A) Tryouts/Practices & Athlete Qualifications

 Teams are authorized to start hosting All-Star Tryouts on 8/1/25 – teams MUST follow the tryout procedures set in place regarding insurance, venue contracts, etc.  

Teams are authorized to begin official, padded practices on April 1, 2025 – teams found to have begun formal padded practices before 04/01/2025 are subject to removal from the tournament.

B) Athlete & Team Qualifications

 All players MUST be certified through our website to participate in the 2025 TOP DAWG CHAMPIONSHIP.   

 6th-grade team members can’t turn 13 years old before 8/01/25; must be born on or after 08/01/12 

 7th grade team members can’t turn 14 years old before 8/01/25; must be born on or after 08/01/11

 8th grade team members can’t turn 15 years old before 8/01/25; must be born on or after 08/01/10

Players are allowed to play at a higher grade level but may not play down a grade level – even if they meet the age requirements for that grade. 

 No athlete is allowed to move up a grade once they are on a Top Dawg Athlete Group team roster.

C) Official Game Balls

 Only Wilson-branded TDJ or higher for 6th or 7th grade games  

Only Wilson-branded TDY or higher for 8th grade games 

Teams are required to play with either the Wilson TDJ or TDY ball in every round of the Top Dawg Championship

 Teams are encouraged to bring their own balls for tournament play 

Top Dawg Sports will provide ONE Wilson TDJ ball and one Wilson TDY game ball at each game site

D) On-Field Play

All players must wear appropriate on-field equipment while participating – Certified Helmet, Shoulder Pads, Hip/Thigh/Knee/Tail Pads, Mouth Guard, Cleats, etc. Per NFHS Rules, players may NOT wear Tinted Visors 

Games will be officiated by registered officials to ensure that games follow official NFHS games rules, and that game play maintains high level of sportsmanship and fair play 

 Each game will include an officially certified Trainer who will be responsible for servicing any injuries conducted during game play and filling out injury assessment 

Minimum of three (3) conditioning days with just helmets and contact limited to five (5) days in a single week  

Coaches manage all playing time for athletes. There are no minimum snap counts in any phases 

A play clock will be utilized for all games except for “Mercy Rule” (+24 points), injuries or timeouts 

All games are played until a winner is declared – see OT Rules below  

Quarters: 10 minutes 

Halftime: 8 minutes 

Time between games (Rds. 1-4): 15 minutes  

All players must always have their mouthpiece in while on-field during play  

Positional jersey number rules do not apply  

 Up to four captains per team are allowed at the coin toss ceremony  

 Onside kicks are allowed throughout the game 

 Teams have a choice of either kicking the extra point or attempting a two-point conversion  

Extra points via kick are worth two points 

Two-point conversions from the 10-yard line by run or pass are allowed

E) Overtime Rules

All game rules will apply, except the line-to-gain shall always be the goal line. The try will not be made when it is not required to break the tie 

When the score is tied at the end of the fourth quarter, the referee will instruct both teams to return to their respective team boxes

There will be a three (3) minute intermission during which time both teams may confer with their coaches. All officials will assemble at the 50-yard line, review the overtime procedures, and determine the number of time outs remaining for each team. 

Each team shall be permitted one additional time out for each extra period plus any unused regulation game time outs. At the end of three (3) minutes the Head Linesman will go to the team on the side of the field where the line- to-gain equipment is located, and the Field Judge to the other team, to inform the coaches of the number of time outs remaining and to escort the respective team captains to the center of the field for the coin toss. 

The visiting team captain shall be given the privilege of calling the coin while it is in the air. The winner of the toss shall be given a choice of ball possession or designating the direction of the offense for the OT period(s) 

To start the overtime, the offensive team (A) shall put the ball in play, first and goal, on the defensive team’s (B) 10-yard line. Team A shall have a series of four downs. The series shall be terminated by any score by Team A or if Team B has possession at the end of any down.  

Team A shall be awarded a new series when any of the following events may occur 

There is a change of team possession during the down, and the ball belongs to Team A at the end of the down. 

Team A recovers a scrimmage-kick (field-goal attempt) between the goal lines after it has been touched first by Team B beyond the neutral zone 

If Team A scores a touchdown, it is entitled to the opportunity to try for points, except when it is unnecessary to break the tie. A field goal attempt is permitted during any down. If the defensive team gains possession by recovering a fumble or intercepting a pass, the ball remains alive until that down has ended. This provides the defensive team (B) with the opportunity to score following a recovery or interception 

After Team A has completed its series, Team B will become the offensive team with the ball in its possession at the 10-yard line. The same end of the field will be used for both possessions to insure equal game conditions and conserve time  

 If the score remains tied after each team has been given one series, the procedure shall be 

repeated until a winner is determined. There will be an intermission of two (2) minutes during which the loser of the original post-regulation coin toss will be given the first choice of options. If additional overtime periods are required, the first choice of options will be alternated 

The team scoring the greater number of points in the overtime shall be declared the winner. The final score shall be determined by totaling all points by each team during the regulation and overtime period.