ROSTERS & ADMIN
Each game shall be played between two teams of no more than five (5) players on the field at any time.
Each team must register a full tournament roster of eighteen (18) fully dressed players prior to the start of the tournament.
The competition minimum roster requirement must be met at the scheduled kick-off of Game 1; thereafter, teams must field a minimum of five (5) players to compete.
To ensure a fully competitive tournament, each team is required to have a minimum of 1 offensive and 1 defensive coach present for the entire tournament with a formally agreed offensive and defensive playbook.
Each team must appoint a General Manager (GM) responsible for all administrative matters related to the tournament. All players are expected to be added to a team WhatsApp group, which must also include an E5s representative.
This representative will ensure compliance with tournament standards and assist with any requests, queries, or clarifications in the run up to the event
THE FIELD
Hash Marks to run every yard down the centre of the field. At the end of each play the ball is to be placed on the closest relevant hash mark
Endzones to be marked with 4 pylons, one at each corner
A single pylon to be placed 3 yards behind each endzone in line with the centre field hash markings. A single pylon to be placed at each sideline to mark the halfway point on the field
GAME TIMING
Before the game, the team captains will meet in the middle of the field for a coin toss. The winner of the coin toss will have the following choices:
Start the first half OR second half on Offence
CLOCK RULES
The game will consist of 2 halves each 15 minutes long. There is to be a running clock with the clock stopping in the following instances:
Following a score the clock will stop until the start of the next possession
- During a charged time-out
- In the event of an injury
- In the event of a flag
Normal clock rules will apply during the final 2 minutes of each half. This will mean that the clock will stop following an incomplete pass or if a runner steps out of bounds while in possession of the ball.
From the spot of the ball the team in possession will have a maximum of 20 seconds to snap the ball.
Each team will have 1 chargeable 60 second timeout per half, this timeout can either be requested by the team captain on the field or the designated Head Coach.
Mercy Rule: If a team leads by 28 points or more the running clock will continue inside the final 2 minutes of the half. If the point deficit is reduced to 27 or less, the normal clock will resume.
THE GAME
Each drive the offence is to start with the ball from 5 yards from their own endzone.
Each offence will have 4 attempts (downs) to reach the half-way point on the field and then 4 attempts (downs) to score. Failing this will result in a turnover on downs.
A play will run until either the ball carrier is brought to the ground or steps out of bounds. In the event of a fumble recovery the play will end if the players knees, back, chest or elbows touch the floor.
Following a catch or interception the play will end if the players knees, back, chest or elbows touch the ground.
In the event of a motion by the offence the motioning player must either be set or moving laterally to the line of scrimmage at the snap.
Scoring
Following a score, the scoring team shall be awarded 6 points and then will proceed to select their extra point attempt.
An extra point attempt will take one of 2 forms:
1 Point Attempt From 5 Yards out // 2 Point Attempt – From 10 Yards out
If a safety or defensive touchdown occurs during an extra point attempt this score will be safety and will result in 2 points for the defensive team
If either the ball goes out the back of the offensive team's endzone, or a ball carrier is tackled in their own endzone this will result in a safety and this will result in 2 points for the defensive team as well as an immediate change in possession.
Note: Following a change of possession from either a fumble or an interception in the defensive teams endzone, a safety will only be called if the defensive player in possession leaves the endzone and then returns to it. Stepping out of bounds or taking a knee without leaving the endzone will result in an immediate end to the play
OFFENSE SPECIFIC RULES
The Offence is to comprise of 5 players on the field for any play.
Offence to comprise of: QB, Centre, X, X, X.
The offence must have 2 players on the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.
The centre is considered an eligible receiver and is free to release into a passing route and catch passes.
Whomever takes possession of the ball following a snap, cannot cross the line of scrimmage without either;
Handing the ball off
Throwing a pass
If the offence shows a handoff or acts in a way which can be considered to look like a handoff the offence will be determined to be using play action. In the event of play action, the quarterback will be considered fully live, and the entire defence will be allowed to cross the line of scrimmage.
DEFENSE SPECIFIC RULES
The Defence is to comprise of 5 players on the field for any play.
Defence to comprise of: DT, X, X, X, X
The Defence must place one defender heads up over the centre in either a 3- or 4-point stance. This defender is the only player allowed to cross the line of scrimmage on a passing play.
The rest of the defence will not be allowed to cross the line of scrimmage unless the offence either executes a run play or shows play action
In the result of a turnover from either an interception or a recovered fumble, the defensive team will gain possession of the ball from the spot on the field where play ended
EQUIPMENT
In Elite 5s all required game equipment for a regular season game is required
Gum Shields: MANDATORY
Thigh and Hip Pads: MANDATORY
Mics & Cameras must be cleared with Event Organizers Prior to use
The only notable differences in equipment are:
Visors are allowed
Field Swag is STRONGLY encouraged. We have lots of photography & videography on site
PENALTIES
To adjust to the revised field dimensions in Elite 5s Tournaments, all penalties will be broken down into either 5 or 10 Yards depending on the nature of the penalty. In the event there is less than the available yardage between the foul and endzone the ruling shall be half distance to the goal.
The following penalties shall apply:
5 Yards
Delay of game
Illegal Blitz
Defensive Offside (Replay the down)
Illegal Formation
Holding
Intentional Grounding (a safety if the penalty occurs in the offensive teams endzone)
10 Yards
Defensive Pass Interference DPI (Repeat of down)
Offensive Pass Interference OPI (Loss of a down)
Personal Fouls*
Illegal tackling
Cut Blocking
Crackback Blocking
Blocking in the Back
Clipping/Tripping
Targeting
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Taunting
Abusive Language
Kicking of the ball
Loss of Down
Passer Exceeds 7 Seconds from the snap of the ball
*flagrant penalties can result in an ejection* per the referee’s discretion
While Celebration is encouraged at Elite 5s, abusive language and taunting directed at another player will not be tolerated and may result in a penalty of 10 yards or an ejection for repeat offences)
Ejections shall occur at the discretion of both the lead referee and the Elite 5 event organisers.
A first ejection will result in removal from the current game as well as the offending player being unable to participate in the following game
A second ejection will result in removal from the tournament
CELEBRATIONS
Celebration after scoring or a big play is both allowed and encouraged.
This does NOT extend to deliberate kicking of the ball or taunting directed at another player/coach.
Players and coaches not on field may join celebrations for TDs only. Entering of the pitch in any other scenario is not allowed e.g. a big play that does not result in a score
overtime
In the event of a tied game at the end of regulation, the following Overtime format will apply:
Coin Toss will decide which team starts with possession
The offensive team begins their drive from midfield (the halfway line) and will have 4 downs to score
The second team will then take the ball and start from midfield, they will then have to match the same result
If both teams tie after this then the game will proceed into a single play 2-point shootout
Each team will run one play from the 10-yard line
The process will continue until a winner is determined
entering as a player
how it works
Apply via the pre-registration form and list the GM name you are connected with or simply put “Free Agent” in the GM field. Your details will be added to our Free Agent pool, which GMs use to fill open roster spots.
If you’re lesser known in the community, we may reach out to request game tape or clips to help teams make informed selections.
Once placed, you’ll receive confirmation directly from the E5s team with your team assignment and event details.
FAQs
How Much is the Entry Fee?
£50 per player
What do I get for entering?
Minimum of 3 games
Jersey rental for the day
Chance to compete for £X,XXX
What Insurance is provided?
Liability Cover
We provide liability insurance as standard at all Elite5s events. In short, coaches, referees, events staff (paid and voluntary), medical staff (ambulance and physios) and any event organisers are covered against liability claims and accidents. External vendors are expected to have their own cover.
If you wish to look into the detail of the cover, please find below our policy documents.
Player Injury Cover
We have opted not to provide player injury insurance to avoid players incurring the additional cost as part of their entry fee.
We’re proud to say Elite5s has shown to be a safer format of football than the typical 11s game which is evidenced by the St John’s ambulance report from our first tournament you can see below.
Should you wish to pick up insurance for this tournament we’d suggest using a travel insurer as we did for Tournament 1. This typically costs less than £10 for the day and can be arranged through Sports Cover Direct.
We’d always recommend you ensure you are covered (especially if coming from overseas) and can confirm that your cover is not invalidated if injured by a non insured player or player on a different policy.
How Many events are there each year?
Currently we are looking at two events per year. One pre & one postseason. We are actively exploring a womens version & a potential expansion into Europe.
