Official Rules – National Tread Hurling Association

Official Rules

Official Rules for Tread Hurling

These are the official rules of Tread Hurling, created by LaMorris Hawkins of the Spademan Group LLC and governed by The National Tread Hurling Association (NTHA).

1. Introduction

Welcome to Tread Hurling, the official game governed by the National Tread Hurling Association (NTHA).

2. Overview

By combining elements of CrossFit, MMA, football, track, and rugby, The Spademan Group LLC has created Tread Hurling. This is a fun, fast-paced, and addictive game that will get you in the best shape of your life. With future plans to start a professional league, this game can be played by anyone ages 18 and up.

3. Players and Teams

Team Composition: Each team can have up to 12 players. However, because there is no blocking allowed at this time, there are only 3 offensive players on the field and 6 defenders. While this may seem unfair, it is because a tire rolls rather fast, and a 100 by 50 yard field is a lot of ground for 6 people to cover.
Timeouts: There are only 2 timeouts per half, for a total of 4 timeouts. Teams may switch out players as often as they like to utilize the best strategy for competing.

4. Equipment

Tires:
- Men: Standard truck tire (approximately 40 lbs).
- Women: Tire weighing 15 lbs.
Player Gear:
- Team jerseys and uniforms.
- Padded rugby helmet.
- Durable gloves.
- Padded compression shirts.
- Shin guards.
- Pads.
- Mouth guard.

5. Game Setup

Field: Standard football field with marked end zones.
Start of Game: A coin toss determines which team starts on offense.
Initial Hurl: After the coin toss, the defending team’s Launchman will hurl the tire from the 50-yard line. The spot where the tire stops is where the offense will start their first hurl.

6. Gameplay Mechanics

6.1 Offensive Roles

Hurler: The player who hurls the tire.
Spotter: Sets the tire while the clock is running.
Navigator: Stands 2 yards in front of the Hurler and gauges the defense, advising the Hurler on what kind of hurl to perform.

6.2 Hurling

Hurling Definition: Tossing the tire in an up and backwards motion, allowing the tire to tread and roll down the field into the opposing team’s territory.
Forward Hurl: If the Hurler faces the opposing team while hurling, it’s penalized (10-yard pushback and loss of a down).

6.3 Offensive Play

Hurl Attempts: The offense has 4 hurls to get the tire into the end zone.
5th Hurl Option:
- Invocation: If the offense chooses to invoke the 5th hurl option, the Hurler must inform the referee by holding up their right hand with all four fingers and thumb spread apart and saying “FIVE”.
- Field Position: If the field position is too shallow and the 5th hurl option is not invoked, the referee will set the tire up on the yard line where the 4th hurl stopped in the previous series.

6.4 Defensive Play

Stopping Hurl Progress: The defense aims to stop the tire’s progress. Defense is allowed to use all 6 defenders to cover the field as they see fit. Tires can be stopped by tackling, pushing them down, knocking them out of bounds, punching them down, or kicking them down.
Set Defense: The defense must get set before the offense hurls. Any movement to adjust (defensive offset) will result in a 20-yard penalty, and the offense takes 20 yards of the defense’s territory.

6.5 Special Roles

Launchman: Performs the hurl-off or the 5th hurl option.
Finesse Hurler: Designated to score during goal line situations.

6.6 Scoring

Touchdown: Hurling the tire into the end zone.
Double Score: Any hurl that scores from 50 yards or more results in double points.
Standard Score: Any hurl that scores less than 50 yards results in 10 points.
Offensive Scratching: Hurler hurls out the back of the end zone (5 points to the offense).

7. Types of Hurling

Hard Hurling: Performed when the Hurler is deep in their own territory to cover as much ground as possible. Commonly used on 1st hurl.
Mid Hurling: Executed with less force, allowing the Hurler to hurl in any direction. This can include using the sidelines to control the clock and game flow.
Light Hurling: Typically used when the offense is approaching the goal line to avoid hurling the tire out the back of the end zone.
Suplex Hurl: A German suplex-style hurl used to gain maximum momentum.

8. Penalties

Forward Hurl: 10-yard pushback and loss of a down.
Foul: Occurs when a Hurler intentionally hurls the tire at a defender directly, and results in a pushback of 25 yards and a loss of a hurl.
Flat: Occurs when the Hurler hurls the tire up in the air, and it bounces and falls without rolling.
- Penalty: 10-yard pushback.
- Special Case: If it occurs during the 4th hurling, the defense has the option to allow a retry with 10-yard pushback or to take possession where the flat occurred. There is no 5th hurl option if this scenario occurs.
Offensive Scratching: Offense scores 5 points.
Defensive Scratching: Offense starts at their own 20-yard line.
False Start: If the Spotter and Navigator take off before the Hurler hurls the tire, the offense will be penalized with a 15-yard pushback.
Defensive Offset: If the defense moves to adjust after being set and before the offense hurls, a 20-yard penalty is applied, and the offense gains 20 yards of the defense’s territory.

9. Winning the Game

The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Points are scored by hurling the tire into the end zone or through penalties (Offensive Scratching).

10. Definitions

Hurler: Offensive player hurling the tire.
Spotter: Player setting the tire while the clock runs.
Navigator: Player advising the Hurler on hurls based on defensive setup.
Launchman: Player performing hurl-offs or 5th hurl options.
Finesse Hurler: Player scoring during goal line situations.
Hurling: Tossing the tire in an up and backwards motion, allowing the tire to tread and roll down the field into the opposing team’s territory.
Flat: Occurs when the Hurler hurls the tire up in the air, and it bounces and falls without rolling.
Scratching: Occurs when the tire is hurled out the back of the end zone.
Treaded: Describes a defender being run over by a tire or pushed down by a hurled tire.

11. Special Notes

Any player on the team can play any position at any time as their coaching staff chooses. Individual stats will be noted and documented.