Playoff Format

• The playoffs are a single elimination format tournament.
• The higher seed is the home team.
• First round playoff games will not be scheduled on the same day as CheerFest.
• Depending on the number of teams each year, divisions may have 1 or 2 conferences for the regular season.

When There is 1 Conference Per Division

The top 8 teams will make the playoffs.

• 1 Home vs. 8
• 2 Home vs. 7
• 3 Home vs. 6
• 4 Home vs. 5

• The 2 highest remaining seeds will be home vs. the 2 lowest remaining seeds.
• Example matchups: 1 Home vs. 4, 2 Home vs. 3
• We do not reseed in round 2. For example, if #8 beats #1, they remain the 8 seed and play away against the highest remaining seed in round 2.

The two winning teams advance to the Super Bowl. The higher seed will be the home team.

When There Are 2 Conferences Per Division

The top 4 teams from each conference make the playoffs.

• We do not reseed in round 2. For example, if #4 beats #1, they remain the 4 seed and play away against the highest remaining seed in Round 2.

• Highest remaining seed of Conference A Home vs. Lowest remaining seed of Conference B
• Highest remaining seed of Conference B Home vs. Lowest remaining seed of Conference A

The two winning teams will meet in the Super Bowl. The higher seed will be the home team. If both teams have the same seed, a hat pick will determine the home team.

Tie Breakers for Playoff Seeding

1. Head-to-Head Competition:
   • If one of the tied teams has beaten all of the other tied teams, they receive the higher seed or playoff spot.
   • If one of the tied teams has lost to any of the other tied teams, they receive the lowest seed or are eliminated.
   • Repeat the process until all playoff spots are determined.
2. Hat Pick:

   If head-to-head competition cannot determine seeding, names of tied teams will be placed in a hat and drawn in order.

   Example: 3 teams tied for seeds 3, 4, and 5 — the first name picked is the 3 seed, the second is the 4 seed, and the third is the 5 seed.

Final Playoff Spots

If head-to-head competition cannot determine the winner, play-in games will be required.

Examples

• 3 Teams for 3 Playoff Spots:
  • If teams have not played each other — hat pick determines 1st, 2nd, 3rd seeds.
  • If A beat C — C is lowest seed; A and B do a hat pick for 1 and 2.
• 3 Teams for 2 Playoff Spots:
  • If nobody played each other — 3-way play-in game.
  • If B beat A, A beat C — B gets top seed, A second seed, C out.
  • If B beat both A and C — B highest seed; A and C play for last seed.
  • If B beat A and C did not play either — coin toss between B and C for 1 and 2 seeds.
• 3 Teams for 1 Playoff Spot:
  • If B beat A and C did not play either — B and C have a play-in; A is out.
• 4 Teams for 2 Playoff Spots:
  • A beat C, D beat A, nobody else played each other.
  • D and B hat pick for 1 & 2 seeds (no losses).
  • A and C are out (have losses).

Play-In Games

These games will be played on the Wednesday night following the final Sunday of the regular season at a neutral site determined by OCYFL.

• Games consist of two 6-minute halves with a 2-minute halftime.
• Home team determined by hat pick.
• Home team chooses sideline; away team calls coin toss.
• Coin toss for possession at start of game.
• All standard rules apply except minimum play requirements (cut in half).

Overtime Rules

• Overtime follows the NYSHSAA 20-yard line format.
• 3-minute intermission, then a coin toss (away team calls).
• Coin toss winner chooses offense/defense or field side; the loser takes the remaining option.
• Each team begins with 1st and 10 from the opponent’s 20-yard line.
• Teams have 4 downs to score or gain a first down.
• Field goals are allowed on any down.
• If the defense gains possession, the play is dead immediately.
• If tied after both teams’ possessions, play continues from the 10-yard line, alternating choices; no new coin toss.

Minimum Play Adjustments

Roster Size	Minimum Plays
30+	3 plays
25–29	4 plays
19–24	5 plays
18 or less	6 plays

Special Scenarios

• 3 Teams for 1 Spot:
  • Names drawn from hat; first 2 teams play each other (first drawn is home).
  • Winner plays 3rd team; winner gets playoff spot.
• 4 Teams for 1 Spot:
  • Names drawn from hat; first 2 teams play, then next 2 play.
  • Winners face each other; winner gets playoff spot.
• 4 Teams for 2 Spots:
  • Names drawn from hat; first 2 teams play, then next 2 play.
  • Winners of those games each earn a playoff spot.
  • Hat pick between winners determines higher seed.