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Added March 26, 2013:
The home team shall wear the darker jersey color.
Added March 26, 2013:
The same player may not play on more than one team in the same age division. For example, a player who is league age 12 may play on at most one team in the 12U age group.
A player may play on more than one team if they are in different age divisions. For example, a player who is league age 12 may play on one team in the 12U division and on one team in the 14U division.
If a player is on more than one roster, he must register and pay the full fee for each team.
Added March 26, 2013:
Age Protest Procedure
If a coach believes a player on another team is older than allowed for the age division, he may request an age protest. If more than one player is being protested, the coach must complete this procedure for each one.
1. The coach notifies the on-duty Tournament official that he is requesting an age protest and completes a protest form (provided by the official).
2. The coach pays a $25 protest fee and identifies the player being protested.
3. The Tournament official notifies the player's parents and coach that an age protest has been filed.
4. The parents must present the tournament with a birth certificate or passport before the next game.
5. If the player is shown to be within the divisional age requirements, the protest will be denied, otherwise it will be upheld.
If the protest is denied, the Tournament retains the $25 protest fee.
If the protest is upheld, the fee is refunded and the player may not participate for the rest of the tournament. The team shall forfeit all games up to that point in the system.
To ensure the player's privacy, only the Tournament official and the parent shall view documentation.
It is solely at the Tournament's discretion to judge whether provided proof of age is genuine and sufficient.
The Tournament's decision is final.
Divisions
Parents must be prepared to provide a birth certificate or passport to prove their child's age. Upon request by the tournament, the parent must provide this documentation before the next game or face potential suspension or expulsion from the tournament.
Team Rosters
A roster of eligible players will be maintained by the Tournament and may only be modified at its discretion. No roster changes are allowed after the second week of the season; no players will be added after this point, whether during regular pool play or bracket play.
Only players listed on the official roster on record with the Tournament are allowed to play. If a team is found to be using a non-roster player during a game:
There are five yard no-running zones preceding each end zone. When the line of scrimmage lies within one of these zones, no running plays are allowed. This means that the offense must attempt a forward pass beyond the line of scrimmage. Handoffs, pitches, and laterals are NOT allowed, even if they lead to a pass attempt.
The one-point extra point line is within the no-running zone.
Mercy Rule:
In the event that one team has accumulated a lead of 25 points or more, the following restrictions apply:
All other rules remain unaffected.
Mercy rules begin the instant one team gains a 25 point or more lead.
Mercy rules are suspended the instant the lead falls below 25 points.
Play is open to boys and girls of ages 5 through 16, who are organized into divisions by age:
Tournament age is determined as of the cut-off date, which is September 1 of the year in which the tournament takes place.
So for example, if a player turns 11 on September 1 or earlier, he/she must play in the 12U division. If a player turns 11 on September 2 or later, he/she may play in the 10U division.
The Tournament Office may adjust the division demarcations or the date used for age determination at any time.
Proof of age must be provided upon request by the Tournament Office.
A roster of eligible players will be maintained by the Tournament Office and may only be modified at its discretion. In general, roster changes will not be allowed during the tournament.
Only players on the official roster may be used in games. Use of non-roster players is prohibited, and, at the Tournament Office’s discretion, may result in forfeit of all games in which the player participated. Use of a non-roster player also may result in disciplinary action, including suspension of the coach.
The field is 30 yards wide, 70 yards long and is divided lengthwise into two zones of 25 yards each, which lie between two end zones of 10 yards each. The field also includes extra point markings at 5 and 12 yards from each end zone.
The uniform consists of:
This uniform, including mouth guard and flag belt, must be worn at all times on the field of play.
The home team shall wear the darker jersey color.
Uniforms are subject to the following restrictions:
The game ball shall be a conventional football constructed of leather, rubber, or similar material. The ball must be inflatable and have seams.
The allowable sizes vary by age group:
The offensive team has the option of substituting another ball in place of the standard one, subject to approval by the Tournament Office.
Play shall be five on five. In the event that only four players are present for a given team, they shall be allowed to play with four, although the opposing team shall still be allowed the option to play with five.
Players may be freely substituted after any dead ball.
6U and 8U: One coach per team is allowed on the field to instruct players. The coach must move at least 15 yards away before the ball is snapped.
10U and Up: One coach may step onto the field between plays to talk to players but must move to the sideline before the ball is snapped.
In all cases, it is the coaches’ responsibility to avoid interfering with play. Officials may take appropriate action, including issuing a warning, re-playing a down, imposing penalties, or removing a coach from the field, if he/she believes the coaches’ presence has interfered with play.
The center must snap the ball between the legs and must release the ball to the quarterback for a legal play to begin. Shotgun snaps are allowed but not required.
Handoffs to the center are allowed, however he/she may not receive a handoff between the legs.
Each team will have three downs to advance the ball across the first down marker or into the opposing end zone. After a team crosses the first down marker, it receives three more downs.
The location of the runner’s front foot (not the ball) at the end of the play determines where the ball is to be spotted.
The player who receives the snap (the quarterback) may not run the ball beyond the line of scrimmage until it has been given to another player. After the ball has been passed, handed off, or pitched to another player, then this restriction no longer applies; the quarterback becomes eligible to run, pass, or receive the ball.
Spin moves are allowed.
It is the ball carrier’s responsibility to avoid colliding with defenders that lie in his/her path. Unintentional contact shall not be penalized, provided the ball carrier makes an effort to avoid it. Failure to attempt to avoid contact with a defender (charging) may be penalized, even if it does not result in a collision.
There are five yard no-running zones preceding each end zone. When the line of scrimmage lies within one of these zones, no running plays are allowed. This means that the offense must attempt a forward pass beyond the line of scrimmage. Handoffs, pitches, and laterals are allowed, but must lead to a pass attempt.
The one-point extra point line is within the no-running zone.
Laterals are allowed.
There is no limit on the number of laterals that may occur during a given play, and they may occur whether behind or beyond the line of scrimmage.
Handoffs may occur only behind the line of scrimmage.
There is no limit on the number of handoffs that may occur during a given play. Handoffs may be forward or backward and do not limit the offense’s option to throw a subsequent forward pass.
After the ball is snapped, the quarterback has seven seconds to pass, handoff, or pitch the ball. After this time expires, the ball shall be returned to the line of scrimmage and the down shall be lost.
As soon as the quarterback no longer has possession, the seven second rule ceases to apply, even if the quarterback gains possession of the ball again.
No more than one forward pass is allowed on the same play.
All players (including the quarterback) are eligible receivers.
Limited blocking is allowed only at the line of scrimmage. Blockers must keep their hands behind their backs at all times.
Once a play goes beyond the line of scrimmage, no blocking of any kind is allowed.
A completion results when the receiver has control of the ball with at least one foot in bounds.
If a receiver catches a pass while not wearing a flag belt, the ball shall be down at the point of the catch.
No more than one player at a time is allowed to be in motion, and a player in motion may not move toward the line of scrimmage until the ball is snapped.
Any defensive player is eligible to rush the quarterback if he/she is behind the rushing line when the ball is snapped. The rushing line is marked by the official and is seven yards from the line of scrimmage. This seven-yard distance applies even if the first down line or goal line is less than seven yards from the line of scrimmage.
Any number of players may rush the quarterback, provided they comply with the listed restrictions.
When the ball leaves the quarterback’s hands (for a handoff, pitch, lateral, or pass), then all defensive players immediately become eligible to rush, regardless of whether they lined up behind the rush line.
A team failing to advance beyond the first down marker or into the end zone after three downs loses possession of the ball. The opposing team takes possession on its own five yard line.
An intercepted pass results in a change of possession and may be returned until the ball is dead. The line of scrimmage then moves to the point at which the ball was ruled down.
The ball shall be declared dead when:
If a game is tied at the end of the second half, play transitions to a tiebreaker period. A coin toss is used to determine ball possession and direction in the same way as at the beginning of the game. There will be only one coin toss during tiebreaker play. If additional periods are played, teams shall alternate possession. Team direction does not change between tiebreaker periods.
Each team starts with a first and goal at the mid-field line, and play proceeds normally until the team scores or is stopped. The other team then receives the same opportunity.
A tiebreaker period consists of one possession by each team. If the score is still tied after the first overtime period, play proceeds to additional periods until a winner is determined.
Each team may call one time-out during a tiebreaker period.
At the official’s discretion, a player may be ejected from the field for unsportsmanlike conduct or any flagrant violation of the rules. To eject a player, the official shall notify the coach, who is responsible for removing the player within two minutes to avoid a forfeit.
Any player ejected may be put on probation with possible suspension, depending upon the severity of incident. The Tournament Office shall have full discretion when imposing penalties.
Our tournaments are intended to provide a family-oriented environment for the enjoyment of children. All coaches, players, and spectators are expected to show good sportsmanship at all times. The Tournament Office, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to eject, suspend, or dismiss anyone for any inappropriate behavior.
If a team cannot field at least four players, the game will be forfeit.
If a team is more than 10 minutes late for their game start time, the game will be forfeit.
The score of a forfeited game shall be 10-0.
All procedural penalties are five yards. All other penalties are ten yards. Some infractions may carry additional penalties, including loss of down, automatic first down, or ejection.
Penalties are either imposed from the basic spot or from the point at which the foul occurred.
For fouls that occur before or during (prior to the catch) a legal forward pass, the basic spot is the original line of scrimmage. Otherwise, the basic spot is the point at which the ball would be spotted if no penalty had occurred.
The offended team always has the option to decline. When the penalty is greater than the distance to the goal line, it shall be half the distance to the goal line.
A period of play cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense chooses to decline it. In the event of a defensive penalty that is not declined, the offense receives another play (along with an extra point attempt, if they score).
There is no mechanism to challenge a judgment call by an official. The official’s judgment is final.
However, a head coach may request a conference with the officials to review a call if he feels it is inconsistent with the current rule book. This request must be made immediately after the play in question and prior to the time the ball once again becomes live. As soon as the ball becomes live again or the half officially ends, the call may not be changed.
To request a review, the head coach must call time out and inform the head official that he is requesting a review of the rule. If the final decision is in the coach’s favor, the time out will be returned; otherwise the time out is forfeited.
In response to a request, the referee shall meet with the coach on the field. Only referees, the head coach, and one assistant coach may participate in this conference.
After conferring, the referee shall issue a ruling, to be communicated to the coaching staff of both teams. The official may, at his discretion, confer with the Site Supervisor, Tournament Official, or anyone else he finds helpful.
The final ruling is to be made by the official and may not be appealed at a later time.
Added March 26, 2013:
The home team shall wear the darker jersey color.
Added March 26, 2013:
The same player may not play on more than one team in the same age division. For example, a player who is league age 12 may play on at most one team in the 12U age group.
A player may play on more than one team if they are in different age divisions. For example, a player who is league age 12 may play on one team in the 12U division and on one team in the 14U division.
If a player is on more than one roster, he must register and pay the full fee for each team.
Added March 26, 2013:
Age Protest Procedure
If a coach believes a player on another team is older than allowed for the age division, he may request an age protest. If more than one player is being protested, the coach must complete this procedure for each one.
1. The coach notifies the on-duty league official that he is requesting an age protest and completes a protest form (provided by the official).
2. The coach pays a $25 protest fee and identifies the player being protested.
3. The league official notifies the player's parents and coach that an age protest has been filed.
4. The parents must present the league with a birth certificate or passport before the next game day.
5. If the player is shown to be within the divisional age requirements, the protest will be denied, otherwise it will be upheld.
If the protest is denied, the league retains the $25 protest fee.
If the protest is upheld, the fee is refunded and the player may not participate for the rest of the season. Unless the player was placed by the League on his team (a "free agent"), the team shall forfeit all games up to that point in the system.
To ensure the player's privacy, only the league official and the parent shall view documentation.
It is solely at the League's discretion to judge whether provided proof of age is genuine and sufficient.
The League's decision is final.
Divisions
Parents must be prepared to provide a birth certificate or passport to prove their child's age. Upon request by the league, the parent must provide this documentation before the next game day or face potential suspension or expulsion from the league.
Team Rosters
A roster of eligible players will be maintained by the League and may only be modified at its discretion. No roster changes are allowed after the second week of the season; no players will be added after this point, whether during regular season or playoffs.
Only players listed on the official roster on record with the League are allowed to play. If a team is found to be using a non-roster player during a game:
There are five yard no-running zones preceding each end zone. When the line of scrimmage lies within one of these zones, no running plays are allowed. This means that the offense must attempt a forward pass beyond the line of scrimmage. Handoffs, pitches, and laterals are NOT allowed, even if they lead to a pass attempt.
The one-point extra point line is within the no-running zone.
Mercy Rule:
In the event that one team has accumulated a lead of 25 points or more, the following restrictions apply:
All other rules remain unaffected.
Mercy rules begin the instant one team gains a 25 point or more lead.
Mercy rules are suspended the instant the lead falls below 25 points.
Play is open to boys and girls of ages 5 through 16, who are organized into divisions by age:
Tournament age is determined as of the cut-off date, which is September 1 of the year in which the tournament takes place.
So for example, if a player turns 11 on September 1 or earlier, he/she must play in the 12U division. If a player turns 11 on September 2 or later, he/she may play in the 10U division.
The League Office may adjust the division demarcations or the date used for age determination at any time.
Proof of age must be provided upon request by the League Office.
A roster of eligible players will be maintained by the League Office and may only be modified at its discretion. In general, roster changes will not be allowed during the tournament.
Only players on the official roster may be used in games. Use of non-roster players is prohibited, and, at the League Office’s discretion, may result in forfeit of all games in which the player participated. Use of a non-roster player also may result in disciplinary action, including suspension of the coach.
The field is 30 yards wide, 70 yards long and is divided lengthwise into two zones of 25 yards each, which lie between two end zones of 10 yards each. The field also includes extra point markings at 5 and 12 yards from each end zone.
The uniform consists of:
This uniform, including mouth guard and flag belt, must be worn at all times on the field of play.
The home team shall wear the darker jersey color.
Uniforms are subject to the following restrictions:
The game ball shall be a conventional football constructed of leather, rubber, or similar material. The ball must be inflatable and have seams.
The allowable sizes vary by age group:
The offensive team has the option of substituting another ball in place of the standard one, subject to approval by the League Office.
Play shall be five on five. In the event that only four players are present for a given team, they shall be allowed to play with four, although the opposing team shall still be allowed the option to play with five.
Players may be freely substituted after any dead ball.
6U and 8U: One coach per team is allowed on the field to instruct players. The coach must move at least 15 yards away before the ball is snapped.
10U and Up: One coach may step onto the field between plays to talk to players but must move to the sideline before the ball is snapped.
In all cases, it is the coaches’ responsibility to avoid interfering with play. Officials may take appropriate action, including issuing a warning, re-playing a down, imposing penalties, or removing a coach from the field, if he/she believes the coaches’ presence has interfered with play.
The center must snap the ball between the legs and must release the ball to the quarterback for a legal play to begin. Shotgun snaps are allowed but not required.
Handoffs to the center are allowed, however he/she may not receive a handoff between the legs.
Each team will have three downs to advance the ball across the first down marker or into the opposing end zone. After a team crosses the first down marker, it receives three more downs.
The location of the runner’s front foot (not the ball) at the end of the play determines where the ball is to be spotted.
The player who receives the snap (the quarterback) may not run the ball beyond the line of scrimmage until it has been given to another player. After the ball has been passed, handed off, or pitched to another player, then this restriction no longer applies; the quarterback becomes eligible to run, pass, or receive the ball.
Spin moves are allowed.
It is the ball carrier’s responsibility to avoid colliding with defenders that lie in his/her path. Unintentional contact shall not be penalized, provided the ball carrier makes an effort to avoid it. Failure to attempt to avoid contact with a defender (charging) may be penalized, even if it does not result in a collision.
There are five yard no-running zones preceding each end zone. When the line of scrimmage lies within one of these zones, no running plays are allowed. This means that the offense must attempt a forward pass beyond the line of scrimmage. Handoffs, pitches, and laterals are allowed, but must lead to a pass attempt.
The one-point extra point line is within the no-running zone.
Laterals are NOT allowed.
Handoffs may occur only behind the line of scrimmage.
There is no limit on the number of handoffs that may occur during a given play. Handoffs may be forward or backward and do not limit the offense’s option to throw a subsequent forward pass.
After the ball is snapped, the quarterback has seven seconds to pass, handoff, or pitch the ball. After this time expires, the ball shall be returned to the line of scrimmage and the down shall be lost.
As soon as the quarterback no longer has possession, the seven second rule ceases to apply, even if the quarterback gains possession of the ball again.
No more than one forward pass is allowed on the same play.
All players (including the quarterback) are eligible receivers.
Limited blocking is allowed only at the line of scrimmage. Blockers must keep their hands behind their backs at all times.
Once a play goes beyond the line of scrimmage, no blocking of any kind is allowed.
A completion results when the receiver has control of the ball with at least one foot in bounds.
If a receiver catches a pass while not wearing a flag belt, the ball shall be down at the point of the catch.
No more than one player at a time is allowed to be in motion, and a player in motion may not move toward the line of scrimmage until the ball is snapped.
Any defensive player is eligible to rush the quarterback if he/she is behind the rushing line when the ball is snapped. The rushing line is marked by the official and is seven yards from the line of scrimmage. This seven-yard distance applies even if the first down line or goal line is less than seven yards from the line of scrimmage.
Any number of players may rush the quarterback, provided they comply with the listed restrictions.
When the ball leaves the quarterback’s hands (for a handoff, pitch, lateral, or pass), then all defensive players immediately become eligible to rush, regardless of whether they lined up behind the rush line.
A team failing to advance beyond the first down marker or into the end zone after three downs loses possession of the ball. The opposing team takes possession on its own five yard line.
An intercepted pass results in a change of possession and may NOT be returned. The line of scrimmage then moves to the point at which the ball was intercepted down.
The ball shall be declared dead when:
If a game is tied at the end of the second half, play transitions to a tiebreaker period. A coin toss is used to determine ball possession and direction in the same way as at the beginning of the game. There will be only one coin toss during tiebreaker play. If additional periods are played, teams shall alternate possession. Team direction does not change between tiebreaker periods.
Each team starts with a first and goal at the mid-field line, and play proceeds normally until the team scores or is stopped. The other team then receives the same opportunity.
A tiebreaker period consists of one possession by each team. If the score is still tied after the first overtime period, play proceeds to additional periods until a winner is determined.
Each team may call one time-out during a tiebreaker period.
At the official’s discretion, a player may be ejected from the field for unsportsmanlike conduct or any flagrant violation of the rules. To eject a player, the official shall notify the coach, who is responsible for removing the player within two minutes to avoid a forfeit.
Any player ejected may be put on probation with possible suspension, depending upon the severity of incident. The Tournament Office shall have full discretion when imposing penalties.
Our leagues are intended to provide a family-oriented environment for the enjoyment of children. All coaches, players, and spectators are expected to show good sportsmanship at all times. The League Office, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to eject, suspend, or dismiss anyone for any inappropriate behavior.
If a team cannot field at least four players, the game will be forfeit.
If a team is more than 10 minutes late for their game start time, the game will be forfeit.
The score of a forfeited game shall be 10-0.
All procedural penalties are five yards. All other penalties are ten yards. Some infractions may carry additional penalties, including loss of down, automatic first down, or ejection.
Penalties are either imposed from the basic spot or from the point at which the foul occurred.
For fouls that occur before or during (prior to the catch) a legal forward pass, the basic spot is the original line of scrimmage. Otherwise, the basic spot is the point at which the ball would be spotted if no penalty had occurred.
The offended team always has the option to decline. When the penalty is greater than the distance to the goal line, it shall be half the distance to the goal line.
A period of play cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense chooses to decline it. In the event of a defensive penalty that is not declined, the offense receives another play (along with an extra point attempt, if they score).
There is no mechanism to challenge a judgment call by an official. The official’s judgment is final.
However, a head coach may request a conference with the officials to review a call if he feels it is inconsistent with the current rule book. This request must be made immediately after the play in question and prior to the time the ball once again becomes live. As soon as the ball becomes live again or the half officially ends, the call may not be changed.
To request a review, the head coach must call time out and inform the head official that he is requesting a review of the rule. If the final decision is in the coach’s favor, the time out will be returned; otherwise the time out is forfeited.
In response to a request, the referee shall meet with the coach on the field. Only referees, the head coach, and one assistant coach may participate in this conference.
After conferring, the referee shall issue a ruling, to be communicated to the coaching staff of both teams. The official may, at his discretion, confer with the Site Supervisor, League Official, or anyone else he finds helpful.
The final ruling is to be made by the official and may not be appealed at a later time.