3.2 TEAM CLASSIFICATION: Players must provide adequate I.D. if requested, and must sign a waiver. A team/player may be DISQUALIFIED FROM THE TOURNAMENT for violating eligibility requirements.

3.3 D2-OPEN TEAMS: 7-man

A. Open teams may field no pro players.

B. Open teams are limited to a nine-person roster.

A. Rookie teams may field one novice player.

B Rookie teams are limited to a six-person roster.

3.5.1 D4-BEGINNER TEAMS: 3-man

A. Beginner teams may not have any higher ranked players on their rosters. No exceptions!

B. Beginner teams are limited to a four-person roster.

3.6 ROSTERS: A player can not be on more than one roster per event, and a player cannot change rosters after they have played their first game. If a player switches teams before the first game, that player must be off of the first roster and put on the new teams roster. Players may be added at any time to a team's roster during prelims of an event as long as the added player(s) is not on any other teams roster that is playing the current event and they must meet classification rules and report to the NWPS staff to be added before participating in a game. No players will be allowed to be put on a roster once the semi-finals or finals have started.

Rosters and waivers must be filled out (legible and complete) and handed in to NWPS staff at the scoring table before playing your first game. Failure to turn in or update your roster and waivers could result in zero points for any games played before the roster and waivers are correctly turned in to NWPS staff.

3.7 FIELD ASSIGNMENTS: Computer generated schedules will be given out at the Captain's meeting or check in.

3.8 TIME/GAME SCHEDULE: The schedule will be strictly adhered to. Although the tournament staff will attempt to announce times and schedules, it is the responsibility of the teams to be aware of the schedule and be at their fields/games on time.

3.9 REFEREES AND JUDGES: Decisions by referees and judges are final and No games will ever be replayed.(unless a act of god disrupts a game) If a fields head judge can not make a decision concerning a conflict, the ultimate judge will be asked to make the final decision. Each field will have a head judge/ref.

4.0 ROF, CHRONOGRAPHING, & CHRONOGRAPH PENALTIES:

4.1 The maximum allowable velocity is 300 FPS at all times.

4.3 All markers are subject to chronographing before a game and during a game. The player will fire a single shot over a RADAR chronograph. If that shot does not exceed 300 FPS, the player will be passed through. However, the player will fire three more shots and as long as none of those go over 300 fps the player will be allowed to play. If you do shoot hot the player will be given an opportunity to remedy the situation, time permitting. If a player can not remedy the hot marker in a timely fashion they may elect to enter the field and play without a marker or choose not to play that game, in which case their team will play down a player and the opposing team will score a elimination.

4.4 All players are subject to random chronographing on and off the field at any time and must comply if asked to chrono or penalties will result.

4.5 Players may not adjust, disassemble, or otherwise alter or tamper with their marker's velocity regulating system or power source after their team has completed the pre-game chronograph check. Tampering with any of your velocity regulating equipment during a game or while in the deadbox will result in a forfeit of that game and the other team will get a 100 points.

4.6 Players are subject to on-field chronograph inspections. If the player's marker exceeds 300 FPS while in play a 1 for 1 will result.

4.7 If PSP mode ramping is allowed a 3 trigger pulls then ramping to a capped 12.5 balls per second is required. 7-man will be uncapped semi. No other modes may be used other than semi only in 7 man division unless stated otherwise.

Any players caught during a game to be using a different mode or ramping above 12.5 balls per second will be assessed a 1 for 1 during that game (plus that gun will not be allowed in play on any field until it is capped to the correct rof. If a marker is found before the game to be illegal the player will have a couple minutes to set to proper mode and cap or get a gun that is legal. If a replacement marker or player on that teams roster is not obtained in a timely manner the player can sit out the game or play without a marker.

5.0 ELIMINATIONS & MARKINGS

5.1 A player is eliminated from the game by being marked or not if they are eliminated by a judge, or they signify a elimination by raising their hand or calling out. A player's first priority when being hit should be to check himself to determine if he has been marked before asking for a paint check.. Playing on with a obvious hit will result in a 1 for 1.The only un-obvious hit is on the back of the pack or pods.

5.2 If a Out of bounds exists: Should any part of a player's body, marker or attached equipment accidentally or deliberately extend beyond the vertical plane of the boundary, he is immediately eliminated and must so signal and leave the game. Referees may (no obligation) warn players that they are in danger of going out of bounds.

Should a player intentionally push out or pull in a boundary line, he will be immediately eliminated. Merely brushing against a boundary line is not considered an intentional alteration of the boundary.

5.3 A player who deliberately shoots at another player once they have been eliminated or from out of bounds (i.e. the dead box or on the way to the deadbox) will result in a game forfeit and the other team will get a max. Plus a one way ticket home for that player.

5.4 A player who climbs on a bunker or structure and uses it to propel themselves forward will be eliminated. No altering bunkers to go between them or to make a better shot will result in your elimination. (both of these rules are at the refs discretion).

5.5 A player who deliberately alters terrain or structures, or tampers with a bunker, will be eliminated.

5.6 A player who deliberately uses a non-participant or a movable object as a shield will be eliminated.

5.7 Start of Game. The countdown and "game-on" signals will be issued to both teams simultaneously. No more than the prescribed number of players may be on the playing field when the game-on signal is given or at any time during the game. A team may start the game with fewer than the required number of players. Games will not be delayed for late players or for equipment malfunctions. A referee will eliminate any player who is not within his teams starting area (or not touching the start station) when the game-on signal is given or who leaves the starting area before the "game-on" signal.

5.8 Each player must maintain possession of any equipment or clothing (including armband if applies) that he carries onto the field except for the following disposable items: paint, pods/loading tubes, or squeegees. Intentionally or unintentionally leaving a piece of your equipment (not pods or squeegee) more than 5 feet away from your person for more than 5 second will result in your elimination.

5.9 A player is eliminated from the game when he is marked anywhere on his body, clothing or equipment by a single paintball regardless if it bounced of the ground or another object.

5.10 A player is eliminated from the game when he is marked anywhere on his body, clothing or equipment with any paint splat that looks like a hit or was witnessed by a judge. A player will not be called out on a bounce, however if a judge sees you get hit as you dive or go into a bunker and the hit is gone due to sliding it off on the ground or bunker, the judge will and can pull you. The refs call is final no matter even if there is signs of the hit or not. (If you wipe it off, then that is a whole other matter and penalties will result)

5.11 If two or more players are marked simultaneously, both shall be eliminated.

5.12 It is the player's responsibility to notify a judge and receive the judge's acknowledgment when he is marked other than by a shot (e.g., by kneeling on a paintball, from cleaning his marker, from leaning against a paint-stained object, etc.). If the judge determines the mark was not from a hit, the judge could wipe off the mark and call the player clean. If you don’t notify them and they call you out because it looks like a hit, don’t argue and complain they are just doing their job.

5.13 It is each player's responsibility to check himself and call himself out when he has been marked from an obvious hit. An "obvious" hit is a hit anywhere on the body or equipment. The only un-obvious hit is on the back of the pack or pods.

5.14 When a player receives an "obvious" hit that the player can visually verify, he must signify his elimination immediately. A player may seek reasonable cover in the immediate area if he is unable to visually verify an obvious hit and ask for a paintcheck. While a player is waiting to be paintchecked they can not engage in the game by shooting or talking to their team. If you keep playing and are found with a hit, a 1 for 1 will result.

5.15 Blatantly shooting a player after he has signified his elimination is an infraction and will result in 1 for 1 or the head ref has the authority to make any penalty he sees fit based on the level of the infraction.

5.16 A player who fails to call for a paint check after an obvious hit which the player cannot visually verify and keeps playing will result in a 1 for 1.

5.17 A player who receives an obvious hit and continues aggressive play (shooting, advancing, communicating with teammates, handing off supplies, etc.) will result in a 1 for 1. If the infraction is major than a 2 for 1 could result if determined by head judge.

5.19 A player who has been eliminated and/or signals himself eliminated, and who then shoots at an opponent from on or off the field, commits an infraction. PENALTY: end of tournament for you, bye bye and the other team gets the win/max.

5.20 A player who deliberately hides or conceals a paint mark from a ref while getting checked. When the ref finds it and knows you were hiding it you will receive a bonus player to accompany you to the dead box even if you weren’t playing on. PENALTY: 1 for 1

5.21 Any arguments which includes abusive behavior, or obscene language with players, referees, or judges on or off the field. PENALTY: warning or one way ticket home depending on severity.

5.22 Aggressive physical contact with an opponent or referee including grabbing of marker or clothing in a abusive or aggressive way.. PENALTY: another fine example on how to get sent home early.

5.23 Deliberately shooting at a referee, judge, spectator or eliminated player. PENALTY: 1+1.

5.24 Any player caught adjusting a marker's velocity regulating system during a game. PENALTY: game forfeit other team gets the max.

5.25 During game play, a player marked by a paintball shot by himself or by his own teammate is eliminated.

6.0 PROCEDURES FOR ELIMINATED PLAYERS

6.1 Immediately upon determining that he has been marked, an eliminated player must, raise his marker, hand, or both over his head, and exit the field immediately go to the deadbox and in such a way that he does not interfere with live play. A player may announce a single time that he/she is eliminated. Any other talking while eliminated from anywhere on or off the field will result in a PENALTY: another teammate will be pulled.

6.2 An eliminated player must exit the field as quickly and directly as possible, following the directions of the judges. An eliminated player who fails to proceed promptly and directly to the field's deadbox commits an infraction. PENALTY: 1+1.

6.3 An eliminated player who communicates with his teammates, verbally or visually, on the way to the deadbox. With the exception calling himself out and saying HIT once. Eliminated players must leave the field without signaling, verbally or otherwise, to teammates, opposing players, eliminated players, or spectators. PENALTY: 2 more players will join in the deadbox.

6.5 A player who fails to call themselves out and waits until after the game ends to signify his elimination, and/or who has an obvious hit but attempts to report as "live" (active) after a game, commits an infraction. A 1 for 1 will result. If after the 1 for 1 is assessed there is no one to hang the flag left on your team, the other team will get the win/max. Only a unobvious hit would exclude you from this outcome. (pack hit)

6.6 NO DEADMAN’S WALKS ARE ALLOWED IN THE NWPS. PENALTY: GAME FORFEIT IF YOU TRY ONE.

6.7 Use of elimination signals as a deceptive tactic is a violation. (For example: verbally signifying your elimination and then returning to live play.) PENALTY: GAME FORFEIT

6.9 Once a player signifies he is eliminated by saying HIT once or waving of the hand, whether the player is marked or not, the player is eliminated. No returning to the game because a hit was not found. If you say you are dead or signal you are dead, you are!

6.10 MUTUAL ELIMINATION: If two or more players mark each other simultaneously, both are eliminated unless the referees decide one was hit first. Players who are observed to obviously shoot or advance after being "mutually eliminated" will be assessed a penalty. PENALTY: 1+1

7.0 PAINTCHECKS

7.1 Paintchecks may be requested by any active player any time during a game, but judges are not required to respond to superfluous and/or distracting requests. Nor will judges answer questions regarding game situations (e.g., time remaining, location of flags, disposition of active players, etc.). The time clock is not stopped for paintchecks.

7.2 Judges may visually check a player without performing a "neutral" paintcheck (without "calling him neutral"). During these non-neutral paintchecks, play continues across the field without restrictions to shooting and movement.

7.3 Neutral Paintchecks: A judge will perform a "neutral" paintcheck only in a extreme situation. A player becomes neutral only when a judge gets close enough to touch the player, calls out "This Player is Neutral", and signals the player's neutrality to the rest of the field with an arm or towel raised vertically in the air. Failure to cease firing and/or movement towards a neutral player constitutes a violation. PENALTY: ELIMINATION

Again this is only a extreme situation when this procedure is used and should be handled very quickly by the ref.

7.5 A judge may signal a player "eliminated" by outstretching one arm/hand to point at the player and putting his other hand on his head. A judge may signal a player "clean" by outstretching one arm out to each side. A 1 for 1 is signaled by both arm moving up and down in front of the ref with closed fists.

7.6 An active player shall not shoot or advance directly forward towards a neutral player, (you can move sideways or back)and shall not enter a 25-foot (25') radius around the neutral player. PENALTY: ELIMINATION or re placed back to your bunker if you moved forward, only if situation allows for that and to be determined by the ref.

7.7 A neutral player becomes active when the judge tells him he is clean/may resume play, and signals to the rest of the field that the player is now active by signaling the player "clean" by outstretching one arm out to each side

7.8 Judges, not the player, will wipe off indirect spatter and wrongful hits, such as when players are hit after being called neutral or bunkered by a player that is already dead.

7.9 A player who wants to attempts to remove paint splatter and/or spray off his clothing or equipment needs to receive direct permission from a judge.

8.0 SPECTATORS- No talking or coaching from the sidelines during a game. Any spectators found to be helping a team from the sidelines using any form of communication will be asked to leave and that team will get a player eliminated plus another one to join him in the dead box for company.

9.0 FLAGS & FLAG CARRIERS

9.1 A flag is designated as "pulled" or "secured" when it is removed from its station and held in the possession of an active player FOR MORE THAN 3 SECOND.

9.2 A player shall not be eliminated for taking possession of a flag with paint marks on it. If the flag is hit by a paintball in the players possession, it will be deemed an elimination to the flag carrier. If the flag carrier does get hit while in possession of the flag, that player must stand with the flag up above their head, put their gun at their feet and wait until a live player takes it from them or the ref takes it and places it back on the center flag station, then they can go to the dead box.

9.3 The flag may be handed off between active players.

9.4 Any active player may pick up a dropped or discarded flag.

9.5 A flag carrier must carry the flag in plain view of referees and other players on the field. He may carry the flag openly in his hand, but must not use the flag as a shield or hide the flag. PENALTY: PLAYER ELIMINATED AND FLAG RETURNED TO CENTER STATION.

9.6 FLAG HANG: The game will end when the flag carrier TOUCHES THE OPPONENT'S GOAL WITH THE FLAG and the player is found to be clean (unmarked). The flag carrier must have physical possession of the flag (no throwing the flag at the station), and be free of elimination marks for any flag hang to be valid. The carrier will be checked by the referee after any hang or capture.

9.7 A flag carrier automatically becomes neutral when he touchs the opponents start station. A judge will check him for paint marks. If the flag carrier is clean, the game ends. If there are no players left or time runs out while player is being checked and found to have a hit on them then no hang will be awarded. Flag pull will still be awarded if live players are still in the game and hangs the flag within in the game time.

9.8 An eliminated flag carrier must immediately stop, call himself out, and raise his arms and the flag above his head to signify his elimination and remain on field without moving from the spot of elimination, until another player takes it from them..

10.0 GAME END, ARBITRATION & EMERGENCIES

10.1 GAME END SIGNAL: A game-end signal will be sounded if:

A. The flag is hung.

B. The time period for the game expires. "Game over" will sound simultaneously on the field.

All shooting must cease at the game end signal, and players on the field should install barrel blocking devices. A player shall not discharge his marker after the game-end signal has been given.

10.3 APPEALS: If a player has a dispute concerning the rules, the behavior of another player, or a referee's call, he must wait until after the game has ended to seek out a referee for an explanation.

After the game, team captains should verify the game scores with the head field judge. Signatures are required, failure to sign a scorecard will result in team acceptance of the score with no appeal permitted.

10.5 EMERGENCIES: In the event a player is injured or becomes ill during a game, any referee may signal play to stop. All Play will cease and all players affected must stop firing and hold their position while the injured player receives assistance.

A referee, at his discretion, may stop play on the entire field for an injury, illness, or an emergency (such as lightning). Unless otherwise directed by a referee, if a game is stopped for any emergency, all players must hold position until the head field judge writes down their exact locations. The head field judge must also record the exact time that the play was disrupted. The time clock cannot be stopped for an injury or illness, but at the Ultimate Referee's discretion, the game may be restarted or replayed at a later time.

11.0 UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

11.1 A person may not argue with a judge, hinder/interfere with a judges performance, and/or disregard a judge's warning during a game. PENALTY: 1+1

11.2 A person may not engage in loud arguing, cursing or insulting name-calling regardless of where or to whom it is directed (toward a judge, player, spectator, self, etc.). PENALTY: 1+1

11.3 Engaging in confrontational arguing or severe, abusive cursing or name-calling, and/or threatening physical harm to another person, is an infraction. If the offending player is active, the judge will eliminate him and another player; if the offending player keeps aggressively arguing the refs can keep pulling players till that player gets in the dead box and then discusses it in a civilized manner after the game ends. The judge may also assess a POINTS PENALTY of -50 for any abusive language during a game. (50 points are subtracted from the team's score).

11.4 Making belligerent or physical contact with another person is an infraction. When this occurs, the judge will END THE GAME and the offending player's team shall forfeit the game. Additionally, the judge can assess a POINTS PENALTY of -100 (100 points are subtracted from the team's score). If a player from each team commits this infraction, both teams shall forfeit and the POINTS PENALTY of -100 shall be deducted from each team's score. PENALTY -100 POINTS. Players are also subject to elimination from the tournament is ultimate judge sees fit.

11.5 CHEATING- BLATANTLY TAKING OFF/WIPING A HIT WILL RESULT IN A 3 FOR 1.

12.0 SCORING

12.1 The point system consists of three parts: game points, penalty points, and tiebreakers. Game points are earned by teams according to their performance.

DIVISION: