Player Eligibility:
Only men of the following backgrounds are allowed: Indian, Pakistani, Bengali, Sri Lankan, and Nepali. It is the responsibility of the captain to provide documentation verifying that any participant in question is of South Asian descent. A protest of a player must be declared before the start of the game. Documentation verifying nationality will be requested only if tournament officials believe the protest is valid. If a captain fails to provide the tournament officials with proof of nationality and the player participates in the tournament, the team will forfeit any games under protest. Since copies can be altered, original documentation is requested. We encourage everyone to carry identification and proof of nationality.
Game Rules: NIRSA rules are followed with several inclusions and exceptions.
1 Playing Field
The field consists of four 20 yard zones totaling 80 yards. There are two 10 yard end zones, the field width will be approximately 40
yards.
2 Team
A team consists of eight players, but games may be played with six players.
3 Time
Games will consist of two twenty (20) minute halves with continuous running time for sixteen minutes. Officials may stop the clock for injuries or
consultations on disputed calls. The last four (4) minute of each half is stop time, and a one minute warning will be given. Three minute half
time.
Overtime will consist of each team getting four (4) plays from their opponent. s 20 yard-line until a winner is determined. A coin toss will be done prior to each overtime period to determine which team will have possession and on which end of the field the overtime will take place.
4 Equipment
Game jerseys and flag belts are provided. Teams are encouraged to use their own matching jerseys and numbers must be on front and back. No one with a
cast will be allowed to play. The ball used shall be the ball provided or a ball deemed acceptable by the head referee.
Game ball: Provided by the offensive team for each team.
5 Substitutions
Unlimited substitution is permitted, provided it does not delay the game.
6 Playing Regulations
A All players on the field are eligible to be receivers. A team may throw only one forward pass per down.
B All offensive players must be in the huddle, if there is one, or if entering the field late they must line up a minimum of two yards from the sideline to participate in the play. Hidden ball plays, deception or illegal substitutions will be penalized as unsportsmanlike conduct.
C. There must be a minimum of five players on the offensive line of scrimmage with the center flanked by two players within 2 yards. No limit on defensive positioning.
D A player is considered down at the point at which his/her flag belt is removed. The ball is positioned where the ball is and not where the flag belt was pulled, hence if the ball is just over the first down line and the belt is pulled on the other side of the line a first down would be awarded. The ball becomes dead when any part of the ball carrier's body other than hands, and/or feet touch the ground.
E Defenders may not block, hold, trip, or push the runner in an attempt to remove his/her flagbelt (unnecessary roughness/holding).
F Inadvertent whistle (play is dead), ball is respotted at original line of scrimmage.
G The runner may not protect his/her flag with his/her arm or by running with head and shoulder down (guarding the flag).
H The runner may not dive with possession of the ball or to run into an opposing player.
I A pass is complete if caught with at least one foot inbounds. On a pass play, if the receiver is missing the flag belt when catching the ball (fell off accidently), play continues; play stops when a defensive player contacts ball carrier with at least one hand. If ball carrier accidently loses flag belt while running with the ball play continues until a defensive player contacts the ball carrier with at least one hand.
J After crossing the line of scrimmage, an offensive player may not retreat over the line of scrimmage to throw a forward pass.
7 Kickoffs
A There will be no kickoffs. The team winning the coin toss can select to defend a goal line, put the ball in play at their own ten (10) yard line, or defer their choice to the second half.
B After a safety, the team scoring the safety gets the ball at midfield.
8 Punt
A Each team must have a minimum of five players on the line for punts. Those players on the line must be on one knee. The center, who may hike the ball when standing, must also go down on one knee before the ball is punted.
B A punt is an automatic play, it has to be announced and no one can cross the line of scrimmage until the ball is punted. (The choice of punting is irrevocable once it has been announced) The snap to the punter can hit the ground without being blown dead. The ball must be punted behind the line of scrimmage.
C A punt is not dead; if the punt hits the ground before being picked up by the receiving team. It may be run back whether caught in the air or on the bounce or roll. It is dead if it hits a receiving team member and hits the ground.
D A receiver may signal for a fair catch while any kick is in flight and is beyond the line of scrimmage.
9 Timeouts
Each team has three timeouts per game. Only two (2) timeouts carry over to the second half, if no timeouts are used in the first half. For overtime,
each team is given one timeout per overtime. Each timeout will be 30 seconds in length.
10 Dead Ball/Fumble
A The ball is declared dead when it hits the ground (exception _ see punts). The last team maintaining possession gets the ball at the spot where it touches (unless it is the fourth down). If the ball is fumbled in the offensive team's end zone, a two point safety is awarded. If fumbled into opponent's end zone, it is a touchback. Opponent puts the ball in play at the twenty yard line.
B The offensive team cannot gain yardage by way of a fumble; if fumbled forward, the ball is spotted at the point when the ball carrier first lost possession of the ball.
11 First Downs
A first down is awarded when a team advances the ball in four downs or less into the next zone. The line to gain in any series shall be the original
zone in advance of the ball at the beginning of the series. In case of penalties during play, final ball placement shall not be established until all penalties
have been assessed.
12 Blocking
A One or two arm blocking is permitted. Hands may be slightly extended when blocking. The elbow cannot be swung in blocking. Players must remain on their feet through out the block. Cross body or diving blocks are not permitted (unnecessary roughness).
B Three point stances are allowed by the offensive line only, the defense may NOT line up in a three point stance. There must be a one yard neutral zone between the line of scrimmage and the defensive line (determined by ball spotters).
C Bump and run block is allowed within five yards of the line of scrimmage.
D Defensive players are permitted to use their hands to ward off blockers, but violent shoving or pushing is prohibited.
E Ball carriers may not stiff arm defensive players (flag guarding/unnecessary roughness).
F No Blocking is permitted on Punts or Interceptions. (Only Screens are allowed)
13 Putting the Ball in Play
A team has thirty-five seconds to run a play from the time the referee places the ball to
when the quarterback takes the snap. Delay of game is penalized by a five (5) yard penalty on the first occurrence. If it happens two times consecutively, it
is a ten (10) yard penalty and the clock stops automatically. Offensive team must come to a "set" position for one second prior to the start of play.
Side hikes or center rushes are illegal.
14 Forfeits
Forfeit time is ten (10) minutes after scheduled game time. If neither team can field the required minimum lineup, it will be a double forfeit. Forfeit
score is 28 - 0.
15 Sidelines
Sidelines are on the same side of scoring table. Team Sideline is between 20-40 yard line
all players not on the field of play must be on their respective sideline.
16 Scoring
Teams may score in the following manner:
Touchdown = 6 points
Safety = 2 points
Try for extra point:
From the 3 yard line = 1 point
From the 10 yard line = 2 points
From the 20 yard line = 3 points
Intercepted runback try for extra point = 3 points
Field Goal Rules -
This can be attempted at any time the line of scrimmage prior to the attempt is inside the opponent's 40 yard
line..
Ball is between +20 and 40 yard of defenses side of the field, the ball is placed on the 14 yard line.
Ball is between +20 and goal line of the defenses side of the field, the ball is placed on the 5 yard line.
If the attempt is good it is worth 3 points. If it is not good the opposing team has three options -
1.) They can take the ball at the previous spot.
2.) They can take the ball at the result of the play.
3.) If returned to the end zone, they recieve a TD, with attempt for Extra Points.
17 Mercy Rule -
18+ points margin in the second half, clock will continue to run.
Time Outs will still stop the clock. All other stoppages will be ignored.
18 Penalties
Loss of 5 Yards
A Delay of game: If two plays in a row, there is a ten-yard penalty for the second infraction and the clock is stopped.
B False start:
Against the offensive team:
play is blown dead; automatic 5 yard penalty, replay down.
C Offsides:
Against the offensive or defensive team:
play continues; 5 yard penalty and replay down from line of scrimmage. (If defensive player makes contact with offensive player, play is blown dead; automatic
5 yard penalty replay down.)
D Illegal motion or procedure: down is repeated.
E Illegal formation: (too few or too many players on the line) down is repeated.
F Illegal forward handoff: If by offense, loss of down from line of scrimmage. If by defense, the ball is dead and penalty assessed from point of infraction (first down).
G Illegal forward pass: at or behind the line of scrimmage, loss of down and 5 yard penalty from line of scrimmage. Illegal forward lateral: loss of down and 5 yard penalty from point of infraction. In case of change in possession, no loss of down.
H Defensive holding 5 yard penalty from line of scrimmage (automatic first down).
I Illegal down field blocking (from the line of scrimmage).
J Diving/jumping/running into a defender (from the line of scrimmage).
K Breaking Sideline- players must remain on the sidelines during game play.
L Illegal Equipment: No Metal Cleats Allowed! Any player with Metal Cleats will not be allowed to play.
Loss of 10 Yards
A Fair catch interference , must leave a 2 yard cushion.(point of infraction).
B Pass interference by offense (plus loss of down) from line of scrimmage.
C Holding _ Offense 10 yard penalty from line of scrimmage (repeat down).
D Intentional grounding (from line of scrimmage plus loss of down).
E Flag guarding (line of scrimmage - repeat down).
Loss of 15 Yards
A Unsportsmanlike conduct (from line of scrimmage or end of play) and automatic first down, if against the defense.
B Illegal Equipment (illegally fastened flag belt) 15 yard penalty (from line of scrimmage) and loss of down if done by offense. If done by defense, 15 yard penalty and automatic first down.
C Roughing _ 15 yard penalty from the line of scrimmage or point of infraction, and first down.
D Personal fouls (clip, holding, trip, etc.) from point of infraction if done by offense behind the line of scrimmage, from the line of scrimmage in any other instance. (Against defense, automatic first down).
E Defensive pass interference (automatic first down) and the ball is spotted at point of infraction (automatic first down). If penalty committed in end zone, ball is placed on one-yard line (automatic first down).
F Any personal foul committed after the play has ended will be assessed from the new line of scrimmage.
Disqualification Plus 15 Yard Penalty
A Fighting: AUTOMATIC
EJECTION FROM TOURNAMENT!!!
Note: Doesn't Matter who started it if you throw a Punch you are out of the tournament!!
Entering Field (Fighting) - Ejection from game. Warning.
Entering field twice in the tournament for fighting, ejected from tournament.
B Any flagrant act where injury to opponent is seen as the intent.
C Flagrant misconduct
D Any verbal or physical abuse towards the officials.
Any penalty that would take the ball within the five yard line will be marked off at half the distance to the goal line (exception: Defensive Pass Interference). Fouls committed by both teams during the same play result in off-setting penalties. When two or more fouls are committed by the same team (multiple fouls) the offended team may choose the penalty for either one.
19 Note
Referees have been instructed to eject players who persist in rough and dangerous play. Players removed from a game will serve a one game suspension in
this activity and possible ejection from the tournament.
