Introduction and Purpose
For the 2024-2025 High School season, we have made many new changes/additions to a number of our rulebooks. In an effort to create more visibility of new additions and changes made to rulebooks for the Fall, league officials have put together a list of edits. Available in select states.
While this list should cover the majority of all changes, it may not include small wording adjustments made to portions of rulebooks. We encourage all coaches and players to review the detailed points below as well as the rulebook for your game title.
*Titles with this callout are not affiliated with the NFHS Network and some state associations, and may not be available in your state.*
Table of Contents
Competition Rulebooks
Competition Rulebooks
New
2.2.4 Region Eligibility to 2.2 Participation Eligibility
3.3 Team Captains:
This section outlines the approval process for a Team Captain and their permissions on the PlayVS platform and match day.
11.4 Broadcast & Event Availability:
Added language around availability expectations for teams when scheduled matches are to be broadcasted or in-person (primarily for finals matches).
12.1 Standards of Sportsmanship and 12.2 Standards of Competition:
Added language around the standards of the PlayVS Code of Conduct, highlighting behaviors and actions that would be subject to disciplinary action at the sole discretion of League Officials.
Updated
Due to the number of titles available for the 2024-2025 scholastic season, references to title-specific rulebooks have been replaced with a link to the "Game Rules" collection of the Help Center where all title-specific documentation is stored.
Updated to the 2024-2025 year where needed.
Introduction & Purpose:
The schedule of each league page can be found on the PlayVS Competitions page (linked).
3.1 Roster Requirements:
Stated that the team's roster & bench are listed on the League page.
Clarified that the team's current and active coach should be listed on a team's Coach tab.
5.3 Regular Season Tiebreakers:
Linked PlayVS Score article.
6.1 Game Day Protocol:
Clarifying language around being automatically scheduled vs joining the match queue.
6.1.1 Match Reschedules:
Added a line saying Teams are unable to reschedule if they must join the Match Queue for that week.
6.1.4 Grace Period:
Added language around the Ready Up button, and a line that encourages teams to reschedule if they need more than the time allotted by the Grace Period.
Updated section 10 Communications language.
6.2.7.1 Shared School Game Accounts
If only one console and school account is being used, only one of the active players must have that game account connected to their PlayVS Account.
Added Hearthstone details outlining if only one school account or Hearthstone Card Unlock account is being used, only one active player must have the game account connected to their PlayVS Account.
Removed
Callout at top of article.
6.2 Pre-Match Setup:
Repeating language already stated in 6.1 Game Day Protocol.
New
3.3 Team Captains:
This section outlines the approval process for a Team Captain and their permissions on the PlayVS platform and match day.
7.7.2 Spectating Latency added.
11.4 Broadcast & Event Availability:
Added language around availability expectations for teams when scheduled matches are to be broadcasted or in-person (primarily for finals matches).
12.1 Standards of Sportsmanship and 12.2 Standards of Competition:
Added language around the standards of the PlayVS Code of Conduct, highlighting behaviors and actions that would be subject to disciplinary action at the sole discretion of League Officials.
Updated
3.1 Roster Requirements:
Stated that the team's roster & bench are listed on the League page.
Clarified that the team's current and active coach should be listed on a team's Coach tab.
5.3 Regular Season Tiebreakers:
Linked PlayVS Score article.
6.1 Game Day Protocol:
Added clarifying language around being automatically scheduled vs joining the match queue.
6.1.1 Match Reschedules:
Added a line saying Teams are unable to reschedule if they must join the Match Queue for that week.
6.1.4 Grace Period:
Added language around the Ready Up button, and a line that encourages teams to reschedule if they need more than the time allotted by the Grace Period.
Updated section 10 Communications language.
Removed
6.2 Pre-Match Setup:
Repeating language already stated in 6.1 Game Day Protocol.
All Game Titles
All Game Titles
Game Title Rulebooks and Match Instructions
New
Added hyperlinks to Competition Rulebooks subsection within the Game Rules collection in the Help Center.
1.1.2 Round
Term and definition added to all Rulebooks.
Updated
1.1 Definition of Terms:
Clarified the definitions for each term listed.
1.2.1 Roster Submission:
Removed specifics for number of players per team and added reference to the League page for available roster and bench slots for each esport title.
1.2.2 Substitutions
Provided guidelines on two ways substitutions can be made.
Removed
1.5.1 Preseason, 1.5.2 Regular Season, 1.5.3 Playoffs, 1.5.4 Finals:
Removed redundant language already present in the Competition Rulebooks.
Super Smash Bros.™ Ultimate
Super Smash Bros.™ Ultimate
New
1.5.1 Phase Details:
Added language indicating that all matches in the season will have the same Match Format.
1.5.2 Solos Format:
Solo format league and event players will be competing in a single Bo3 match.
1.6.4 Sudden Death:
If at any point, a game enters "Sudden Death", the game will stop. The player with higher stocks (or lower damage percentage if stock count is tied) will be declared the winner of the game. An additional 1-stock, 2-minute game will be played if both stock count and damage percentage is tied to determine the winner.
Updated
1.5 Match Format:
Reduced Time Limit from 8 to 7-minutes to align with the current competitive standard.
Added clarifying language to state how the match should proceed if Sudden Death is reached during a game. See 1.6.4 Sudden Death for details.
1.6.1.2 Stage List:
Added Hollow Bastion as a Counterpick Stage.
Sorted stages in alphabetical order.
Removed Lylat Cruise as a Counterpick Stage.
2.1 Equipment:
Clarified that only one (1) controller is required if only one (1) Nintendo Switch system is used for matches.
Updated
Setting Up the Match:
Added Starter and Counterpick Stages underneath the Stage Striking Step.
PlayVS Rulebooks overrule PlayVS Match Instructions.
Mario Kart™ 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart™ 8 Deluxe
New
1.5.1 Phase Details:
Added language indicating that all matches in the regular season will have the same Match Format. Starting in the Playoffs, matches will move to a 6-races per game format.
3.2.1 Add Players Using EA Connect
Provided steps to add other players though EA Connect.
Updated
1.5 Match Format:
Updated Regular Season Format to be 4 races per Game.
Added Playoffs matches will be 6 races per Game.
Added language highlighting how a game winner is determined.
Game Settings, Game Options, and Cross-Play Setting details updated.
New
Added that Playoffs matches will be 6 races per Game.
Updated
Updated the Regular Season Format to be 4 Races per Game.
PlayVS Rulebooks overrule PlayVS Match Instructions.
Splatoon™ 3
Splatoon™ 3
New
1.5.1 Phase Details:
Added language indicating that all matches in the regular season will have the same Match Format.
1.6.2 Splattercolor Screen
Members of either team can ban weapons with Splattercolor Screen for the match duration by stating their intention to ban them in the Match Lobby Chat during the Match Setup process.
Updated
PlayVS Rulebooks overrule PlayVS Match Instructions.
Removed
Removed Skip Assistant Protocol (can be found in the PlayVS Game Day Protocol).
League of Legends
League of Legends
New
1.5.1 Phase Details:
Added language indicating that all matches in the season will have the same Match Format.
Updated
1.6.2 Role Assignments & Role Swaps:
Updated the rule to reflect that it is highly suggested for teams to join the lobby in order of their roles to avoid confusion in-game. Players may still update or swap roles at any time during Champion Select.
Rocket League
Rocket League
New
1.5 Match Format:
Added language highlighting how a game winner is determined.
1.5.1 Phase Details:
Added language indicating that all matches in the regular season will have the same Match Format. Then starting in the playoffs, matches will move to a Best-of-Seven format.
3.1.1 Splitscreen Protocol:
Added language highlighting the steps that team's competing via "Splitscreen" must complete to proceed in their match.
Updated
Updated Setting Up the Match with the new Roster Change steps for the upcoming season.
Hearthstone
Hearthstone
New
1.5.1 Phase Details:
Added language indicating that all matches in the season will have the same Match Format.
Removed
Updated Match Protocol to state players may pilot more than a single deck if a player is missing and no substitutes are available.
NBA 2K25
NBA 2K25
NBA 2K25 releases on September 4, 2024. The Rulebook and Match Instructions for NBA 2K will be updated, with all changes noted here, by September 9, 2024.
New
1.5.1 Phase Details:
Added language indicating that all matches in the season will have the same Match Format.
2.2 Cross-play:
Added that NBA 2K25 will be available for competition on Playstation 5 or Xbox Series X|S.
3.2.2 Side Selection:
Added a protocol for choosing sides (Home/Away in game) due to disadvantages for Away teams when performing certain in-game actions.
Updated
Updated title from NBA 2K24 to NBA 2K25.
2. Player Equipment:
Updated required equipment as Madden NFL 2K25 offers cross-play for next-gen consoles.
3.2.3 updated to Team Selection.
Madden NFL 25
Madden NFL 25
Madden NFL 25 releases on September 16, 2024. The Rulebook and Match Instructions will be updated with all changes noted here by August 19, 2024.
New
1.5.1 Phase Details:
Added language indicating that all matches in the season will have the same Match Format.
2.2 Cross-play:
Added that Madden NFL 25 will be available for competition on Playstation 5, PC, or Xbox Series X|S.
Players can compete from PC, Playstation 5, and Xbox Series X|S this season.
3.2 Match Lobby Setup:
Added 3.2.1 Add Players Using EA Connect steps.
EA is required to invite players for Madden NFL 25.
Updated
Updated title from Madden NFL 24 to Madden NFL 25.
2. Player Equipment:
Updated required equipment as Madden NFL 25 offers cross-play for next-gen consoles.
Section 1.5 Match Format:
Updated naming and order of settings to reflect what is shown in-game.
Added Cross-Play Settings.
Must be “On” to compete in PlayVS matches.
Game Settings updated.
Accelerated Clock: Off
Removed Even Teams: On
Section 3.2.2 Create Lobby:
Updated with proper setup details.
New
Add Players with the EA Connect section added.
Updated
Updated Create and Join Custom Game protocols to reflect what is shown in-game.
Game Settings updated.
Accelerated Clock: Off
Removed Even Teams: On
Chess (NEW!)
Chess (NEW!)
New
1.6 Special Rules:
Guidelines provided for match communications and instances where tiebreakers occur.
3.2.1 Side Selection:
Breakdown of team side selections.
Updated
1.5 Match Format:
Game Format updated to three Simultaneous 1v1 Individual Best-of-One (Bo1) Rounds.
Updated
Added Side Selection details which describes how teams will be divided in game.
ChessKid (NEW!)
ChessKid (NEW!)
New
1.6 Special Rules:
Guidelines provided for match communications and instances where tiebreakers occur.
3.2.1 Side Selection:
Breakdown of team side selections.
Updated
1.5 Match Format:
Game Format updated to three Simultaneous 1v1 Individual Best-of-One (Bo1) Rounds.
1.2.2 Substitutions:
When and how players can make substitutions.
Updated
Added Side Selection details which outlines how teams will be divided in game.
Street Fighter 6 (NEW!)
Street Fighter 6 (NEW!)
Updated
2.1. Equipment
Multiple players can compete from a single compatible platform. Provided guidance on what equipment each team must acquire.
College Football '25 (NEW!)
College Football '25 (NEW!)
New
Fortnite: Zone Wars* (NEW!)
Fortnite: Zone Wars* (NEW!)
*This title is not affiliated with the NFHS Network and some state associations, and may not be available in your state.*
New
Added Known Issues callout for Beta stage.
New
Added Known Issues callout for Beta stage.
Overwatch 2*
Overwatch 2*
*This title is not affiliated with the NFHS Network and some state associations, and may not be available in your state.*
New
1.5.1 Phase Details:
Added language indicating that all matches in the season will have the same Match Format.
Updated
1.6.1 Game Mode & Map Pool:
To better emulate the competitive experience in Overwatch 2 matches, the Game Mode Order has been updated. The modes available by Game # are:
Game 1 - Control
Game 2 - Hybrid
Game 3 - Flashpoint
Game 4 - Push
Game 5 - Escort
Game 6 (Tiebreaker) - Control
Added Runasapi to the available maps for the game mode Push.
General Overview updated.
VALORANT*
VALORANT*
*This title is not affiliated with the NFHS Network and some state associations, and may not be available in your state.*
New
1.5.1 Phase Details:
Added language indicating that all matches in the season will have the same Match Format.
Updated
1.6.1 Rotating Map Pool:
Updated the available map pool to match the current competitive rotation.
Removed Breeze and Split.
Added Abyss and Haven.
New
Added the Available Map Pool for Fall 2024.