Spokane / Couer D'Alene Fall 2024 Playoffs
Football (Flag) Tournament - October 20, 2024
[Event is Over]
West Coast Preps 7v7 Tournament Rules
· Soft shell helmets are required. They must be securely velcro strapped during game play. (This is to be governed by Coaches of the team)
o QBs do not need to wear one.
· Mouthpieces are required. Players must have mouthpieces in during game play.
o QBs do not need to wear one.
· We have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to fighting. Any punches or kicks will result in an automatic ejection from the game AND tournament.
· QB Tees are used to spot the center and LOS. Referees will count the four seconds to throw.
· Players are NOT allowed to play on multiple teams in a tournament
o If violation occurs, all teams the player(s) participated with will forfeit all games and be ejected from the tournament.
· ALL teams are guaranteed (4) games
o (3) in pool play and (1) in elimination round(s).
COACHES
· Defensive coaches are not allowed to be on the field. They can be on the sideline or behind the back of the endzone.
· An offensive coach can be in the huddle and on the field with the offense.
o Only (1) coach for the offense is allowed on the field.
· The offensive coach on the field is allowed to audible and talk to his kids at the LOS.
· The Sideline offense must remain behind the 40-yard line until the opposing offense gets a first down past the 25-yard line before they can walk out onto the field.
INJURIES
· Trainers are on site at all pool play and elimination round games.
· Game clock continues to run in pool play for an injury.
· Game clock stops for an injury in elimination rounds, and re-starts on the next offensive snap.
STARTING GAMES
· All games are (20) minutes in length with a running clock.
· Teams have (5) minutes from completion of previous game to start of new game.
· Captains will be called immediately following previous game.
· Pool Play: Captains will do Rock-Paper-Scissors to determine who gets ball.
· Elimination: Highest seed gets ball first.
· Overtime: Captains will do Rock-Paper-Scissors to determine who gets ball.
· Teams must be on opposite sidelines before the game can start.
· Team(s) playing back-to-back games stay on current sideline.
OFFSIDES/8-MEN ON THE FIELD
· 8-Men on offense is a loss of down.
· 8-Men on defense is a 5-yard penalty and replay down (offense can decline).
· Offensive offsides is a loss of down.
· Defensive offsides is a 5-yard penalty and replay down (offense can decline).
GENERAL RULES (CONT’D)
SCORING
· TDs are (6) points.
· Offense can take the automatic 1-point or go for a 2-point conversion from the 10-yard line.
o Offense can choose (left/right hash or middle) where they want the ball spotted for a 2-point conversion attempt.
· INTs are (3) points.
o No returns on INTs.
CELEBRATIONS
· Absolutely no “sprinkling” or making any kind of contact with an opponent or invading their space.
· After a score (TD or 2 point-conversion) there is a (5) second celebration window. Once the referee is set play will continue.
· There is NO kicking the ball in celebration of an interception by the defense. Doing so results in a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct, and will be enforced on the first down of the upcoming offensive possession (penalized team will start 2nd down at the 40-yard line).
· Penalty will be called if an offensive player throws the ball at an opponent after scoring a TD.
TAUNTING
· Coaches, players and parents can be penalized for taunting.
o Enforced as an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
· If called against the offense, 10-yard penalty and a replay of down.
· If on the 40-yard line, loss of down.
· If 3rd down on the 40-yard line, penalty results in turnover on downs.
· If called against the defense, 10-yard penalty and a replay of down (inside 10-yard line, ball is placed half the distance to the goal and first down).
· If any player receives (2) unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the same game, they will be ejected for the remainder of the game.
· All coaches will be given a verbal warning by the ref/field supervisor before having a penalty called. After warning, 1st offense results in an unsportsmanlike penalty against their team. 2nd offense results in an unsportsmanlike penalty plus that coach being ejected for the game.
GENERAL RULES (CONT’D)
OVERTIME (Playoffs Only)
· All tied scores at the end of regulation go to overtime.
· Captains will be called to do Rock-Paper-Scissors for ball.
· Winner chooses offense or defense.
o Whatever they choose and announce is final, no changes.u
· Each team gets (1) offensive play from the 40-yard line.
· Longest yardage wins.
· INT is an automatic game winner.
· If 2nd overtime period is required the team on defense first now goes to offense first.
o Starts at the top again and repeats this process until a winner.
· No Blitz, Handoff, or Timeout in overtime.
· There is no game clock or play clock in overtime. There is still a 4 second QB timer.
· Illegal motion or a false start by the offense results in a loss of down.
· Offensive pass interference is a replay of down.
o A 2nd consecutive violation is a turnover on downs.
· Defensive holding is a 5-yard penalty and replay of the down. For that yardage to count, the offense must gain at least 1-yard on the next play.
· Defensive pass interference gets spotted where penalty occurred. For that yardage to count, the offense must gain at least 1yard on the next play.
· Offense can decline a defensive holding or pass interference call and take the yardage gained on the play.
GAME PLAY
· If an object or person interferes during a play (regardless of the result of the play), there will be a do-over on the down.
· TIMOUTS
o No timeouts in pool play games.
o Each team receives 1 timeout in elimination round games in the final two minutes of the game.
o No timeouts in overtime, it must be used in regulation.
o Timeouts are 30 seconds in length and the clock starts on the next offensive snap.
· OFFENSE
o Offensive HUDDLE can have up to (8) players in the backfield. Offensive subs in the backfield must take a knee (5) yards behind QB.
o Ball starts on the 40-yard line. Offense has (3) plays to get to the 25-yard line for a first down. (3) more plays to get to the 10-yard line for a first down. (3) final plays to score.
o FALSE START penalties result in a loss of down.
§ False start on a 3rd down results in a turnover.
o DELAY OF GAME results in loss of down.
§ Delay of game on 3rd down results in a turnover.
§ Offense has 25 seconds from the end of the previous play to snap the ball.
· No delay of game in overtime.
o QB has 4 seconds to get the ball out of their hand.
o Offense can spot the ball on the hash or in the middle of the field for each snap.
o No double passes.
o A game can end on an offensive penalty due to the running clock.
o If a QB passes the LOS scrimmage before throwing, it is a dead ball and loss of down. If any part of his body is still behind the LOS when he throws, the play counts.
· Soft shell helmets are required. They must be securely velcro strapped during game play. (This is to be governed by Coaches of the team)
o QBs do not need to wear one.
· Mouthpieces are required. Players must have mouthpieces in during game play.
o QBs do not need to wear one.
· We have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to fighting. Any punches or kicks will result in an automatic ejection from the game AND tournament.
· QB Tees are used to spot the center and LOS. Referees will count the four seconds to throw.
· Players are NOT allowed to play on multiple teams in a tournament
o If violation occurs, all teams the player(s) participated with will forfeit all games and be ejected from the tournament.
· ALL teams are guaranteed (4) games
o (3) in pool play and (1) in elimination round(s).
COACHES
· Defensive coaches are not allowed to be on the field. They can be on the sideline or behind the back of the endzone.
· An offensive coach can be in the huddle and on the field with the offense.
o Only (1) coach for the offense is allowed on the field.
· The offensive coach on the field is allowed to audible and talk to his kids at the LOS.
· The Sideline offense must remain behind the 40-yard line until the opposing offense gets a first down past the 25-yard line before they can walk out onto the field.
INJURIES
· Trainers are on site at all pool play and elimination round games.
· Game clock continues to run in pool play for an injury.
· Game clock stops for an injury in elimination rounds, and re-starts on the next offensive snap.
STARTING GAMES
· All games are (20) minutes in length with a running clock.
· Teams have (5) minutes from completion of previous game to start of new game.
· Captains will be called immediately following previous game.
· Pool Play: Captains will do Rock-Paper-Scissors to determine who gets ball.
· Elimination: Highest seed gets ball first.
· Overtime: Captains will do Rock-Paper-Scissors to determine who gets ball.
· Teams must be on opposite sidelines before the game can start.
· Team(s) playing back-to-back games stay on current sideline.
OFFSIDES/8-MEN ON THE FIELD
· 8-Men on offense is a loss of down.
· 8-Men on defense is a 5-yard penalty and replay down (offense can decline).
· Offensive offsides is a loss of down.
· Defensive offsides is a 5-yard penalty and replay down (offense can decline).
GENERAL RULES (CONT’D)
SCORING
· TDs are (6) points.
· Offense can take the automatic 1-point or go for a 2-point conversion from the 10-yard line.
o Offense can choose (left/right hash or middle) where they want the ball spotted for a 2-point conversion attempt.
· INTs are (3) points.
o No returns on INTs.
CELEBRATIONS
· Absolutely no “sprinkling” or making any kind of contact with an opponent or invading their space.
· After a score (TD or 2 point-conversion) there is a (5) second celebration window. Once the referee is set play will continue.
· There is NO kicking the ball in celebration of an interception by the defense. Doing so results in a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct, and will be enforced on the first down of the upcoming offensive possession (penalized team will start 2nd down at the 40-yard line).
· Penalty will be called if an offensive player throws the ball at an opponent after scoring a TD.
TAUNTING
· Coaches, players and parents can be penalized for taunting.
o Enforced as an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
· If called against the offense, 10-yard penalty and a replay of down.
· If on the 40-yard line, loss of down.
· If 3rd down on the 40-yard line, penalty results in turnover on downs.
· If called against the defense, 10-yard penalty and a replay of down (inside 10-yard line, ball is placed half the distance to the goal and first down).
· If any player receives (2) unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the same game, they will be ejected for the remainder of the game.
· All coaches will be given a verbal warning by the ref/field supervisor before having a penalty called. After warning, 1st offense results in an unsportsmanlike penalty against their team. 2nd offense results in an unsportsmanlike penalty plus that coach being ejected for the game.
GENERAL RULES (CONT’D)
OVERTIME (Playoffs Only)
· All tied scores at the end of regulation go to overtime.
· Captains will be called to do Rock-Paper-Scissors for ball.
· Winner chooses offense or defense.
o Whatever they choose and announce is final, no changes.u
· Each team gets (1) offensive play from the 40-yard line.
· Longest yardage wins.
· INT is an automatic game winner.
· If 2nd overtime period is required the team on defense first now goes to offense first.
o Starts at the top again and repeats this process until a winner.
· No Blitz, Handoff, or Timeout in overtime.
· There is no game clock or play clock in overtime. There is still a 4 second QB timer.
· Illegal motion or a false start by the offense results in a loss of down.
· Offensive pass interference is a replay of down.
o A 2nd consecutive violation is a turnover on downs.
· Defensive holding is a 5-yard penalty and replay of the down. For that yardage to count, the offense must gain at least 1-yard on the next play.
· Defensive pass interference gets spotted where penalty occurred. For that yardage to count, the offense must gain at least 1yard on the next play.
· Offense can decline a defensive holding or pass interference call and take the yardage gained on the play.
GAME PLAY
· If an object or person interferes during a play (regardless of the result of the play), there will be a do-over on the down.
· TIMOUTS
o No timeouts in pool play games.
o Each team receives 1 timeout in elimination round games in the final two minutes of the game.
o No timeouts in overtime, it must be used in regulation.
o Timeouts are 30 seconds in length and the clock starts on the next offensive snap.
· OFFENSE
o Offensive HUDDLE can have up to (8) players in the backfield. Offensive subs in the backfield must take a knee (5) yards behind QB.
o Ball starts on the 40-yard line. Offense has (3) plays to get to the 25-yard line for a first down. (3) more plays to get to the 10-yard line for a first down. (3) final plays to score.
o FALSE START penalties result in a loss of down.
§ False start on a 3rd down results in a turnover.
o DELAY OF GAME results in loss of down.
§ Delay of game on 3rd down results in a turnover.
§ Offense has 25 seconds from the end of the previous play to snap the ball.
· No delay of game in overtime.
o QB has 4 seconds to get the ball out of their hand.
o Offense can spot the ball on the hash or in the middle of the field for each snap.
o No double passes.
o A game can end on an offensive penalty due to the running clock.
o If a QB passes the LOS scrimmage before throwing, it is a dead ball and loss of down. If any part of his body is still behind the LOS when he throws, the play counts.
