TOURNAMENT RULES & SPORTSMANSHIP GUIDELINES

GAME RECOGNIZE GAME 
Hosted by ACTIVATED 

March 8th and 9th 2025
Tournament Rules

1. FIELD LENGTH:
2. 50 total yards (40 yards with a 10 yard end zone).
3. STARTING EACH GAME:
4. First team listed will determine possession of the ball in pool play starting on the +40 yard line with a choice of hash mark. In tournament play team with higher seed starts with possession.
5. A PA announcer, horn or whistle will begin each game.
6. Each pool game will last 20 minutes (all pool play). Bracket and Championship games can last 20 minutes. All games will be running time.
7. PA announcer / horn will declare when game is over.
8. The clock will not stop for anything.
9. MOVING THE BALL:
10. Offense always starts on +40 yard line with a choice of hash mark after any change of possession. Offenses can ask officials to place the ball on either hash or in between after every play.
11. Offense has three downs to gain a first down. First down markers will be at the +25 and +10 yard line.
12. Once inside the +10 yard line, the offense has three downs to score a touchdown.
13. For the try after a touchdown, the offense can choose to go for 1 or 2 points. Only offense can score on try. A 1 point conversion is a given and is awarded immediately unless a team choose a 2 point conversion. Only the 2pt conversion is played and it is from the +10 yard line. The offense may have a choice of hash mark for ball placement. Fouls committed during PAT attempts result in loss of down for offensive fouls or replay of down for defensive fouls. No yards enforced
14. Defensive players cannot cross the line of scrimmage – will be considered hold
15. Offense can use any formation to move the ball with 1 quarterback and 5 eligible receivers. 7th player may only be a center to snap the ball. Only players may snap the ball. Ball must start from the tee cradle. There needs to be at least one receiver on each side of the tee.
16. No run plays allowed
17. One foot down in bounds for completion.
18. All passes must be forward. No backward passes
19. COACHING YOUR TEAM:
20. There will be one offensive coach allowed on the field at any time.
21. The coach must be positioned behind the offensive huddle.
22. Coaches are not allowed to challenge any official ruling.
23. Remaining team coaches can work from the sideline.
24. No defensive coaches are allowed on the field.
25. SPECIAL RULES:
26. No blocking.
27. Blocking will result in the ball being returned to the spot of the foul.
28. Ball carrier is legally down when touched below the neck with one hand. A defender cannot leave his feet to make a tag. Runner will still be able to run if the defender’s feet are off the ground.
29. Fumbles (including snap) are dead balls at the spot with the last team in control retaining possession at the spot.
30. Each team will have 25 seconds to put the ball into play. Delay of game is only a loss of down.
31. The offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the official. The clock does not stop and any delay by the offense in retrieving and returning the ball to the spot will result in a delay of game loss of down.
32. Defensive pass interference or defensive holding will result in an automatic 1st down and the ball will advance to the next 1st down field marker. If defensive pass interference or holding is committed within the 10 yard line, the ball will advance to, and not beyond, the 5 yard line with an automatic 1st down. Or, if inside the 10, first down at the previous spot.
33. Offensive pass interference will result in a return to the previous spot plus a loss of down.
34. Quarterback is allowed 4 seconds to throw the ball. Game officials will stop the play if 4 seconds are surpassed.
35. An interception is a change of possession with the intercepting team gaining possession. The intercepting team has a choice of taking 2 points and possession of the ball at the +40 yard line or 6 points and staying on defense.
36. Interceptions on the try are not awarded any defensive points
37. Offensive player cannot dive to advance the ball.
38. Personal Fouls or Unsportsmanlike by defense will result in an automatic 1st down and the ball will advance to the next 1st down field marker. If PF / UNS is committed within the 10 yard line, the ball will advance to the 5 yard line with an automatic 1st down. PF/UNS by offense is a loss of down. PF/UNS after a scoring play will not be enforced on the try it will be enforced on the next drive. PF/UNS after a scoring play will result with enforcement on the next drive. Depending on which team fouled – the next drive will start at 2nd down at the 40 or 1st down at the 25 yard line.
39. Encroachment by the defense is a 5yd penalty. False start by the offense is a loss of down.
40. If the defensive team stops the offense from scoring, causes a turnover on downs, no points are awarded.
41. Game cannot end on accepted defensive penalty.
42. No tie breaker or overtime in pool play games
43. TIE BREAKER – Only Elimination Games
44. No overtime in pool play.
45. Bracket / Elimination games that end in a tie will go to a tiebreaker. Better seeded team will have the choice of off. or def.
46. Each team will have one snap from the +40 yard line with choice of hash mark.
47. The team who progresses the ball furthest down the field, pass and run after catch, will be declared the winner.
48. An offensive penalty is a loss of down. A defensive penalty will be marked off based on the foul. (Ex. Defensive pass interference will advance ball to +25 yard line). If the advancement due to penalty yardage exceeds ball progression of other team, the offense still must run an offensive play with positive yardage to win tiebreaker. If no yards are gained during an actual play no yards will be awarded.
49. If progress is equal, the tiebreaker will be repeated with the team that lost the initial coin toss making the choice to play offense or defense.
50. If defense intercepts the ball at any point the defense wins
51. POINT VALUES
52. Offensive touchdown = 6 points
53. Awarded extra point no play= 1 point
54. Extra point from the +10 yard line = 2 points
55. Defensive pass interception = 2 points and goes to offense
56. Defensive pass interception = 6 points and stays on defense
57. PLAYOFF BRACKET

Teams will be seeded according to their pool play record, points scored, and point differential. (Subject to change with notice prior to start of tournament)

10. CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
11. Championship game can be a 20 minute game played on a 50 yard field (40 yards with a 10 yard end zone).
12. Offense starts on 40 with a choice of hash mark after any change of possession.
13. Offense has 3 downs to gain a first down. First down markers will be at the +25, and +10 yard lines.
14. CODE OF CONDUCT

Players, coaches, spectators and parents are to conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates good sportsmanship and respect to other players, coaches, officials and spectators. Organizers reserve the absolute right to eject any player, coach, spectator and parent from the tournament for failure to abide by its code of conduct. 

12. Age Policy

Youth Division:

Players currently enrolled in high school are not eligible for the Middle School Tournament  tournament. The cutoff date for 10U, 12U, & 14U is January 1, 2025.

High School Tournament 

 Any team that is found to have competed with current player in 12th grade or beyond will be automatically disqualified without refund from the tournament. Youth  Tournament – Any team that is found to have competed with current player in High School will be automatically disqualified without refund from the tournament.