General Information

Field Dimensions & RAW Staff 

• The field measures 50 yards in length, with a 40-yard playing area and a 10-yard end zone.
• Each game will be officiated by a team of 2-4 referees to ensure fair play. 
• Trainers will be available throughout the tournament to provide medical assistance as needed.

Age Brackets

Players must adhere to the fall into the following age brackets as of January 1st, 2024:

• 17U: Participants aged 17 and under, including those in grade 12.
• 15U: Participants aged 15 and under.
• 12U: Participants aged 12 and under.

Official Game Balls 

Official game balls will be provided by RAW, sizes are as follows:

• 17U: Official Size (NCAA)
• 15U: TDY Size
• 12U: TDJ Size

Team Management

Roster Limits 

• Each team can have a maximum of 20 players, with no exceptions for additional players. Additionally, each team may have up to 4 coaches.

Player Eligibility

• Every participant is required to complete a registration process at the beginning of the tournament, which involves checking in at the registration table. To facilitate this, we kindly request all participants to arrive one hour prior to their team's first scheduled game time to allow sufficient time for registration.
• Players must possess government-issued identification during the registration check-in. Once their age and identity are verified, players will be provided with a numbered wristband that must be worn throughout the weekend. If the wristband is removed or damaged, the player will need to provide their ID again to obtain a new one.
• Players are prohibited from participating on more than one team in a given age group throughout the entire tournament, including multiple teams within the same age bracket that are part of the same organization. Players are allowed to play multiple teams if they are in different age groups (for example, a 15u player can play on a 15u team and a 17u team). Teams or players caught attempting to switch wristbands or competing without a wristband will be immediately disqualified from the tournament.

Tournament Structure

Tournament Schedule 

• A full seeding schedule will be released at least one week before the tournament, with the elimination schedule determined after the seeding round has concluded. 
• Each team is guaranteed at least 4 games total.
• Each team will participate in 3 seeding games, which will determine the single-elimination bracket. 
• Teams will be seeded based on their record, with teams having the same record further ranked by points scored. If teams have the same record and points, seeding will be decided by head-to-head matchups or, in the absence of such matchups, a coin toss.

Late Policy 

• All participating teams are required to arrive at the game venue at least one hour before their first scheduled game and 30 to 45 minutes before each subsequent game. Teams should be fully prepared and onsite, ready to start the game promptly at the designated time.
• In case a team arrives five minutes late, 8 points will be awarded to the punctual opposing team, and they will take initial possession of the ball. A delay of ten minutes or more will result in the delayed team forfeiting the game with a final score of 8-0.
• Registration delays will not be considered valid reasons for game postponements. Game times are fixed, and teams are expected to be present at the field, fully prepared for competition as scheduled.

Gameplay

General Rules

• The offense comprises a QB and 5 RECs, while the defense consists of 7 players.
• The offense must have one player on the line of scrimmage on each side of the QB.
• Receivers are not allowed to line up inside the tackle box.
• Quarterbacks have a 4.0-second window to throw the ball.
• Blocking is not allowed, and infractions will result in a loss of down.
• Offensive running plays are permitted, but QBs cannot run.
• Except for blitzing, defensive players cannot cross the line of scrimmage until the ball leaves the QB's hands.
• Fumbles will be spotted where the ball lands, unless it is behind the 40-yard line, in which case, the team that fumbled will retain possession.
• Offensive players will be down when touched with one hand below the neck or if their elbow or knee touches the ground.
• Offensive players must return the ball to the referee after each play.
• Throwing, kicking, or punting the ball during a celebration will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
• Fighting or touching players from the opposing team may lead to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and possible disqualification.

Offensive Pre-Snap Motion (American Rules)

• Only one player can go in motion at a time. Once one player motions, he must get completely set before another person can go in motion.
• Only players who are lined up off of the line of scrimmage can go in motion.
• Only one player is allowed to be moving at the snap of the ball.
• Motion must be parallel or away from the line of scrimmage, motion towards the line of scrimmage is illegal.

Game Clock

• Each scheduled game will adhere to a strict time limit of 25 minutes.
• Games will operate with a running clock, with no timeouts permitted.
• In pool play, the clock will continue running during an injury, whereas in elimination play, the clock will stop during an injury and resume at the beginning of the next play.
• The head official will be responsible for timekeeping and will be strategically positioned near the offensive huddle.
• After each play, the offense has 25 seconds to put the ball into play, and infractions will result in a delay of game.

Offensive Set-Up & Moving the Ball

• A coin toss determines the initial possession.
• The head official will start the game with a whistle.
• The offense will begin on the 40-yard line.
• First down markers will be placed at the 25-yard and 10-yard lines.
• Teams have 3 downs to get a 1st down or to score when inside the 10-yard line.
• Offensive teams cannot take their formation on the field until the opposing team reaches the 20-yard line.
• All snaps will be taken off of a QB Tee provided by RAW.
• Quarterbacks have a 4.0-second window to throw the ball.
• All offensive snaps will be taken off of a QB Tee provided by RAW.

Scoring

• An offensive touchdown is worth 6 points.
• After a touchdown, the team can choose to go for 1 point from the 5-yard line or 2 points from the 10-yard line.
• If a touchdown is scored just as the game clock expires, the scoring team will have the opportunity for an extra point attempt.
• No points are awarded for defensive scoring.

Sideline Etiquette

• On the field during play, only one Offensive Coach and a maximum of one player are allowed (player must be positioned on one knee).
• Offensive coaches and extra players must be positioned behind the huddle.
• No defensive coaches are permitted on the field.
• Players must remain exclusively on their designated sideline during the game.
• Coaches and players are expected to respect referees.
• Teams are expected to leave the sideline how they found it.
• Violations of sideline etiquette will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct  or delay of game penalty.

Blitzing

• Each team can use one blitz per game.
• If a defensive penalty is called on the same play as a blitz, the defense will lose that blitz for the rest of the game.
• If an offensive penalty is called on the same play as a blitz, the defense will regain their blitz opportunity.
• Multiple players are allowed to blitz simultaneously.

Overtime Rules (Single Elimination Games Only)

• In case of a tie in any game, overtime will be initiated.
• The designated referee will choose a team for the coin toss.
• The winner of the coin toss can select to start with offense or defense.
• Overtime takes place with the ball on the 10-yard line. Each team gets three attempts to reach the end zone. Scoring teams can choose between a 1- or 2-point conversion.
• If the first round ends in a tie, overtime will continue until a winner is determined.

Offensive Penalties

• False Start results in a loss of down.
• Delay of Game results in a loss of down.
• Offensive Pass Interference results in a loss of down, with the ball returned to the original line of scrimmage.
• Blocking results in a loss of down, with the ball returned to the original line of scrimmage.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct incurs a 15-yard penalty and a loss of down.
• Unnecessary roughness results in a 15-yard penalty and a loss of down.
• A dead ball penalty after a touchdown leads to the offensive team losing the next down, which is the PAT. The ball is placed on the defense's 40-yard line. Offensive penalties at the 40-yard line result in a loss of down without lost yardage.

Defensive Penalties

• Offsides incurs a 5-yard penalty, and the down is repeated.
• Defensive Pass Interference is a spot foul, resulting in a 1st down at the spot.
• Defensive Holding is a spot foul, leading to a 1st down at the spot.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct results in a 15-yard penalty and a 1st down.
• Unnecessary roughness results in a 15-yard penalty and a 1st down.
• A dead ball penalty on the defense after a change of possession or touchdown leads to a loss of down for the offense when they begin their ensuing possession.
• The game cannot end on a defensive penalty.