FIFA 21 Rulebook (High School)

The 2021 - 2022 FIFA 21 Rulebook for High School leagues.

Updated over a week ago

The Overall High School Competition Rulebook can be viewed here.

Introduction and Purpose

These Official Rules (“Rules”) of the PlayVS High School Esports League apply to each of the teams who have registered and met the requirements for the 2021-2022 school year, as well as their head coach, assistant coaches, vice principals, athletic directors, Starters, Substitutes (collectively “Team Members”), and other members.

Table of Contents

1. Game Rules

1.1 Definition of Terms

1.1.1 Game. An instance of competition that is played until a winner is determined by one of the following methods, whichever occurs first: (a) completion of the countdown timer or objective achieved, (b) Team Surrender, or (c) Team Forfeit.

1.1.2 Set. A series of games. The winning player will receive a win tally in favor of their team for the match.

1.1.3 Match. A group of series (or "sets"). The winning team will either receive a win tally in a league format or advance to the next round in a tournament format.

1.1.4 Block. Scheduled league play that will occur over an approximately two- or three-week period of time in the Regular Season. Each block consists of 2-3 matches that must be completed by the last scheduled week of the block. Performance in a schedule block will be used to determine a team’s opponents for the subsequent block.

1.1.5 Phase. A section of scheduled league play that comprises a season. There are three distinct phases: preseason, regular season, and playoffs. Each phase has its own league format, see section 5.2 for more details.

1.1.6 Season. Scheduled league play that will occur over an approximately three-month period of time.

1.2 Roster Requirements

Each team is required to maintain, at all times during the season, one coach, and one player in the starting lineup (“Starters”). No individual may simultaneously hold two or more of the roles listed above.

The Starters are considered collectively as the “Starting Roster.” The Starting Roster will not be required to be on-site for every official game that the team participates in unless dictated by the school’s administration, district, and/or athletic association.

The Starting Roster will be displayed on www.playvs.com. The Starting Roster on the PlayVS website will be considered the most up to date roster that could be applied within a reasonable time. Roster eligibility is at the discretion of League Officials.

All players associated with a school are considered collectively as the "Complete Roster."

A player is only allowed to compete for the school that he or she is enrolled in. A player will not be allowed to compete for more than one school simultaneously and therefore cannot be listed on the roster of more than one school. To verify that these players are officially enrolled at their school, each player must be verified by the team's coach or another member of the faculty. For the avoidance of doubt, the verification of a player is an agreement to a summary of some key terms of the Rulebook needed by the league to verify eligibility and confirm agreement by player and team.

1.3 Game of Record

A game of record (“GOR”) refers to a game where both players have loaded in and which has progressed to a point of meaningful interaction between opposing teams. Once a game attains GOR status, the period ends in which incidental restarts may be permitted and a game will be considered as “official” from that point onward. After the establishment of GOR, game restarts will be allowed only under limited conditions (see Section 7.3 of the Master Rulebook). Examples of conditions which establish GOR:

1.3.1 Any player kicks the ball off.

1.3.2 The clock ticks for at least one (1) second.

1.4 Game Format

1.4.1 Preseason

This phase consists of each team enrolled in the league competing in one official practice week. Results of this match will not be recorded however this match is required in order to properly test equipment and player game connections.

  • Team Size: 1 vs 1

  • 3 Game Set

    • All games in the set MUST be played regardless of outcome.

      • Example: Team 1 is up 2-0, the remaining 1 game must be played as well before the match is considered complete.

  • Settings

    • Half = 6 mins.

    • Controls = Any

    • Game Speed = Normal

    • Squad Type = 90 Overall

1.4.2 Regular Season

This phase consists of each team competing within a state in a season format against opponents within their region. Ranking in the league will be determined by each team's win-loss ratio.

  • Team Size: 1 vs 1

  • 3 Game Set

    • All games in the set MUST be played regardless of outcome.

      • Example: Team 1 is up 2-0, the remaining 1 game must be played as well before the match is considered complete.

  • Settings

    • Half = 6 mins.

    • Controls = Any

    • Game Speed = Normal

    • Squad Type = 90 Overall

1.4.3 Playoffs Format

The top 50% of teams in each league will advance to the Playoffs. In the event that the top 50% of teams does not fall on a standard bracket count (64, 32, 16, 8), the number of teams will be rounded down to the nearest bracket count. No more than 64 teams will advance to playoffs from a single league.

This phase consists of the top teams from each league and is limited to two FIFA 21 teams per qualifying school.

If a school has multiple teams competing in the league that qualify, only the two top-ranked teams from that school will make it through into playoffs.Teams from the same school will be placed on the same side of the bracket.

  • The higher seeded team from a school will keep their position.

  • The lower seeded team will keep their position if it is on the same side of the bracket as the higher seed. They will be rounded down to the following position in order to be moved to the opposite side if not initially aligned with the higher seed.

Each match will be a Best-of-Three (BO3). The team to win two matches will be declared the winner. In the event that a single team reaches two wins before the start of a third game, then a third game will not be played. These teams will compete in a single-elimination tournament until only two (2) teams remain. The two remaining teams of the Playoff’s bracket will compete in the Finals.

Coaches of the winning team must submit the match results within 1 hour of match completion, otherwise the match will go into quarantine and will delay the Playoff bracket from progressing.

Teams with missing match results and/or forfeits in more than 2 matches will be disqualified from the playoffs.

  • Competition Type: Single-Elimination Tournament

  • Team Size: 1 vs 1

  • Best of 3

  • Settings

    • Half = 6 mins.

    • Controls = Any

    • Game Speed = Normal

    • Squad Type = 90 Overall

1.4.4 Finals Format

This match consists of the top two teams from each league as decided by Playoffs. The Finals will be a single Best-of-Three (BO3) match. The team to achieve three game wins will be awarded the match win and will be declared the League Champion. In the event that a single team reaches two game wins before the start of a third game, those games will not be played.

Coaches of the winning team must submit the match results within 1 hour of match completion.

  • Team Size: 1 vs 1

  • Best of 5

  • Settings

    • Half = 6 mins.

    • Controls = Any

    • Game Speed = Normal

    • Squad Type = 90 Overall

1.5 Substitutions

The solos format of the PlayVS high school competition for FIFA 21 will not allow substitutions.

2. Player Equipment

2.1 Equipment

Each player on the Starting Roster must have access to school-provided equipment or must be permitted by the school to provide their own equipment in the following categories:

2.1.1 Playstation 4 or Playstation 5

2.1.2 Monitor/Television

2.1.3 Headsets and/or Earbuds and/or Microphones

2.1.4 Table and Chair

2.1.5 Playstation Controller for the chosen Playstation System

2.1.6 Playstation Plus Subscription

2.1.7 Copy of FIFA 21 for Playstation 4

2.2 Supported Equipment

Players must compete using a PlayStation 4 or Playstation 5. Players using a Playstation 5 must compete using the Playstation 4 copy of FIFA 21. PC or laptop and tablet use are not permitted. Any team found in violation of this rule will receive a forfeit for all matches in which PCs, laptops, or tablets were used.

3. Match Process

3.1 Pre-Match Setup

3.1.1 Equipment Setup. Restart all consoles at least one hour before scheduled matches and test each game client by loading into a private game lobby.

3.1.2 Technical Failure of Equipment. If a player encounters any equipment problems during any phase of the setup process, the player must alert and notify a coach and a League Official immediately.

3.1.3 Technical Support. Coaches must be available to assist with the setup process and troubleshoot any problems encountered during the pre-match setup period.

3.1.4 Timeliness of Match Start. It is expected that players will resolve any issues with the setup process within the allotted time and that match will begin at the scheduled time. Delays due to setup problems may be permitted, at the sole discretion of League Officials. All players competing must be in the game lobby to be considered “present”. Teams that are over thirty (30) minutes tardy will forfeit their match.

3.1.5 No opponents. Teams may not start a match without opponents present and ready.

3.2 Match Lobby Setup

3.2.1. Before the match, PlayVS will designate a home and away team. The home team is responsible for running the match and inputting the results. This will always be the home team’s responsibility, however both teams are liable for ensuring the results are inputted correctly.

3.2.2. Add your opponent on the opposing team as a friend so you’re able to invite them to the match.

3.2.3. From the PlayStation 4 home screen, navigate to the Friends section and find "Search". Look for the username your opponent has listed on their PlayVS Account in the Match Dashboard. Once you’ve found them, send them a friend request.

3.2.4. Create Lobby

  • Start FIFA 21

  • Go to “Online”

  • Select “Online Friendlies”

  • Start a “New Friendlies Session”

  • Select your opponent from the list of friends online and create the lobby with the settings in 3.2.5.

3.2.5 Lobby Settings

  • Settings

    • Half = 6 mins.

    • Controls = Any

    • Game Speed = Normal

    • Squad Type = 90 Overall

3.2.6 Invite your opponent to the match

3.2.7 Select teams and play

3.2.8 Tiebreaker

In the event of a draw, teams should follow the following process for a Golden Goal tiebreaker:

  1. Immediately back out of the tied game

  2. Restart the game with the same settings

  3. The team to score the first goal will take the win for the game draw

  4. After the golden goal tiebreaker is completed you may continue to the Post-Game Process.

3.3. Post-Game Process

3.3.1. Home players will share the results of each game and any screenshots with their coach.

3.3.2. The Home coach is responsible for inputting the results of all games of the match within 2 hours of the last game played.

3.3.3. Home coaches will input the results by selecting "Add Game Results" from "Mission Control"

Important: By default, rulebooks overrule game day protocols. Please reach out to support if you find conflicting information.

2021 - 2022 Version 1.02

Changelog
v1.0 - 1.01 "Definition of Terms" Updated

v1.02 - Fixed missing 2.1.6

v1.1 - Playoffs and Finals Formats updated

v1.2 - Referenced Playstation 5 in the Supported Equipment - LT
v1.3 - Finals Format Updated to reflect a Best-of-Three - LT

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