TFL Weekly Rule Focus - Sacks

UPDATED SACK RULE 
The Updated Sack Rule is an optional rule that works very similarly to the Super Advanced Pass Rush system.  The differences between to the two systems is that the Updated Sack Rule introduces sacks for flat passes, recognizes differences between the pass rush for a short and long pass, and makes adjustments for when a receiver is double-teamed (which can result in more sacks). 

The Updated Sack Rule is percentile dice based (two 10-sided dice that are not included with the board game would be necessary to use this system if it were to be played with the board game). 
The procedure for long and short passes is exactly the same as in the Super Advanced system except you consult the  Updated Sack Rule Pass Rush Chart using the ratings of the indicated players  Three numbers are listed in each section of the chart.  They represent the sack percentage for long/short/flat passes respectively.  For example, a short pass with a Pass Rush Rating of 13 and a Pass Block Rating of 4 results in a sack percentage of 90 as shown in the Updated Sack Rule Pass Rush Chart.  The Pass Rush Rating row that you consult is modified according to the Updated Sack Rule adjustment chart.   

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are checking for a sack as a result of a Safety Blitz then consult the Safety Blitz Pass Rush Chart instead of the Updated Sack Rule Pass Chart to find the sack percentage.  Using the same example shown above, on the Safety Blitz Pass Rush Chart you would find that the sack percentage is 55 for a short pass with a Pass Rush Rating of 13 and a Pass Block Rating of 4. 

Sacks for flat passes follow the same rules as for long and short passes (for example, “Pass” must be called by the defense for a flat pass sack to occur), but with the following exceptions.  First, in order for a flat sack to be possible there must be at least 5 men on the line of scrimmage (any combination of defensive lineman, linebackers and free safety).  Sacks cannot occur on dump-offs because the sack chance was already missed when initially rolling the dice for the long or short pass play attempt.  The Safety Blitz rule is modified for flat pass sacks as follows:  A safety blitz sack situation for flat passes only occurs on a roll of “D”, never when the black die is blank. 

A few examples that show the various aspects of the system follow: 
A long pass is attempted.  The defense is playing a 4-3, has correctly guessed pass, has moved 2 linebackers to the line of scrimmage and has correctly double-teamed the intended receiver.  A “D” is rolled on the pass attempt indicating a possible sack.  Using the white die reading of “1” and referring to the Offensive and Defensive rating cards, the matchup is the DLE (a 6 rated pass rusher) against the ORT (a 5 rated pass blocker).  Referring to the Updated Sack Rule Adjustments chart, we will add +4 to the pass rush rating because the defense has 2 additional linebackers blitzing (in addition to the indicated man) and another +2 because the receiver was correctly double-teamed.  So the modified pass rush rating is 6+4+2, or 12.  Using 12 as the pass rush rating, and cross-referencing that with the 5 pass block rating the sack percentage in the chart is indicated to be 82.  Now roll the two percentile dice and if the result is from 1 to 82 then a sack has occurred. 

A flat pass is attempted.  The defense employs a safety blitz.  The black die is blank.  No sack is possible since on flat passes the black die must be “D” in order for the safety blitz sack rule to take effect. 

A flat pass is attempted against a 3-4 defense.  The defense has moved one linebackers to the line of scrimmage.  A “D” is rolled on the black die.  No sack is possible because there are less than 5 total defenders on the line of scrimmage. 

A flat pass is attempted.  The defense is playing a 4-3, has correctly guessed pass, is showing blitz and has moved the free safety and all three linebackers to the line of scrimmage.  A “D” is rolled on the pass attempt indicating a possible sack.  Using the white die reading of “6” the Free Safety (rated 10 by rule) is matched up against the BB who has a 5 pass block rating.  Referring to the Updated Sack Rule Adjustments chart, we will add +6 to the pass rush rating because the defense has 3 additional linebackers blitzing (in addition to the indicated man).  Using the modified pass rush rating of 16, and cross referencing that with the 5 pass block rating the sack percentage in the chart is indicated to be 40.  Now roll the percentile dice and if the results is from 1 to 40 then a sack has occurred. 

ADJUSTING SACK YARDAGE LOST BY TYPE OF PASS Sacks on long pass attempts tend to be for bigger losses then sacks on shorter pass attempts.  In order to account for this you should apply the following changes after the two dice are rolled to determine the yards lost on a sack: 

Flat Passes:  Subtract 2 yards from yardage lost.  However, if this results in a zero yard loss then change that to a 1-yard loss.  For example, if a “7” is rolled then the Quarterback is sacked for a 5-yard loss. 

Short Passes:  No change, accept the original dice roll. 
Long Passes:  Add 2 yards to yardage lost.  For example, if a “7” is rolled then the Quarterback is sacked for a 9-yard loss.