2023 GSF Silicon Valley Classic 7v7 Tournament

TOURNAMENT RULES & SPORTSMANSHIP GUIDELINES

Requirements (Players and Coaches)

– Maximum players allowed per team is 24. Each team will receive labeled, color-coded wristbands

– High School Age, NO Seniors 2023 athletes allowed

– $10 admission at the gate, you will automatically be entered for the drawing. Additional raffle tickets are available at $5 per ticket, 3 tickets for $10, 12 tickets for $20. Thank you for your support.

– Mouthpieces / Mouthguards are mandatory. The refs will take you out of play if you do not have one. We will have some for sale at the entrance. $5 per mouthpiece.

– Softshell helmets are highly recommended but not required yet. We are looking to make it mandatory in the future. Players wearing one need to have it on properly. You will be taken out if your helmet is unbuckled.

– MANDATORY: Please make sure to turn in your rosters by Friday, February 10th at 11pm. Make sure to make an effort to include your player’s name, jersey number, school, grade, and social media for identification purposes. NO SENIORS are ALLOWED at this tournament. Last-minute changes can be made, but we will conduct a random check of the rosters on the tournament day. We will do a much better job identifying players for recognition if we have their accurate information.

– We highly recommend your team have matching uniforms with an alternate. If two teams playing have the same or similar color scheme, one group might be asked to put on pennies.

General Game and Field Info

– Each participating team will have an opportunity to play at least four games total, four 20-minute pool play games plus playoffs.

– Full width by 40-yard playing field with a 10-yard end zone.

– Download the ZORTS SPORTS App for tournament schedule, field location, times, and playoff seeding

– Each game lasts 20 minutes with a running clock. Each field will have a GSF Staff timekeeper. (NO Overtime in Pool Play)

– A coin toss or RPS will determine which team gets the ball first. That team will begin in possession of the ball on the 40-yard line, in the middle. Every time the ball is on the 40-yard line, the ball will be spotted in the middle.

– Ref’s whistle will start each game together with the loud horn

– All snaps at the 40-yard line must be off the QB-tee (No Shotgun). Upon gaining a yard or more, the QB may take a shotgun off QB-tee.

– The QB will have 4.0 seconds to throw the ball. Referees will stop the play after 4.0 seconds expires, resulting in a penalty and loss of down. There would be a GSF Staff member with a flag to alert the ref if the ball was thrown after 4 seconds. The QB-tee is calibrated for 4 seconds.

– The play clock is 25 seconds and will be kept by the timer and head referee on each field. There will be a GSF Staff on each field dedicated to this.

– The clock never stops, except for an injury or referee timeout/stoppage. Ref’s whistle will end each game after the loud horn is set off.

– The referees will keep the official score and time on the field for each game with the help of a scorekeeper. There will be a GSF Staff dedicated to keeping scores for each field.

Offense / Defense / Moving the Ball (Standard Rules)

– Offense always starts on the 40-yard line, middle of the field, and after any change of possession

– Offense has three (3) downs to gain a first down. First down markers will be at the 25, and 10-yard lines

– Once inside the 10-yard line, the offense has three downs to score a TD

– An extra player can snap the ball off the QB-tee to his QB, but he is not allowed to participate in the play and must kneel immediately. The QB is NEVER eligible to run

– No Running, No Toss or Flip Passes, No Reverses or Hook and Ladder. The only way to move the ball is if the QB throws the ball like a regular pass. No underhand allowed. Sidearm is ok.

– Defensive players cannot blitz or cross the line of scrimmage. A 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty will be enforced.

– No blocking. No Screens. Blocking is not allowed at all. Blocking will result in a loss of down and a return to the previous spot.

– QB cannot pass the ball to himself or move the ball past the line of scrimmage. If the QB does so, the ball is immediately dead, and a loss of down will be enforced.

– The offensive player is ruled down when touched by the defense

– NO TACKLING, NO WRAPPING UP PLAYERS TO THE GROUND, NO ROLL-UP TACKLE. Our officials will be very strict about this. A 15-yard penalty will be given to the team. If the ball is inside the 25-yard line, the ball will be spotted half the distance to the goal. Automatic first down for the offense. If an offensive player commits the foul after an interception by the defense, the ball will be spotted on the 25-yard line for the team to take over offensively.

– HARD PUSH OFF, INTENTIONAL SHOULDER, AND ELBOW SHOVE directed toward the ball carrier will result in an unsportsmanlike or unnecessary roughness penalty of 15 yards. Teach your defensive players to touch their man to down the play.

– Defensive players can play the ball and go for the ball or pass. Shoulder check, holding, or undercutting the offensive player will result in a 15-yard penalty or unsportsmanlike.

– The ball carrier is legally down when touched below the neck with one hand or the ball carrier’s elbow/knee, or the football touches the ground. A defender CAN leave his feet to make a tag. The offensive player can leave his feet also or hurdle a defensive player.

– Fumbles (Including snaps) are dead balls on the spot, with the last team in control retaining possession at the spot unless it is a turnover on downs.

– Face guarding is NOT allowed. Defenders must play the ball and turn toward the ball. Otherwise, the defensive player can be penalized with interference.

– Offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the ref. The clock does not stop, and any delay of the offense in retrieving and returning the ball to the official will result in a delay of game penalty.

– Teams are not allowed to have extra players on the opposing team’s sidelines, in the end, zone, or beyond the designated area to retrieve loose balls out of bounds. Players and coaches are only allowed from the 40-yard line to the 25-yard line on their sideline. The teams playing must be on opposite sidelines.

– Defensive passing interference will result in a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down.

– Defensive holding will result in a 10-yard penalty and repeat the down.

– CB/DB can press the WR as long as he remains in front of the WR for 3 yards. Once the WR is past the CB/DB, he can no longer make contact. CB/DB make sure not to hold or grab. You will get a penalty.

– Offensive pass interference will result in a return to the previous spot plus a loss of down.

– If time expires during a play with a defensive penalty. The offense will have an untimed down for the last play of that game if they choose to.

– WRs, TEs must line up outside the tackle box. Failure to do so will result in an illegal formation penalty.

– Referee’s calls are FINAL. Our GSF 7v7 Tournament staff will not overturn any calls on the field.

– Referees can and are allowed to discuss a call only if the head referee calls for it. The final call or decision is FINAL and will not be overturned by any GSF 7v7 Tournament staff.

Scoring & Points

– TD = 6 points, Offense can choose to take the automatic 1 point and not run a play or run a play from the 10-yard line for 2 points

– The offense can place the ball in the middle or on the hash to run their extra point. The referees will default place the ball in the middle unless the offensive coach asks for the ball to be placed on either hash. The 25-second play clock will be enforced.

– INT = 3 points (The play is dead immediately after the defense intercepts the ball. NO POINTS awarded for INT during the 2-point play.

– If the defense intercepts the ball, they can remain on defense and take 5 points. The opposing team will then start their offense from the 40-yard line.

Overtime Rules

– Standard offensive and defensive rules apply.

– Overtime will only happen during the single-elimination rounds or playoffs.

– Coin flip or RPS winner before the overtime period will determine which team will start on offense and/or defense.

– First round of overtime will give each team a chance to score.

– Offense will have two plays to score. The other team will also get a chance to score.

– Each score or TD is 6 points. In OT, the offense must run a play from the 5-yard line to earn 1 point or run a play from the ten for 2 points.

– Interception during OT is a win for the intercepting team. No points for INT during any extra-point play.

– If the game is still tied after the first round of OT, the game will immediately go into SUDDEN DEATH OT after the change of possession.

– In the second round of OT, the offense must score to win. If not, the defense wins. The winning team will be determined in the second round of OT.

For Coaches and Team Managers

* Please remind your entire organization to practice good sportsmanship behavior. Treat everyone, our referees, coaches, and staff, with respect. We are all here for our athletes to get better and ready for the upcoming 2022 football season while competing.

– Offensive Coordinators are the only coaches allowed to be behind their teams’ offense. Offensive subs and alternate players can only stand in the designated area between the hash and sideline. Failure to do so will result in a warning for the first and then an unsportsmanlike (15-yard) penalty for the second time. The head official will enforce this rule. Obey the rules, and your team will not have any problem

– The rest of the teams must remain on the sidelines along with the rest of the coaching staff. The designated area on each sideline is from the 40 to the 25-yard lines and must stay clear of the path of the sideline referees. The sideline official will issue a warning first, depending on the severity of the violation. Failure to do so will result in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty. Failure to do so multiple times will result in a forfeit.

– Coaches are not allowed to challenge any official ruling. You can ask questions, but disrespectful behavior can result in an unsportsmanlike (15-yard) penalty. Failure to do so after two or three warnings results in ejection.

– NO defensive coaches are allowed on the field of play during games. Defensive coaches are only allowed to coach from their team’s sideline. Failure to do so will result in an unsportsmanlike (15-yard) penalty. Multiple violations will and can get you ejected from the tournament.

– Celebrations are ok unless it violates sportsmanship guidelines. Taunting, disrespectful gestures, and actions will result in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty. Multiple violations can result in ejection or forfeit.

– SEVERE PUNISHMENT WILL BE ENFORCED FOR: Sideline clearing “head top” celebration after a play, punting the ball away after an interception or a catch, throwing the ball to the other team’s player(s) with the intent to harm.

– TD Celebration that violates the sportsmanship guidelines will negate the opportunity for any extra point play, including the automatic one-point after the score. The team in violation will also give up two points to the other team, and the ball will be spotted on the 25-yard line for the team taking over on offense.

– If a team is way ahead and decides to violate the sportsmanship guidelines intentionally, that team will be penalized on their next game by giving up two offensive possession and spotting their next opponent 6 points. Multiple violations will result in forfeiture and the ejection of the entire team and organization.

– Fighting will result in a game stoppage and a possible player ejection for all parties involved. Just don’t fight. It is not worth it. An unsportsmanlike 15-yard penalty will be enforced.

– Sideline clearing fights and brawls will result in a forfeit or ejection from the tournament. An unsportsmanlike penalty will be enforced. Legal action may also be pursued against the team in violation. COACHES, please make sure you guys help us by getting your team under control at all times.

– Parents and spectators are only allowed in the bleachers.

– No team is allowed to switch or move players around within their organization if and when that group has multiple teams in the GSF tournament series. It is considered cheating, and we will end your participation immediately. If a team runs out of players due to injuries and/or players having to leave the tournament, that team can choose to compete with their remaining players as long as they have seven or more players. If the team’s roster is reduced to less than 7, that team must forfeit the rest.

– Coaches and managers are responsible for ensuring they are well-equipped to compete at our tournament.

– The tournament director must clear photographers and Videographers before entering the field. NO TRIPODS allowed. Single-leg or mono are permitted.

– Photographers and Videographers must only stay on their teams’ sidelines or behind the end zone. ONLY GSF CREDENTIALED VIDEOGRAPHERS and PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE ALLOWED TO SHOOT FROM BEHIND THE OFFENSE. Failure to follow the rules will get you ejected from the field by the referees and security.

– Photographers and videographers from other teams outside of GSF must sign a release for GSF and its players and staff to use any and all the videos taken from the GSF events without restriction. Proper credit will be given. Photographers and videographers are prohibited from selling images, photos, and videos taken from any and all GSF events. This includes using pictures and moving images for future flyers and promos that are not affiliated with GetSportsFocus. For questions, please get in touch with ALF Joaquin. Our goal is to protect the athletes from being exploited.

– DRONES are ok with prior clearance and permission from the tournament director. We need to know by Friday if you are planning on flying a drone.

– ONLY PARTICIPATING PLAYERS, COACHES, and GSF 7v7 STAFF, including referees, are allowed on the field and the track. For safety purposes, parents and/or spectators are NOT ALLOWED to be roaming around on the track.

– ANY FORM OF CHEATING qualifies for automatic team disqualification at the tournament. This includes roster modification and playing a senior in the tournament. In the age of social media, anyone can be identified, and don’t risk getting embarrassed by getting caught and someone putting you and your team out on blast.

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, FEEDBACK… CONTACT ALF JOAQUIN – GetSportsFocus@gmail.com