🏈 National 7v7 Rules (Final)
🔹 Team Composition & Eligibility
- Age cutoff: January 1st of the Current Year
- 12U: max age 12
- 14U: max age 14
- 15U: max age 15
- 18U: max age 18 (no seniors)
- Roster check request must be submitted to the 5 Star Prospects Board member
- Coaches must retain a copy of bc and complete roster @ the Event.
🔹 On-Field Format
7 Defense vs 6 Offense
Offense:
- 1 QB + 5 eligible players (6 total)
- Teams may use a center as a 7th player
Center Rules (if used):
- Must snap the ball
- Is not eligible
- Must remain completely stationary before and after the snap
- Cannot move, release, block, or engage in the play
Defense:
- 7 players on the field at all times
🔹 Equipment
- Matching uniform tops required
- Numbered jerseys recommended
- Soft-shell helmets optional (recommended)
- Mouthguards required (except QB)
🔹 Game Format
- 25-minute running clock
- Coin toss → possession starts at 40-yard line
- No OT in pool play
- 1 timeout in pool play, None in bracket play.
🔹 Down & Distance Structure
- 3 downs to reach the 25-yard line
- 3 downs to reach the 10-yard line
- 3 downs to score
Penalty Adjustment Rule:
- If a penalty moves the ball across a marker → automatic new set of downs at that level
🔹 Core Gameplay Rules
QB Rules
- QB has 4.0 seconds to throw (loss of down if exceeded)
- QB may:
- Run once per game (designed run, no blitz required and counts against designed run count.)
Exchanges / Trick Plays
- Teams are allowed:
- 1 run via toss/exchange/handoff per game
- ANY lateral or backfield exchange counts (jet, shovel, reverse, etc.)
Blitz Rule
- 1 blitz per team per game
- Blitz only allowed after offense gains positive yardage on that possession
Ball Handling
- Ball carrier is down by ANY touch below the neck (one hand)
- No blocking allowed
- Face guarding allowed with light contact only
- No holding
- No grabbing
Fumbles
- ALL fumbles are dead balls at the spot
- Offense retains possession
- Includes:
- Bad snaps
- Drops
- Mishandled exchanges
🔹 Scoring
- Touchdown = 7 points
- PAT (can be rejected):
- +1 points from 10-yard line
- -1 points if missed making the total for TD 6.
- Interception:
- Dead immediately
- Defense gets 2 points
- Ball placed at 30-yard line
- 1 point for a Defense turnover.
🔹 Coaching & Sideline
- 1 offensive coach allowed on the field (behind huddle)
- No defensive coaches on the field
- All others must remain inside team box (20-yard lines)
- Defensive coordinator may step up to 15-yard line
🔹 Conduct
- Fighting will be immediate ejection and removal from tournament.
- Sideline control (includes parents):
- 1st infraction = warning
- 2nd = penalty
- 3rd = ejection
- Coaches responsible for players and fans
🔹 Celebrations
- Allowed in end zone or sideline
- Defensive celebrations must be away from offense
- No taunting or in-face actions
- Excessive = penalty
🔹 Overtime (Bracket Only)
- 2 plays from the 10-yard line (pass only)
- Must attempt PAT after TD
- If still tied:
- Longest completed pass from the 40 wins
- NO BLITZING in OT (unused blitz does not carry over)