RULES

Field and Game Setup

Offense will start on the 40-yard line with the option of using either hash. First downs will be at the 25-yard line and 10-yard lines. Once the 1st down is achieved inside the 10-yard line you will have three (3) downs to score.

Possession Rules

• Coin flip before each game for 1st possession on day one
• On day two (non-pool play), higher seed chooses which team gets ball first

Player Down Rules

Player is down when touched with one hand below the neck and above the ankle.

Quarterback Clock

QB has 4.0 seconds to throw. Refs will 3-chop and the 4th chop is the whistle. (Stop watch may be used as well for verification.) The four second clock starts on the snap of the ball.

Blitz

Each team will have one blitz per game (including overtime). HEAD REFEREE & FIELD GENERAL WILL TRACK.

Running

Running by the offense is permitted.

Game Clock

There are NO untimed downs with the exception of the extra point if a team scores a touchdown as the game time expires. The Field General can stop the clock to ensure proper application of the rules outlined herein.

Team Size

Maximum number of players on one team is twenty-four (24). Bands will not be issued for more than 24 players.

Sideline Rules

• Players must remain on their sideline during the game
• Players and coaches respect the teams that are playing. Do not warm-up on their sideline
• Please police your own sidelines keeping players back during the game and clean up all trash after your game

Coaching Staff

Maximum of three (3) coaches per team. One Offensive Coach and no more than two players can be on the field (players must be on one knee) during play. 1st time is a warning 2nd time delay of game will be assessed (which IS a loss of down)! No defensive coaches can be on the field at any time.

Field Setup

Offense cannot set up on the field until the opposing team reaches the 15-yard line. Penalty is delay of game and a loss of down.

Game Officials

Each game will have at least three (3) referees, and a Field General. Coaches will be responsible for signing the final game score sheet after each contest. The Field Generals will be in charge of maintaining order during the game and ensuring these rules are enforced properly. The Head Official and/or Field General will be responsible for yelling the score to both teams as points are awarded.

Multiple Teams Per Organization

CRITICAL: Organizations with multiple teams in the same age group: During check in, each player will be given a different color wrist band to represent their team. Once a team is eliminated from tournament play that disqualifies those players on the losing team from further play during that day. Wristbands are not interchangeable among players. All players must have a wristband to be eligible to compete. This will be monitored by Field Generals and tournament staff. Any players/teams that are caught switching wristbands or competing without a wristband will be automatically eliminated from the tournament.

PLAYERS CANNOT PLAY ON MORE THAN ONE TEAM FOR THE ENTIRETY OF THE EVENT.

Registration Requirements

Every participant will be required to check in at the registration table. Please arrive an hour before game time to allow time for the registration process.

ALL teams must have all players registered in Zorts in order to expedite the certification process. YOU MAY HAVE TO WAIT behind teams that completed this process properly.

Battle 7v7 events strive to ensure fair and equitable play. As such, we will check to ensure all players meet the age requirements by division. All players will be banded during registration. DO NOT REMOVE THE BAND OR RECERTIFICATION WILL BE REQUIRED.

Class of 2025 Restriction

CLASS OF 2025 PLAYERS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE IN THE TOUR.

If found guilty of using 2025 players, both players and team will be eliminated immediately.

Age Division Requirements

High School Division

Must have a picture ID along with a document demonstrating the player is in a class below 2024. No graduating seniors can play.

15u Division

Must be no older than 15 years of age on 1/1/25. Must be able to demonstrate age with picture ID. Examples include, any government issued ID, birth certificate along with a picture ID, etc.

14u Division

Must be no older than 14 years of age on 1/1/25. Must be able to demonstrate age with picture ID. Examples include, any government issued ID, birth certificate along with a picture ID, etc.

12u Division

Must be no older than 12 years of age on 1/1/25. Must be able to demonstrate age with picture ID. Examples include, any government issued ID, birth certificate along with a picture ID, etc.

10u Division

Must be no older than 10 years of age on 1/1/25. Must be able to demonstrate age with picture ID. Examples include, any government issued ID, birth certificate along with a picture ID, etc.

Arrival and Game Start

Please be at the field at least 30 mins early and ready to play as Battle reserves the right to start games early.

Each game will last 25 minutes with a running clock and no timeouts.

Late Policy

Teams must be onsite and ready to start on time. Game clock will start at the original scheduled game time or the game time specified by the event Director.

• Five minutes late: 7 points will be awarded to the team that is present on time and they will possess the ball first
• Ten minutes late: The team will forfeit the game. A win by forfeit will result in a 7-0 final score

Note: Registration will not be a reason to hold up games. Game times are final and you must be at the field ready to compete by game time.

Scoring at End of Game

If a touchdown is scored and time runs out, the scoring team will be allowed an extra point attempt.

Timekeeping

The head official will keep the time and will be located by the offensive huddle. The head official will blow the whistle to start the clock.

Field Position and Downs

Offense will start on the 40 yard-line with the option of using either hash. First downs will be at the 25-yard line and 10-yard lines. Once the 1st down is achieved inside the 10-yard line you will have three (3) downs to score.

Offense has three (3) downs to gain a first down.

Center Requirements

Each team must possess a center to snap the ball. If using a center, he is ineligible to catch a pass.

Extra Point Options

After a score, the offense can go for one (1) point at the 5-yard line or two (2) points at 10-yard line. The offense may place the ball either on the hash or the middle.

Running Rules

The offensive team may run the ball on ANY DOWN (Example they can run 1st 2nd and 3RD if they choose). All forms of runs and handoffs are permitted.

The 1ST player to receive the ball from the center is considered the QB and can NOT run. The 2nd player to possess the ball is the runner and is not allowed to throw or lateral the ball.

Blocking Prohibition

NO BLOCKING – THIS WILL RESULT IN A 5-YARD PENALTY FROM THE PREVIOUS LINE OF SCRIMMAGE AND A LOSS OF DOWN.

Fumbles

Fumbled shot-gun snap is a dead ball (loss of down), and the ball will return to the original line of scrimmage. All fumbles are dead where they lay.

Ball Retrieval

Offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the previous spot or the new line of scrimmage.

Formations and Substitutions

• All offensive formations must be legal sets. Receivers’ alignment should respect the tackle box
• All offensive substitutions must enter through the back of the offense

Goal Posts

The Goal Posts are out of bounds.

Point Values

• Touchdown: Six (6) points
• PAT from 5-yard line: One (1) point
• PAT from 10-yard line: Two (2) points
• Defensive Stop: Two (2) points
• Interception: Three (3) points (no runbacks or “pick six”)

Special Scoring Rules

• Turnover on a PAT is dead ball (including interception) and no points will be given
• If there is a defensive stop or an interception that occurs with no time on the clock, the defense will still be awarded two (2) points for the defensive stop or three (3) points for the interception
• Official scores will be kept by the scorekeeper on the Field

Loss of Down Penalties

• False Start = Loss of Down
• Delay of Game = Loss of Down (Each team has 25 seconds to snap the ball once marked ready for play)
• Offensive Pass Interference = 5-yard penalty and Loss of Down

Penalty at 40-Yard Line

If there is an offensive penalty at the 40 yard line, the Offensive team will just be penalized with a loss of down. (ex. 1st Down, Offensive Pass Interference penalty @ 40 yard line, next play will be 2nd down from the 40 yard line.)

Clock Management

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 will result in a delay of game and be a loss of down.

Dead Ball Penalties

Dead Ball penalties on the Offense assessed after the play would result in a 15-yard penalty.

Personal Foul on Touchdown

If a personal foul is assessed on a Touchdown to the offensive player, Offensive team will lose the next down which is the PAT. Ball goes to the Defense on the 40 yard line.

Repeated Delay of Game

Back-to-Back delay of game penalties will result in change in a defensive stop and defense will be given 2 points.

Dead Ball After Touchdown

If the scoring team is assessed a dead ball penalty after a touchdown, they will forfeit their extra point opportunity.

Blitz Recovery

If there is an Offensive penalty (false start, delay of game, offensive pass interference, etc…) when the defensive team blitzes, the defensive team will be awarded their blitz back if the penalty is accepted.

Standard Defensive Penalties

• Offsides = 5-yard penalty
• Defensive Pass Interference = spot foul (1st down at the spot)
• Defensive Holding = spot foul (1st down at the spot)

Pass Interference in End Zone

If Defensive Pass Interference occurs in the end zone, it will result in a 1st down at the one-yard line.

Pass Interference on Extra Point

Defensive Pass Interference on an extra point is half the distance for the same amount of points. Ex. Going for two (2) from the 10 yard line, pass interference occurs in the endzone – ball is moved to the 5 yard line and if converted offense is awarded two (2) pts.

Dead Ball Penalties

• Any dead ball penalty on the defense AFTER a change of possession or TD would result in a loss of down for that team’s offense when they begin their ensuing possession
• Dead Ball penalties on the defense assessed after the play would result in a 15-yard penalty, or half the distance to the goal from the spot of the ball and an automatic first down

Contact Responsibility

Responsibility to avoid contact is with the defense.

Game Ending

Game CANNOT end on a defensive penalty!

Unnecessary Roughness

Tackling or unnecessary roughness will be an unsportsmanlike penalty (No Warning). Resulting in a 15-yard Penalty and AUTOMATIC 1st Down, and subject to ejection of the player. Diving at the legs of an offensive player will be considered unnecessary roughness.

Penalty During Blitz

If there is a Defensive penalty that occurs when the defensive team blitzes (defensive holding, offside, etc.) the defensive team will lose their blitz for the remainder of the game.

Punting Penalty

Punting the Ball will result in a personal foul, if on a change of possession, the penalty will result in a loss of down and the ball placed on the 40yd line.

Blitz Definition

“The Blitz” is defined as a player or player’s that attack the QB – “QB IS THE PLAYER THAT RECEIVES THE SNAP OF THE BALL”. Example of a non-Blitz: a mesh with QB and RB, and the defender crosses the line to tag the RB – No Blitz (play-action or RPO)

Blitz Allowance

Each team has 1 blitz to be used during game play and/or during overtime

Four-Second Count

If a team blitzes, there will be NO 4 second count! QB can scramble but cannot run passed the original line of scrimmage

Blitz Flexibility

The Blitz can be used at any part of the field, the blitzing team can blitz as many players as they choose

Blitz and Penalties

• If a team blitz’s, and there is a Defensive penalty on the play the blitzing team will forfeit their blitz
• If there is an offense penalty on the play, the blitzing team can accept the penalty, if the penalty is accepted the blitzing team will maintain their blitz

Overtime Initiation

Any game that ends in a tie will result in Overtime.

Coin Toss

The referee will select a team to call the coin toss in overtime, at his/her discretion. The winner of the coin flip will select if they want to be 1st offense or defense.

Overtime Format

The ball will be marked on the 10-yard line and NCAA overtime rules will apply. Each Team has three attempts at the end zone.

Only offensive scoring will count in overtime.

Two-Point Conversions

After the 1st overtime, both teams must go for two (2) points (spot ball @ 10-yard line) after a Touchdown.

Possession Rotation

If a game goes into a 2nd overtime, the team that gets the ball 2nd in the 1st overtime will receive the ball 1st in the 2nd overtime. 3rd overtimes and the teams will switch again.

Penalties in Overtime

All regulation rules and penalties apply.

Day Two Tournament

All teams will be seeded into the Day Two Tournament based on the win/loss record and points differential the day before in pool play.

Zero Tolerance Policy

Fighting will not be tolerated

Throwing a Punch

If a player throws a punch, he is ejected immediately and cannot return for the tournament.

Bench Clearing Fights

If the team benches clear and it results in a fight both of the teams will be ejected and cannot return.

Retaliation Rules

• IF A PLAYER WHO IS PUNCHED & RETALIATES BUT DOES NOT SWING BACK: Will be required to sit out a series
• IF A PLAYER IS PUNCHED AND SWINGS BACK: He will be ejected for the game

Team Responsibility

Each team is responsible for their fans, coaches and players!

Celebration Policy

We encourage celebrations. However, we do not tolerate taunting. Keep it fun and keep it quick so as not to unnecessarily delay game play.

Hash Mark Rule

If during a celebration your players pass the other teams hash, you will be penalized for taunting.

BALLHEAD NOTE: Contact with Opponents

Circling or touching players from the opposite team will result in a double taunting penalty plus two (2) points being awarded to the non-offending team. Second infraction may result in ejection at the discretion of the Field General.

Mandatory Equipment

Mouthguards are required. You must have one to play.

Recommended Equipment

Headgear is recommended but not required

Ball Requirements

Minimal leather (no composite) ball game sizes:

• 10U: TDJ
• 12U: TDY
• 14U: TDY
• 15U: High School
• 18U: High School

Teams may choose to use a larger game ball size, but the minimal requirements must be followed.