Throw For Bo will be a 32 team single-elimination tournament. It will take place on Sunday, April 11th, 2010, at Oosterbaan field house in Ann Arbor, Michigan, between 10:00 AM and 2:30 PM.


The registration fee is $12.00 per person and each team must consist of at least 5 members. In addition, each team may have up to 2 alternates making a maximum team size of 7 players. Remember, only 32 teams will be able to participate, so register soon! We require that both a registration form and a payment have been received before your registration can be made official.

Oosterbaan Field House is located at 1202 S. State Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is directly adjacent to Schembechler Hall. Teams will be notified of transportation options and other details after they have completed registration.

THROW FOR BO Tournament Rules

• Basic Set-Up

1. Number of Players: There will be a maximum of 5 players per team on the field. All players are considered eligible to receive a pass. A minimum of 3 players must take the field to avoid forfeiture of the game.
2. Equipment
1. The Regular official size ball will be used.
2. All teams must use standard IM Flags.
3. Scoring
1. Touchdowns are worth 6 points.
2. Extra Points
1. After a touchdown is scored, a team may earn 1 extra point by successfully running or passing into the end zone from 5 yards out.
2. After a touchdown is scored, a team may earn 2 extra points by successfully running or passing into the end zone from 10 yards out.
3. Safeties are worth 2 points.
4. Mercy Rule - If a team is ahead by 17 points or more at the 2-minute warning of the second half, the game shall be over. If, at any time after the 2-minute warning in the second half, a team scores to go up by 17 or more points, the game shall be over with the leading team getting the win. This same rule applies if a team is ahead by 30 points or more with 5 minutes remaining in the game.
4. Blocking
1. Contact Blocking will be permitted as long as all blocks take place from the front between the SHOULDERS and the WAIST.
1. The receiver may be bumped only 1 time within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage from the front between the SHOULDERS and WAIST.

• Game and Time Management

1. Both teams need to be ready to play 15 minutes prior to their scheduled time in case of prior forfeits or mercy rules. This may assist in keeping later games on schedule by compensating for any delays in other games.
2. Coin Toss
1. Coin Toss shall begin each game. The Captain winning the coin toss may elect:
1. Offense
2. Defense
3. Which Goal to Defend
4. Defer Choice to Second Half
1. The Captain losing the coin toss may then elect from the remaining options.
2. At the start of the second half, the choice of options shall be reversed.
3. Possessions
1. The Offense takes possession of the ball on their own 5 yard line and has four (4) plays to cross mid-field. Crossing mid-field gives the offense four (4) more plays to score. If the Offense fails to cross mid-field in 3 plays, or fails to score after crossing mid-field, the opposing team takes over possession at their own 5 yard line.
2. All offensive possessions start on one’s own 5-yard line except possessions resulting from an interception. The line of scrimmage after an interception is determined by the result of the return of that interception.
3. To start a play, the ball must be snapped through the legs and not tossed off to the side. Direct snaps to a player other than the quarterback are illegal.
4. Ball In Play
1. The ball is considered dead when:
1. A snap to the quarterback hits the ground.
2. A fumble hits the ground. (NO fumble recoveries allowed.)
3. A Ball Carrier’s knees or elbows touch the ground.
4. A Ball Carrier steps out of bounds.
5. A Ball Carrier’s flags are legally removed. (If the ball carreri’s flags accidentally fall off, play shal revert to 2 HAND TOUCH between the SHOULDERS and the KNEES.
2. Play Clock
1. Each team shall have 25 seconds from the end of the last play to snap the ball.
3. Game Length
1. Regular League Games will consist of two (2) 15-minute halves. Each team is allotted 1 time out per half. There is no other stoppage of play except for serious injury. Any significant stoppage of play for injury may result in that game being suspended. If the game is suspended in the second half, that game will be considered completed with the final score being recorded. If the stoppage occurs any time prior to the start of the second half, that game will be re-scheduled with play resuming with the same score and time resuming as when play was originally interrupted.
5. Running Plays
1. Running plays are not allowed. The QB can scramble, but cannot scramble and cross the line of scrimmage.
2. Legal Laterals and Pitches are permitted as a screen pass from the QB (determined by referee if there is a dispute) or anywhere past the line of scrimmage by ball carriers.
6. Passing Plays
1. Backward Passes – Laterals and shovel passes are allowed
2. Only One forward pass per down
3. Any player passing the line of scrimmage may Not then return to the original side of the line of scrimmage to attempt a pass. That would be ruled an illegal pass
4. The Quarterback has an unlimited amount of time to throw the ball determined by the pressure of the defense.
5. Interceptions may be returned. (Intercepting an extra point(s) attempt and returning it the opposite end zone with result in points for the returning team equal to the number of points determined by the attempting team. Ex. Returning a 2-point conversion attempt would result in 2 points for the returning team.)
7. Receiving
1. All Players are ELIGIBLE
2. A player must have at least one foot in bounds for a legal catch
8. Rushing the Quarterback
1. Any number of players may rush the quarterback from the line of scrimmage Rushers must go for the quarterback’s flags and are NOT allowed to make any contact. You must go for the flag and not any particular part of the quarterback’s body (arms, knees, etc).

• Rules and Penalty Enforcement

• Offensive Penalties

1. All offensive fouls will be penalized 5 yards from the line of scrimmage AND a loss of down
2. Illegal Motion - More than 1 person moving at the snap, false start, illegal snap
3. Illegal forward pass - pass thrown from beyond the line of scrimmage or a second forward pass on the same play
4. Offensive Pass Interference - Illegal Pick Play or illegal hand contact with the defender
5. Flag Guarding - Any attempt to swipe at the defenders’ hands preventing the flag pull
6. Delay of Game - Not snapping the ball within the allotted time. The clock will not start until the next legal snap.
7. Illegal Contact (holding, contact to the head, overly aggressive behavior)
8. Illegal Formation -The offense must have at least 3 players on the line of scrimmage.

• Defensive Penalties

1. All defensive fouls will be penalized 5 yards from the line of scrimmage AND an automatic first down
2. Offsides / Encroachment
3. Defensive Pass Interference
4. Illegal Contact - Holding, contact to the head, overly aggressive behavior
5. Illegal Flag Pull - Pulling a runner’s flag before he has the ball
6. Roughing the QB or Center - You must allow the Center adequate time to stand straight up before contact can be made
1. Excessive roughing may penalized with ejection from the game and possible suspension in future games. Games can NOT end on a defensive penalty unless declined by the offense.

• Flagrant Fouls (Any Flagrant foul contact whatsoever)

1. Tackling, elbows, cheap shots, illegal contact, taunting, or similar unsportsmanlike conduct shall not be tolerated. The official may stop the game, eject the player, administer a 10 Yard penalty and an automatic first down. The game may also be stopped after excessive inappropriate behavior with the offending team receiving the forfeit loss.

• Any decisions made by the referee and/or administrators of the tournament are final. We hold the right to ask any player or players to leave the field for any actions or behaviors deemed unnecessary.