Welcome to the 2016 “PLAY TOUGH” Charity Youth Flag Football Tournament
Benefiting the Chad Tough Foundation.
We hope you are excited about this event as this will be one of the greatest youth flag football tournaments in the country! Last year, November 23rd, 2015 we lost one of our little guys, Chad Carr, to an inoperable brain tumor called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). He was only five years old. This year, we have partnered with the foundation in Chad's name, to fund research and raise awareness for Pediatric Brain Tumors. Nobody should ever lose a child, especially to an inoperable tumor. We will PLAY TOUGH so we can help those that have to be CHAD TOUGH when fighting this diagnosis.
- Cancer is the number one disease killer of children in America.
- Brain tumors are the leading results of cancer-related death in children.
- DIPG is the leading cause of death from brain tumors in children.
This event is open to the first 48 teams to register. Registration will open April 1st, 2016.
WHAT: The "PLAY TOUGH" Charity Youth Flag Football Tournament benefiting the Chad Tough Foundation.
WHEN: Sunday, July 24th, 2016
WHERE: Michigan Stadium located at 1201 South Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI. 48104.
TOURNAMENT FORMAT: The tournament will feature a 3 game pool play format. Following the pool play, the TOP HALF of each bracket, will advance to a single elimination bracket. Seeding will be based on pool play performance. The tournament guarantees a minimum of 3 scheduled games. Teams may play up to 6 games depending in their bracket size.
STYLE: 5 vs. 5 NFL FLAG (with slightly modified rules)
DIVISIONS: There will be four divisions of play offered. All divisions are based off of a students grade from the 2015/2016 school year.
- K/1st grade division
- 2nd/3rd grade division
- 4th/5th grade division
- 6th/7th/8th grade division
Proof of GRADE is required to participate in this event.
The highest graded player on a team will determine that team's division. Example, a team has nine 1st graders and one second grader, this team will be placed into the 2nd/3rd grade division.
ENTRY FEE: A $1,000 donation will be required per team to participate in this event. You may RESERVE A SPOT in the tournament prior to the deadline date with a $250 NON REFUNDABLE donation. The remaining $750 will be due by Monday, June 13th, 2016. An additional 3.5% processing fee will be assessed at check out. Sponsorship opportunities are available to assist you with raising this fee.
HAVE YOUR TEAM ENTRY FEE SPONSORED: We have created a team sponsorship package to help you solicit a sponsor to assist you with paying for this entry fee. Team sponsorship opportunities vary from $500 to $5,000.
To view these packages, click here: 
DEADLINE: The deadline date to sign up for this event is either June 13th, 2016 or when a division fills up. This is a first come, first serve tournament. We are expecting this event to sell out rather quickly.
GATE: Enter the stadium through the EAST gate. There will be a $5 gate fee per person to get into the stadium. Coaches and players will not be charged this fee to enter the stadium. Children under the age of 5 are free.
PARKING: Park in the Crisler Center parking lot off of Stadium Blvd. and Kipke Drive.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE: The tournament schedule will be released on Monday, July 18th, 2016.
To see the full tournament schedule we have created a tournament app which will allow for you to view your check in time, schedules, standings in real time, playoff bracket and other tournament events.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR DOWNLOAD:
- If you have an iPhone, CLICK HERE
- If you have an android, CLICK HERE
TOURNAMENT CHECK IN: You will be emailed with directions on check in details. Coaches are required to check in with their full team on Sunday, July 24th at your assigned check in time. Please do not approach the registration tables unless ALL players are present. Teams will receive participation bags, t-shirts and wristbands at this time. All players and coaches will receive wrist bands which they will be required to wear throughout the tournament and will allow them access to the field. Any player not wearing a wrist band will be ineligible to participate.
ROSTERS AND WAIVERS: Final team rosters, waivers & proof of grade, are due by Monday, June 27th, 2016.
Tournament Roster
Tournament Waiver/Proof of Grade
- There will be several sponsor booths set up along the concourse with giveaways, photo booths and more!
- Team photos will be taken once again by TSS Photography after check in.
- A Silent Auction will be held throughout the day – stop by the booth to bid on all of the great items up for auction!
CONCESSIONS:
There is no outside food or drinks allowed. The concessions will be located at Section 44 and Section 3. And will be open mid-morning and then throughout the entire day.
RULES AND REGULATIONS AT MICHIGAN STADIUM
1. All family members must sit in the general admission seating which is the lower bowl of Michigan Stadium between sections 44 & 1.
2. Hydration stations as well as snacks will be provided for participating teams.
3. You will be allowed to bring bags/purses into the facility
RULES:
Due to the time restrictions of this event, certain rule modifications will be in place for this tournament.
Please note the following:
- Games are played with two 12 minute halves.
- There will be no halftime. Teams will immediately switch direction for the second half.
- Each team will receive ONE 30 second time out per GAME.
- The clock WILL NOT stop in the final minute of the second half.
- Both halves will use a running clock. Use your timeout wisely!
- There will be no overtime in round robin play.
- There is no fourth down option rule.
- Interceptions may be returned – EXCEPT on an extra point attempt.
- There is no “Replay of Down” rule in the K/1 (Lombardi) Division.
- All games are played on a two way field.
- NFL flag football jerseys or light and dark shirts or jerseys are required.
- All coaches must be off the field prior to the snap of the ball. EXCEPTION: K/1 (Lombardi) Division, offensive coaches may remain on the field as long as they are out of the way of play.
In bracket play, Sudden Death overtime format will be used:
o A coin toss determines possession.
o The ball will be spotted at the 5 yard line. Teams will be driving towards midfield.
o Each team will receive two plays to go as far as they can.
o The team that gains the most yards, wins.
o If tied after Sudden Death, the process will be repeated.
o Interceptions cannot be returned in overtime.
o If there is an interception on a team’s first attempt, this will result in 0 yards total for that team, they will not get a 2nd attempt.
o If there is an interception on a team’s second attempt, this will result in 0 yards for that attempt, but the team’s yardage on their 1st attempt will still count.
PLEASE keep a copy of the Tournament Rules – Championship version 3.6 with you at all times during the tournament.
Again, thank you so much for your time and dedication to the 2016 “PLAY TOUGH” Charity Flag Football Tournament benefiting the Chad Tough Foundation.
Should you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact our office at (248) 454-9700. We look forward to seeing you at the tournament.