Rules & Match Play

• Game Mode - 5v5 Hardcore Search & Destroy
• Matches Per Week - One map per week during the regular season
• Match Window - Friday through Sunday each week
• Default Time - Saturday at 10:00 PM EST, unless both captains agree to a different time
• Round Rules - First to 12 rounds with a win-by-2 condition. Maximum of 4 additional rounds (26 total rounds possible)
• Map Assignment - Maps are assigned weekly by league staff during the regular season based on the current rotation. Playoff maps use the veto system (see Standings & Playoffs)
• No Warm-Up Games - Once both teams are in the lobby and the match begins, no warm-up rounds or practice rounds are permitted

• The home team for the week hosts the match lobby
• The home team chooses which side (Attack or Defense) they start on
• Teams may switch hosts before a live round begins. A live round is defined as one where at least one kill has occurred
• Host decisions should prioritize fairness by balancing ping advantages for both teams
• If a hosting dispute cannot be resolved between captains, contact league staff for mediation

• Match schedules are published at the start of each season
• All scheduling communication must go through the designated Discord channels
• Captains are responsible for confirming match times with each other by Friday of match week
• Reschedule requests must be submitted through the Captain Dashboard and approved by the opposing captain
• Rescheduled matches must still be played within the same match week (Friday through Sunday) unless admin approval is granted for a makeup match
• Makeup matches must be completed before the next scheduled match week begins

• Teams have a 15-minute grace period from the scheduled match time to field a full roster
• If a team cannot field the minimum 5 players within 15 minutes, the match is declared a forfeit
• If neither team can field a roster within 15 minutes, the match is a double forfeit and the higher-seeded team receives the win
• The grace period clock starts at the agreed-upon match time, not when teams begin joining the lobby
• Captains should notify the opposing captain and league staff immediately if they anticipate a delay

• If a player cannot reconnect, the team must continue with fewer players or use a timeout to attempt reconnection
• Persistent connection issues affecting multiple rounds should be reported to league staff. Admins may order a match restart or reschedule at their discretion
• Intentional disconnection to force a round restart is a violation and will result in a round forfeit plus potential penalty escalation

• Each team is allowed two timeouts per match, each up to 5 minutes
• Timeouts may be used to strategize, reset, or wait for a reconnecting player
• To call a timeout, signal the opposing team by team-killing at the start of a round, then pull to lobby
• If the lobby is pulled for admin mediation, a timeout is not consumed
• Once both timeouts are used, the team is committed to finishing the match. If a player disconnects after all timeouts are spent, the team must play on

• Team switching in-game is not allowed. Players must remain on their assigned team for the entire match
• Substitutions from the roster may be made between maps only (relevant in playoff best-of series)
• Only players currently on the team roster are eligible to play. No ringers, borrowed players, or non-rostered substitutes are permitted under any circumstances

The following violations result in an immediate round forfeit for the offending team:

• Exploits and Glitches - Using any known exploit including clipping, snaking, stair glitching, window glitching, or any movement or positioning exploit
• Restricted Items - Using a banned weapon, attachment, perk, or equipment as listed on the Loadout Restrictions page. First offense in a match = round forfeit. Second offense = match forfeit
• Exploitative Wall Bangs - Unintended or exploitative wall bangs are banned. Legal wall bangs remain allowed unless ruled otherwise after review
• In-Round Emoting - Using emotes during a live round to gain a third-person camera angle

Only the live round during which the violation is identified is forfeited. Prior rounds are not retroactively affected unless evidence of repeated abuse is presented.

• Both captains are responsible for submitting match results through the Match Report system within 24 hours of the match ending
• Reports require the final score and per-player statistics (kills, deaths, plants)
• If both captains submit matching results, the report is automatically verified
• If results conflict, the match is flagged for admin review
• If only one captain submits a report within 24 hours, admins may force-verify the single report
• Match Proof - Screenshots of the final scoreboard and/or VOD recordings are recommended. Proof is required for dispute resolution
• Failure to submit a match report within 24 hours may result in penalties for the non-reporting captain

• No-Show Forfeit - If a team fails to field 5 players within the 15-minute grace period, the opposing team is awarded a forfeit win
• Concession - A captain may concede a match at any point during play. The conceding team receives a loss and the opposing team receives a win with the score recorded at the time of concession

• A team that forfeits 3 or more matches in a single season may be removed from the league at admin discretion

• A player cannot CODcast their own team's active match
• Players may watch a teammate's stream on Discord or via a delayed broadcast during a match
• Teams may request a CODcaster from league staff to observe matches for official purposes
• During monetary tournaments, additional spectating rules may apply (see tournament-specific rules when announced)

• GAs are not officially honored or enforced by league staff
• Exception - Player Skins - Teams may GA specific operator skins before a match begins. Both captains must agree. If they cannot agree, the standard Loadout Restrictions rules apply
• No GA may override or contradict an official league rule
• GAs are voluntary and cannot be used as grounds for a formal dispute