Tournament Rules
Team Check-In:
Friday, November 5, 2010
12pm-7pm in the North Lobby in Student Recreation Center
Saturday, November 6, 2010
7:15am-9am at the Tournament Headquarters on IMS Fields
Captain’s Meeting
Friday, November 5, 2010
12:30p, 2pm, 4pm or 6pm in the Meeting Room at Student Recreation Center
Saturday, November 6, 2010
7:30am 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.
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 time-outs from the first half do not carry over to the second and second half timeouts 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 = 3 points
Mercy Rule
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If a team is 19 points (25 points in co-rec) or more ahead when the two minute warning during
the 4th period, the game is over. If the 2 minute warning is given and a try needs to be made
following a score, play out the un-timed down before evoking the mercy rule.
The same rule applies if a team scores inside the final two minutes 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.
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If all three teams have the same point differential, then the total points scored will
determine playoff placement.
If two teams have scored the same number of points, then who beat whom in head-tohead competition will determine playoff placement.
If all three teams have scored the same number of points, then the fewest points allowed
will determine playoff placement.
If two teams have allowed the same number of points, then who beat whom in head-tohead 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, captain’s 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 and returns it for a touchdown, the game is over. If the
interception is not returned for a score or ends the game, the ball will be placed on the 10 yard
line and four downs will be awarded.
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.
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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.