This rules spotlight is based on and attributed to Jess Geller, USFFL Rules Administrator. The clarification from Strat-O-Matic Service described below was requested by Jess Geller.

During the past week of games, there has been confusion about the player-overusage rule. Some coaches noticed that players who had been heavily used in the first two weeks were not being rested. Strat-O-Matic’s rules document states that player overusage does not take effect until the third game of the season, which could reasonably be read to mean that overusage starts in Week 3.

Jess emailed Strat-O-Matic Service for clarification. Their response was that overusage begins affecting players in Week 4, not Week 3, and they acknowledged that the wording is confusing.

When Overusage Applies

The USFFL applies the Player Overusage rule beginning in Week 4. Players are not sat for overusage in Weeks 1–3, but all touches during those weeks count toward each player’s season total. A player who is overused through the first three weeks may therefore be forced to sit in Week 4.

For the final regular-season game, eligible players may touch the ball without overusage-related playoff implications. There is no overusage in the playoffs.

USFFL Limit

The USFFL currently uses a 150% overusage limit for skilled players: quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends. This percentage may be changed by league vote each summer.

• A running back with 90 carries and 10 receptions in real life had 100 touches; the 150% USFFL limit is 150 touches.
• A quarterback with 200 pass attempts and 25 rush attempts had 225 touches; the 150% USFFL limit is 337 touches.

Managing a Player’s Usage

Coaches should track each skilled player’s rushes, receptions, and pass attempts after every game, then compare the total with the player’s permitted seasonal pace. For example, a running back with 200 real-life carries and receptions has a 300-touch USFFL allowance. Across a 17-game season, that averages 17.6 touches per game. If that player has 75 touches after three games, or 25 per game, Strat-O-Matic may rest the player in Game 4.

Additional Strat-O-Matic Conditions

• Strat-O-Matic will not rest more than one overused player at a position.
• It selects the two most-overused eligible players and never rests more than two players in one game.
• A player will not be rested if doing so would leave no available players at that position because of injuries.
• Before a player is considered, the player must average at least one reception per game for receivers and tight ends, three rushes per game for running backs, or five pass attempts per game for quarterbacks.
• Exemptions include quarterbacks with 550 or more real-life pass attempts, tight ends with 45 or more real-life receptions, and wide receivers with 75 or more real-life receptions.

Strat-O-Matic notes that its written description is simpler than the computer game’s full methodology. Coaches cannot always predict exactly who will be rested, but tracking usage provides a useful guide for planning ahead.

Questions, corrections, and suggested improvements are welcome.