- All games will consist of four equal eight minute quarters. The only exception will be the 13U 175, and 13U Unlimited, National Championship game which will consist of four ten minute quarters.
- Each player will be weighed in prior to being allowed to participate in their first game. Once initial weight is determined, no additional weigh-ins will be required. A visual check of each player will be traded prior to every game to ensure that all players are checked and present for each game. The coach or team mom must have all registration paperwork present and available at each game. (Birth certificates, & Player identification sheets) Any team that participates with an ineligible player will be disqualified from the tournament.
- Weigh-ins can be conducted in shorts. If you are weighing in at your game field, you must have your team there at least one hour and thirty minutes before your game is scheduled to kick off.
- If your team is late to the game: examples include traffic, overslept, ect, your team will be penalized one 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct foul to be marked off during the opening kickoff.
- Once a player is weighed in and makes the required weight, they will be given a wrist-band that must be worn all weekend. All players must have their wrist-band on to participate in the tournament. A player who participates
in a game without their wristband on will be ejected from the tournament and a 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty will be charged to that team. If two players are ejected during one game the head coach will also be ejected. - Overweight players must play ON the line of scrimmage, offensive line between the tackles, and on the defensive front line. Defensively you may have no more than 7 defensive lineman. Once the ball is snapped the defensive lineman may move back to linebacker depth if a coach chooses so. If an overweight player is playing off the line of scrimmage that team will receive a 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
- The ball may NOT be advanced by any overweight player, if a fumble is recovered by an overweight player the ball will be spotted where it was first touched.
- The 7, 8, & 9 year old divisions are allowed one coach on the field during regular game play. That coach is restricted from interfering in any manner of play. If officials determine that a coach interferes, that coach will be removed from the field of play to the sideline for the duration of that game and that team forfeits the rite to have a coach on the field for the remainder of the game.
- Radio headsets will be allowed on the sideline by coaches only.
- A running clock will be utilized in any game in which a team is behind by 21 points. The clock will not be stopped for any reason other than timeouts until the point difference is less than 21 points.
- There will be no smoking, or alcohol use in the stands, or on the sidelines before, during, or after any games. Officials will charge an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for any violation and the person will be ejected from the playing field.
- Disorderly conduct will not be tolerated. You will be removed from the premises and arrested by local police.
- If any player, coach, or spectator is ejected by a referee, field representative, or security personnel, the ejection will be for the remainder of that game and continue throughout that teams next game.
- Each team must provide their own water coolers/bottles and footballs. Teams will use Wilson TDY or TDJ footballs or its equivalent. The game officials will determine if a football meets the equivalent criteria.
- All tie games will be decided by the deepest penetration rule. The ball will be spotted at the minus 40 yard line (you must go 60 yards to score). Each team will have one chance to drive the ball as far as they can, once that team has either scored, turned the ball over on downs, or turned the ball over (fumble, int) the other teams gets a chance to see how far they can go. The team that penetrates the deepest wins, if both teams score and the game is tied once again we will repeat the same procedure.
- Players may only participate in one age/weight division and for one team only. This is for the safety and concern of the athlete.
- Teams in the 13 and under division will only be allowed to participate in one game per day, so a 3 game max for the weekend. Teams in the 6-12 year old divisions will be restricted to playing in no more that 5 games over the
weekend. - No fighting period. If you/your team fights you/your team will be automatically disqualified for the remainder of the tournament. You/your team will not be allowed to participate in any further Gatlinburg Thanksgiving
Bowl Tournaments, and you could possibly face legal charges. - All teams must wear the same color uniform; pants and jersey’s must all be the same color.
20. SPECIAL TEAMS
- There will be no kickoffs for the 6U, 7U, 8U, 9U, and 10U divisions
- Play will begin at the 30 yard line.
- There will be no punting for 6U, 7U, 8U, 9U, and 10U divisions.
- Punts will be marked off 20 yards when a team declares they are punting.
- Teams will not be allowed to declare punt if they are inside the opposing teams 30
yard line. The punt will go no further than the 30 yard line or 20 yards total distance. - Punting will be live for the 11U, 12U, and 13U divisions
- Kickoffs are live for the 11U, 12U, and 13U divisions
- All age groups can attempt extra points. Successful kicks are worth 2 points, a successful run or pass is worth 1 point.
These special teams rules are enforced for the safety of the athletes
and to give them more actual playing time.
