Hialeah Hurricanes Cheer Season 2026
Cheer/Dance League - April 1 to November 15, 2026
Strongside Classic 7v7 Tournament Rules
1. Field Dimensions
Fields are 40 yards in length. The 40, 25, and 10 yard lines are the first down lines.
Fields are 160 feet in width.
End Zones are 10 yards in length.
2. Team Members
All players must be a part of a team; no individual players can sign up for the tournament.
Each team has seven players on defense and six players on offense.
A team may utilize a Center to snap the ball, but it is not required. If teams are using a center to snap the ball, they are not a legal player in the play and cannot participate at any time, including on interception returns.
The offensive team is responsible for the setting of the ball.
One offensive coach is allowed on the field but must be behind the quarterback once the huddle is broken and must make every possible attempt to be out of the way of the play on an interception return. No defensive coaches are allowed on the field.
3. Officials
Each game will have a minimum of two officials, but three officials is preferred.
Each game will have a scorekeeper/timekeeper at the scorers table on every field.
Each set of game fields must have a field manager to assist with the management of the game.
4. Game Times
Games are played with a 24-minute running clock. The clock only stops for a referee timeout (injury, referee huddle, etc…).
There are no time outs in pool play. In bracket play each team receives one 30 second time out.
Overtime is in bracket play only; pool play games can end in a tie.
If overtime is required, teams will alternate with a chance to score on three plays from the ten-yard line. Each team has an attempt to score in each overtime period. Starting with the third overtime teams must attempt a two-point conversion if they score a touchdown. Overtime periods are not timed, but the play clock is still used. There are no timeouts in overtime.
5. Scoring
Six points for a touchdown
One point for a PAT from the 5-yard line
Two points for a PAT from the 10-yard line
Two points for a defensive stop on downs
Three points for an interception
Six points for a interception returned past the 40-yard line, resulting in a touchdown. There can be no blocking by the receiving team on an interception return, and the quarterback is not eligible to tag down the returner.
Turnover on a PAT is a dead ball.
6. Offensive Penalties
Offsides – Loss of Down
Delay of Game – Loss of Down – Each team has 25 seconds to snap the ball once it has been marked ready for play.
Pass Interference – 5-yard penalty and loss of down
Sack – Each quarterback has four seconds to throw the ball. The ball will be kept by the referee closest to the quarterback on a stopwatch. The stopwatch will start when the ball is snapped and is stopped when the ball is released. If the referee sees that the clock has exceeded 4 seconds, the play is blown dead. The ball should be returned to the original line of scrimmage with a loss of down. If defensive holding occurs on the same play as a sack, the defense will be penalized and the sack is void.
No penalty may be assessed in excess of the 40-yard line. If a penalty moves the offense beyond the 40-yard line, the offensive team shall be charged with a loss of down.
7. Defensive Penalties
Offsides – 5-yard penalty, replay the down.
Defensive holding – 5-yard penalty, replay the down.
Defensive Pass Interference – Spot foul, first down.
If defensive pass interference occurs in the end zone, it will result in a first down at the one-yard line. If a defensive penalty occurs that is not pass interference (i.e. offsides, defensive holding) when the ball is snapped inside the 5-yard line, it is half the distance to the goal replay the down.
Any dead ball penalty on defense after a change of possession would result in a loss of down for that team’s offense when they begin their ensuing possession.
Responsibility to avoid contact is with the defense. The defense is allowed an initial disruption, but excessive or prolonged contact will result in a tack on penalty of five yards at the end of the play.
8. Additional Penalties
No passer may run with the ball. A passer passing the line of scrimmage will result in a loss of down.
All passes must be thrown forward pass the line of scrimmage. A pass behind the line of scrimmage will be considered a dead ball and loss of down.
Hand-offs in the backfield are not allowed.
All offensive formations must be legal sets. Receivers’ alignment should respect the tackle box and must be outside of it. Violations of this rule will result in a loss of down.
No blocking. Five-yard penalties will be assessed for illegal blocking.
No taunting or trash talking towards the opponents. Fouls of unsportsmanlike conduct will be assessed in these situations.
9. Additional Game Rules
Balls are always placed in the middle of the field.
Receiver or ball carrier is legally down when touched below the neck with one or both hands. Excessive force by showing, pushing or striking a blow will be penalized by automatic first down and five yards. Players can be expelled if ruled that the excessive force was flagrant.
Fumbles that hit the ground are dead balls at the spot with the last team possessing the ball retaining possession.
A muffed snap is not a fumble/dead ball. The 4 second clock remains in effect on those snaps.
You have 3 downs to achieve first downs at each first down marker.
Players receiving two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls in one game will be disqualified from the contest.
10. Tiebreakers
If two teams are tied at the end of pool play, the tiebreaker is head to head records. If that doesn’t break the tie, it will be points scored.
If three or more teams are tied at the end of pool play, the following criteria is used to determine winners:
Head to Head Records
Points Scored
Points Allowed
Coin Flip
1. Field Dimensions
Fields are 40 yards in length. The 40, 25, and 10 yard lines are the first down lines.
Fields are 160 feet in width.
End Zones are 10 yards in length.
2. Team Members
All players must be a part of a team; no individual players can sign up for the tournament.
Each team has seven players on defense and six players on offense.
A team may utilize a Center to snap the ball, but it is not required. If teams are using a center to snap the ball, they are not a legal player in the play and cannot participate at any time, including on interception returns.
The offensive team is responsible for the setting of the ball.
One offensive coach is allowed on the field but must be behind the quarterback once the huddle is broken and must make every possible attempt to be out of the way of the play on an interception return. No defensive coaches are allowed on the field.
3. Officials
Each game will have a minimum of two officials, but three officials is preferred.
Each game will have a scorekeeper/timekeeper at the scorers table on every field.
Each set of game fields must have a field manager to assist with the management of the game.
4. Game Times
Games are played with a 24-minute running clock. The clock only stops for a referee timeout (injury, referee huddle, etc…).
There are no time outs in pool play. In bracket play each team receives one 30 second time out.
Overtime is in bracket play only; pool play games can end in a tie.
If overtime is required, teams will alternate with a chance to score on three plays from the ten-yard line. Each team has an attempt to score in each overtime period. Starting with the third overtime teams must attempt a two-point conversion if they score a touchdown. Overtime periods are not timed, but the play clock is still used. There are no timeouts in overtime.
5. Scoring
Six points for a touchdown
One point for a PAT from the 5-yard line
Two points for a PAT from the 10-yard line
Two points for a defensive stop on downs
Three points for an interception
Six points for a interception returned past the 40-yard line, resulting in a touchdown. There can be no blocking by the receiving team on an interception return, and the quarterback is not eligible to tag down the returner.
Turnover on a PAT is a dead ball.
6. Offensive Penalties
Offsides – Loss of Down
Delay of Game – Loss of Down – Each team has 25 seconds to snap the ball once it has been marked ready for play.
Pass Interference – 5-yard penalty and loss of down
Sack – Each quarterback has four seconds to throw the ball. The ball will be kept by the referee closest to the quarterback on a stopwatch. The stopwatch will start when the ball is snapped and is stopped when the ball is released. If the referee sees that the clock has exceeded 4 seconds, the play is blown dead. The ball should be returned to the original line of scrimmage with a loss of down. If defensive holding occurs on the same play as a sack, the defense will be penalized and the sack is void.
No penalty may be assessed in excess of the 40-yard line. If a penalty moves the offense beyond the 40-yard line, the offensive team shall be charged with a loss of down.
7. Defensive Penalties
Offsides – 5-yard penalty, replay the down.
Defensive holding – 5-yard penalty, replay the down.
Defensive Pass Interference – Spot foul, first down.
If defensive pass interference occurs in the end zone, it will result in a first down at the one-yard line. If a defensive penalty occurs that is not pass interference (i.e. offsides, defensive holding) when the ball is snapped inside the 5-yard line, it is half the distance to the goal replay the down.
Any dead ball penalty on defense after a change of possession would result in a loss of down for that team’s offense when they begin their ensuing possession.
Responsibility to avoid contact is with the defense. The defense is allowed an initial disruption, but excessive or prolonged contact will result in a tack on penalty of five yards at the end of the play.
8. Additional Penalties
No passer may run with the ball. A passer passing the line of scrimmage will result in a loss of down.
All passes must be thrown forward pass the line of scrimmage. A pass behind the line of scrimmage will be considered a dead ball and loss of down.
Hand-offs in the backfield are not allowed.
All offensive formations must be legal sets. Receivers’ alignment should respect the tackle box and must be outside of it. Violations of this rule will result in a loss of down.
No blocking. Five-yard penalties will be assessed for illegal blocking.
No taunting or trash talking towards the opponents. Fouls of unsportsmanlike conduct will be assessed in these situations.
9. Additional Game Rules
Balls are always placed in the middle of the field.
Receiver or ball carrier is legally down when touched below the neck with one or both hands. Excessive force by showing, pushing or striking a blow will be penalized by automatic first down and five yards. Players can be expelled if ruled that the excessive force was flagrant.
Fumbles that hit the ground are dead balls at the spot with the last team possessing the ball retaining possession.
A muffed snap is not a fumble/dead ball. The 4 second clock remains in effect on those snaps.
You have 3 downs to achieve first downs at each first down marker.
Players receiving two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls in one game will be disqualified from the contest.
10. Tiebreakers
If two teams are tied at the end of pool play, the tiebreaker is head to head records. If that doesn’t break the tie, it will be points scored.
If three or more teams are tied at the end of pool play, the following criteria is used to determine winners:
Head to Head Records
Points Scored
Points Allowed
Coin Flip
