HIM U SPORTS TOURNAMENT RULES

SECTION A: TEAMS / PLAYERS
1. Maximum of 25 players per team.
2. Age Divisions:
High School (HS) (18U), 15U, 14U, 12U, 10U, 8u,
4. The cut-off age date for each age division is January 1st. Whatever age the
player is on, January 1st is the age that player is eligible for the entire season.
5. All players have to be age verified and possess a valid Zorts Account or Birth Certificate or a pic of their Birth certificate
6. A player can only participate on one team per tournament. When the player is
checked in and verified for the event, the player is only eligible to play on that
specified team.
7. Maximum of 2 coaches allowed on the sideline during the game. All coaches
must be approved and have a wristband on at all times.
8. All players will wear their registered team uniforms
9. Players are permitted to wear standard football cleats with plastic or rubber
spikes.
10. Players MAY wear jewelry or hats during gameplay (Exception -
quarterback (QB) can wear a hat instead of a helmet but would be ineligible to
pursue defender in case of interception. See penalty section below.)

11.mouthpieces are MANDATORY and must be worn during play.

SECTION B: COACHES
1. Each team is permitted a MAXIMUM of 2 coaches on the sideline during the
game. NON-Approved coaches or other persons will not be allowed on the
sideline.
2. Coaches must know and adhere to the Him U Sports Rules, have all
registration, releases, and associated paperwork correctly filled out and turned in
at the appropriate times. It is the coach’s responsibility to know all of his players
and ages.
3. The 2 coaches have free gate entry at the event & will be given a wristband which
must be worn for the entire event.
4. One offensive coach is allowed on the field and in the huddle with players but
must be a MINIMUM of 5 yards behind the QB before the ball is snapped so he
does not interfere with gameplay or the referee.
5. Defensive coaches are not allowed on the field at any time.
6. Coaches are responsible for knowing all rules and educating their players on the
rules & conduct.
7. Head coaches are responsible for maintaining their sideline.
8. Any coach, player, or person (spectator) that is overly aggressive, threatens, or
uses physical force towards referee, staff member, coach, player, or spectator
will be disqualified from event, removed from the event venue, and not be
allowed to return.


SECTION C: OFFICIALS
1. Each game will have a minimum of (2) officials. There will be a head referee/
field judge and a back judge.
2. The head referee/field judge will keep the 4-second clock, and the back judge
will keep game time.
3. The head referee will keep score, sign card, and turn into field manager after each
game.
4. A field manager will assist the crowd, players, coach, and the referees. The field
manager DOES NOT have the authority to overturn a referee judgment call but
is there with the rules to provide clarity if there is a rules question.
5. The referees and field managers should always keep the games flowing and clean
as per rules.

SECTION D: SCORING
The head referee will keep the official score
1. 0 Points for a turnover on a point after touchdown (PAT) – It is a dead ball
2. 1 Point for a PAT from the 3-yard line.
3. 2 Points for a PAT from the 10-yard line
4. 2 Points for a defensive stop on downs
5. 2 Points for a safety
6. 3 Points for interception
7. 3 points for interception are not added to the 6 if returned for a score
8. 6 Points for interception return for touchdown (TD)
9. 6 Points for a touchdown
Note: Points for a defensive stop and interception are NOT added together

SECTION E: GAME TIMES / OVERTIME
1. All games are 25-minute running clock.
2. There is no overtime in pool play
3. Teams must be ready to start games on time. If a team is not ready to start or not
there when the referee is ready, the referee will start the game clock and award
the present team 2 points. If the team is not present after 5 minutes have elapsed,
the referee will call the game a forfeit, and the present team will receive 6 points.
The present team will win the forfeited game 8-0.
4. No overtime during Pool Play.
5. In the Championship Game there will be (2) 15-minute halves with a (5) minute
halftime.

SECTION F: BRACKET PLAY
1. There is 1 (30 second) timeout per team during the 25-minute game.
2. The higher seeded team will choose offense or defense on 1st OT
3. Each team will have 3 plays from the 10-yard line to score.
4. In the 2nd overtime, the choice of offense or defense goes to the lower seed.
5. Each team will have 3 plays from the 10-yard line to score.
6. If after the 2nd overtime the teams are still tied, each team will get 1 play from
the 40, and the team that produces the most yardage from this play will win.
7. In the 3rd OT The higher seed will choose to play offense or defense first.
8. Each team is awarded 1 timeout (30 seconds) during overtime. (Not 1 per
overtime).
9. Overtime periods are not timed

SECTION G: GAME PLAY
1. The field will be 40-50 yards in length with 10 yards deep end zone
2. The ball size for High School & 15U division is official Collegiate/High School
3. The ball size for 14u is Youth
4. The ball size for 12u & 10u is Junior
5. Ball size for 8u is PeeWee
6. Play begins on the 40 and right hash. The 25- & 10-yard lines are the first down
lines.
7. There are no 4 downs. The offense has 3 plays to gain a 1st down at the following
lines (25 & 10) to gain and a touchdown at the goal line. (3 downs in all zones)
8. Pool Play – Teams will flip for the choice of starting on offense or defense.
9. Bracket Play – Higher seed gets choice of starting on offense or defense.
10. The ball will always start on the right hash on the 40-yard line.
11. The ball will be spotted on the closest hash or side where play was stopped.
12. The ball will be placed in the middle of the field for the PAT attempt.
13. The center/QB will be responsible for setting the ball at the line of scrimmage.
The center is not an eligible receiver but can tag a defender that has made an
interception (The center must have mouthpiece and helmet (strapped) to be an
eligible participant.)
14. QB must take a direct snap from center or QB Tee from the 40 (shotgun snap
from the 40-yard line is NOT allowed).
15. All offensive formations must be legal sets and respect the tackle box (3 yards).
16. There must be at least 1 wide receiver (WR) on each side of the center on the
line of scrimmage.
17. Pick Plays are NOT allowed.
18. No Kicking or Punting.
19. 1 BLITZ A GAME
20. The QB cannot run with the ball.
21. Handoffs are allowed
22. No Blocking.
23. The receiver/Ball carrier is legally down when touched below the neck with one
or two hands. (Excessive force or shoving will not be tolerated and penalized
with an automatic first down and 5 yards. A player can be ejected from the game
if ruled Unsportsmanlike or Flagrant.)
24. Fumbles are dead balls at the spot, with the last team retaining possession. A
fumbled snap is not a dead ball, but the 4 second remains in effect.
25. The QB is allowed 4.0 seconds to throw the ball. Time starts on the snap of the
ball and stops on the QBs' release. If the release is under 4.0 seconds, the play
stands, but if the release is at or after 4.0 seconds, the play is no good.


26. The referee can blow a play dead before the ball's release if the 4.0 clock is
reached.
27. Interceptions can be returned.
28. If the defense scores on an interception, their offense will come on the field to
attempt the extra point. The team that threw the interception will get the ball on
offense at the 40.
29. The offense player is not allowed to shove a defensive player to create separation.
Hand fighting is tolerated as per the referee's judgE
30. A defensive player can jam within 5 yards and play tight defense. However,
excessive holding, shoving, hands to the face, slapping the head, or throwing a
player down will not be tolerated.