QFL Bill-Walsh-Memorial Cup
The QFL Bill-Walsh Memorial Cup is a single-elimination tournament open for QFL franchises and independent teams. The first-round matchups and the tournament bracket are determined by open draw. Special rules:
- Prior to each possession, the offense will submit a play-call list including 15 play calls to be played in successive order. This list can optionally include a "no-bomb line" not to be revealed to the defense.
- If the "no-bomb line" is at least as far from the opponent's end zone as the line of scrimmage is, a bomb call from the play-call list will automatically convert to an option-pass call. If not included in the play-call list, the opponent's 20-yd line will be the "no-bomb line" by default.
- In case of a fourth down, the offense will decide whether to let the offensive unit stay on the field (and have them play the next call from the play-call list, if applicable) or to send the special team (to be called individually).
- In case of a try-after-touchdown, the offense will call the unit and the play individually.
- If the play-call list has run empty, the offense will individually call the remaining plays of the possession.
- The defense will call each play individually.
- A possession generally begins with the first play-from-scrimmage. In case of a touchdown scored or safety conceded with a return play, this play will be considered a complete possession.
- A possession ends with a score of each nature (plus try-after-touchdown, if applicable) or with a kick-from-scrimmage or with a change of ball possession at the end of a down.
- The offense may call offside-draw and/or timeout only, if it is a fourth down or a try-after-touchdown coming up or their play-call list has run empty.
- The offense may not call kneel-down or QB stop-clock or no-huddle until their play-call list has run empty.
- Laterals may be called only when trailing after the minimum game length has expired and the play-call list (if applicable) has run empty.
- The minimum game length is 15 minutes (timed like a first quarter). Each team has three timeouts available.
- A game shall be over as soon as there is no way to substantially change the outcome of the game or:
- the minimum game length has expired and
- no possession is under way and
- the teams have had an equal number of opportunities to possess and
- the score is not tied.
- Otherwise, the QFL rules valid for the current QFL season apply.
