TOUCH FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT RULES
WAIVER
Every participant must sign a game day waiver prior to participation. It is the responsibility of the head coach/team captain to ensure these signatures are captured.
HEAD COACH AND/OR TEAM CAPTAIN
The head coach and/or team captain is responsible for making players aware of rules and regulations prior to participation in any game, or any portion of a game.
Captains are the only people allowed to respectfully discuss plays or other questions with Referees.
TEAMS
Teams will field 6 players on offense and defense.
1 female player must be on the field at all times.
Rosters may include up to 15 players per team.
A team must have at least 6 players present to start a game.
If a team is 5 minutes or more late for a game, they forfeit the game.
If late to report, coin toss is automatically deferred to the on-time team.
Players may only be on one team roster each day.
EQUIPMENT
Team shirts (all the same color) must be worn as the outermost layer and must be worn at all times during the game.
Players may wear athletic shoes and plastic or rubber cleats. Metal cleats are prohibited.
TIME
Games in the first two rounds will be 25 minutes in length. The clock will not stop and there will be 12.5 minute ‘running clock’ halves. The clock will stop only for injuries or at the referee’s discretion. No Time outs.
For games in Playoff rounds (elimination rounds) each team will be allowed one Time Out.
Team huddle timing is a maximum of 30-seconds. Going over this time limit will result in a stoppage of the clock 5-yard penalty.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Game will begin with a coin toss. The winner of coin toss chooses to receive or defend a goal.
If a team is more than 5 minutes late to report to the field, game is forfeited. If late to report, coin toss is automatically deferred to the on-time team. Winner of toss will have coin toss choice if OT is needed.
To start the game, and after each score, the ball will be placed at the offensive team’s own goal line.
There are no kickoffs.
No punts.
Offense will declare a punt and ball will be placed at other team’s 10-yard line.
SCORING
Based on National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Rules, unless otherwise specified.
Touchdowns are worth 6 points.
Extra Points: choice of going for one or two points. One point attempt from the 5-yard line & the two-point attempt from the 10-yard line. Defense can intercept a pass & return for a score, they will be awarded one or two points depending upon the offensive team’s extra point choice.
FIRST DOWNS
This is a “Pass Only” tournament. The quarterback cannot run the ball, nor can any other running back run with the ball. Once the quarterback crosses the line of scrimmage the play will be stopped, and the offense will be penalized. The quarterback may lateral to another player and then go out for a pass, but that second player may not advance the ball by running.
The offensive team has 4 downs or plays to either score or gain 20 yards. If the team gains 20 yards, then the downs start over. If they don't gain 20 yards, after the fourth try, the opposing team gets possession of the football at the spot of the “tackle”.
Failure to score will result in a change of possession.
COUNT
After the snap, the Referee will call out a slow five “Mississippi” count.
After the count, defensive players can rush the quarterback.
DEFENSIVE RUSH
No blitzes.
If the Defense comes across the LOS before the Mississippi count they are considered “off sides” and will result in a 5 yard penalty and repeat of the down.
LINE OF SCRIMMAGE (LOS)
One offensive player is allowed to be in motion before the ball is snapped, after all players are set for one second. All other offensive players must remain stationary in position before the ball is snapped.
No designated number of players on the LOS.
All players are eligible to catch a pass.
Defense must have all players within 10 yards of the LOS until the ball is snapped. If not- illegal formation (5 yd penalty- live ball foul)
HIKING THE BALL
If you choose to use a center, the ball must be snapped to a “back” in the back field.
Side-saddle snaps are allowed. Self-snapping is recommended.
TURNOVERS
Interceptions – when a ball that is intercepted by the defense, the play is whistled dead and the intercepting team takes possession of the ball at the 20 yard line.
Fumbles – if a player fumbles the ball and the ball hits the ground, the play is whistled dead and the offensive team regains possession at the point of the fumble.
BLOCKING
There is no blocking
There will be no chop-blocks. Player cannot leave his/her feet to block.
There will be no picks by receivers.
No bullrushing by blockers or defenders (offensive or defensive players can not take a running start at other player – barreling over player).
STIFF ARMS
Stiff arms are not allowed by any player. This will be considered an illegal contact foul and a 15-yard penalty will be assessed and the down will count, as this is considered an “end-of-the-run” foul.
RECEIVER
A receiver must have one foot in bounds to make a reception. A receiver cannot step out of bounds, on his own, and come back onto the field and touch the ball. This is considered a Spot Foul. The player may return to block or “tackle” the ball carrier.
There is no ball stripping.
FORWARD PASS
This is a “Pass only” tournament. The ball may not be advanced across the line of scrimmage on the ground by any player.
There is only one forward pass allowed per play. There is unlimited backward lateral passes before the LOS. Once the ball crosses the LOS, it may not be passed back to someone behind the LOS and have that person throw a forward pass, nor can the quarterback step over the LOS & then go back behind it & pass.
BALL CARRIER
The “spot” of the ball is always the torso of the ball carrier at the time of flag pull.
The defense cannot push receiver out of bounds.
The defense cannot use contact to break up a pass play.
This is considered Pass Interference -10-yard penalty & repeats the down.
“TACKLING”
Tackling is strictly prohibited.
The act of tackling is achieved by pulling the flag. His/her run is not over until he/she has their flag pulled by opposing team member.
OVERTIME
If a game in the first two rounds ends with a tie, one play by each team will be made to determine the Winner. Winner of coin toss to start the game gets to call toss for OT. Choices will be: Offense or Defense. Ball is placed at the 5 yard line. Both teams will have one chance to score. Winning team is awarded one point added to their score. If neither team scores, the game remains tied.
In PLAYOFF Rounds – Winner of Coin Toss decides either offense or goal to defend. Each team starts from the 20-yard line. If one team scores they go for the extra point. The next team has the same opportunity to get a score with the extra point. If both teams score the exact points, they go again. If neither team scores the team that gains more yards wins. If we play a second series or more, each must go for two on the extra point.
For PLAYOFF entry – The teams with the most wins will advance. If the most wins is equal, the highest number of points will advance. If that is equal, the least amount of points allowed will advance.
PENALTIES
5-yard penalties:
False Start.
Encroachment (rush before 5 count)
Illegal contact.
Illegal procedure.
Defensive holding (against blocker).
Flag Guarding
10-yard penalties:
Offensive holding.
Offensive pass interference.
Defensive holding on a receiver.
Ball stripping.
15-yard penalties:
Stiff arm.
Illegal block.
Pushing out of bounds.
Unsportsmanlike conduct.
Charging/lowering of head and/or shoulders by runner (spot minus 15 yds& down counts).
15-yard penalties also resulting in automatic first down:
Personal fouls/unnecessary roughness of any kind.
Illegal contact with potential receiver.
Note: if in the judgment of the referee, due to a defensive penalty, a touchdown was prevented, the referee can award a touchdown.
Fighting of any kind whether there is contact or not, will result in immediately being ejected from the game.
Inappropriate Conduct/Contact with Officials will not be tolerated (See Conduct).
CONDUCT
(Rev. 1/11/24)