Overview

Pizza Box Football is a strategy dice game designed for football fans. Both offense and defense choose from three play types (Run, Short Pass, Long Pass), creating a strategic advantage matrix. Dice determine yardage and outcomes. The game offers four modes from quick Red Zone Shootout to full Professional Smashmouth games.

Components

• 1 game board (unfolds from pizza box)
• Game pieces: 3 red + 3 blue score/yardage markers, 1 yellow first down marker, 6 green clock/timeout/down markers
• Dice: 3 black Play Dice, 5 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 (Play Sequence, Dice Symbols, Kickoffs, etc.)
• Stat sheets

Setup

1. Unfold game box flat. Set up game board platform inside.
2. Give each player a Play Sequence Card.
3. Choose team colors and end zones.
4. Roll 1 die each; higher roller starts with the ball.
5. Set up game pieces per chosen Game Option.

Turn Structure

Each play follows the Play Sequence (steps 1-5 on the card):

Play Calling

Both players secretly choose a play:

• Offense: Run, Short Pass, or Long Pass
• Defense: Run Defense, Short Pass Defense, or Long Pass Defense

Strategy Advantage

The combination of offensive and defensive play calls creates advantages per the Play Calling Strategy Advantage Chart. Matching the defensive play to the offensive play gives the defense an advantage.

Resolution

1. Defense rolls their colored die (matching their chosen play).
2. Offense rolls Play Dice and Yardage Dice based on the play result.
3. Determine yards gained/lost and any special outcomes (fumbles, interceptions, touchdowns).

Actions

Play Type	Offense	Defense Die
Run	Ground game	Red die
Short Pass	Short passing game	Yellow die
Long Pass	Deep passing game	Green die

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Points are scored per football rules:

• Touchdown: 6 points
• Extra Point: 1 point
• 2-Point Conversion: 2 points
• Field Goal: 3 points
• Safety: 2 points

Game Options

Mode	Time	Description
Red Zone Shootout	5+ min	Score from opponent’s 25-yard line
Backyard Brawl	30-40 min	6 rounds with varying field position
Professional	30-40 min	Full 4-quarter game
Smashmouth	60 min	Full game with clock management

The team with the most points at the end wins.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Red Zone Shootout: If tied after a round, play additional rounds (alternating who starts). Continue until one team leads at round end.
• Backyard Brawl: 6 rounds with different play limits (18, 12, 6 plays) and starting positions (own 25, 50-yard line, opponent’s 25).
• Professional/Smashmouth: Full football rules with kickoffs, punts, turnovers affecting field position, timeouts, and clock management.
• Solitaire mode available (play without defense rolls).
• Field goals, punt returns, and breakaway factors use special dice and cards.

Player Reference

Step	Action
1	Both players secretly choose play type
2	Reveal play choices
3	Defense rolls corresponding die
4	Offense rolls Play Dice
5	Determine yardage and outcome

Scoring: TD=6, FG=3, Safety=2, XP=1, 2PT=2.