2025 New Year Kickoff
Football (Flag) Tournament - January 4, 2025
[Event is Over]
ALL players MUST wear a mouthpiece.
ALL players MUST wear shorts with NO pockets.
Field is 25 yards wide and 50 yards long, including the 5-yard end zones.
Games are 7 players vs 7 players
Two 20-minute running clock halves
Each possession starts at the 5-yard line after scores, turnover on downs and/or halftime
30-second play clock
The offensive team has three downs to get a first down at mid-field, then 4 downs to score once they have crossed mid-field
All players are eligible!
NO RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK, unless the QB fakes a handoff, which will trigger a defensive player to cross the LOS and rush the QB
SCORING
Touchdowns = 6 points
Extra Point (5-yard line) = 1 point
Extra Point (10-yard line) = 2 points
Safety = 2 points and the defense gets the ball
A safety can happen when the ball carrier’s flag is pulled in the endzone
DIVISION RULES
9U-10U
30-second play clock
Two runs per offensive possession
One run allowed to gain a 1st Down (teams CAN run the ball within 5 yards of midfield)
One run allowed to advance towards the end zone
No runs 5yds or less from the end zone
No runs on extra points
One coach is allowed on the field for both offense and defense
Pass count is 4 seconds until “sack”
11U-12U
30-second play clock
One run per offensive possession (teams CAN run the ball within 5 yards of midfield)
The runner CANNOT pass the ball.
The run is ONLY to be used as a run.
No runs 5yds or less from the End Zone
No runs on extra points
No Coach allowed on the field
Pass count is 4 seconds until “sack”
13U-14U
30-second play clock
Defense can rush the QB one time per defensive possession
QB can run the ball if defense decides to rush the QB
No coach allowed on the field
Pass count is 4 seconds until “sack”
15U-16U
30-second play clock
Defense can rush the QB one time per defensive possession
QB can run the ball if defense decides to rush the QB
No coach allowed on the field
Pass count is 4 seconds until “sack”
13U-16U DEFENSE RUSHING THE QB
Division will allow 1 QB rush/blitz per defensive possession outside of the +5 yard line
The rusher must be 3 yards off the LOS.
There is no QB rush/blitz if the LOS is at the +5 to goal line
The defensive player must declare to the official that they will rush/blitz the QB.
When the player declares, the sack count is off.
When a player declares, whether rush or not, this will count as the rush.
If a rusher leaves before the ball is snapped and are inside the 3 yard rush zone, they cannot rush unless they reestablish behind the 3 yards rush zone.
If a rusher leaves before the ball is snapped and crosses the LOS, this will be offsides on the defense, resulting in a 5 yard penalty and repeat the down.
The rush/blitz can come from any defensive position as long as they declare and are 3 yards off the line of scrimmage
The rusher has a free lane to the QB.
Center exception – The center may remain stationary but may not move to impede the rusher.
Impeding the rusher will result in a 5 yard penalty and loss of down.
There is 5-yard penalty if a player other than the declared player rushes the QB
The only time a QB can run the ball is if a QB rush/blitz occurs.
The QB can still run even if the rusher does not come.
OVERALL LOGISTIC RULES
Coin flip determines choice of possession or direction (winning team can elect to defer to the 2nd half)
The clock will only stop for time-outs and injuries unless it is the last minute of the game; it does not stop for incomplete passes, out of bounds, change of possession
LAST 1 MINUTE OF THE GAME – The clock will stop in the final 1 minute of the game on these actions:
Incompletions
Out of bounds
QB sack and kneel downs
Change of possession
Penalties – If it’s an offensive penalty the clock will start on the official unless dead ball foul
Two 30-second timeouts per half
If a timeout is called after a touchdown, the clock will not start until the play after the conversion attempt
Teams switch sides at halftime
If there is a bad snap, the ball is dead and placed at the LOS – there is no loss of yardage
Center cannot take a handoff from the QB
A receiver must have one foot in bounds when making a reception
Laterals are allowed but if the ball hits the ground, the ball is spotted at that yard mark
Absolutely no tackling or blocking (stationary pick is allowed but player cannot move)
Only one player can be in motion at the same time
3 players must be on the LOS or it will result in illegal formation; the center counts as 1 player on the LOS
Games cannot end on a defensive penalty
SPECIAL ALERT RULES
Defensive players can cross the line of scrimmage when a handoff, fake handoff, or backward pass has occurred.
This “Deception Rule” is applied to define the integrity of the LOS and development of the passing game for both offense and defense; rule applies to all divisions
Interceptions can be returned for a TD if intercepting team’s flag is pulled before the end zone; possession will begin where the defender is touched
MERCY RULE
If a team is up by 35 or more points, they only have 2 downs to get a first down and 2 downs to score until that point difference is trimmed below 35 points, then regular game rules apply
The team that is behind by 35 or more points will start their offensive possession at the +10 yard line and gets 4 downs to score
If the point difference is trimmed below 35 pts, then regular game rules apply
13U-16U division – there is no defensive QB rush/blitz
PASS GAME RULES
The Offense must throw the ball within 4 seconds
Pass count sounds as follows
ONE one-thousand, TWO one-thousand, THREE one-thousand, FOUR one-thousand, SACK
The sack count starts on the snap of the ball no matter what the offensive play is attempted
Forward pass can be underhand or overhand if it is beyond the LOS
If the QB does not release the ball before time expires, the result of the play is a sack and the ball stays at the LOS
There are NO forward passes behind the LOS; will result in a 5-yard penalty and loss of down
NO RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK! (except in the 13U-16U division; see rushing rules)
9U-12U, the QB can hand or pitch the ball off to another player and they can throw the ball within the allotted time; if/when the QB hands or pitches or throws a backward pass to another player, this alerts the defense that they can cross the LOS to pull the flag of the player with the ball
All levels have the option to throw a backward pass for a double pass play; this alerts the defense that they can cross the LOS to touch the player with the ball (13U-16U can never take a hand off nor run the ball across the line of scrimmage on a backwards pass)
Defense must start 2 yds off the line of scrimmage unless the ball is at the +1 then the defense can start at the goal line
The play is dead when the following occurs to the ball carrier:
Runner’s knee or elbow touches the ground
Runner steps out of bounds
Runner DIVES; ball is spotted where the runner left his feet.
Runner JUMPS; ball spotted where the runner left their feet
Runner LEAPS; ball spotted where the runner left their feet
NO direct QB runs
ONLY in the 13u-16u division can the QB run the ball if he is rushed/blitzed
The ball carrier can spin to avoid their flag being pulled but cannot flag guard
No fumbles (a fumbled, or stripped ball is dead and placed at the spot of the fumble with the offensive team retaining possession)
GAME PENALTIES
OFFENSE PENALTIES:
Offensive Pass Interference – 10-yard penalty and replay the down
Illegal motion (2 men in motion) – 5-yard penalty and replay the down
Illegal Formation – 5-yard penalty and replay the down
Illegal Run – 5-yard penalty and loss of down
False Start – 5-yard penalty, replay the down
Illegal Forward Pass – 5-yard penalty and loss of down (QB steps over the LOS or QB throws a forward pass behind the LOS)
Blocking – ball is placed at the spot of the foul and loss of down
Leaping – ball is placed at the spot of the foul and loss of down
Unsportsmanlike conduct – 15-yard penalty (possible ejection)
Delay of Game – clock is stopped and a 5-yard penalty
DEFENSIVE PENALTIES:
Defensive Pass Interference – 10-yard penalty and replay down unless it’s an offensive catch; Offense decides. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage.
Illegal Contact (holding, jams, etc.) – 5-yard penalty and replay down unless it’s an offensive catch; Offense decides. 1st can occur depending on the yardage.
Defensive Holding while pulling flag – 5-yard penalty added to the end of the play. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage.
Off-sides – 5-yard penalty and replay down. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage
Illegal Rushing (before a hand-off has occurred) – 5-yard penalty and replay the down; offense decides depending on the result of the play. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage.
13u-16u Defensive Illegal Rushing (if a player other than the declared player rushes the QB.)–5-yard penalty and replay the down; offense decides depending on the result of the play; 1st down can occur depending on the yardage.
Inadvertent tackle – 5-yard penalty added to the end of the play and replay down
Inadvertent tackle From Behind w/clear path to end zone – automatic touchdown
Unsportsmanlike conduct – 15-yard penalty and automatic 1st down (possible ejection)
Defensive Penalties inside the 10-yard line will result in half the distance to the goal line if applicable.
OVERTIME FORMAT - ONLY IN THE PLAYOFFS NOT THE REGULAR SEASON
Coin flip determines choice of overtime offensive possession
Possession begins at the 5-yard line (both teams will go in the same direction)
Offensive team will get 1 down to score from the 5 yard line
If a touchdown is scored, the scoring team must go for a 2-point conversion
An extra point cannot be returned for points; it is a dead ball play
If the defense intercepts the ball, it’s a change of possession unless the defense returns it for a TD
Game Over if intercepting team returns it for a TD on its 1st defensive possession per OT
Game Over if the intercepting team was ahead in points in OT prior to playing defense
Game Over if a team has more points than the other team, after both shared an offensive possession
If the game is still tied, overtime will be repeated until there is a winner
Teams alternate first possession each overtime period
ALL players MUST wear shorts with NO pockets.
Field is 25 yards wide and 50 yards long, including the 5-yard end zones.
Games are 7 players vs 7 players
Two 20-minute running clock halves
Each possession starts at the 5-yard line after scores, turnover on downs and/or halftime
30-second play clock
The offensive team has three downs to get a first down at mid-field, then 4 downs to score once they have crossed mid-field
All players are eligible!
NO RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK, unless the QB fakes a handoff, which will trigger a defensive player to cross the LOS and rush the QB
SCORING
Touchdowns = 6 points
Extra Point (5-yard line) = 1 point
Extra Point (10-yard line) = 2 points
Safety = 2 points and the defense gets the ball
A safety can happen when the ball carrier’s flag is pulled in the endzone
DIVISION RULES
9U-10U
30-second play clock
Two runs per offensive possession
One run allowed to gain a 1st Down (teams CAN run the ball within 5 yards of midfield)
One run allowed to advance towards the end zone
No runs 5yds or less from the end zone
No runs on extra points
One coach is allowed on the field for both offense and defense
Pass count is 4 seconds until “sack”
11U-12U
30-second play clock
One run per offensive possession (teams CAN run the ball within 5 yards of midfield)
The runner CANNOT pass the ball.
The run is ONLY to be used as a run.
No runs 5yds or less from the End Zone
No runs on extra points
No Coach allowed on the field
Pass count is 4 seconds until “sack”
13U-14U
30-second play clock
Defense can rush the QB one time per defensive possession
QB can run the ball if defense decides to rush the QB
No coach allowed on the field
Pass count is 4 seconds until “sack”
15U-16U
30-second play clock
Defense can rush the QB one time per defensive possession
QB can run the ball if defense decides to rush the QB
No coach allowed on the field
Pass count is 4 seconds until “sack”
13U-16U DEFENSE RUSHING THE QB
Division will allow 1 QB rush/blitz per defensive possession outside of the +5 yard line
The rusher must be 3 yards off the LOS.
There is no QB rush/blitz if the LOS is at the +5 to goal line
The defensive player must declare to the official that they will rush/blitz the QB.
When the player declares, the sack count is off.
When a player declares, whether rush or not, this will count as the rush.
If a rusher leaves before the ball is snapped and are inside the 3 yard rush zone, they cannot rush unless they reestablish behind the 3 yards rush zone.
If a rusher leaves before the ball is snapped and crosses the LOS, this will be offsides on the defense, resulting in a 5 yard penalty and repeat the down.
The rush/blitz can come from any defensive position as long as they declare and are 3 yards off the line of scrimmage
The rusher has a free lane to the QB.
Center exception – The center may remain stationary but may not move to impede the rusher.
Impeding the rusher will result in a 5 yard penalty and loss of down.
There is 5-yard penalty if a player other than the declared player rushes the QB
The only time a QB can run the ball is if a QB rush/blitz occurs.
The QB can still run even if the rusher does not come.
OVERALL LOGISTIC RULES
Coin flip determines choice of possession or direction (winning team can elect to defer to the 2nd half)
The clock will only stop for time-outs and injuries unless it is the last minute of the game; it does not stop for incomplete passes, out of bounds, change of possession
LAST 1 MINUTE OF THE GAME – The clock will stop in the final 1 minute of the game on these actions:
Incompletions
Out of bounds
QB sack and kneel downs
Change of possession
Penalties – If it’s an offensive penalty the clock will start on the official unless dead ball foul
Two 30-second timeouts per half
If a timeout is called after a touchdown, the clock will not start until the play after the conversion attempt
Teams switch sides at halftime
If there is a bad snap, the ball is dead and placed at the LOS – there is no loss of yardage
Center cannot take a handoff from the QB
A receiver must have one foot in bounds when making a reception
Laterals are allowed but if the ball hits the ground, the ball is spotted at that yard mark
Absolutely no tackling or blocking (stationary pick is allowed but player cannot move)
Only one player can be in motion at the same time
3 players must be on the LOS or it will result in illegal formation; the center counts as 1 player on the LOS
Games cannot end on a defensive penalty
SPECIAL ALERT RULES
Defensive players can cross the line of scrimmage when a handoff, fake handoff, or backward pass has occurred.
This “Deception Rule” is applied to define the integrity of the LOS and development of the passing game for both offense and defense; rule applies to all divisions
Interceptions can be returned for a TD if intercepting team’s flag is pulled before the end zone; possession will begin where the defender is touched
MERCY RULE
If a team is up by 35 or more points, they only have 2 downs to get a first down and 2 downs to score until that point difference is trimmed below 35 points, then regular game rules apply
The team that is behind by 35 or more points will start their offensive possession at the +10 yard line and gets 4 downs to score
If the point difference is trimmed below 35 pts, then regular game rules apply
13U-16U division – there is no defensive QB rush/blitz
PASS GAME RULES
The Offense must throw the ball within 4 seconds
Pass count sounds as follows
ONE one-thousand, TWO one-thousand, THREE one-thousand, FOUR one-thousand, SACK
The sack count starts on the snap of the ball no matter what the offensive play is attempted
Forward pass can be underhand or overhand if it is beyond the LOS
If the QB does not release the ball before time expires, the result of the play is a sack and the ball stays at the LOS
There are NO forward passes behind the LOS; will result in a 5-yard penalty and loss of down
NO RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK! (except in the 13U-16U division; see rushing rules)
9U-12U, the QB can hand or pitch the ball off to another player and they can throw the ball within the allotted time; if/when the QB hands or pitches or throws a backward pass to another player, this alerts the defense that they can cross the LOS to pull the flag of the player with the ball
All levels have the option to throw a backward pass for a double pass play; this alerts the defense that they can cross the LOS to touch the player with the ball (13U-16U can never take a hand off nor run the ball across the line of scrimmage on a backwards pass)
Defense must start 2 yds off the line of scrimmage unless the ball is at the +1 then the defense can start at the goal line
The play is dead when the following occurs to the ball carrier:
Runner’s knee or elbow touches the ground
Runner steps out of bounds
Runner DIVES; ball is spotted where the runner left his feet.
Runner JUMPS; ball spotted where the runner left their feet
Runner LEAPS; ball spotted where the runner left their feet
NO direct QB runs
ONLY in the 13u-16u division can the QB run the ball if he is rushed/blitzed
The ball carrier can spin to avoid their flag being pulled but cannot flag guard
No fumbles (a fumbled, or stripped ball is dead and placed at the spot of the fumble with the offensive team retaining possession)
GAME PENALTIES
OFFENSE PENALTIES:
Offensive Pass Interference – 10-yard penalty and replay the down
Illegal motion (2 men in motion) – 5-yard penalty and replay the down
Illegal Formation – 5-yard penalty and replay the down
Illegal Run – 5-yard penalty and loss of down
False Start – 5-yard penalty, replay the down
Illegal Forward Pass – 5-yard penalty and loss of down (QB steps over the LOS or QB throws a forward pass behind the LOS)
Blocking – ball is placed at the spot of the foul and loss of down
Leaping – ball is placed at the spot of the foul and loss of down
Unsportsmanlike conduct – 15-yard penalty (possible ejection)
Delay of Game – clock is stopped and a 5-yard penalty
DEFENSIVE PENALTIES:
Defensive Pass Interference – 10-yard penalty and replay down unless it’s an offensive catch; Offense decides. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage.
Illegal Contact (holding, jams, etc.) – 5-yard penalty and replay down unless it’s an offensive catch; Offense decides. 1st can occur depending on the yardage.
Defensive Holding while pulling flag – 5-yard penalty added to the end of the play. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage.
Off-sides – 5-yard penalty and replay down. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage
Illegal Rushing (before a hand-off has occurred) – 5-yard penalty and replay the down; offense decides depending on the result of the play. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage.
13u-16u Defensive Illegal Rushing (if a player other than the declared player rushes the QB.)–5-yard penalty and replay the down; offense decides depending on the result of the play; 1st down can occur depending on the yardage.
Inadvertent tackle – 5-yard penalty added to the end of the play and replay down
Inadvertent tackle From Behind w/clear path to end zone – automatic touchdown
Unsportsmanlike conduct – 15-yard penalty and automatic 1st down (possible ejection)
Defensive Penalties inside the 10-yard line will result in half the distance to the goal line if applicable.
OVERTIME FORMAT - ONLY IN THE PLAYOFFS NOT THE REGULAR SEASON
Coin flip determines choice of overtime offensive possession
Possession begins at the 5-yard line (both teams will go in the same direction)
Offensive team will get 1 down to score from the 5 yard line
If a touchdown is scored, the scoring team must go for a 2-point conversion
An extra point cannot be returned for points; it is a dead ball play
If the defense intercepts the ball, it’s a change of possession unless the defense returns it for a TD
Game Over if intercepting team returns it for a TD on its 1st defensive possession per OT
Game Over if the intercepting team was ahead in points in OT prior to playing defense
Game Over if a team has more points than the other team, after both shared an offensive possession
If the game is still tied, overtime will be repeated until there is a winner
Teams alternate first possession each overtime period
