Rules

Tournament Rules

Official Rules of 7v7 Football Competition

Field Dimensions/Specs

  • 40 yards in length – 40, 25 & 10 are the first down lines
  • Between 145’ - 160’ in width
  • 10 yards deep in End Zone
  • Field hash marks are of high school dimensions

Team Members

  • Players
    • Each team has a maximum of 25 players. Players will not be accepted into the event as individuals. All players must be a part of a team.
    • Teams are not required to utilize an offensive center.
      • If utilizing one, the offensive center is not an eligible receiver.
      • The center will be responsible for setting or re-positioning the football at the line of scrimmage. If no center, the QB will be responsible.
    • Age Verification - Every player must verify their age through the player registration process with SportsThread.
      • 18U Division:
        • All players must be under the age of 19 on the date of the tournament.
        • Seniors are eligible to play if they meet the age requirements
        • Seniors who have graduated from high school are not eligible.
      • 15U Division:
        • Players must be 15 years of age or younger as of January 1, 2024.
        • Players that are 16 years old prior to January 1, 2024 are ineligible for 15U and must play in 18U.
      • 14U Division:
        • Players must be 14 years of age or younger on January 1, 2024.
        • Players that are 15 years old prior to January 1, 2024 are ineligible for 14U and must play in 15U.
      • 13U Division:
        • Players must be 13 years of age or younger on January 1, 2024.
        • Players that are 14 years old prior to January 1, 2024 are ineligible for 13U and must play in 14U.
      • 12U Division:
        • Players must be 12 years of age or younger prior to January 1, 2024.
        • Players that are 13 years old prior to January 1, 2024 are ineligible for 12U and must play in 13U.
      • 10U Division:
        • Players must be 10 years of age or younger on January 1, 2024.
        • Players that are 11 years old prior to January 1, 2024 are ineligible for 10U and must play in 12U.
      • Coaches
        • Each team has a maximum of 4 coaches. Coaches will be allowed on the sidelines only during games.
        • One offensive coach may be in the huddle with players. During the play, the coach must not interfere with the game of play.
        • Defensive coaches are not allowed on the field at any time.

Officials

  • Each game will have a minimum of two (2) officials. Positions are Referee/Field Judge and Back Judge.
  • Each game will have a scorekeeper/timekeeper.
  • Field manager – Event will have one for every two 7on7 fields to assist with crowd, player, coach, and referee control on/around the game fields.

Game Times

  • Pool Play Games are played with a twenty-two (22) minute running clock. The clock will not stop under any circumstances except during an injury or official's timeout. If the game ends on a touchdown with no time remaining, the scoring team will have a chance to try for the extra point. If the game ends in a tie on a non-scoring play, the game will be ruled a Tie.
  • Bracket Play Games are played with an eighteen (18) minute running clock. After the initial 18 minutes, the last 2 minutes are played as regulation football game with clock stoppages per regulation NFHS football rules. During the last two minutes, all completions must be advanced past the line of scrimmage, otherwise the clock will stop. Sacks in the last two minutes stop the clock as well
  • 1 timeout per team (30 sec) – during tournament bracket play only

Overtime

  • During tournament bracket play only
  • If overtime is required, teams will alternate three (3) plays from the ten-yard line. Each team has an attempt to score in each overtime period.
  • Starting with the 2nd and subsequent overtimes, teams will alternate a one play 2 point attempt from the 10 yard line. Both teams will have an attempt. This will continue until a winner emerges at the end of the period.

Scoring

  • Six (6) points for a touchdown
  • One (1) point for a PAT from 3 yard line
  • Two (2) points for a PAT from 10 yard line
  • Two (2) Points for Defensive Stop on downs
  • Three (3) Points for Interception (no runbacks or “pick 6” for safety reasons)
  • Turnover on a PAT is dead ball (including INT)
  • Official scores will be kept by field referee and sideline scorekeeper.

Penalties

  • Offense
    • Receivers’ alignment should respect the tackle box. Any completed pass within the tackle box within 2 yards of the line of scrimmage will be ruled an illegal pass. This will result in a loss of down for the offense.
    • On all snaps, the ball must come from the QB Tee. A player cannot old the timer down with his hand and snap the ball. This will be a loss of down.
    • Off-sides = Loss of Down
    • Delay of Game = Loss of Down
      • Each team will have 25 seconds to snap the ball once it has been marked ready for play; delay of game penalty will be assessed.
    • Pass interference = 5-yard penalty and Loss of Down
    • No penalty may be assessed in excess of the 40 yard line. If a penalty would move the offense beyond the 40 yard line, the offensive team shall be charged with a loss of down.
    • Receivers’ alignment should respect the tackle box. Any completed pass within the tackle box within 2 yards of the line of scrimmage will be ruled an illegal pass. This will result in a loss of down for the offense.
    • If the referee sees that the clock has exceeded 4.0 seconds, the play is blown dead. The ball should be returned to the original line of scrimmage with loss of down. If the QB proceeds to throw the ball after the play has been blown dead, a penalty for offensive delay of game will be assessed.
    • Offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the previous spot or the new scrimmage spot. Clock does not stop and any delay by offense in retrieving and returning the ball TO THE REFEREE will result in a delay of game and will be a 5-yard penalty from the succeeding spot.
    • If defensive holding occurs on the same play as a sack, the defense will be penalized and the sack is void.
  • Defense
    • Defensive Holding = 5-yard penalty, Replay the down. If the 5 yards marked off results in a 1st down, then the offense will have a 1st down. If inside the 10 yard line, it will be half the distance to the goal line.
    • Off-sides = 5-yard penalty
    • Defensive Holding = 5-yard penalty
    • Defensive Pass Interference will be a spot foul (1st down at the spot).
      • If Defensive Pass Interference occurs in the end zone, it will result in a 1st down at the 1-yard line.
    • Any dead ball penalty on the defense AFTER a change of possession would result in a loss of down for that team’s offense when they begin their ensuing possession.
    • Responsibility to avoid contact is with the defense. The defense is allowed an INITIAL disruption, and then must cover. Excessive or prolonged contact will result in a “tack on” penalty at the end of the play (5-yard penalty).

Turnovers/Dead-balls

  • Receiver/Ball carrier is legally down when touched below the neck with one or both hands. (Excessive force by shoving, pushing, or striking a blow will be penalized by automatic first down and 5 yards. Player can be expelled if ruled unsportsmanlike & flagrant).
  • Fumbles that hit the ground are dead balls at the spot with the last team retaining possession. A muffed snap by the QB is not a dead ball. The 4.0 second count remains in effect on snaps.
  • The QB is allowed 4.0 seconds to throw the ball. For ages 10U and 12U, the QB is allowed 5.0 seconds to throw the ball. Time starts on the snap of the ball and stops as soon as the QB releases the ball. If release is under 4.0 seconds, the play continues. Play is blown dead after 4.0 seconds.
  • Interceptions may not be returned – 3 points are awarded on interception. Points for defensive stop and interception are not “added together”. One or the other ends a possession with defensive points.
  • The offense must gain at least 15 yards in the first 3 or less plays or the defense takes over. No 4th downs. (3) downs in all zones.

Appeals

  • If during game play a coach or player disagrees with an official’s judgment call, they may not dispute that call with the official at that time.
  • If during game play a coach or player disagrees with a rules interpretation, they may stop the game to determine with the officials and field manager
  • For consideration, the coach must report all game play ruling discrepancies to the Field Manager no more than 20 minutes after that game has ended. Any reversal or game-changing decisions will be made at the Field Manager’s discretion.

Additional Game Format Rules

  • All offensive formations must be legal sets. Receivers’ alignment should respect the tackle box. Any completed pass within the tackle box within 2 yards of the line of scrimmage will be ruled an illegal pass. This will result in a loss of down for the offense.
  • Bracket Play - Higher seed gets choice of offense/defense for opening possession.
  • No kicking or punting
  • No passer may run with the ball.
  • All passes must be thrown forward. A pass caught behind the line of scrimmage must be advanced by that receiver past the line of scrimmage in the final 2:00 minutes or the clock stops. The only laterals that will be allowed will be laterals that occur after the completion of a forward pass.
  • Hand offs in the backfield are not allowed, except for ages 10U and 12U. Hand offs will not be allowed for 13u, 14u, 15u or 18u.
  • All offensive formations must be legal sets. Receivers’ alignment should respect the tackle box. Any completed pass within the tackle box within 2 yards of the line of scrimmage will be ruled an illegal pass. This will result in a loss of down for the offense.
  • No blocking.
  • No taunting or "trash talking."
  • Fighting: THIS IS YOUR WARNING. ANY PLAYER THAT FIGHTS IS DISQUALIFIED FROM THE TOURNAMENT IMMEDIATELY. IF THERE IS MORE THAN 1 PERSON FIGHTING, BOTH TEAMS ARE ELIMINATED FROM THE TOURNAMENT IMMEDIATELY. ANY ADULTS THAT PARTICIPATING IN FIGHTING WILL BE ARRESTED AND HAVE CHARGES PRESSED AGAINST THEM. THIS WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED. THIS IS YOUR WARNING.

Tiebreakers

  • If two teams are tied at the end of pool play, the tiebreaker is head-to-head records.
  • If three or more teams are tied at the end of pool play, the following criteria will be used to determine winners:
    • Head-to-head records
    • Points allowed
    • Points scored
    • Coin flip