 |
| |
|
|
| |
Frequently Asked
Questions
We are always willing to answer any questions
you may have, however we also get very busy
around Tournament time. So before contacting us,
please review some of these common questions and
answers that arise each year:
What if a player just misses the age or weight
cut off?
Regardless of what set the age or weight cut
off, there will always be players that just miss
- it happens every year. And if we change that
cut off, there will just be other players that
just miss the new cut off. Thus is in the best
interest to protect the integrity of the
Tournament and draw a hard line on these cut
offs without exception.
Does the player’s current grade in school
matter?
YES. In past years the Tournament has went back
and forth on this issue, because with home
schooling and various other programs; it was
simply too hard to monitor. However the
Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA)
has specific rules and/or limitations about any
Jr. High and/or Middle School players playing in
any games other than those with their particular
school program. Any such player that violates
OHSAA Rules does so at the risk of not only
their future eligibility, but also possible
sanctions against their school team as well.
As a result, the Trojan Horse has determined to
uphold and support the OHSAA and we strictly
prohibit the participation of any player that
has played or practiced with their Jr. High or
Middle School football teams.
How are
brackets determined?
The Trojan Horse obviously has a bracket for
each age group, however age groups that have
over 16 teams participating may be broken down
into additional brackets based on team size,
however that is only possible when there is
enough teams to do so (i.e.in the past, the12u
bracket has broken down into two separate
brackets: the Double A Bracket (made up of
larger programs (such as D1 and D2 feeder
programs)) and the Single A Bracket made up of
smaller programs (D3 and smaller feeder
programs). Once the bracket structure is
determined, the actual team match ups are
randomly drawn based several factors
(availability to play or Friday or not and
attempting to separate teams within the same
league and/or that meet in the regular season (a
courtesy we can only guarantee in the first
round only)).
Could “All-Star” teams and “True Teams” play
each other? And how is that fair?
YES, these two type of teams could play each
other, however their program size and pool of
players is still taken into consideration.
Please keep in mind, even though the phrase
“all-star” seems to have it’s advantages, it is
the Tournament’s experience that “True Teams”
(teams that have played together for years)
actually have done better in the Tournament.
Keep in mind, that most “all-star” teams are
coming from an intramural program and only have
a couple weeks of practice to gel as a team
prior to entering the Tournament.
How many
game will we play?
Each team is guaranteed at least two games,
however it could be as many at 3 to 5 over the
course of the weekend (depending on the size of
the bracket and placement there of). The bracket
is created in such a way that every best effort
is made to keep Teams from playing back to back
games and/or more than two in a day, HOWEVER
there are sometimes exceptions that occur from
time to time and typically happen in the Losers
Bracket (only determined by luck of the draw and
actual game results).
Is this a true Double Elimination Tournament
where the Winner of both the Winner’s Bracket
and Loser’s Bracket meet?
NO. Due to the intense nature of the sport and
playing so many games in just one weekend, the
winner of the winner’s bracket and the loser's
bracket never play for the Championship. Rather,
finishing places are determined only by
placement in the Winner’ Bracket and the Winner
of the Loser's Bracket actually receives it’s
own trophy called “The Iron Horse” (often being
a team that had to play the most games in one
weekend to get there). With the exception of any
smaller age groups (6 teams or less), in which a
Round Robin format will be followed.
If there is any other teams from our same League
(or City), do we have to play them?
In a Double Elimination Tournament, it is
difficult to say who will match up further down
the brackets; however we do try and make sure
that no two teams from the same League (or City)
will at least not face each other in the first
round.
What
size football do you use?
Since there are so many brands and size
footballs out there, we request that each team
provide their own game balls (to be switched out
every change of possession). All we ask is that
they be some type of regulation youth football.
Game balls are NOT provided by the Tournament.
Can
Coaches be on the field?
NO. All plays must be called in on from the
sidelines, just as in High School football play.
Is there a limit to the number of coaches we can
have on our sidelines?
The Tournament does not have a set rule on this
number, however it should be within reason (i.e.
There really is not need for more than 8 to 10
coaches maximum on any sideline). All we ask is
that they appear to be dressed as actual Coaches
(not just some fans or family) and limit just
one Coach to communicate and/or talk with the
Game Officials.
Do all the fields have Goal Posts and Score
Boards?
NO. Most of our fields do have both Goal Posts
and Score Boards, however, there are a few
fields we utilize early in the Tournament that
do not. Those few fields will become NO KICK
fields and the score and time will kept with the
officials on the field. Once again, this is only
a few fields and they are only used early in the
Tournament. It is merely luck of the draw on
what particular fields your team will play.
How close together are the game fields?
All the Tournament fields are within a few miles
of each other and some actually walking distance
of each other. Travel time between any of the
fields is minimal and a Field Map is always
available via our
Forms Page as well.
Is
there a cost for admission to games?
It depends on the field. There is a nominal fee
for any of our Stadium Fields (noted on the
Bracket and Field Map by a Dollar Sign) to help
offset the cost of the Stadium use (kids under
13 are FREE and $3 per game or $6 for the entire
weekend for adults (no charge for players or
coaches)). Once again, which fields your team
ends up playing on, are strictly luck of the
draw.
Should our fans bring their own seats?
YES, there are a few fields in which bleachers
are limited and folding chairs are welcome
(behind the indicated “parent line” at such
fields). However, at any of the Stadium fields,
bringing chairs will not be necessary (unless
you want to bring stadium seats of course).
When and
where are weight ins?
There is only one weight in Tournament weekend
and that is just prior to kick off of your first
game. There is really not a set location or
time, however a Tournament Official will be on
the look out for the gathering of a new team and
will approach your team with details at such
time. All weight ins will only happen ONCE and
will be done with a Tournament Official and
opposing coach present. We DO NOT need (or want)
to weight your entire team - just those players
you think may be playing in the backfield on
offense. Your Team Book will also be reviewed at
such time as well.
What
happens with the Team Books?
The Team Books are reviewed at weight in and
returned to the Team at such time. We simply ask
that the Team have their Team Book with them at
all times on the sidelines of each and every
Tournament game (just in case there is a
question after the fact).
We have a question about a particular rule?
Any/all Rules are clearly indicated on our
Tournament Rules & Info Sheet. If you do not
see a particular Rule addressed there, that
means it is as dictated by default to the Rules
set forth by the
Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA).
We utilize High School referees for all our
Tournament games and they are very familiar with
these rules.
Is there any Instant Replay or Games subject for
review?
NO, absolutely not. We appreciate that we live
in a digital age where many of the games are
being filmed from the sidelines, however THERE
IS NO INSTANT REPLAY. The call on the field
stands (right, wrong or indifferent) and we ask
that every team, sideline, coaches, players,
family and fans support any ruling on the field.
The only possible exception to this fact may be
the questioning of the eligibility of some team
or player, but please keep in mind; that is
strictly up to investigation and discretion of a
Tournament Official (at least one is present at
each and every game).
Are
Cheerleaders welcome?
YES. Please just inquire at each individual
field location as to where their specified area
is permitted on the sideline.
How is it determined who is Home or Guests at
each game?
Randomly by position on the Bracket. The Home
Team will always be the one shown on the bottom
of the match-up (Visitors on the top). Home team
will always have their choice of sidelines.
Do we need to provide any Volunteers or Chain
Gang?
We do ask Visitor Teams (shown on the top of the
bracket match ups) to provide three volunteers
for that game to work as a Chain Gang for that
particular game. They are the best seats in the
house and it would expedite things if you have
three individuals chosen prior to kick off.
Upon review of the above information, if you
still have some questions concerning the
Tournament, please do not hesitate to
Contact Us. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
web site.