TIFL
7v7 Football Official Rules
Official Rules Updated 2/1/2024

Field Dimensions:
Field: 40 yard playing field with a 10-yard end zone.

Starting Each Game:
1. Coin Toss. The toss of coin will take place within two minutes of scheduled start time of
game. The toss will be called by the team captain (Ref's Discretion) before the coin is flipped.
Winning team will begin possession of the ball on the +40 yard line with their choice of hash.
2. A whistle will begin each game.
3. Each game last 25 minutes with running clock.
4. Official will declare when the clock is under 2 minutes
5. The clock never stops except for injury.
6. A whistle will end each game.
7. The referees will keep the official score and time on the field for each game.
8. Soft Helmets and Mouth pieces must be worn at all times by all players. If a player does not
have either they cannot participate until they do.
9. Ball Size: 10U Below - K2; 12U - TDJ; 14U - TDY; 15U and above - Official

Moving the Ball:
1. Offense always starts on +40 yard line with their choice of the hash. After any change of
possession. Teams must lineup in legal football formation.
2. All snaps at the +40 yard line must be off the QB-TEE (No Shotgun). Upon gaining a yard or
more QB may take a shotgun off QB-TEE.
3. Offense has three (3) downs to gain a first down. First down markers will be at the 25, and 10
yard lines.
4. Once inside the 10 yard line, the offense has 3 downs to score a touchdown.
5. The first person to control the football off the QB-Tee or shotgun snap is the QB. The QB is
never eligible to run.
6. The offense may run the ball as many times as they want on any down during the game. The
QB is allowed to make one exchange (ex. Pass, handoff or toss). No toss passes, reverses or hook
and ladder.
7. Defensive players cannot cross the line on a run play until the quarterback hands the ball off to
the RB. If he does that is considered a blitz.
8. Quarterback can NEVER run the ball.
9. A conversion after a touchdown, the offense can choose to go for 1 or 2 points. One (1) point
for the PAT from the 5 yard line. Two (2) points for the PAT from the 10 yard line.

Coaching your Team:
1. There will be one offensive coach allowed on the field at any time.
2. The coach must be position behind the offensive huddle.
3. Coaches are not allowed to challenge any official ruling.
4. Remaining team coaches can work from the sidelines.
5. NO defensive coaches allowed on the field.
6. Coaches will be given 1 sideline warning during play. Second warning will result in a 10 yard
penalty or half the distance to the goal. Third warning will result in coach ejection.

Special Rules:
1. NO blocking.
2. Face guarding is allowed
3. Blocking will result in a loss of down, return to previous spot.
4. Ball carrier is legally down when touched below the neck with one hand. A defender
may leave his feet to make a tag.
5. Fumbles (Including snap) are dead balls at the spot with the last team in control retaining
possession at the spot.
6. Offensive team will have 25 seconds to put the ball into play. Delay of game is a loss of down.
7. The offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the official. The clock
does not stop, and any delay of the offense in retrieving and returning the ball to the official will
result in delay of game.
8. Defensive pass interference or defensive holding will result in a first down at the spot of the
foul.
9. Offensive pass interference will result in a return to the previous spot plus a loss of down.
10. QB is allowed 4.00 seconds to throw the ball. Referees will stop play if 4.0 seconds is
surpassed. Only when the defense blitzes the 4.00 second clock is not in play meaning the QB
can avoid the rush for as many seconds as needed but he is still not allowed to run pass the line
of scrimmage.
11. The defense is allowed one (1) blitz in the entire game (including overtime) meaning if you
don’t blitz during the 25 minute game it carries over to overtime but if you used your blitz in the
25 minute game you do not have a blitz for overtime.
12. An interception is three (3) points (no runbacks or “pick 6”)
13. If a team clears the sideline to celebrate a touchdown and delay the game, they will be
penalized 15 yards on defense on the next opponents’ offensive drive/possession. If on an extra
point the team will be penalized 15 yards on defense and the extra point will not count.
14. A game cannot end on a defensive penalty. If this occurs, the offense will have an untimed
down if time has expired.
15. Fighting will not be tolerated. If a player throws a punch, he is ejected immediately and can
NOT return to the game. If a team’s bench clears, resulting in a fight, both of the teams are
ejected, resulting in a forfeit. The referee has the right to throw out any player, players, or team
out of the game. A referee can also give a 15-yard un-sportsman penalty.
If a player or players are ejected from a game, they will be suspended for the teams next game.
16. Each team is allowed one (1) blitz per game. If a team blitz’s more than one time in a game,
they will be penalized 15 yards, un-sportsman
17. Overtime will be for each team to get 1 down from the 10-yard line to score.
18. Teams will be allowed up to 5 mins to be late without any penalty. After 5 mins the opposing team gets auto 7 pts and start with the ball. After 10 mins the team forfeits.
POINT VALUES:
1. Offensive touchdown 6 = points.
2. Extra point from the +5 = 1 point.
2. Extra point from the +10 = 2 points.
3. Tiebreaker victory = 1 point.
4. Defense interception = 3 points

PENALTIES:
Offensive Penalties Assessed Result
False start/Illegal motion Line of Scrimmage Loss of Down
Delay of Game Line of Scrimmage Loss of Down
Blocking Line of Scrimmage Loss of Down
Fumbles Dead Ball (offense retains possession at the spot)
Pass Interference Line of Scrimmage Loss of Down
Unnecessary Roughness 15 Yards – LOS Loss of Down
Illegal Play 5 Yards Loss of Down
Un-sportsman 15 Yards Loss of Down
Defense Penalties Assessed Result
Encroachment/ Neutral zone 5 yards Repeat Down
Holding Offense FD Spot Foul & 1st Down
Pass Interference Offense FD Spot Foul & 1st Down
Unnecessary Roughness 15 Yards Line of Scrimmage
Illegal Play 5 yards First Down
Un-sportsman 15 Yards First Down

AGE Requirements
HS – Must have a picture ID along with a document demonstrating the player is in a class below 2024.
No graduating seniors can play.
15u- Must be 15 years of age on 1/1/24. Must be able to demonstrate age with picture ID.
Examples include any government-issued ID, birth certificate along with a picture ID, etc.
14u- Must be 14 years of age on 1/1/24. Must be able to demonstrate age with picture ID.
Examples include any government-issued ID, birth certificate along with a picture ID, etc.
12u- Must be 12 years of age on 1/1/24. Must be able to demonstrate age with picture ID.
Examples include any government-issued ID, birth certificate along with a picture ID, etc.
10u- Must be 10 years of age on 1/1/24. Must be able to demonstrate age with picture ID.
Examples include any government-issued ID, birth certificate along with a picture ID, etc.

Celebrations
We encourage celebrations. However, we do not tolerate taunting. Keep it fun and keep it
quick so as not to unnecessarily delay game play. If during a celebration you pass the other
teams hash, you will be penalized for taunting.

PLEASE HELP US KEEP OUR FIELDS CLEAN; EACH TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
CLEAN UP OF WATER BOTTLES AND TRASH ON THEIR OWN SIDELINES. THANK
YOU!!!