BigKats 5v5 Phenom Tournament
Football (5v5 Lineman) Tournament - May 17, 2025
OFFICIAL BEA 7V7 SERIES TOURNAMENT RULES
Coaches
• Each team has a maximum of 3 coaches. Coaches will be allowed on the sidelines only during games.
o One offensive coach may be in the huddle with players between plays but when the huddle breaks the coach must move at least 10 yards back and outside the hash on the side of his team bench to not interfere with the operation of the official or game play. Offensive coaches are not allowed to help the QB read coverages or call out who is open. If caught doing so, this will be an immediate lost of that down and back to original line of scrimmage. If this is a repeat offense, you will lose your team possession.
o Defensive coaches are not allowed on the field at any time.
Age & Division Breakdown
PeeWee Division: Only 8 and 9-year-olds are allowed to participate in this division. If an athlete on your team has turned 10 on the day of or prior to the tournament date, they will be ruled ineligible for this division.
10U: Only 10-year-olds are allowed to participate in this division.
12U: Only 12-year-olds are allowed to participate in this division.
13U: Only 13-year-olds are allowed to participate in this division.
14U: Only 14-year-olds are allowed to participate in this division.
15U: Only 15-year-olds are allowed to participate in this division.
18U: Only 16, 17 & 18 years old are allowed to participate in this division.
Seniors: Seniors are allowed on your Roster. NO FBS or FCS signees are allowed to play in the 18U division.
Switching Teams: Any 7v7 program that allows a player from another team to participate on their team, will automatically be disqualified from competition. This includes programs that have multiple teams in participation in the same age division.
Officials
• Each game will have a minimum of two (2) officials or a maximum of three (3).
• Division, Pool Play and/or Tournament play determines the amount of officials
• Pool Play Officials Per Division
o PeeWee- 2 Officials
o 10U- 2 Officials
o 12U- 2 Officials
o 13U- 2 Officials
o 14U- 2/3 Officials
o 15U-2/3 Officials
o 18U- 2/3 Officials
• Tournament Play Officials Per Division
o PeeWee- 2 Officials
o 10U- 2 Officials
o 12U- 2 Officials
o 13U- 2/3 Officials
o 14U- 2/3 Officials
o 15U- 3 Officials
o 18U- 3 Officials
• All Championship Games will have 3 Officials if the staffing is available. If staffing is not available, PeeWee, 10U, 12U, and 13U will have 2 officials and 14U, 15U, and 18U will have 3 Officials.
• Each game will have a scorekeeper.
• Field manager – Event must have one for every two 7v7 fields to assist with crowd, player, coach, and referee control on/around the game fields.
Game Time Preparation & Gameplay
• Teams must be onsite and ready to start on time. If a team is late or cannot start on time, the game clock will begin and whatever time is left on the clock will be where the game starts. The team that is late will begin on defense. If a team is late by 10 minutes or more they will forfeit the game.
• Pool Play games are played with a 20-minute running clock. During Single Elimination tournament/bracket play, there will be a 22-minute running clock. Clock only stops for timeouts during single elimination tournament bracket play.
• Headgear is required of all players except QB during gameplay.
• 1 timeout per team- Full (1 minute) time out during Tournament play only. No timeouts for pool play
• QB has four (4) seconds to throw. If not thrown in four (4) seconds, the play will result in a sack
o At no point should the QB step on or over the line of scrimmage. This will result in a loss of down and 5-yard penalty.
• The result of a sack will be a 5-yard loss on the play. If a sack happens on the forty (40) yard line, the ball will remain on the forty (40).
• The offense has the option to attempt a 4th Down Option once per game. This will give the offense a 4th down play. If successful, they will continue the drive
o If unsuccessful, the defense will be awarded six (6) points.
• Each drive will begin at the forty (40) yard line.
o The first down markers are at the twenty-five (25) and ten (10) yard line.
o The offense will have three (3) plays to get a first down and 3 plays to score once past the ten (10) yard line.
• Unless using 4th Down Option.
• Overtime: During tournament/bracket play only
o If overtime is required, both teams will have one drive, three (3) plays from the ten-yard line to score, no extra point. If both teams score, then its sudden death, one play from the forty-yard (40) yard line and whoever can gain the most yards in one play will win.
o Overtime periods are not timed.
o No timeouts awarded during overtime period!
• Excessive celebration after a touchdown will result in a lost attempt of extra point.
o No storming the Field during or after any play.
• Fighting is ABSOLUTELY NOT ALLOWED!!
Player, Coaches & Media Check-In
The Check-In process will be under the BEA tent located at near or around the entrance. Each player and coach has to complete the Zorts process and be eligible, as well as, have all waivers signed. If these are not completed, players and coaches are subject to not receive their wristband for field entry and not participate in the tournament.
Media will need a wristband for field access for shooting. Media will check in at the BEA tent as well.
• Each Division will have a select wristband representing that division while they are playing.
o If a player from a different wristband is caught playing in another division, the team that he is playing on will be not participate in tournament and he will also not be able to participate in tournament.
• Players can play in two different divisions; he will need to let check in know that he is playing on the two different teams to receive both wristbands.
o Ex: A player can play on both the 15U and 18U, if he is 15 years old. He would receive both wristbands for the 15U and 18U.
• A player cannot play on two different teams in the same division
If a player and coach has not completed the Zorts player card and signed the waivers, they will not be able to participate in the tournament.
Scoring
• Six (6) points for a touchdown
• One (1) point for a PAT from 5-yard line
• Two (2) points for a PAT from 10-yard line
• Two (2) Points for Defensive Stop on downs
• Three (3) Points for Interception (no runbacks or “pick 6” for safety reasons)
• Turnover on a PAT is dead ball (including INT)
• Six (6) points for Defense when offense has a FAILED 4th Down Option
• Official scores will be kept by the field referee and scorekeeper.
Overtime
• Overtime is only played during Bracket/Tournament style play. Each team will have one possession each to score. Each possession will be 3 plays that will start from the 10. There will be no extra point after a touchdown is scored by either team.
• If both teams score a touchdown, each team will have one play from the 40 yard line, and whichever team gains the most yards on their play will win the game.
Penalties
• Offense
o Offsides = 5-yard loss, repeat down
o Delay of Game = Loss of Down
Each team will have 25 seconds to snap the ball once it has been marked ready for play; delay of game penalty will be assessed.
o Pass interference = 5-yard penalty and Loss of that Down
o Illegal Formation = 5 yard lost, replay the down
o No penalty may be assessed in excess of the 40-yard line. If a penalty would move the offense beyond the 40-yard line.
o The offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the previous spot or the new scrimmage spot. Clock does not stop and any delay by defense in returning the ball TO THE OFFENSE, will result in a 5-yard penalty from the succeeding spot.
o If a defensive penalty occurs on the same play as a sack, the defense will be penalized, and the sack is void.
• Defense
o Off-sides = 5-yard penalty
o Defensive Holding = 5-yard penalty, replay down.
o Defensive Pass Interference will be a 5-yard penalty and automatic first down.
If Defensive Pass Interference occurs in the redzone (10 yard line and in), it will be half the distance to the goal.
If Defensive Pass Interference occurs in the end zone, it will result in a 1st down at the 1-yard line.
o Any dead ball penalty on the defense AFTER a change of possession would result in a loss of down for that team’s offense when they begin their ensuing possession.
o Responsibility to avoid contact is with the defense. The defense is allowed an INITIAL disruption, and then must cover. Excessive or prolonged contact will result in a “tack on” penalty at the end of the play (5-yard penalty).
Turnovers/Deadballs
• Receiver/Ball carrier is legally down when touched below the neck with one or both hands. (Excessive force by shoving, pushing, or striking a blow will be penalized by 5 yards. Player can be expelled if ruled unsportsmanlike & flagrant).
• Fumbles that hit the ground are dead balls at the spot. A muffed snap is not a fumble/dead ball. The 4.0 second count remains in effect on snaps.
• The QB is allowed 4.0 seconds to throw the ball. Time starts on the snap of the ball and stops as soon as the QB releases the ball. If the release is under 4.0 seconds, the play continues. Play is blown dead after 4.0 seconds.
• Interceptions may not be returned – 3 points are awarded for interception. Points for defensive stop and interception are not “added together”. One or the other ends a possession with defensive points.
• The offense must gain at least 15 yards in the first 3 or less plays or the defense takes over. No 4th downs. (3) downs in all zones.
• 4th Down Option only give offense a one-time attempt for 4th down during each game
Appeals
• If during game play a coach or player disagrees with an official’s judgment call, they may not dispute that call with the official at that time.
• If during game play a coach or player disagrees with a rule’s interpretation, they may stop the game to determine with the officials and field manager
• For consideration, the coach must report all game play ruling discrepancies to the Field Manager no more than 20 minutes after that game has ended. Any reversal or game-changing decisions will be made at the Field Manager’s discretion.
Additional Game Format Rules
• Pool Play- 3 games guaranteed
• Tournament/Bracket Play - Higher seed gets choice of offense/defense for opening possession
• No kicking or punting
• No passer may run with the ball.
• All passes must be thrown forward. A pass caught behind the line of scrimmage must be advanced by that receiver past the line of scrimmage. No laterals allowed.
• Hand offs in the backfield are not allowed.
• All offensive formations must be legal sets. Receivers’ alignment should respect the tackle box.
• No blocking but offense can shield like flag football.
• No taunting or "trash talking."
• No Fighting: zero tolerance policy for fighting in Team and individual player will be disqualified from tournament.
Tiebreakers
• If two teams are tied at the end of pool play, the tiebreaker is head-to-head records.
• If three or more teams are tied at the end of pool play, the following criteria will be used to determine winners:
o Head-to-head records
o Points allowed
o Points scored
o Coin flip
Coaches
• Each team has a maximum of 3 coaches. Coaches will be allowed on the sidelines only during games.
o One offensive coach may be in the huddle with players between plays but when the huddle breaks the coach must move at least 10 yards back and outside the hash on the side of his team bench to not interfere with the operation of the official or game play. Offensive coaches are not allowed to help the QB read coverages or call out who is open. If caught doing so, this will be an immediate lost of that down and back to original line of scrimmage. If this is a repeat offense, you will lose your team possession.
o Defensive coaches are not allowed on the field at any time.
Age & Division Breakdown
PeeWee Division: Only 8 and 9-year-olds are allowed to participate in this division. If an athlete on your team has turned 10 on the day of or prior to the tournament date, they will be ruled ineligible for this division.
10U: Only 10-year-olds are allowed to participate in this division.
12U: Only 12-year-olds are allowed to participate in this division.
13U: Only 13-year-olds are allowed to participate in this division.
14U: Only 14-year-olds are allowed to participate in this division.
15U: Only 15-year-olds are allowed to participate in this division.
18U: Only 16, 17 & 18 years old are allowed to participate in this division.
Seniors: Seniors are allowed on your Roster. NO FBS or FCS signees are allowed to play in the 18U division.
Switching Teams: Any 7v7 program that allows a player from another team to participate on their team, will automatically be disqualified from competition. This includes programs that have multiple teams in participation in the same age division.
Officials
• Each game will have a minimum of two (2) officials or a maximum of three (3).
• Division, Pool Play and/or Tournament play determines the amount of officials
• Pool Play Officials Per Division
o PeeWee- 2 Officials
o 10U- 2 Officials
o 12U- 2 Officials
o 13U- 2 Officials
o 14U- 2/3 Officials
o 15U-2/3 Officials
o 18U- 2/3 Officials
• Tournament Play Officials Per Division
o PeeWee- 2 Officials
o 10U- 2 Officials
o 12U- 2 Officials
o 13U- 2/3 Officials
o 14U- 2/3 Officials
o 15U- 3 Officials
o 18U- 3 Officials
• All Championship Games will have 3 Officials if the staffing is available. If staffing is not available, PeeWee, 10U, 12U, and 13U will have 2 officials and 14U, 15U, and 18U will have 3 Officials.
• Each game will have a scorekeeper.
• Field manager – Event must have one for every two 7v7 fields to assist with crowd, player, coach, and referee control on/around the game fields.
Game Time Preparation & Gameplay
• Teams must be onsite and ready to start on time. If a team is late or cannot start on time, the game clock will begin and whatever time is left on the clock will be where the game starts. The team that is late will begin on defense. If a team is late by 10 minutes or more they will forfeit the game.
• Pool Play games are played with a 20-minute running clock. During Single Elimination tournament/bracket play, there will be a 22-minute running clock. Clock only stops for timeouts during single elimination tournament bracket play.
• Headgear is required of all players except QB during gameplay.
• 1 timeout per team- Full (1 minute) time out during Tournament play only. No timeouts for pool play
• QB has four (4) seconds to throw. If not thrown in four (4) seconds, the play will result in a sack
o At no point should the QB step on or over the line of scrimmage. This will result in a loss of down and 5-yard penalty.
• The result of a sack will be a 5-yard loss on the play. If a sack happens on the forty (40) yard line, the ball will remain on the forty (40).
• The offense has the option to attempt a 4th Down Option once per game. This will give the offense a 4th down play. If successful, they will continue the drive
o If unsuccessful, the defense will be awarded six (6) points.
• Each drive will begin at the forty (40) yard line.
o The first down markers are at the twenty-five (25) and ten (10) yard line.
o The offense will have three (3) plays to get a first down and 3 plays to score once past the ten (10) yard line.
• Unless using 4th Down Option.
• Overtime: During tournament/bracket play only
o If overtime is required, both teams will have one drive, three (3) plays from the ten-yard line to score, no extra point. If both teams score, then its sudden death, one play from the forty-yard (40) yard line and whoever can gain the most yards in one play will win.
o Overtime periods are not timed.
o No timeouts awarded during overtime period!
• Excessive celebration after a touchdown will result in a lost attempt of extra point.
o No storming the Field during or after any play.
• Fighting is ABSOLUTELY NOT ALLOWED!!
Player, Coaches & Media Check-In
The Check-In process will be under the BEA tent located at near or around the entrance. Each player and coach has to complete the Zorts process and be eligible, as well as, have all waivers signed. If these are not completed, players and coaches are subject to not receive their wristband for field entry and not participate in the tournament.
Media will need a wristband for field access for shooting. Media will check in at the BEA tent as well.
• Each Division will have a select wristband representing that division while they are playing.
o If a player from a different wristband is caught playing in another division, the team that he is playing on will be not participate in tournament and he will also not be able to participate in tournament.
• Players can play in two different divisions; he will need to let check in know that he is playing on the two different teams to receive both wristbands.
o Ex: A player can play on both the 15U and 18U, if he is 15 years old. He would receive both wristbands for the 15U and 18U.
• A player cannot play on two different teams in the same division
If a player and coach has not completed the Zorts player card and signed the waivers, they will not be able to participate in the tournament.
Scoring
• Six (6) points for a touchdown
• One (1) point for a PAT from 5-yard line
• Two (2) points for a PAT from 10-yard line
• Two (2) Points for Defensive Stop on downs
• Three (3) Points for Interception (no runbacks or “pick 6” for safety reasons)
• Turnover on a PAT is dead ball (including INT)
• Six (6) points for Defense when offense has a FAILED 4th Down Option
• Official scores will be kept by the field referee and scorekeeper.
Overtime
• Overtime is only played during Bracket/Tournament style play. Each team will have one possession each to score. Each possession will be 3 plays that will start from the 10. There will be no extra point after a touchdown is scored by either team.
• If both teams score a touchdown, each team will have one play from the 40 yard line, and whichever team gains the most yards on their play will win the game.
Penalties
• Offense
o Offsides = 5-yard loss, repeat down
o Delay of Game = Loss of Down
Each team will have 25 seconds to snap the ball once it has been marked ready for play; delay of game penalty will be assessed.
o Pass interference = 5-yard penalty and Loss of that Down
o Illegal Formation = 5 yard lost, replay the down
o No penalty may be assessed in excess of the 40-yard line. If a penalty would move the offense beyond the 40-yard line.
o The offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the previous spot or the new scrimmage spot. Clock does not stop and any delay by defense in returning the ball TO THE OFFENSE, will result in a 5-yard penalty from the succeeding spot.
o If a defensive penalty occurs on the same play as a sack, the defense will be penalized, and the sack is void.
• Defense
o Off-sides = 5-yard penalty
o Defensive Holding = 5-yard penalty, replay down.
o Defensive Pass Interference will be a 5-yard penalty and automatic first down.
If Defensive Pass Interference occurs in the redzone (10 yard line and in), it will be half the distance to the goal.
If Defensive Pass Interference occurs in the end zone, it will result in a 1st down at the 1-yard line.
o Any dead ball penalty on the defense AFTER a change of possession would result in a loss of down for that team’s offense when they begin their ensuing possession.
o Responsibility to avoid contact is with the defense. The defense is allowed an INITIAL disruption, and then must cover. Excessive or prolonged contact will result in a “tack on” penalty at the end of the play (5-yard penalty).
Turnovers/Deadballs
• Receiver/Ball carrier is legally down when touched below the neck with one or both hands. (Excessive force by shoving, pushing, or striking a blow will be penalized by 5 yards. Player can be expelled if ruled unsportsmanlike & flagrant).
• Fumbles that hit the ground are dead balls at the spot. A muffed snap is not a fumble/dead ball. The 4.0 second count remains in effect on snaps.
• The QB is allowed 4.0 seconds to throw the ball. Time starts on the snap of the ball and stops as soon as the QB releases the ball. If the release is under 4.0 seconds, the play continues. Play is blown dead after 4.0 seconds.
• Interceptions may not be returned – 3 points are awarded for interception. Points for defensive stop and interception are not “added together”. One or the other ends a possession with defensive points.
• The offense must gain at least 15 yards in the first 3 or less plays or the defense takes over. No 4th downs. (3) downs in all zones.
• 4th Down Option only give offense a one-time attempt for 4th down during each game
Appeals
• If during game play a coach or player disagrees with an official’s judgment call, they may not dispute that call with the official at that time.
• If during game play a coach or player disagrees with a rule’s interpretation, they may stop the game to determine with the officials and field manager
• For consideration, the coach must report all game play ruling discrepancies to the Field Manager no more than 20 minutes after that game has ended. Any reversal or game-changing decisions will be made at the Field Manager’s discretion.
Additional Game Format Rules
• Pool Play- 3 games guaranteed
• Tournament/Bracket Play - Higher seed gets choice of offense/defense for opening possession
• No kicking or punting
• No passer may run with the ball.
• All passes must be thrown forward. A pass caught behind the line of scrimmage must be advanced by that receiver past the line of scrimmage. No laterals allowed.
• Hand offs in the backfield are not allowed.
• All offensive formations must be legal sets. Receivers’ alignment should respect the tackle box.
• No blocking but offense can shield like flag football.
• No taunting or "trash talking."
• No Fighting: zero tolerance policy for fighting in Team and individual player will be disqualified from tournament.
Tiebreakers
• If two teams are tied at the end of pool play, the tiebreaker is head-to-head records.
• If three or more teams are tied at the end of pool play, the following criteria will be used to determine winners:
o Head-to-head records
o Points allowed
o Points scored
o Coin flip
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