Pizza Box Football
Pizza Box Football Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Contents
- Game Board
- Game Pieces
- 3 red team score and yardage markers
- 3 blue team score and yardage markers
- 1 yellow first down marker
- 6 green game clock, timeouts and downs markers
- Dice
- 3 large black Play Dice
- 5 large white Yardage Dice
- 1 red Run Defense die
- 1 yellow Short Pass Defense die
- 1 green Long Pass Defense die
- 1 small white Defense Effect die
- 1 small black Punt Coverage die
- Game Cards
| # | Front | Back |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Play Sequence Card | Play Descriptions Card |
| 1 | Dice Symbols Card | Field Goal, Recoveries & Breakaway Factor Card |
| 1 | Kickoffs & Normal Punts Card | Onside Kickoffs & Short Punts Card |
| 1 | Professional Time Card | Stat Sheet Symbols Card |
- Instruction Booklet
- Stat Sheets
Getting Started
Here's how to start playing Pizza Box Football™ right away!
- Unfold the game box and lay it flat on its back.
- Unfold the game board so that the platform stands inside the game box.
- Choose a player to practice offense. The other player will practice defense.
- Give the 3 black Play Dice and 5 white Yardage Dice to the offense player.
- Give the red, yellow and green Defense dice and the small white Defense Effect die to the defense player.
- It's time to practice calling plays. Grab the Play Sequence Card. Together, follow steps 1-5 shown on the card.
- When you're ready to start playing a real game, choose 1 of the 4 Game Options to play from the Game Options chart on the next page.
- Check out the rules for your Game Option. The Game Options chart will point you to the correct page. Set up the game pieces and lay out the game cards that you will use.
- See pages 8-9 (below, under Game Board) for how to use the game board and the game pieces.
- Check out the Strategy section below. You're ready to play Pizza Box Football!
Strategy
Pizza Box Football is designed for intense competition. The Play Calling Strategy Advantage Chart shows that each player can create an advantage for his team on every play.
How well you do will depend on how well you roll. In Pizza Box Football, you'll earn every yard.
Play Calling Strategy Advantage
| Defense Play \ Offense Play | Run | Short Pass | Long Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Run | Defense | None | Offense |
| Short Pass | Offense | Defense | None |
| Long Pass | Offense | Offense | Defense |
Game Options
All instructions below are written for 2 players; however all versions may be played solitaire (without defense rolls).
| Red Zone Shootout | Backyard Brawl | Smashmouth Full Game | Professional Full Game | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instructions Page | p. 4 | p. 5 | p. 6 | p. 7 |
| Time To Play | 5+ minutes | 30-40 minutes | 60-75 minutes | 60-75 minutes |
| Strategy Level | Low | Medium | High | Very High |
| Object of the Game | Score more points than your opponent in 1 Red Zone Shootout round. Points are scored per the rules of football. | Score more points than your opponent over 6 game rounds. Points are scored per the rules of football. | Score more points than your opponent in a full 4-quarter football game. Points are scored per the rules of football. | Score more points than your opponent in a full 4-quarter football game. Points are scored per the rules of football. |
| Pre-set Number of Rounds | 1 per team; but game continues if score is tied | 6 per team (3 rounds per half) | Play per the rules of professional football | Play per the rules of professional football |
| Pre-set Limit for Number of Plays | No | Round Limits — 1 & 4: 18 plays; 2 & 5: 12 plays; 3 & 6: 6 plays | 30 plays / quarter | No |
| Pre-set Yard Line(s) Per Round | Opponent's 25 | 1 & 4: Owns 25; 2 & 5: 50 yard line; 3 & 6: Opponent's 25 | None | None |
| Kickoffs/Punts | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Turnovers Affect Field Position | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Timeouts/Clock Management | No | No | No | Yes |
Red Zone Shootout
Object of the Game: Score more points than your opponent in 1 Red Zone Shootout round. Points are scored per the rules of football: (6) Touchdown; (3) Field Goal; (2) Safety, 2-Point Conversion; (1) Extra Point.
Strategy Level: Low
Time to Play: 5+ minutes
Getting Started
Cards to Use: Play Sequence Card, Dice Symbols Card, Field Goal/Recoveries/Breakaway Factor Card.
Decide which player will go first: Each player rolls 1 die. The higher roller will start with the ball first.
Game Board Setup: Choose team colors and end zones. The player going first will place his marker on his opponent's 25-yard line and place the yellow marker on his opponent's 15. Place a green marker next to the 1 in the Downs area. Place each team's score piece next to the zeros (0).
Playing Red Zone Shootout
Rules of Play:
- Players will take turns starting with the ball on their opponent's 25 yard-line. Each player will run his offense until his team scores or loses the ball. You're close enough to try a field goal, but 3 points may not be enough to win…
- After both players have completed their turn, the round is over. If one team has scored more points, then that team is the winner.
Begin Play: The first player starts on offense from his opponent's 25-yard line. Follow Play Sequence 1-6. You will not use the Game Clock in Red Zone Shootout.
How to play overtime if game ends in a tie:
- If at the end of the round the score is tied, then the players will begin another round. The player who went second in the previous round will start the next round.
- Play continues until one team has scored more than the other at the end of a round.
Backyard Brawl
Object of the Game: Score more points than your opponent over 6 game rounds. Points are scored per the rules of football: (6) Touchdown; (3) Field Goal; (2) Safety, 2-Point Conversion; (1) Extra Point.
Strategy Level: Medium
Time to Play: 30-40 minutes
Getting Started
Cards to Use: Play Sequence Card, Dice Symbols Card, Field Goal/Recoveries/Breakaway Factor Card.
Decide which player will go first: Each player rolls 1 die. The lower roller will start with the ball first in all 6 game rounds.
Game Board Setup: Choose team colors and end zones. The player going first will place his marker at his own 25-yard line and place the yellow marker on his own 35. He will also place a green marker in Quarter 1 and place his team's marker in the Professional Time Cycle #1. Place a green marker next to the 1 in the Downs area and a green marker in the Game Clock next to the 18. Place each team's score piece next to the zeros (0).
Playing Backyard Brawl
Rules of Play:
- The game has 6 rounds (3 per half). Rounds 1 and 4 begin from a team's own 25-yard line. Rounds 2 and 5 begin from the 50. Rounds 3 and 6 begin from the opponent's 25. In each round, players will take turns running their offense until they either score or lose the ball. No punting!
- Each round has a time limit. Rounds 1 and 4 must be completed in 18 plays. Rounds 2 and 5 must be completed in 12 plays. Rounds 3 and 6 must be completed in 6 plays. After each offense play, the Game Clock marker must move 1 play. Field Goal attempts do not count as plays.
- Play is over after all 6 rounds have been completed as long as one team has scored more points than the other. Also refer to Tracking Rounds for Backyard Brawl (see Game Board).
Backyard Brawl Rounds
| Round | Starts on | Play Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Own 25 | 18 |
| 2 | Own 50 | 12 |
| 3 | Opp 25 | 6 |
| — Half — | ||
| 4 | Own 25 | 18 |
| 5 | Own 50 | 12 |
| 6 | Opp 25 | 6 |
Begin Play: The first player starts on offense from his own 25-yard line. Follow Play Sequence 1-6.
How to play overtime if game ends in a tie:
- If at the end of the game the score is tied, then the players will play a Red Zone Shootout round (see Red Zone Shootout). The last player to play in regulation will start the overtime round.
- Play continues until one team has scored more than the other at the end of a round.
Smashmouth Full Game
Object of the Game: Score more points than your opponent in a 4-quarter football game. Points are scored per the rules of football: (6) Touchdown; (3) Field Goal; (2) Safety, 2-Point Conversion; (1) Extra Point.
Strategy Level: High
Time to Play: 60-75 minutes
Getting Started
Cards to Use: Play Sequence Card, Dice Symbols Card, Field Goal/Recoveries/Breakaway Factor Card, Kickoffs & Normal Punts Card, Onside Kickoffs & Short Punts Card.
Game Board Setup: Choose team colors and end zones. Place a green Time marker in the Game Clock next to the number 30. Place a green Quarter marker in Quarter 1. Place each team's score piece next to the zeros (0). You will use another green marker for Downs during game play.
Decide which player will go first: Each player rolls 1 die. The higher roller will receive the kickoff. The other player will receive the kickoff in the second half.
Playing Smashmouth Full Game
Rules of Play:
- The game is divided into 4 quarters / 2 halves, just like football. Play begins with a kickoff and kickoff return. Teams alternate possession per the rules of football. Normal Punts, Short Punts and Onside Kicks are included. This is the real deal!
- Each offensive play (not including kicks) is tracked on the game clock. There are 30 offense plays per quarter, total. After the 2nd quarter ends, play stops.
- To begin the 3rd quarter, the player who received the ball in the first half will kickoff to begin the second half.
- Play is over after the completion of the 30 plays in the 4th quarter as long as one team has scored more points than the other.
Begin Play: The kicking player rolls the kickoff. The receiving player rolls the kickoff return. The receiving player begins on offense after the kick return. Follow Play Sequence Steps 1-6.
How to play overtime if game ends in a tie:
- If at the end of the game the score is tied, then the players will play a 30-play Overtime Period. Players will roll to see who gets to receive the kickoff. The higher roller will receive the kickoff.
- Play continues until one team scores and wins or the Overtime Period ends (which ends the game in a tie). There is no second Overtime Period.
Professional Full Game
Object of the Game: Score more points than your opponent in a 4-quarter football game. Points are scored per the rules of football: (6) Touchdown; (3) Field Goal; (2) Safety, 2-Point Conversion; (1) Extra Point.
Strategy Level: Very High
Time to Play: 60-75 minutes
Getting Started
Cards to Use: Play Sequence Card, Dice Symbols Card, Field Goal/Recoveries/Breakaway Factor Card, Kickoffs & Normal Punts Card, Onside Kickoffs & Short Punts Card, Professional Time Card.
Game Board Setup: Choose team colors and end zones. Place a green Time marker in the Game Clock next to the number 30. Place a green Quarter marker in Quarter 1. Place a green marker in Professional Time Cycle #1. Place each team's score piece next to the zeros (0). You will use another green marker for downs during game play.
Decide which player will go first: Each player rolls 1 die. The higher roller will receive the kickoff. The other player will receive the kickoff in the second half.
Playing Professional Full Game
Rules of Play:
- The game is divided into 4 quarters / 2 halves, just like football. Play begins with a kickoff and kickoff return. Teams alternate possession per the rules of football. Normal Punts, Short Punts and Onside Kicks are included. Your strategy will have to include how best to manage the clock.
- Each offensive and special teams play is tracked on the game clock. There are 90 clock units per quarter, total. Refer to the Professional Time Card for Professional Time Units. Also refer to Tracking Time for Professional Full Game (see Game Board).
- To begin the 3rd quarter, the player who received the ball in the first half will kickoff to begin the second half.
- Play is over after the completion of the 90 units in the 4th quarter as long as one team has scored more points than the other.
Begin Play: The Kicking player rolls kickoff. The receiving player rolls kickoff return. The receiving player begins offense after the kick return. Follow Play Sequence Steps 1-6.
How to play overtime if game ends in a tie:
- If at the end of the game the score is tied, then the players will play a 90-unit Overtime Period. Players will roll to see who gets to receive the kickoff. The higher roller will receive the kickoff.
- Play continues until one team scores and wins or the Overtime Period ends (which ends the game in a tie). There is no second Overtime Period.
Game Board
Follow the chart below to learn how to use the game board and game pieces. The game board depicts a football field with yard lines running from each end zone to the 50, flanked by tracks for Professional Timeouts, the Game Clock (with a Professional Time Cycle sub-track), Downs, Home Timeouts and Visitor Timeouts, and a Score track along the bottom.
Tracking the Ball on Offense
- Each team (red and blue) has 2 markers for tracking yards on offense. We'll describe how the blue offense marks the ball.
- For example, let's show a blue team play from the 20-yard line. Put a blue marker on the 20, marking the beginning of the play. Let's say you rolled your play and gained 4 yards. You would use your 2nd blue marker to mark the gain, placing it on the 24.
- Once you have marked your gain, you can remove your original spot. You'll need only the new mark for the next play.
- For a kickoff, punt or turnover, your opponent will place his marker where he receives the ball. After rolling his return he will mark the ball again to begin his turn on offense.
Tracking the First Down Marker
- Once your team gets the ball (and before your first play) place the yellow first down marker 10 yards closer to your opponent's end zone. For example, if your first play is from the 20-yard line, place the yellow marker at your 30.
- You will earn a new first down if a play's gain reaches or passes the first down marker. When this happens, mark your gain and remove the yellow marker, replacing it 10 yards ahead of the result of your last gain.
Tracking the Down Situation: To keep track of the down situation use one of the green markers and the Downs area of the Game Board.
Tracking Time for Smashmouth Full Game
- Use the Game Clock to track time remaining. Each quarter begins with a marker next to the 30 in the Game Clock. There are 30 offense plays in each quarter. The marker moves one place after each run, short pass or long pass play.
- Kicks and returns will not count as plays. Also, an interception and interception return would count as one play.
- After completing the last play of a quarter, move the quarter marker to the next highest quarter and reset the Game Clock to 30.
Tracking Time for Professional Full Game
- Use the Game Clock to track time remaining. Each quarter begins with a marker next to the 30 in the Game Clock. There are 90 Professional Time Units in each quarter, to be marked off in three (3) 30-unit Professional Time Cycles. The marker moves according to the Professional Time Units described on the Professional Time Card.
- Upon reaching the end of the Game Clock row, move the marker back to the 30 and continue marking any remaining time (unless the end of the Game Clock row marks the end of a quarter, an automatic timeout).
- The two-minute warning occurs as an automatic timeout during the 2nd and 4th quarters once the time marker reaches the 12 during Professional Time Cycle #3.
- Track timeouts for each team using the Home Timeouts and Visitor Timeouts sections. Each team may use up to 3 timeouts per half (up to 2 timeouts in overtime period).
Tracking Rounds for Backyard Brawl
- Use the quarter marker to track the half (1st or 2nd).
- To track rounds, start by placing the first player's marker in Professional Time Cycle #1. After the round, replace the first player's marker with the second player's marker. After the second player's possession, continue by placing the first player's marker next to #2, and so on.
Tracking the Score
- Track each team's score using the markers in the score area. Use a red marker for the red team and a blue marker for the blue team.
- Touchdowns are scored (a) when a team crosses the opponent's 1-yard line and reaches the –0– or (b) when an automatic touchdown is awarded.
- Field Goals or Extra Points are scored when the kick result is good.
- 2-point conversions are scored when the attempt gains 3 or more yards.
- A safety is scored (a) when your opponent is tackled inside his own 1-yard line or (b) when a blocked kick goes more than 9 yards into the end zone.
- When a team scores, move that team's marker to the right along the score path to add the points scored to the team's total.
Setting Up League Play
Do you want to create a league with your friends? You can use our ready-made season and playoff schedules for 4, 6, or 8 teams. Substitute your own team names for the team numbers and start playing for the championship!
4-Team League
Mini-League: 1, 2, 3, 4
9-Game Season Schedule
| Week | Matchups |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 vs. 2, 3 vs. 4 |
| 2 | 1 vs. 3, 2 vs. 4 |
| 3 | 4 vs. 1, 2 vs. 3 |
| 4 | 2 vs. 1, 4 vs. 3 |
| 5 | 3 vs. 1, 4 vs. 2 |
| 6 | 1 vs. 4, 3 vs. 2 |
| 7 | 1 vs. 2, 3 vs. 4 |
| 8 | 1 vs. 3, 2 vs. 4 |
| 9 | 4 vs. 1, 2 vs. 3 |
Championship Game: 2nd Place vs. 1st Place
6-Team League
North Division: 1, 2, 3. South Division: 4, 5, 6.
7-Game Season Schedule
| Week | Matchups |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 vs. 2, 3 vs. 4, 5 vs. 6 |
| 2 | 1 vs. 3, 2 vs. 5, 6 vs. 4 |
| 3 | 6 vs. 1, 2 vs. 3, 4 vs. 5 |
| 4 | 5 vs. 1, 3 vs. 6, 4 vs. 2 |
| 5 | 3 vs. 1, 5 vs. 4, 2 vs. 6 |
| 6 | 1 vs. 4, 3 vs. 2, 6 vs. 5 |
| 7 | 2 vs. 1, 5 vs. 3, 4 vs. 6 |
Playoff Round 1*: Wild Card 1 vs. Division Winner 2; Wild Card 2 vs. Division Winner 1
Championship Game: Playoff 1 Winner vs. Playoff 2 Winner
* 2 Teams with the best records (who do not win their division) earn Wild Card.
8-Team League
North Division: 1, 2, 3, 4. South Division: 5, 6, 7, 8.
10-Game Season Schedule
| Week | Matchups |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 vs. 2, 3 vs. 4, 5 vs. 6, 7 vs. 8 |
| 2 | 1 vs. 3, 4 vs. 2, 5 vs. 7, 8 vs. 6 |
| 3 | 8 vs. 1, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, 5 vs. 4 |
| 4 | 6 vs. 1, 8 vs. 3, 7 vs. 4, 5 vs. 2 |
| 5 | 4 vs. 1, 8 vs. 5, 2 vs. 3, 6 vs. 7 |
| 6 | 3 vs. 1, 6 vs. 8, 2 vs. 4, 7 vs. 5 |
| 7 | 1 vs. 7, 2 vs. 8, 3 vs. 5, 4 vs. 6 |
| 8 | 1 vs. 5, 4 vs. 8, 7 vs. 3, 6 vs. 2 |
| 9 | 1 vs. 4, 5 vs. 8, 3 vs. 2, 7 vs. 6 |
| 10 | 2 vs. 1, 8 vs. 7, 4 vs. 3, 6 vs. 5 |
Playoff Round 1*: Wild Card 1 vs. Division Winner 2; Wild Card 2 vs. Division Winner 1
Championship Game: Playoff 1 Winner vs. Playoff 2 Winner
* 2 Teams with the best records (who do not win their division) earn Wild Card.
Using the Stat Sheets (Optional)
Many players who enjoy playing in leagues also enjoy tracking their team's stats while they play. Pizza Box Football™ has been statistically engineered to generate accurate statistics just like pro football. We have included an optional Stat Sheet tablet and a Stat Sheet Symbols Card for players like you. See the Stat Sheets and Stat Sheet Symbols Card for instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| FAQ | Response |
|---|---|
| Can I fake punt? | No. Why don't you just go for it? |
| What if I roll a gain into the end zone on a play with a fumble? | In Pizza Box Football™ the offense cannot score a touchdown on a fumble. The Fumble Location for gains that would have caused touchdowns is the 1-yard line. |
| What if I roll a loss into the end zone on a play with a fumble? | On a sack and fumble in the end zone, either team can recover the ball. If the offense recovers the fumble (or the ball goes out of bounds) in its own end zone, score a safety (2 points) for the defense. If the defense recovers the fumble, score a touchdown (6 points) for the defense. |
| What if the defense effect is the dice-symbol icon with a breakaway (B) marker on a gain that is smaller than 1-6? | All dice-symbol results still earn bonus yards. However, instead of getting a chance for 1-6 bonus yards (or more), you will have a chance for 1-3 bonus yards (or more). |
| How do I apply the crossed-out breakaway (B) icon to a loss? | You've already done your damage. The offense loses yards as described on the chart. There is no defense effect that makes yards lost even worse. |
| When is a Smashmouth Full Game quarter over? | After the last run or pass play of the quarter, the team that has possession will still have time for a final kick before the end of the quarter. The team is not required to kick. |
| Where are the penalties? | We took penalties out of this version of the game. Most people don't miss them. Thanks for noticing. |
| Why can't the offense advance a fumble? | Yards gained on a play always factor in all yards gained by the offense. |
| How do I stop the clock by getting out of bounds? | We do not include that feature in this version of the game. FYI, during most of a professional football game (53 minutes), the clock does not stop when a player goes out of bounds. |
| Can the offense fumble more than once on a run play? | No. Once a Run fumble occurs, you re-roll your Run play to determine the runner's gain or loss prior to the fumble. If the re-rolled Run play is a fumble instead of a gain or loss: (1) re-roll your Run play to determine the gain or loss (2) give the defender an additional try for a recovery on the recovery roll. |
www.PizzaBoxFootball.com
We're always working on something new for you at www.PizzaBoxFootball.com. We strongly encourage you to check it out! We offer free downloads, sell the Advanced Game and give you free tools for your leagues.
Get Free Downloads: We created Pizza Box Football™ with many more features than could be fit into this one game. On top of that, we keep adding more. All you have to do is register and download free stuff!
Buy the Advanced Game: Are you ready for more football? Pizza Box Football has an Advanced Game version available for sale at www.PizzaBoxFootball.com! The Advanced Game includes additional plays and is updated every year! Included you will receive:
- Added offense plays (draw play, screen pass and play-action)
- Added defense plays (run blitz, route jump and QB blitz)
- A special bomb play and goal-line defense
- 32 teams with different strengths
The Advanced Game requires the Pizza Box Football game. You may also order the Advanced Game by writing to:
On The Line Game Company P.O. Box 14213 San Francisco, CA 94114
Try Free League Tools: Many PBF players create leagues with their friends. At www.PizzaBoxFootball.com, we offer free tools to help leagues and their players track their schedules and results.
Acknowledgements
We at On The Line Game Company are most grateful to our wives, Lisa and Evonnie, who have supported us throughout this project. We would also like to thank our designer Shelby Caffrey of 22 Graphics for her great work. Special thanks also go to David Borgenicht, Eric Brodwin, Fred Chung, the Corbett family, Matt Ettinger, Jimmy Fordham, Bingka Leung, Jeff Rezer, Michael Roufa, the SBFL Kosovo League, John Smith, Anne Thomas, Don Tomasello, Carl Tymann and Lisa Yom. We would also like to thank our parents. Now you can see what we were up to all those years!
Pizza Box Football is a trademark of On The Line Game Company. Pizza Box Football packaging and content are copyrighted and owned by On The Line Game Company. © 2005 On The Line Game Company.