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2025 Sparks Flag Football Shootout

Sunday, October 5th at Knox Park

Date and Time:
Sunday, October 5th - arrival 8:15am
Games Start: 9am
Awards Ceremony: 12:30pm

Itinerary

8:15-8:30: Player & Coach Arrival

8:30-8:50: Head Coaches Introduce Players

**Note** Parents will be allowed on the field for player introductions after that they must return to the sidelines behind the yellow rope barrier.

8:50: National Anthem

9:00: Round 1 of the 2024 Shootout begins!

12:30: Closing ceremonies with medals being handed out to the 2024 Shootout Champions and to the runner up team.

Please note that tailgating for the shootout IS ALLOWED AND ENCOURAGED. Typically, teams and the Team Parents coordinate a spread of pot-luck and pre-made snacks, sandwiches, hot food, treats, beverages, etc., for all families; which is always fun and exciting for all involved. NO GRILLING ALLOWED AT KNOX. The use of charcoal or propane is prohibited. Also, no consumption of alcohol and/or tobacco products at Knox Park. In the event that an ELA representative or Lake Zurich Flames representative witnesses the use of alcohol or tobacco, you will be kindly asked to leave the property.

Families are encourage to attend and make this a memorable day for these little guys. Build up team spirit - white out, black out, team colors, cowbells, signs, invite other family in for the event - celebrate them and be festive. It is THEIR day. Please, let's do all we can to allow the kids a day full of smiles and fun as we role model the meaning of friendly competition. If you have any questions please ask.

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Shootout Game Rules:

• The shootout will be a round robin style tournament of 14 rounds.  Each team will play 7 games and have 7 breaks scattered throughout (Tournament schedule will be shared at a later date).  
• Tournament bracket and score tracking will be located in the concession area 
• There will be two games played simultaneously - the North End (Route 22) and South End (Concessions)
• Each game will be limited to 15 minute rounds
• There will be a 15 minute running clock - NO TIMEOUTS
• Teams must complete their series within the allotted time
• If the clock expires and a team is still in possession of the ball, they earn 0 points
• Normal Flag playing rules apply with 8 v 8 format
• Each team gets one offensive series per round.
• Team on the WEST SIDE of the field will start on offense first (Teams on the west side and east side will vary from game to game).
• Playing field is 25 yards long
• Team starts at the 25 yard line with 4 downs.
• A new set of 4 downs may be gained by reaching the 10 yard line.
• Scoring will be as follows:
  • Offense: gets 1 point for getting a new set of downs/moving the ball past the 10 and 1 point for scoring a TD. MAX offensive score is therefore 2 pts (a TD from outside the 10 yard line gets 2 total pts - the ball went past the 10 and a TD was scored).
  • Defense: gets 1 point if the opposing offense does not get a TD
• The MAXIMUM points a team can therefore get is 3 per round.(2 MAX points from offense & 1 point MAX from defense).
• Total points will be tallied and the overall points leader will be Champion.
• If there is a tie in total points between the top two teams or the 2nd and 3rd place teams at the end of 14 rounds, then a tie breaker game will be played to determine the winners using the same game format and as many rounds until a winner is decided.
• Medals will be awarded to the overall points winner and the runner up after the tournament ends. 

Eligible Player Rule 

On Offense: 

• The only eligible players to touch the ball are the QB, RBs and Tackles. The Center and 2 Guards are ineligible (Same rules as the regular season).
• Once a player scores (by running the ball or catching the ball across the goal line) they are ineligible to touch the ball for the remainder of the shootout and will no longer wear flag belts. 
• Report ineligible players to the Referees before each game.
• You may use ineligible players to play center, guard, or tackle to field 8 players. Please rotate other ineligible players into the C, G, or T positions.
• Only 2 quarterback keepers per set of downs, keeper plays must be outside the tackles and cannot be run straight up the middle. No QB keepers within 5 yards of the goal line.
• Reminder - RBs can run up the middle

On Defense:

• You must continuously rotate your defensive players every play. 
• On Defense, players will only sit out a maximum of 1 play. Please be sure that all coaches are communicating and keeping the rotation of players on Defense consistent. 

For example: If you have 4 players on the sideline for one play, on the very next play ALL FOUR must come into play and the next four sit out for a play. Please have a plan for this because the process can be chaotic and confusing for the kids. Suggestion: Group them; Defense Group A, Group B, Group C - PLEASE AVOID HAVING A PLAYER SIT OUT MULTIPLE PLAYS ON DEFENSE


Penalties

-5 yards from line of scrimmage, replay the down:

•  Delay of game occurs after 40 seconds, Referees will provide a 15 second warning to run the play.

-5 yards from spot of the foul and loss of down, these are NOT allowed

• Flag guarding
• Stiff arming
• Excessively hugging or holding of a defensive player
• Blocking in the back
• Hurdling or jumping over players (Offense or Defense)

-10 yard penalties from original line of scrimmage and loss of down, these are NOT allowed:

•  Unsportsmanlike Conduct including: Players or Coaches swearing, taunting or arguing with any player, coach or referee.
•  Trick plays are not allowed (ex. wrong ball, fumbleruski, silent count)
•  ***Players running deliberately out of bounds to avoid scoring is not allowed, and additionally they will become ineligible to touch the ball for the remainder of the Shootout Tournament

+5 yards awarded to offense from spot of the foul

• Defense player cannot tackle an offensive player carrying the ball
• Pass interference
• Defense player cannot push offensive player out of bounds, they must go for the flag