Tournament Rules

Review the official tournament rules and policies for all divisions. Please make sure coaches, players, and parents are familiar with these guidelines before competition begins. All changes and clarifications added this year are highlighted in yellow.

Age Rules

This is a grade-based tournament.  The following age requirements apply.

  • 4th Graders - Age 10 or below on 12/31 and in 4th Grade
  • 5th Graders - Age 11 or below on 12/31 and in 5th Grade
  • 6th Graders - Age 12 or below on 12/31 and in 6th Grade
  • 7th Graders - Age 13 or below on 12/31 and in 7th Grade
  • 8th Graders - Age 14 or below on 12/31 and in 8th Grade

Coaches may be requested to provide age verification documents - please be prepared. Any player unable to provide age verification documents on request may be required to sit out the remainder of the tournament.

3rd & 4th Grade Tackle Division

  • Field Size: 40-yard regulation fields.
  • Officials: Minimum of 2 officials, will try to have 3.
  • Game Balls: Pee-wee size (each team provides their own).
  • Weigh-Ins: Offensive backs, receivers, and tight ends must be
    • 3rd grade: 100 lbs (5lb uniform allowance without helmet)
    • 4th grade: 110 lbs or under (5 lb uniform allowance without helmet)
    • If a ball carrier is determined to be ineligible, it will result in the loss of a coach on the field
  • Game Format: Four (4) quarters, 12 minutes each, continuous running clock.
    • Stops only for scores, point-after attempts, injuries, and timeouts.
    • Last 2 minutes of each half: standard regulation timing.
    • Halftime: 5 minutes.
    • Play clock: 35 seconds.
    • Timeouts: 2 per half, 1 minute each.
    • 35 point spread, continuous clock
  • Kickoffs/Punts: No kickoffs. Possession begins at the 40-yard line. No punts. Turnover on downs.
  • Defense/Alignment: Offense must have 7 on LOS.
    • Defense may use 4- or 5-man fronts. No defender lined up directly over center.
    • Linebackers ≥ 2 yards off LOS; DBs ≥ 4 yards off LOS.
    • No blitzing. Defenders may pursue once the ball is outside the tackles.
      • F​​​​​irst offense - warning
      • Second offense - automatic first down
  • Coaches on Field:
    • 3rd Grade: two coaches on field per side (offense/defense).
    • 4th Grade: one coach per side (offense/defense).
    • Must stay 5 yards behind deepest player.
    • No communication once QB begins cadence.
      • First offense - warning
      • Second offense - 5 yard penalty.
    • Disruptive Behavior
      • First offense - warning
      • Second offense
        • If on offense, loss of down
        • If on defense, loss of 15 yards
  • Fumbles/Interceptions: Turnovers only - no advancement.
  • Scoring:
    • Run conversion = 2 points.
    • Pass conversion = 2 points.
    • Kick = 2 point (no fakes, ball not live until kicked).
  • Overtime: One period only.
    • Each team starts at 10-yard line with 4 plays.
    • Winner = score or most yards gained.
    • Replay if tied.
  • Offensive Penalties
    • If an offensive penalty cannot be fully assessed because of field position (not enough yards), the defense may choose either:
      Loss of down OR
      Ball placed at the 40-yard line

5th Grade Tackle Division

  • Field Size: 100-yard regulation field.
  • Officials: Minimum of 3 officials.
  • Game Balls: Junior size (each team provides their own).
  • Weigh-Ins: Offensive backs, receivers, and tight ends must be 120 lbs or under. 5 lb uniform allowance (no helmet).
    • 5th grade: 120 lbs (5lb uniform allowance without helmet)
    • If a ball carrier is determined to be ineligible, it will result in the loss of a coach on the field
  • Game Format: Four (4) quarters, 12 minutes each, continuous running clock.
    • Stops only for scores, point-after attempts, injuries, and timeouts.
    • Last 2 minutes of each half: standard regulation timing.
    • Halftime: 5 minutes.
    • Play clock: 30 seconds.
    • Timeouts: 2 per half, 1 minute each.
    • 35 point spread, continuous clock
  • Kickoffs: Live per IHSAA rules.
  • Punts: Two options: Dead Ball Punt – Team announces punt, no rush, no returns. Bad snaps re-punted. No fakes. OR Auto Punt – Team may declare; referee advances ball 30 yards (or half distance if inside defensive 30).
  • Defense/Alignment: Offense must have 7 on LOS. Defense may use 4- or 5-man fronts.
    • No defender directly over center. Linebackers ≥ 2 yards off LOS; DBs ≥ 4 yards off LOS.
    • No blitzing. Defenders may pursue once the ball is outside the tackles.
      • F​​​​​irst offense - warning
      • Second offense - automatic first down
  • Coaches on Field:
    • One coach per side (offense/defense).
    • Must stay 5 yards behind deepest player.
    • No communication once QB begins cadence.
      • First offense - warning
      • Second offense - 5 yard penalty.
    • ​​​​Disruptive Behavior
      • First offense - warning
      • Second offense
        • If on offense, loss of down
        • If on defense, loss of 15 yards
  • Fumbles/Interceptions: Fully live. Advancement allowed.
  • Scoring:
    • Run conversion = 2 points.
    • Pass conversion = 2 points.
    • Kick = 1 point (no fakes, ball not live until kicked).
  • Overtime: One period only.
    • Each team starts at 10-yard line with 4 plays.
    • Winner = score or most yards gained.
    • Replay if tied.

6th - 8th Grade Tackle Division

  • NFHS RULES
  • Field Size: 100-yard regulation field.
  • Officials: Minimum of 3 IHSAA licensed officials.
  • Game Balls: 6th - Junior size; 7th and 8th - Youth size  (each team provides their own).
  • Weigh-Ins: No weight restrictions.
  • Game Format:
    • Sixth Grade: Four (4) quarters, 12 minutes, continuous clock.
    • Seventh Grade: Four (4) quarters, 8 minutes, normal clock.
    • Eighth Grade: Four (4) quarters, 10 minutes each, normal clock.
    • Last 2 minutes of each half: standard regulation timing.
    • Halftime: 5 minutes.
    • Play clock: 30 seconds.
    • Timeouts: 2 per half, 1 minute each.
    • 35 point spread, continuous clock
  • Kickoffs & Punts: Fully live under IHSAA rules.
  • Defense/Alignment: Standard NFHS/IHSAA rules.
  • Coaches on Field: None (sideline only).
    • Disruptive Behavior
      • First offense - warning
      • Second offense
        • If on offense, loss of down
        • If on defense, loss of 15 yards
  • Fumbles/Interceptions: Fully live. Advancement allowed.
  • Scoring: NFHS/IHSAA rules apply.
  • Overtime: NFHS format.
    • Each team starts at 10-yard line.
    • Replay if tied.
    • Must go for two in 2nd overtime.

Tie Breakers

  • Overall record
  • Points allowed

Player Waivers

Every athlete playing in the tournament needs to have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian. 
Download Waiver

Challenges

Weight

  • Coach will bring the challenge to the game ref
  • Ref will bring the challenge forward to the site admin
  • Player will be weighed on-site with site admin unless an official weigh-in has already been recorded

Age

  • Coach will bring the challenge to the game ref
  • Ref will bring the challenge forward to the site admin
  • Site admin will confirm grade with coach with documentation such as a school report card (pic or print), copy of school ID (pic or print), school portal (image or print).
  • Any documentation must include the student name and grade, with photo if available.