Tournament Rules
Team Check-In:
Friday, November 4, 2011
10am-7pm in the North Lobby in Student Recreation Center
Saturday, November 5, 2011
7:15am-9am at the Tournament Headquarters on IMS Fields
Captain’s Meeting
Friday, November 4, 2011
12:30p, 2pm, 4pm or 6pm in the Meeting Room at Student Recreation Center
Saturday, November 5, 2011
7:15am at the Tournament Headquarters on IMS Fields
Format:
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Games will be officiated according to NIRSA rules with some exceptions.
All teams will participate in pool play, and the top two teams from each pool will advance to a single-elimination
playoff bracket. Each team is guaranteed at least two (2) scheduled games.
Game time is forfeit time. Men's and Women's teams must have at least 5 players present and ready to play to
start a game and Co-Rec teams must have at least 6 players to start a game.
Individual players are allowed to play on one men’s or women’s team and one co-rec team. We will do
everything we can to avoid scheduling conflicts during pool play. Conflicts in scheduling will be inevitable
during elimination play, so teams and players will have to make choices until we get to semi-finals and
championships for all divisions. At that time, tournament integrity becomes priority #1 and we will adjust
schedules to ensure we play all needed games.
Equipment:
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Teams must provide their own jerseys with numbers on front and/or back.
Footballs will NOT be available.
Flag belts will be provided for each game and only tournament flag belts may be worn during play.
Medical:
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Certified Athletic Trainers will be on duty during all tournament games.
Any players wishing to tape ankles must provide their own pre-wrap and tape.
The Game
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Playing time shall be 48 minutes, divided into four periods of 12 minutes each.
Halftime shall be 3-5 minutes long.
ALL GAMES: the clock shall run continuously until the last one minute of each half only.
o Clock will stop outside of the final one minute for time outs and injury time outs only.
The Field
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The field shall be 100 yards by 40 yards, including two 10 yard end zones. The length of the field shall be lined at
20 yard intervals from goal line to goal line.
There shall be two (2) inbounds lines (hash marks). They shall run parallel with each sideline, and located 15
yards “in” from each sideline.
Teams
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A team shall consist of seven (7) players on the field for men’s and women’s competition and eight (8) players for
co-rec competition.
To avoid a forfeit, a team must have at least five (5) players to start a game in men’s and women’s competition
and six (6) players for co-rec competition.
Start of the Game
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A game will begin with a coin toss. Options for the coin toss are given to the winner and those choices are:
offense, defense, choose a side to defend, or defer your choice to the 2nd half.
Substitutions
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Players may enter or leave the game an unlimited number of times. Substitutions may only enter during dead ball
periods.
Substitutions must enter and leave the field from their respective sideline.
Time-Outs
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Each team is allowed three (3) time-outs per half. These time-outs shall be one (1) minute in length. Unused timeouts from the first half do not carry over to the second and second half time-outs do not carry over to overtime.
Scoring
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Touchdown = 6 points men’s and women’s play
Touchdown = rushing or passing by a female or passing a touchdown involving a female either throwing or
receiving in co-rec competition = 9 points
Safety = 2 points
Try from 3 yard line = 1 point
Try from 10 yard line = 2 points
Try from 20 yard line = 3 points
Return of intercepted try = ball is declared dead immediately on all interception of try
Mercy Rule
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If a team is 19 points (25 points in co-rec) or more ahead when the one minute warning during the 4th period, the
game is over. If the one minute warning is given and a try needs to be made following a score, play out the untimed down before evoking the mercy rule.
The same rule applies if a team scores inside the final one minute with this differential.
Pool Play Tie-Breaker
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The official order of finish in qualifying pool play shall be determined by the Tournament Director based upon
the following criteria:
o If a two-way tie exists, it will be decided by who beat whom in head-to-head competition.
o If a three-way tie exists, it will be determined as follows:
 Forfeit – The team that forfeits is dropped to the lowest possible position among the three or four
tied teams.
 The difference between total points scored versus the total points allowed.
o If two teams have the same point differential, then who beat whom in head-to-head competition will
determine playoff placement.
o If all three teams have the same point differential, then the total points scored will determine playoff
placement.
o If two teams have scored the same number of points, then who beat whom in head-to-head competition
will determine playoff placement.
o If all three teams have scored the same number of points, then the fewest points allowed will determine
playoff placement.
o If two teams have allowed the same number of points, then who beat whom in head-to-head competition
will determine playoff placement.
Overtime
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In the event of a tie, a coin toss shall determine the first possession.
The same team calling the opening toss will call the overtime toss.
Options are given to winning captain of toss and those options are: offense, defense, or choose side to play
overtime on.
If multiple overtimes are needed, captains shall alternate choices but we will not move from the starting side of
the field.
Both teams shall play in the same direction.
Each team will be given four (4) downs from the same 10 yard line.
Extra points will be attempted as in regulation play.
If the defense intercepts the ball the play is dead. The ball will be placed on the 10 yard line and four downs will
be awarded if needed.
Each team is entitled one time out only during the entire overtime period.
Player Equipment
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Teams must bring their own jerseys with numbers. It is a good idea to bring multiple colors of jerseys (light and
dark). If a team does not have a jersey or two teams show up with the like colored jersey, mesh pennies will be
available.
Jerseys must stay tucked in or be at least four (4) inches above the flag belt line.
Shorts or pants CAN NOT have pockets, exterior drawstrings or metal fasteners.
Shoes must be closed toed athletic shoes. Steel or metal cleats are not allowed.
The use of headgear, jewelry, body pads, or any unyielding or dangerous equipment is prohibited.
Headwear containing any hard, unyielding stiff material, including billed hats, or items containing exposed knots
are prohibited.
Flag belts will be provided and tournament provided flag belts are the only ones allowed to be worn during play.
Players may wear pliable and non-rigid sunglasses.
Sportsmanship Standard
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A second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on a player, fan or coach in a single game will result in that player
being ejected from the game. Ejected players must leave the playing area and vacate the field complex until their
team has completed the game. OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF SOUND
o Any participant (player, coach, fan) ejected for sportsmanship related issues will be suspended from the
team’s next game and must meet with the tournament director or assistant director prior to their next
scheduled game.
o A second ejection by the same player will result in their removal from the tournament and they will not be
allowed to participate in future extramural events hosted by SFA.
Any participant ejected for intentionally contacting a game official will be suspended for the remainder of the
tournament and will not be allowed to participate in future extramural events hosted by SFA and will be removed
from the complex for the entirety of the tournament.
A player, coach or fan will be removed from the tournament if they receive a 3rd unsportsmanlike conduct
anytime during the tournament.
A team that accumulates four (4) unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in one game will immediately forfeit the
game and can be removed from the tournament by the tournament director or placed on probation for remainder
of tournament.
o A meeting with the team representative and tournament director must take place prior to a decision being
made as to whether the team will continue play.
A team will be immediately eliminated from play upon receiving their 5th unsportsmanlike penalty.
Unsportsmanlike penalties by the crowd will be assessed to the captain of the team.
Unsportsmanlike penalties can be assessed before, during or following the game.
Any player ejected or suspended from the tournament will be reported to their respective institution.