Official Rules of FLi 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

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.

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. Substitute players behind the offensive on a knee.
Defensive coaches are not allowed on the field at any time.

Officials
Each game will have a Field Judge.
Games with (2) officials. Positions are Referee/Lineman, Line Judge and Field Judge.
Each game will have a scorekeeper.
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
Teams must be onsite and ready to start on time. If a team is late or cannot start on time, the game clock will begin and whatever time is left on the clock will be where the game starts. The team that is late will begin on defense. If a team is late by 10 minutes or more, they will forfeit the game.
Pool Play Games are played with 2 halves with twenty (20) minute running clock. Clock stops only for an injured player. Halftime is 5 minutes.

Games are played with 2 nineteen (19) minute running clock halves. After the initial 19 minutes, the last 1 minute is played as regulation football game with clock stoppages per regulation VHSL football rules. During the last minute, all completions must be advanced past the line of scrimmage, otherwise the clock will stop. Sacks in the last minute stop the clock as well.



Overtime:
Each team will play from the 25 yard line.
Starting with the 3rd and subsequent overtimes, all PAT’s must be 2 point attempts from the 10 yard line.
Overtime periods are not timed.
Each team is awarded one timeout during overtime 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.

Snap
Teams are required to utilize an offensive center.
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. If field has an operational snap tee, the snap must come from the tee.

Penalties
Offense
Off-sides = Loss of Down
Delay of Game = Loss of Down
Illegal formation = 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. Loss of Down
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. 8u will get 5 seconds all other age groups get 4 seconds. 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. Loss of down.

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 previous spot will result in a delay of game and will be a Loss of down 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.
Offense Unsportsmanlike Foul= Loss of down or Try for point

Defense
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.
Defense Unsportsmanlike Foul= 5yards & 1st down
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).
1 Blitz per a game (Can Blitz more than one player)

Turnovers/Dead-balls
Receiver/Ball carrier is legally down when flags are pulled for 8u and 10u, 12u and 14u will be two hand touch. (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. 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.
No points for an Interception during a Try for point.
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.