Rules and Regulations
Games will be played 5 v 5. Teams must be comprised of 6 players total (1 Substitute). The substitute player may only enter the game at the half or for an injury to a player currently in the game.
Game times will be played on a 40-minute continuous clock with two 20-minute halves. Half Time will be 5 minutes. The clock will stop for Half-Time, Injuries, Team Timeout, and Official Discretion.
A coin toss at the beginning of each game will determine who starts with the ball. The winner of the coin toss will determine who starts with the ball. Possession of the ball changes at the second half to the team that started on defense.
Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 40 seconds to snap the ball.
The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has 4 downs to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has 3 downs to score a touchdown.
If the offensive team fails to cross midfield on 3 downs, they can elect to punt on the 4th down. If the decision to punt is elected possession of the ball changes to the opposition and they will start their possession from their 5-yard line. If the offensive team decides to go for it on 4th down and does not cross midfield, the opposing team will start possession from the final downed spot.
If an offensive team does cross midfield for a first down, they have 3 downs total to score a touchdown. If unsuccessful in scoring a touchdown the ball changes possession and the new offensive team starts at its own 5-yard line.
Each team has one 60-Second Timeout per half. They do not carry over.
If the score is tied at the end of regulation play, an overtime period will be used to determine the winner.
Overtime Format: Each team will take turns getting one play from the defense’s 5-yard line for one point or the defense’s 10-yard line for two points. Each team will decide for themselves how many points to go for. Whether or not the team that begins on offense converts, the team that started on defense gets a chance on offense to win or tie by converting a one- or two-point play of their own.
There are no timeouts in overtime.
Interceptions are returnable in OT and are worth 2 points.
Scoring: Regulation Time
Touchdowns will count as 6 points
PAT: 1 point if scored from the 5-yard line or 2 points from the 10-yard line. Extra points must be executed by passing the ball only and it must be clearly declared before starting the play if going for 1 or 2 points.
After one team is winning by 35 points or more, the game is over.
Play Ruled Dead:
The ball hits the ground
The ball carrier’s flag is pulled
The ball carrier steps out of bounds
A touchdown, PAT, or safety is scored
The ball carrier’s knee or arm hits the ground
The Ball carrier’s flag falls out
The receiver catches the ball while in possession of one or no flags
The 10 second pass clock expires
Ball carrier leaves his feet diving or to hurdle a player
Running:
The ball is spotted where the ball is when the flag is pulled
The quarterback cannot directly run with the ball. The QB can either pass the ball or hand it off to another player. If the ball is handed off for a run play, no other player is permitted to block or screen. No players may touch each other unless pulling the flag.
Direct handoffs, pitches, or laterals are permitted behind the line of scrimmage only. Play will be blown dead if handed off beyond the line of scrimmage.
Flag Obstruction: All jerseys must be tucked in before play begins. The flags must be on the players hips and free from obstruction.
Once the ball is advanced beyond the line of scrimmage, the current ball carrier is the only player allowed to have possession of the ball until the play is dead.
Passing:
Only one forward pass thrown from behind the line of scrimmage is permitted each offensive play. The ball must be out of the hand prior to breaching the line of scrimmage. The ball also must be thrown before the 10 second passing clock.
Passes may be thrown forward or backwards behind the line of scrimmage
There is no intentional grounding
Quarterbacks have a 10 second pass clock. If a pass is not thrown within 10 seconds, the play is dead, the down is consumed and the ball is returned to the line of scrimmage. If the QB is standing in the endzone at the end of the 10 second clock, the ball is returned to the line of scrimmage.
Receiving:
All players are eligible to receive passes.
Only one player is allowed to be in motion at a time. All pre snap motion must be lateral to the line of scrimmage and no motion is permitted toward the line of scrimmage.
A player must have at least one foot or other body part in bounds, contacting the ground first with possession.
In the case of simultaneous possession by both an offensive and defensive player, possession will be awarded to the offense.
Interceptions are returnable. If returned for a score during regular game play, the score will be worth 6 points or 2 points if returned during a PAT conversion.
Rushing The Passer:
All players who rush the passer must be a minimum of 5 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Only one player may rush the QB. A rusher must rush the passer immediately after the snap. No delayed rushes.
Once a ball is handed off, pitched, or lateraled behind the line of scrimmage the 5 yard rule is no longer in effect and all players may go behind the line of scrimmage.
The defense may rush the QB once per offensive series.
The offense cannot impede the rusher in any way. The rusher has the right to a clear path to the QB, regardless of where they line up for the snap.
A sack occurs if the QB’s flag is pulled behind the line of scrimmage. The ball will be spotted where the possession of the ball is once the flag is pulled.
Flag Pulling:
A legal flag pull takes place when the ball-carrier is in full possession of the ball.
Defenders cannot tackle, hold or run through the ball-carrier when pulling flags.
It is illegal to attempt to strip or pull the ball from the ball-carriers possession at any time.
If a player’s flag inadvertently falls off during a play while that player has possession, the player is down immediately and the play ends. The ball is placed where the flag lands.
If a player who has one or no flags in their belt takes possession of the ball, the play is dead at that spot on the field.
A defensive player may not intentionally pull the flags off of a player who is not in possession of the ball.
There will be no flag guarding. Flag guarding is an attempt by the ball carrier to obstruct the defenders access to the flags by stiff arming, dropping the head, hand, arm or shoulder or intentionally covering the flags with the football jersey. Spinning is permitted.
Penalties: The Referees will call all penalties and will be assessed from the line of scrimmage unless it is considered a spot foul.
Flag guarding will be penalized by the loss of the down and 10 yards (Offense)
Holding or illegal contact – 10 yards (Offense and Defense)
Offsides – 5 yards (Offense or Defense)
Illegal Play – 5 yards (Offense or Defense)
Unsportsmanlike Conduct – 15 yards (Offense or Defense)
Passing Interference will be a spot foul. (Defense) (10 yards on Offense)
Screening or blocking – 5 yards (Offense or Defense)
Unnecessary Roughness – 10 yards (Offense or Defense)
Illegal rush – 5 yards (Defense)
Illegal Flag pull – 5 yards (Defense)
Delay of Game – 5 yards (Offense)
*****The above rules and regulations are subject to change up until the day of the tournament. Players should check in and review the rules pages regularly. Final rules will be provided on game day. ******