the right and duty to disallow any and all grossly inequitable trades between teams. A trade is not final until it has the Commissioner's approval. a) Roster Requirements. Trades are subject to Rule 250.4. Any trade causing either team to break this rule shall be disallowed and considered illegal. 2. Trade Cut-Off Date. Trades are allowed through the completion of games on the tenth week of the Luther Football League regular season. 3. Trades Between Teams. A maximum of three trades between any two teams is allowed. a) Traded Player. Any player traded cannot be traded back to the same team for four weeks. 4. Trade Deadline. Trades must be turned in by Thursdays at 12:00 p.m. (noon), so that the Commissioner may review, approve and notify other owners.
Rule 375 Luther Football League Transactions 1. Acquisition of Free Agents. Pickups of free agent(s) shall be on a sealed bid basis, given, mailed or called in to the Commissioner. The name of the player to be dropped must also be given at that time, as failure to do so shall make the bid null and void. a) Roster Requirements. Transactions are subject to Rule 250.4. Any transaction causing a team to break this rule shall be disallowed and considered illegal. 2. Transaction Deadline. Sealed bids for free agents must be turned in by Thursdays at 12:00 p.m. (noon), so that the Commissioner may review, approve and notify the other owners. On weeks with a Thursday game, the deadline is 8:00 PM Wednesday night. 3. Transaction Money. Each team will be allowed $1.00 to acquire free agents during the regular season. A team MAY NOT EXCEED THIS AMOUNT. a) Minimum Bid. Minimum bid for a free agent is $0.10, and may be increased in any amount. The player making the highest bid for a player shall own the rights to that player, and must drop another from their roster to make room as in Rule 375.1.a, subject to Rules Rule 250.4 and 300.1.a. Return to Home Page
Rule 400 Luther Football League Games 1. Definition. A Luther Football League game is played between two Luther Football league teams, each with a lineup as dictated by Rule 300.1. a) Winner. Points are awarded as in Rule 500, Paragraphs One and Two. The team with the highest point total shall be declared the winner.
b) Ties. In the case of a tie, a regular season game shall be recorded as such. i) Playoff Tie. In the case of a tie in a playoff game, points for a team's reserves will be calculated. The team with the highest reserve total shall be declared winner. a) Reserve Tie. If the reserve total is the same, the tie-breaker in Rule 100.2 will be used to determine a winner. c) Appeals. Owners are strongly encouraged to track their own scores on a weekly basis. They may at any time contact the League Office to confirm a win or loss. If they feel the League Office has incorrectly recorded the score, they have until 7:00 p.m. the Wednesday after games are played to file an appeal with the League Office. After this time, all scores are final.
Rule 500 Luther Football League Scoring Method 1. Scoring Points. Points are accumulated based on the scoring of the eight starting positions. a) Quarterback (1), Running Backs (2), Receivers (3), Kicker (1). i) Touchdown Pass = 3 points.
ii) Touchdown Run or Catch = 6 points.
iii) Two-point Pass = 1 point.
iv) Two-point Run or Catch = 2 points.
v) Throw interception = -1 point.
vi) Fumbles lost = -1 point. b) Kickers (in addition to Rule 500.A.1). i) Field Goal 0-49 yards = 3 points.
ii) Field Goal 50-59 yards = 4 points.
iii) Field Goal 60+ yards = 5 points.
iv) Extra Point = 1 point. c) Defensive Team/Special Team (1). i) Touchdown = 6 points.
ii) Safety = 2 points.
iii) Every two sacks = 1 point.
iv) Interception = 1 point.
v) Fumbles recovered = 1 point.
vi) Points allowed. a) Shutout = 6 points.
b) Two-Nine points = 3 points. d) Individual Scoring for Defense or Special Teams. i) Any score made by an individual while playing for a Defensive of Special Team shall be credited to the team, and NOT to the individual. 2. Performance Points. Points are awarded based on individual player performance each week. Yards are not combined between categories. a) Passing. i) 200-249 yards = 1 point.
ii) 250-299 yards = 2 points.
iii) Every 50 yards after 299 = 1 additional point. b) Rushing or Receiving (These are separate categories). i) 75-99 yards = 1 point.
ii) 100-124 yards = 2 points.
iii) Every 25 yards after 124 = 1 additional point. Return to Home Page
Rule 600 Luther Football League Bylaws Ratification 1. Ratification of the Bylaws. Ratification of these bylaws shall be by a 2/3 vote of the owners. Once accepted, they shall become the official rules of the Luther Football League, with the only changes allowed as in Rule 650.
Rule 650 Luther Football League Bylaws Amendments 1. Amendments. Following the season, owners may submit to the League Office any amendments they would like to see made to the Bylaws. a) Passing Amendments. Owners will vote on proposed changes, with a 2/3 majority needed to pass the amendment. 2. Amendments During the Season. Amendments to the Bylaws are not allowed from Draft Day until the end of the season, unless the Commissioner deems an amendment may be necessary. Said amendments must achieve a 2/3 majority vote from the owners.
Rule 700 Luther Football League Expansion 1. Role of Board of Governors. At least four weeks before Draft Day, the Luther Football League Board of Governors shall review applications and submit to the owners the names of those they feel are worthy to join the league, provided they meet the criteria of Rule 010.1. 2. Vote. A 2/3 majority is needed to approve expansion.
Back to top | 
