7v7 Football - Rules

Equipment Basics

• Properly colored Shirt/Jersey (RYFA provided)
• Mouthguard recommended (not required).
• Soft shell helmets are recommended (not required)
• Ball Size Requirements:
• 6^th grade league will use “junior” size football.
• 7/8th grade league will use “youth” size football.
• Each team can use their own ball if it is the correct size, you do not have to use ball provided by RYFA.

Roster Requirements / Forfeits

• Teams must have at least 6 rostered players to play a game without forfeit.
• If only 6 players are available on a team, that team:
• On offense, if desired may have the offensive coach (same coach calling plays) act as center but must kneel immediately after the snap.
• On defense, the team must play with only the 6 available players (one player short).
• The opposing team, however, still plays with a full 7 players on both offense and defense.
• If fewer than 6 rostered players are available, the game is an automatic forfeit.
• In the event of a forfeit:
• Teams are strongly encouraged to mix players and scrimmage for fun.
• A rostered player may be borrowed from a different team, but the game still counts as a forfeit.

Coaches

• One offensive coach is allowed on the field and in the huddle with players but must be a minimum of 5 yards behind quarterback before ball is snapped so there is no interference with game play or Referee.
• Defensive coaches are not allowed on the field at any time.
• Coaches are responsible for knowing all rules and educating their players on the rules and conduct.
• Absolutely no arguing with refs or other coaches. First offense is 3-point penalty awarded to opposing team. Second offense is removal from the game.

Game Format and Timing

• Each possession begins at the 40-yard line. Offenses have 3 downs to reach the next first down marker (at the 25 and 10-yard lines) or score. There are no 4th downs. If the offense fails to gain a first down or score within 3 plays, it results in a turnover and the opposing team takes over at the 40-yard line.
• Games consist of two 25-minute halves with a running clock, except for the final minute of each half, when the clock will stop for incompletions, out of bounds, and changes of possession (following standard football rules).
• Each team has one timeout (45 seconds) per half.
• Overtime: 
• Coin flip at start. Winner decides to start offense or defense. 
• No scrambles. No blitzing. No timeouts. 
• Each team gets 1 possession (3 plays) from 15-yard line to score. 
• Teams that score are required to go for 2 PAT (one play, starting on 10-yard line). 
• During the regular season, if teams are still tied at the end of the first OT, the game will result in tie. During playoffs, the game moves to sudden death with the first offensive team (from first overtime) starting with the ball for the second overtime.  

Scoring

• 7 Points for a touchdown 
• PAT is optional from 10-yard line. If successful, team would receive 1 additional point for a total of 8 points for TD. However, if unsuccessful team gets six points instead of 7.
• 3 Points for interception
• 7 Points for interception return For TD (return past 40-yard line). Note: 3 points for interception are not added to the 7 if returned for TD. Same PAT rules apply. 
• 0 points for turnover on PAT. Dead ball
• Official scores kept by refs

Game Play Rules

Quarterback Play

• The quarterback has 5.0 seconds to release the ball. The clock starts on the snap and stops when the ball leaves the QB’s hand.
• If the ball is released within 5.0 seconds, the play continues. If the QB still has the ball at 5.01 seconds, the play is blown dead.
• Referees must maintain a consistent and accurate count—no delays to accommodate the QB.
• QBs are allowed to scramble (run) a maximum of 2 times per half.
• To count as a scramble, the QB must cross the line of scrimmage before the 5.0-second count expires.

Running Plays / Line of Scrimmage

• The offense may run the ball (RB/WR) on any down and as often as they choose.
• Once the ball is released from the quarterback’s hands (via handoff, pitch, etc.), the defense is allowed to cross the line of scrimmage.
• The ball must cross the line of scrimmage within 5.0 seconds, either by run or by the running back throwing a forward pass. In the event of a pass, if the ball is released by 5.0 seconds, the play will continue.
• Multiple exchanges (handoffs, pitches, etc.) are allowed behind the line of scrimmage, but no exchanges or laterals are allowed after the ball crosses the line of scrimmage.
• Any illegal exchange past the line of scrimmage results in the ball being marked down at the spot of the exchange.

Formations / Center

• The center will be responsible for setting the ball at line of scrimmage. The center is not an eligible receiver and must kneel immediately after the snap.
• All offensive formations must be legal sets and respect the tackle box (3 yards).
• Two receivers on the line other receivers off the line. 
• If motion is called, only one player can be in motion before the snap, and that player must be moving laterally (sideways) or backwards.

Fumbles and Snaps

• Fumbles are dead balls at the spot with the last team retaining possession.
• A Fumbled snap is not a dead ball, but the 5.0 second clock remains in effect. 
• The center may snap the ball either between their legs or from the side, but the ball must begin on the ground. A between-the-legs snap is not required.

Blocking / Picks

• Players may "block" by positioning themselves between a defender and a teammate, or by using their body to legally interfere with a defender—but only after the offense has completed its initial exchange (pass, handoff, pitch, etc.). Hands must remain at the sides during a pick. No blocking is allowed before the exchange.   

Blitzing

• Defensive players cannot cross the line of scrimmage until the ball is handed off.
• If a defender crosses the line before the ball is handed off, this would be considered a blitz. 
• Teams get 2 blitzes per half.
• Teams can choose to send more than one blitzer at a time.

Contact / Jamming

• Defensive player may jam an eligible receiver in front of him and maintain continuous and unbroken contact within five yards of the line of scrimmage. 
• Defensive players may not shove offensive players to the ground. If the referee determines excessive force was used, a 5-yard penalty will be assessed from the spot of the foul, and the offense will be awarded an automatic first down.
• Offensive players are not permitted to shove defenders to block or create separation during a pass play. Violations will result in a 5-yard penalty from the line of scrimmage and a loss of down.

Downing the Ball Carrier

• A receiver or ball carrier is considered legally down when touched with one or two hands below the neck. (One finger counts as one hand.)
• Excessive force, including shoving, is not allowed and will result in a 5-yard penalty and an automatic first down.
• Players may be ejected from the game if their actions are deemed unsportsmanlike or flagrant by the referee.

Penalties – 7v7 Football

Note: the team affected by the penalty can choose to accept or decline it. If a team picks up a first down (either before or because of the penalty) and the result is a replay of the down, it will be first down instead.

Offensive: 

• Offensive Offsides: an offensive player is across the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped; 5 yard penalty, replay down.
• Illegal formation – 5-yard penalty, replay down.
• Delay of Game: If the ball is not snapped within 25 seconds of the ball being spotted; 5 yards penalty, replay down.
• Offensive Pass Interference: Receivers cannot shove defenders to create space; 5-yard penalty and loss of down.
• False start: an offensive player is not set when the ball is snapped (motion not included); 5 yards from line of scrimmage, replay down.
• Illegal forward pass: a pass thrown by an offensive player ahead of the line of scrimmage; 5 yards from the line of scrimmage, loss of down.
• If the center does not take a knee at snap, play continues but will be assessed as a 5-yard penalty with a replay of the down.

Defensive:

• Defensive Offsides: a defensive player is across the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped; 5 yards from line of scrimmage, replay down.
• Defensive Holding = 5-yard penalty, replay down
• Defensive Pass Interference will be a spot foul (1st down at the spot foul occurred) If Defensive Pass Interference occurs in the End Zone it will result in a 1st down at the 1-yard line.
• Excessive force (shoving players to the ground) while chucking/jamming the WR at the line will result in a 5-yard penalty on the defense and an automatic first down for the offense. 
• Illegal blitz: a defensive player rushes across the line of scrimmage when there are no available rushes available (over the two available per half). 5-yard penalty, replay down.

Additional Rules/Penalties:

• No penalty may be assessed more than the 40-yard line. If a penalty results in the offense being moved beyond the 40-yard line, the offensive team will only be penalized with a loss of down.
• If the referee sees the clock has exceeded 5.0 seconds, the play will be blown dead, and the ball will be returned to the original line of scrimmage with loss of down. 
• Offensive team is responsible for retrieving the ball to the previous spot or the new line of scrimmage spot. Clock does not stop and any delay by the offense in retrieving and returning the ball to the Referee will result in a delay of game and a 5-yard penalty. 
• Any dead ball penalty on the defense that occurs after a change of possession will 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 initial disruption and then must cover. Excessive or prolonged contact will result in a “tack on” penalty at the end of the play. 
• Code of Conduct: Absolutely no arguing with the refs or other coaches. First offense is 3-point penalty awarded to opposing team. Second offense is removal from the game.
• Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Any behavior deemed disrespectful, aggressive, or inappropriate by a player, coach, or spectator. This includes taunting, excessive arguing, inappropriate language, or any action that goes against the spirit of fair play. Penalty: 10 yards, automatic first down (if applicable), and possible removal from the game, at the referee’s discretion.

*** Rogers youth football reserves the rights to adjust or change the rules of 7v7 before or during the season to ensure a competitive, safe experience for the players