Basic Structure
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Tournament Format:
- Pool Play Tournament | Pool play to decides bracket placement. Single elimination bracket to follow. 4 game gurantee
Team Size:
- 7v7s | Maximum 15 players, minimum 6 to play
- 5v5s | Maximum 10 players, minimum 4 to play
Player Eligibility:
- Must be at least 16 years old
- Cannot be on two rosters
Equipment:
- Teams provide their OWN regulation size game ball
- Teams provide their OWN jerseys/shirts coinciding with team color
- If two teams have the same color, one team must change uniforms or wear a penny. This applies to individual players as well
Personal Conduct Policies:
- Fighting | Results in ejection from the tournament and a lifetime ban
- Contact Responsibility | Players must avoid purposeful contact. Three-strike rule for excessive contact. A 5-yard penalty can be assessed for each instance
- Substance Policy | Alcohol and drugs are prohibited and will result in ejection without refund
- Penalty Disputes | The head referee makes the final decision on penalties. If needed, the Tournament Director will have the final say
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Gameplay
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Time:
- Two 15-minute halves with a continuous clock.
- Two 1-minute timeouts per half
- 5-minute halftime
- 25-second play clock
- QB has 4 seconds to throw the ball timed by tee
- Change of Possession | Referees pause play for 5 seconds before the offense is allowed to proceed
- Close Game Clock Stoppage | Inside the last 2-minutes of the SECOND HALF for close games (within 8 points at the 2-minute mark) the clock stops for scores, out of bounds, incompletions, first downs, change of possession, and sacks. 2-point conversions are untimed. Teams are still allowed to use timeouts
- Overtime | No timer. Teams are guaranteed 1 possession each. Rock-paper-scissors determines possession. The ball is placed at mid-field with no first downs (4 plays to score/convert). 2 Point conversion to follow. Teams reverse possession until one fails to match the opponent’s score
Flag Wear:
- Each player must wear a flag belt with 2 flags
- A catch made with less than 2 flags results in the player being declared down at the spot of the catch
- If a player chooses to wear a towel, the towel will count as an additional flag
Offense/Defense:
- First Down | Achieved by crossing the mid-field line.
- Touchdown | Worth 6 points
- Two-Point Conversion | Worth 2 points. Defense can score 2 points on an interception return during the conversion try
- Passing league ONLY. No hand-offs, kickoffs, or punts
- The offense has 4 downs to reach the first down (mid-line). If the offense fails to advance on their own side of the field, the defense takes over at the midline with 4 downs to score
- If the offense advances beyond the first down line and then fails to score, the defense takes over at the current line of scrimmage
- QB arm must be in forward motion when the timer sounds, or the play is considered a sack
- QB must keep at least one foot behind the front pylon of the QB tee, or it will be considered a running attempt and result in a dead play
- Blitzing is strictly prohibited
- A player is down where/when a flag is pulled or where/when one knee, elbow, or wrist touches the ground
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Penalties
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Pushing:
- Intentionally pushing a ball carrier out of bounds or during gameplay, with no attempt to pull the flag, will result in a penalty. 5-yards will be added to the end of the run (proceed to next down)
- This will also be a warning for the player with a repeat offense resulting in ejection from the game
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Use of Hands, Holding, Pass Interference, & Blocking:
- No protection by stiff-arm, slapping, or lowering the shoulder outside of the natural running motion is allowed for the ball carrier. This would be flag guarding. Immediate stoppage and a 5-yard penalty against the offensive team from the spot of the infraction (proceed to next down)
- No extension of arms or legs beyond the natural running motion is permitted for a non ball carrier (offense and defense). This would be a block/press/pass interference. 5-yard penalty and repeat of down if on the defense (no automatic first down - unless the flag progresses the offense past the first down marker) and a 5-yard penalty and loss of down if on the offense
- No flag pulling on a non ball carrier. 5-yard penalty and repeat of down if on the defense (no automatic first down - unless the flag progresses the offense past the first down marker) and a 5-yard penalty and loss of down if on the offense
Two-Point Conversion Infraction:
- If an interception occurs during a 2-point attempt, the offense is not allowed to hold or impede the progress of the returning player beyond what is considered normal play. Doing so results in an automatic 2 points being awarded to the returning team
Extra:
- All other infractions on the flow of the game will result in a 5-yard penalty and repeat of down if on the defense (no automatic first down - unless the flag progresses the offense past the first down marker) and a 5-yard penalty and loss of down if on the offense