General Rules

MNVL RULES HANDBOOK

1.1 League Structure

The Minnesota Varsity League (MNVL) will have a regular season consisting of 8 weeks of pool play and then a tournament for playoffs/finals. Regular season games will determine both qualifying and seeding for playoffs.

The regular season will consist of one game per week as outlined below.

Default game time for all games will be Sunday at noon (12pm)
Games may be rescheduled for any time during the week, but must be played by midnight on Sunday of the week they are scheduled to play (see rescheduling rules below in section 1.5)
All scores must be reported by Sunday at midnight for the preceding week or both teams will receive a loss.

The spirit of MNVL is to always play if you can, and never take a forfeit win unless you absolutely must. Although not a rule, this is a standard we hope all our teams and players try to live up to!

1.2 Dates of Play

The MN Varsity League will run for 8 weeks of regular season, and one week of playoffs/finals. There will also be an all-star event at the conclusion of each season.

1.3 Playoffs and Finals

Playoffs will be executed as a single tournament with seeding based on regular season results, with a match to determine the third-place finisher. Playoff rules will be outlined in specific game rules posted on the MNVL website. Teams making playoffs will be as such for the following games, unless there are less than the specified amount of teams participating in the league for that game. If there are less than the following number of teams, the tournament will be played with all participating teams with first round byes for the top seeds.

Teams/Players making the playoffs will be based on seeding, which considers wins first, then game differential. If there is a tie in both wins and game differential, and one of the teams/players will not make the tournament and the other will (the tie is at the cutoff point), a single tiebreaker match will be played to see who makes it to the playoffs.

Rocket League: Top 16 Teams
Overwatch: Top 8 Teams
Valorant: Top 8 Teams
Super Smash Brothers: Top 16 Players
Chess: Top 16 Players
Minecraft: Top 8 Teams
Call of Duty: Top 8 Teams

(*The number of teams/players entered are subject to change based on needs or considerations by the league admin.)

1.4 Reporting Scores

Scores will be reported using the Leaguespot score reporting tool.

• Both teams are responsible for reporting scores and saving replays/screenshots that prove their claim.

• All reported matches must have a screenshot attached for the LeagueSpot platform

1.5 Rescheduling Games

Games will be scheduled on a weekly basis, meaning each team will have one opponent per week. The default game time for all official matches will be at noon (12pm) on Sundays. If teams would like to reschedule their game to another time, then they must agree upon a time that they can play during the same week they are scheduled to play one another. Games MAY NOT be rescheduled to another week.

Both teams must agree to a reschedule and must do so by using the Leaguespot platform or by using the Leaguespot Discord bot within the MNVL Discord Server, which is connected to the Leaguespot platform.

If teams cannot agree upon a time to play, they must play on the default time. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit. If both teams fail to attend the match default time, both will receive a forfeit loss for the match.

1.6 Player Eligibility

A player is any participant who plays in an official match. All players must be currently enrolled in the school they are representing, must be 13 years of age or older, and must maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average to be eligible to play. Players who are homeschooled may participate for a school if they live within the defined district lines for the school district in question. If and only if there is not a school program at the school the player attends, they may participate through another program that is located in the school district in which they live. Examples are community rec center programs, or Minnesota Esports Club programs. Players over the age of 19 are ineligible to play in the MNVL.

There is not a restriction on the number of teams or players that can compete from each school.

Any changes to rosters must be done one week (7 days) before the next scheduled match for the game in question. Roster changes must be submitted to a league admin in writing (via Discord message or Email), and they must have written approval before that player can participate in an official match. Substitutions are allowed at any time as long as all players involved have been on the roster for 7 days before the match.

*Eligibility is subject to change at the League Director’s discretion but must be communicated to all schools before any changes take effect.

1.7 Names

A player’s name in-game must match the name that they have registered for that game with the MN Varsity League rosters sheet. All participants names or profiles are prohibited from including:

● Gang Affiliation
● Drugs (including alcohol and tobacco)
● Sexual Material
● Offensive Material
● Politically Charged Symbols/Images
● Homophobic or Racially Insensitive Material

This includes our Discord community.

1.8 Cheating

Any manipulation of gameplay including, but not limited to, scripts, wallhacks, aimbot, 3rd party applications, sound changes, or having another person play on an official players account during match time will be considered cheating. Any team or player caught cheating will be subject to forfeiture of the match, suspension from the league, or a school-wide ban from the league depending on the severity of offense. All suspensions and bans will be decided upon by a consortium of coaches and coordinators from all schools participating in the league.

GENERAL RULES

1.1 League Structure The Minnesota Varsity League (MNVL) will have a regular season consisting of 8 weeks of pool play and then a tournament for playoffs/finals. Regular season games will determine both qualifying and seeding for playoffs. The regular season will consist of one game per week as outlined below. Default game time for all games will be Sunday at noon (12pm) Games may be rescheduled for any time during the week, but must be played by midnight on Sunday of the week they are scheduled to play (see rescheduling rules below in section 1.5) All scores must be reported by Sunday at midnight for the preceding week or both teams will receive a loss. The spirit of MNVL is to always play if you can, and never take a forfeit win unless you absolutely must. Although not a rule, this is a standard we hope all our teams and players try to live up to! 1.2 Dates of Play The MN Varsity League will run for 8 weeks of regular season, and one week of playoffs/finals. There will also be an all-star event at the conclusion of each season. 1.3 Playoffs and Finals
Playoffs will be executed as a single tournament with seeding based on regular season results, with a match to determine the third-place finisher. Playoff rules will be outlined in specific game rules posted on the MNVL website. Teams making playoffs will be as such for the following games, unless there are less than the specified amount of teams participating in the league for that game. If there are less than the following number of teams, the tournament will be played with all participating teams with first round byes for the top seeds. Teams/Players making the playoffs will be based on seeding, which considers wins first, then game differential. If there is a tie in both wins and game differential, and one of the teams/players will not make the tournament and the other will (the tie is at the cutoff point), a single tiebreaker match will be played to see who makes it to the playoffs. Rocket League: Top 8 Teams Overwatch: Top 8 Teams Valorant: Top 8 Teams Super Smash Brothers: Top 16 Players Chess: Top 16 Players Minecraft: Top 8 Teams (*The number of teams/players entered are subject to change based on needs or considerations by the league admin.) 1.4 Reporting Scores
Scores will be reported using the Leaguespot score reporting tool. • Both teams are responsible for reporting scores and saving replays/screenshots that prove their claim. • All reported matches must have a screenshot attached for the LeagueSpot platform 1.5 Rescheduling Games Games will be scheduled on a weekly basis, meaning each team will have one opponent per week. The default game time for all official matches will be at noon (12pm) on Sundays. If teams would like to reschedule their game to another time, then they must agree upon a time that they can play during the same week they are scheduled to play one another. Games MAY NOT be rescheduled to another week. Both teams must agree to a reschedule and must do so by using the Leaguespot platform or by using the Leaguespot Discord bot within the MNVL Discord Server, which is connected to the Leaguespot platform. If teams cannot agree upon a time to play, they must play on the default time. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit. If both teams fail to attend the match default time, both will receive a forfeit loss for the match. 1.6 Player Eligibility
A player is any participant who plays in an official match. All players must be currently enrolled in the school they are representing, must be 13 years of age or older, and must maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average to be eligible to play. Players who are homeschooled may participate for a school if they live within the defined district lines for the school district in question. Players over the age of 19 are ineligible to play in the MNVL. There is not a restriction on the number of teams or players that can compete from each school. Any changes to rosters must be done one week (7 days) before the next scheduled match for the game in question. Roster changes must be submitted to a league admin in writing (via Discord message or Email), and they must have written approval before that player can participate in an official match. Substitutions are allowed at any time as long as all players involved have been on the roster for 7 days before the match. *Eligibility is subject to change at the League Director’s discretion but must be communicated to all schools before any changes take effect. 1.7 Names
A player’s name in-game must match the name that they have registered for that game with the MN Varsity League rosters sheet. All participants names or profiles are prohibited from including:
● Gang Affiliation
● Drugs (including alcohol and tobacco)
● Sexual Material
● Offensive Material
● Politically Charged Symbols/Images
● Homophobic or Racially Insensitive Material
This includes our Discord community.
1.8 Cheating Any manipulation of gameplay including, but not limited to, scripts, wallhacks, aimbot, 3rd party applications, sound changes, or having another person play on an official players account during match time will be considered cheating. Any team or player caught cheating will be subject to forfeiture of the match, suspension from the league, or a school-wide ban from the league depending on the severity of offense. All suspensions and bans will be decided upon by a consortium of coaches and coordinators from all schools participating in the league.

SSBU RULES

Note: Players are strongly encouraged to play all MNVL matches with an ethernet adapter or from the same room their internet router is in to ensure the best quality of matches. 1.1 Series Lengths Matches are played as a best of 5 in the regular season, best of 3 in playoffs, best of 5 in the Semi-Finals, and above in the playoffs. 1.2 Game Lobby The higher seed will create the lobby (“Online” > “Smash” > “Battle Arenas” > “Create Arena”) and provide lobby ID and Password. Official matches must use the following settings: Type: Host preference Visibility: Friends Format: 1-on-1 Rules: Style: Stock Stock: 3 Time Limit: 8 minutes FS Meter: Off Damage Handicap: Off Items: Off and None Stage Hazards: Off Launch Rate: 1.0x Score Display: Off Show Damage: Yes Rotation: Host preference Max Players: 2 Stage: Choice Spirits: Off Voice Chat: Off If the incorrect ruleset is used, the match must be restarted. If previous games were under the wrong ruleset, they are void and must be replayed. 1.3 Stage Selection The stage selection process is as follows and is done throughout the match: 1. Players will select the first stage by striking from the set of starter stages in 1.4 in the following order: home player strikes a stage, away player strikes two stages, home player strikes a stage. The remaining stage is used for the first match. Stage strikes only affect the first match and are removed in consecutive matches (i.e. stages striked for game 1 can be played in the other matches in the series).
2. Home player selects their character. 3. Away player selects their character. 4. Play game 1 5. The winner of the game bans two stages from the list of starter or counterpick stages. These bans will not continue to following matches (i.e. stages banned will not be permanently banned throughout the series). 6. The loser of the game chooses the next stage, as long as it is not already banned or they have not played and won on that stage during the series. 7. The winner selects their character. 8. The loser selects their character. 9. The next match is played. 10. Repeat steps 5-9 until a series winner is determined 1.4 Starter Stages The following starter stages are permitted for use in official matches: Battlefield Final Destination Lylat Cruise Pokémon Stadium 2 Smashville If Battlefield or Final Destination are chosen, players may use Battlefield or Omega variations (respectively) of permitted stages listed below. If Battlefield or Final Destination are chosen as a result of stage striking before the first game, the higher seeded player may choose a Battlefield or Omega variant (respectively) from the list below. If Battlefield or Final Destination are chosen by the loser of the previous game to be played next, that player may choose a Battlefield or Omega variant (respectively) from the list below. Only the following stages are permitted to be used as variants: Arena Ferox Battlefield Castle Siege Corneria Delfino Plaza Dream Land Final Destination Frigate Orpheum Great Plateau Tower Halberd Kalos Pokémon League Kongo Falls Kongo Jungle Lylat Cruise Moray Towers New Donk City Hall Peach’s Castle Pokémon Stadium Pokémon Stadium 2 Reset Bomb Forest Skyworld Smashville Super Happy Tree Suzaku Castle Town & City Umbra Clock Tower Venom Yoshi’s Island (Brawl) Yoshi’s Story 1.5 Counterpick Stages The following counterpick stages are permitted for use in official matches: Kalos Pokémon League Town & City Yoshi’s Story 1.6 Self-Destruct Finishes In the event where the game ends due to a self-destruct move, the results screen will determine the winner of the game. 1.7 Sudden Death If time expires and a sudden death is started, the player with the highest number of stocks is the winner of the match. If both players had the same amount of stocks, the player with the lower percentage wins. If both players had the same amount of stocks and the same percentage, players should execute the below scenario: In the event where both players knock-out at the same time and initiate a sudden death, players will play a tiebreaker game on the same stage with the same characters using the official match format with the following modifications: Stock: 1 Stock & Time: 3 minutes 1.8 Restrictions 1.8.1 DLC Fighters DLC Fighters are prohibited from being used in MNVL events for the first two weeks of their release. After the two week restriction has passed a DLC Fighter will be allowed to be used in MNVL matches. 1.8.2 MII Fighters Players must use a Guest Mii. If a player chooses to use a Mii Fighter, they must declare to their opponent the type and moveset listed in the format “Type XXXX” (e.g. “Gunner 1321”). Any combination of moves may be used, but any Mii Fighters that a player may want to use during a match must be created before the match begins (up to a limit of three Mii Fighters) or else they will be prohibited from doing so. Using Mii Fighters that do not follow these rules may result in a player forfeiting the game in which the illegal Mii Fighter was used. 1.8.3 Amiibo All amiibo figures are prohibited from use in official matches. 1.8.4 Stages Alternate forms to the stages listed in 1.4 or 1.5 are prohibited from play in official matches. 1.9 Stoppage of Play Players unplugging their controller at any time, accidentally or intentionally, will result in a forfeiture of the series. Any controller malfunctions are the player’s responsibility, and as such the MN Varsity League will not force a game/match restart should a player’s controller malfunction during a game. In the event that a player should have internet connectivity issues that causes them to drop out of the game the game will be reset only if both players have all their starting stocks, combined have not accumulated more than 60% damage, and a minute in-game has not passed. If these conditions are not met, then the player will forfeit that game, unless their opponent agrees to a redo. In the event where the game server is lagging (e.g. it takes much more than a second for an in-game second to pass or the smash ball loading icon is constantly appearing), the game may be reset if and only if both players consent to the reset. 1.10 Player Count Matches are played as 1 versus 1, meaning that only one player may participate in the match for either side. Substitutions are not allowed.

ROCKET LEAGUE RULES

1. Match Procedure 1. Supported Platforms PC XB1 PS4 Nintendo Switch This game supports crossplay. All teams compete in the same league, regardless of platform. 1.1. Series Lengths All matches will be played as a best of 5 series, including playoffs and finals. 1.2. Game Lobby The home team will create the lobby. The away team will have choice of which team is which color, which will remain the same for the match. The default arena played is DFH Stadium. Teams are free to change the arena at any time as long as teams agree and the arena is playable according to rules. The game settings should be set to the following: Game Mode: Soccar Arena: DFH Stadium OR another arena agreed upon by both teams from the list in 1.3. Team Size: 3v3 Bot Difficulty: No Bots Team Settings Team Names should be in accordance with the sides chosen by the away team Primary and accent colors should be set to Default Mutator Settings Preset Settings: Custom Match Length: 5 minutes Max Score: Unlimited Overtime: Unlimited Series Length: 5 games Game Speed: Default Ball Max Speed: Default Ball Type: Default Ball Physics: Default Ball Size: Default Ball Bounciness: Default Boost Amount: Default Rumble: None Boost Strength: 1x Gravity: Default Demolish: Default Respawn Time: 3 seconds Region: As decided on in 2.4. Joinable By: Name/Password (to be determined by hosting team) In the event that incorrect settings loaded on the server, the match should be stopped and replayed. If previous games were played with the wrong ruleset they are void and must be replayed. 1.3. Arenas The following arenas are available for switching to during an official match: Aquadome Champions Field Champions Field (Day) DFH Stadium DFH Stadium (Day) DFH Stadium (Stormy) Mannfield Mannfield (Night) Mannfield (Snowy) Mannfield (Stormy) Neo Tokyo Salty Shores Starbase ARC Urban Central Urban Central (Dawn) Urban Central (Night) Utopia Coliseum Utopia Coliseum (Dusk) Utopia Coliseum (Snowy) Wasteland Wasteland (Night) 1.4. Server Region The following server regions are available for use in official matches: US-East US-West The server region that gives the lowest ping for players in Minnesota should be chosen. If there is a disparity in ping among players, the server region will alternate each game. Restrictions 2.1. Customization Any toppers, antennae, goal explosions, bodies, decals, wheels, rocket boosts, trails, or engine audios that are currently disabled in competitive 3v3 queues are not permitted for use in official matches. All others are permitted. 2.2. Leaving and Rejoining Teams Leaving and rejoining to change your placement in the arena is considered cheating. 3. Stoppage of Play Should a player disconnect from the game less than 30 seconds into the match or before the first goal is scored, the game will be restarted. If either of these events have occurred, the game will continue. 4. Player Count Both teams must provide 3 players at the beginning of the first game, and 2 for each game following. During a game, if a team has 2 players intentionally disconnect from the match at the same time, that team will forfeit the remainder of the game to the opposing team. If a team does not have 2 or more players for additional games in the series, then they will forfeit the remainder of the match.nt of players for additional games in the series, then they will forfeit the remainder of the match.

CALL OF DUTY RULES

1.1 Match Procedure Supported platforms PC XBOX Playstation This game supports crossplay. All teams will compete in the same league, regardless of platform. 1.2 Series Lengths All matches will be played as a best of 3 series, including playoffs and a best of 5 in the finals. 1.3 Game Lobby Call of Duty matches us the Call of Duty League (CDL) Ruleset
All matches will be played with the default settings for the CDL game modes for Hardpoint, Search and Destroy, and Control. When creating your custom match please select these modes and do not change any rules or settings. DO NOT SELECT THE PRO VARIATION (for example select CDL Hardpoint, do NOT select CDL Hardpoint Pro)
If a match is played with the wrong ruleset, it should be restarted. If multiple games were played with the wrong ruleset, they are void and must be replayed.
The official CDL ruleset with all settings can be found here: https://callofdutyleague.com/en-us/competitive-settings?tab=pro%2Fchallengers-settings 1.4 Input Devices All official Call of Duty matches must be played on controller only. Keyboard and mouse is strictly prohibited. Playstation, Xbox, and PC controllers are acceptable. If it is found that a player is using keyboard and mouse they will forfeit all previous games played up to that point, and must switch to controller for any subsequent matches. 1.5 Maps The following maps are available for play in official Call of Duty matches: Hardpoint

Checkmate

Crossroads

Garrison

Moscow

Raid

Search and Destroy

Checkmate

Garrison

Miami

Moscow

Raid

Control

Checkmate

Garrison

Raid

1.6 Map Order Game 1: Hardpoint Game 2: Search and Destroy Game 3: Control Game 4 (Best of 5 Only): Hardpoint Game 5 (Best of 5 Only): Search and Destroy
1.7 Map Veto Process The home team will act as Team A and the away team will act as Team B:
Best of 3 Veto Process:
1. Team A gets first choice of which game they would like to host.
2. Team B hosts the remaining two games.
3. Side choice will go to whichever team is not currently hosting the game.
Best of 5 Veto Process:
1. Team A gets first choice of which game they would like to host.
2. Team B gets second choice of which game they would like to host.
3. Team A gets third choice of which game they would like to host.
4. Team B hosts the remaining two games.
5. Side choice will go to whichever team is not currently hosting the game. Hardpoint 1. A bans one map from pool. 2. B bans one remaining map from pool. 3. A picks Map 1 of the remaining maps. 4. B picks Map 4 of the remaining maps. (Best of Five only) Search and Destroy 1. B bans one map from pool. 2. A bans one remaining map from pool. 3. B picks Map 1 of the remaining maps. 4. A picks Map 4 of the remaining maps. (Best of Five only) Control 1. A bans one map. 2. B bans one remaining map from pool. 3. Remaining map is played. 1.8 Restrictions Any operators, maps, weapons, attachments, camos, stickers, perks, and wildcards currently disabled for the CDL game modes are prohibited in official MNVL matches. Restricted items can be found here: https://callofdutyleague.com/en-us/competitive-settings?tab=pro%2Fchallengers-settings#items 1.9 Leaving and Rejoining Leaving and rejoining without a valid reason (such as a disconnect) to change your placement in the game is considered cheating. 1.10 Stoppage of Play Should a player disconnect from the game less than 30 seconds into the match or before first blood has occurred, the game will be restarted. If either of these events have occurred, the game will continue with the remaining players. The disconnected player may rejoin at any time. 1.11 Players Both teams must provide 4 players at the beginning of the first game, and 3 for each game following. During a game, if a team has 2 players intentionally disconnect from the match at the same time, that team will forfeit the remainder of the game to the opposing team. If a team does not have 3 or more players for additional games in the series, then they will forfeit the remainder of the match. The team with more players may choose to continue playing at a numbers advantage should they desire (this is encouraged as we always try to play in MNVL over taking forfeits).

OVERWATCH RULES

1.1 Series Length Matches are played as a best of 5 in the preseason, regular season and the postseason and Open grand finals, and best of 7 in Major/Summer Invitational grand finals. 1.2 Game Lobby The home team will create the lobby, away team will determine which team starts as red/blue in the first game. The match settings are based on the most recent competitive rules preset with the following settings adjusted:

Lobby

Team

Swap Teams After Match: No

Modes

General

Kill Cam: Disabled

Skins: Off

Hero Limit

Limit Rolls: On

If a match is played with the wrong ruleset, it should be restarted. If multiple games were played with the wrong ruleset, they are void and must be replayed. 1.3 Best of Five In a Best of Five, the away team will ban one map from the list of three maps for the current game mode (order listed in 1.6 Map Order) the home team will then choose a map from the remaining maps for the game mode. The winner of the game mode will choose which map is banned from the next game mode, then the loser of the game mode will choose the next map. If the rotation goes to round 5 the Control map that was not previously chosen or banned in round 1 will be the final map to be played for the match. 1.4 Best of Seven In a Best of Seven, the away team will ban one map from the list of three maps for the current game mode (order listed in 1.6 Map Order) the home team will then choose a map from the remaining maps for the game mode. The winner of the game mode will choose which map is banned from the next game mode, then the loser of the game mode will choose the next map. If the game mode returns to the start of the list (Control), the remaining map that was not banned or chosen previously will be played. 1.5 Map Pool The following maps are permitted for play in official matches. Please note that any reskinned/seasonal versions of these maps are prohibited from play in official matches. CONTROL MAPS Ilios Busan Lijiang Tower ASSAULT MAPS Hanamura Volskaya Industries Temple of Anubis HYBRID MAPS Hollywood Blizzard World King’s Row ESCORT MAPS Havana Junkertown Route 66 1.6 Map Order Each match will have the following game modes in this order: Control / Hybrid / Assault / Escort / Control / + Assault/Hybrid (Bo7) 1.7 Ties In the event that a map ends in a tie, a control map not currently in the map order will be used as a tiebreaker. The lobby owner will need to select the map and set the mode as listed below. Mode Score to Win Control: 1 T The tiebreaker does not count towards the series length, it is only used to determine the winner of the previous map. 1.8 Restrictions Any heroes, sprays, voice lines, emotes, victory poses, highlight intros, or maps that are currently disabled in the competitive game mode are prohibited from use in official matches. 1.9 New Heroes New heroes are not allowed in official matches in the first two weeks of their launch. 1.10 Skins The use of hero skins in a match is prohibited. Skins need to be disabled in the game lobby’s menu. 1.11 Stoppage of Play The game may be paused for the following reasons: Player drop Player disconnect Server crash Technical issues Stoppage of play may be requested at any time for the above reasons. The match host (person who created the match lobby and therefore has pausing privileges) must initiate a pause when a team requests it so long as the pause is not called during combat, while the objective is contested, or during overtime. Each team will have 5 total minutes of pause time per map. Players pause the game using the key combination Ctrl + Shift + =. Abuse of the auto-pause feature may result in forfeit or other consequences for the team engaging in it, 1.12 Player Count Both teams participating in a match must provide 6 players at the beginning of the first game, and 5 for each consecutive game. During a game, if a team should lose 2 players that have disconnected with the intention of no longer playing in the match at the same time, that team will forfeit the remainder of the game to the opposing team. If a team is not able to field the required amount of players for additional games in the series, then they will forfeit the remainder of the match.

CHESS RULES

1.1 Platforms All official matches for MNVL will be played on Chess.com. You must have a username and profile created on Chess.com to compete. Chess.com supports the following platforms: PC Mobile App 1.2 Series All matches for the regular season will be a best of 3. Playoffs will be a best of 1 for all rounds up to semifinals. Semifinals and finals will be a best of 3. 1.3 Players All official MNVL matches will be one player vs one player. Any instance of an outside influence or more than one player competing for a side will be determined as cheating and will be subject to consequences depending on the severity of the offense, and if any previous offenses have occurred. Consequences will be immediate forfeiture of the match, as well as the possibility for personal suspension from the league or school-wide suspension from the league (this will be voted on by all coordinators in the league). 1.4 Game Lobby The home team/player will make the lobby and challenge the away team/player. All official MNVL matches must be played with the following settings:

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