2015 NG365 Championship Series Information

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Tournament Quick Facts

• Tournament Dates
  • Divison 1 Quarter finals Dec. 12, Semi Finals Dec. 19th Championship Jan 2
  • Division 2,3,4 Quarter Finals Dec. 5 Semi Finals Dec 12th Championship Dec 19th
• 10th Annual NG365 Championship Series
• Incorporates 5 different divisions of play (D1, D2, D3, D4 & Unlimited)
• Brings together over 16 leagues throughout the MD/DC/DE region
• Up to 8 teams per age & division (quarter, semi & final; single elimination) Some age groups may have play in games as well
• Invitations are based on each team’s regular season successes; seeding in the tournament will also be based on the regular season results of each team
• If a team wins a league championship, and was not originally invited into the tournament, they must notify NG365 at info@ng-365.com of their win to be incorporated into the series
• Championships of each Division are held at Premier Locations to include professional, college, and top tier high school stadiums.

Rules:

** All tournament games will be governed by High School Federation Rules;

Specific age group and 2015 tournament rule changes are listed below**

2015 National Gridiron 365 Championship Series Rules & Regulations

** All tournament games will be governed by High School Federation Rules;

 Specific age group and 2014 tournament rule changes are listed below**

(5-7) Rules 

• 5-7 Tournament will be played on a full football field (100 yards long and 52 yards wide). Kickoffs will be live unless agreed on by both coaches at the beginning of game to start the possession at their own 30 yard line.

(5-7) & (6-8) Rules

• Field goals and extra point kicks will be free kicks, like the punt. Neither the offense nor defense can move across the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball. The kicking team is allowed to take a direct snap and place the ball on the block directly behind the center, which must be at least 5 yard behind the line of scrimmage. A successful extra point kick is worth two (2) points and field goals are worth three (3) points.
• All Punts are dead ball plays until the ball is kicked. The offensive team must announce its intention to punt. The offense must then punt the ball and the defense may not interfere with such attempts. No player may cross the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked. Penalty for violation of this rule is five (5) yards. The punting team must assume a normal punt formation and remain in the same until the ball is kicked. The Alternative is that the punting team marks off 20 yards rather than punt. However the ball CANNOT be moved inside the 20 yard line. So if a team is on the 32 yard line and elects to walk off 20 yards the ball will go to the 20 not the 12.
• The defense may have NO MORE than six players within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage at the start of any play, and no player other than the allotted six may move forward toward the line of scrimmage until the ball is snapped. ONCE the ball is snapped all players can advance. For clarification, if you have a 6-3 or 6-2 defense then, all players other then the 6 on the line MUST be at least five (5) yards back off the line. Once the ball is snapped they can advance (or blitz if you want to call it that!), but they cannot come up and into the line before the snap. If you are playing a 4-4 then 2 of your linebackers must be 5 yards off the ball. Penalty for this violation is five (5) yards; this is a live ball foul and the offense has the choice of the play or the penalty.
• On Defense – NO ONE can be HEADUP on the CENTER and defensive tackles must be head up or outside shoulder (B & C Gaps) on the offensive line. No defensive players can line up in the center guard gaps (A gaps). The defense may employ a goal line defense within the five (5) yard line, allowing the defensive lineman to be in the offensive gaps between the center and guards. But still, no one is allowed over the center. Linebackers and other defensive players can be two (2) yards from the line of scrimmage.
• The center may position and grip the ball as necessary to snap the ball. This would include placing the ball parallel to the line of scrimmage, allowing his hand, head and shoulders to be in the neutral zone.
• Two (2) coaches from each team will be permitted on the field during the game. Once the offense is set the coaches on the field cannot speak, and must remain ten (10) yards behind the team’s most distant player from the line of scrimmage.
• Offensive Guards can have splits no more than 12 inches.

(7-9) Rules

• One coach from each team will be permitted on the field during the game. Once the offense is set the coaches on the field cannot speak, and must remain ten (10) yards behind the team’s most distant player from the line of scrimmage.
• The defense may have no more then 6 players with in 3 yards of the line of scrimmage at the start of any play, and no player other then the allotted 6 will move forward towards the line of scrimmage until the ball is snapped. Once ball is snapped all players can advance.
• All Punts are dead ball plays until the ball is kicked. The offensive team must announce its intention to punt. The offense must then punt the ball and the defense may not interfere with such attempts. No player may cross the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked. Penalty for violation of this rule is five (5) yards. The punting team must assume a normal punt formation and remain in the same until the ball is kicked. The Alternative is that the punting team marks off 20 yards rather than punt. However the ball CANNOT be moved inside the 20 yard line. So if a team is on the 32 yard line and elects to walk off 20 yards the ball will go to the 20 not the 12.
• Field goals and extra point kicks will be free kicks, like the punt. Neither the offense nor defense can move across the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball. The kicking team is allowed to take a direct snap and place the ball on the block directly behind the center, which must be at least 5 yard behind the line of scrimmage.

2015 Tournament Rules

• To play in National Gridiron 365’s Championship Series, all players must appear on the official team roster, present a league approved ID card during check-in to a coach of the opposing team, and have legally participated in a minimum one league game. Any player not listed on the roster is not eligible to participate. Any team found guilty of falsifying a roster will be subject to a minimum of a two year ban from the tournament for their entire program.
• Any league champion, who at the time of their championship had not yet been invited to the 2014 National Gridiron 365 State Tournament, and notifies National Gridiron 365 of their win and intent to play in the state tournament, will receive an automatic bid. To this affect, lower seeded teams are subject to a play-in game to be scheduled at the discretion of National Gridiron 365.
• All tournament games will consist of four, ten minute quarters for all age groups. Upon completion of a first down, the clock will continue to run; this rule is true except in the two minutes prior to the end of the half and the two minutes prior to the end of the game.
• There are no restrictions on the number of OBL’s allowed on the field at one time, the number of OBL’s allowed on the roster is determined by your league.
• Tackle-to-tackle players are to have either a “T” marked on the back of their helmet or a red stripe on the player’s leg. Tackle-to-tackle player will be unlimited weight for all age groups. Older-but-lighter players will not be eligible for the tackle-to-tackle weight exception. On kick off and kick return, if a team can not field 11 non tackle to tackle players, all non tackle to tackle players must be on the field. Any remaining spots can be filled with tackle to tackle players, but on kick return they must be on the front line.
• Extra points (kicking) after touchdowns are worth two (2) points, running or passing after the touchdown are worth one (1) point; however, for the 14U age group normal High School Rules will apply (one point for kicking, two for running/passing).
• If a team gains a 22 point lead at any point during the game, the game clock will continue to run until the deficit is reduced (clock will only stop for timeouts).
• ONLY players, coaches, one team admin per team, spotters, and the chain gang will be allowed on the field.
• For teams consisting of 24 or more players, all players must plain a minimum of six (6) plays per game by the end of the 3^rd quarter. For teams consisting of 1-23 players, all players must play a minimum of eight (8) plays per game by the end of the 3^rd quarter. Special teams, offense, and defense count as a play. Spotters from each team will monitor plays to ensure all participants reach the minimum number of required plays. If by the start of the forth quarter, there are any players that have not played the required minimum, those players must start the fourth quarter and remain in the game until the play minimum has been reached. Injury is the only acceptable reason for a player not playing all necessary plays. It is the responsibility of the team’s spotter to advise the opposing coach at the start of the 4^th Qtr if there are players that have not played their minimum number of plays; if the coach fails to put those players at the state of the 4^th quarter, the spotter has the right to stop the game and call the field marshal onto the field.
• No two players on one team may have the same jersey number.
• If a team cannot move forward in the tournament, then their position in future games will be filled by the team they previously won against. Normal tournament play will resume.
• No refunds will be given to teams who are choosing to exit from tournament play.

Special Rules (Volunteers & Spectators)

• Each team is required to have one spotter; spotters will stand on the same side of the field as the opposing team to ensure that players on the opposing team are all playing the required minimum plays (8). Each team must have an individual assist the spotter from the opposing team to ensure accuracy.
• The higher seed will provide two members for the chain gang, the lower seeded team will provide one member; chain gang members are not permitted to coach from the sidelines. These members are allowed on the field for the duration of the game. Chains will be on the home side of the field.
• Any spectator or volunteer that conducts themselves in an inappropriate manner (to include ill language, gestures, taunting referees, players or coaches), as deemed by NG365 staff or the referee will be removed from the game and subjected to future game(s) suspension

2015 Weight Chart

Each team will weigh-in at the halftime of the game preceding their own; only two team representatives (coaches, team mom, etc.) are allowed per team at the team’s weigh in. All players must wear all of their ‘game equipment’ to the weigh-in except their helmet; however, if a player is overweight due to cold gear (sweatshirts, undershirt, etc) the player can remove that item of clothing and re-weigh. These weights will be used throughout the duration of the tournament. 12U players cannot be in high school; 13U and 11-13 players may be in high school, so long that they follow their league requirements and bylaws.

The weights for the tournament have been adjusted to allow 3lbs for the holiday season, 5 lbs for the duration of the tournament (1 lb/week), and 2 lbs for equipment. They are inflated to ensure all players who participated with their team are able to continue to participate despite the holiday season.

***Red Strip/Tackle to Tackle weight is Unlimited at all age groups.

Ball size, Quarter length, Minimum plays & Kicks

If an opponents’ league approved football size is smaller than a team’s own league, then the team is permitted; however, NOT RECOMMENDED, to drop down and use the same football size for that game. Should the team not have the smaller football size, they are allowed to use the same football provided by the opponent.

*Teams must announce their intention to punt the ball for age groups where punts are not live.