JYFA 7v7 Game Rules

Starting Spot

Each possession begins at the 40-yard line, with the offense choosing the hash.

QB Clock

The quarterback has 4.0 seconds to release the ball.

Inside the 10

Once inside the 10-yard line, the offense gets 3 downs to score.

Core Format

No running. No blocking. Fast-paced passing game.

Field Position

• Offense starts each possession on the 40-yard line.
• Offense may choose either hash.
• First downs are awarded at the 25-yard line and 10-yard line.
• Inside the 10-yard line, the offense has 3 downs to score.

Game Setup

• The tackle box is defined as 2 yards on each side of the QB tee, referee discretion.
• Official score is kept by the referee.
• Score is reported to the head coach in Team Sideline.

Team Responsibilities

• Each team must have a scorekeeper/timekeeper.
• Each team must provide a field monitor.

Clock Rules

• Games are played with a 22-minute running clock for two halves.
• 8-minute halftime.
• Each team receives 1 timeout.

No Untimed Downs Except

• Extra point attempt after a touchdown scored with time expired.
• Following a defensive penalty.

Possession Rules

• Coin flip determines first possession.
• Offense has 3 downs to gain a first down.

Sideline reminder: Have a scorekeeper, timekeeper, and field monitor ready before kickoff to keep games moving.

Down by Touch

• A player is ruled down when touched with one hand between the neck and ankles.

Safety Rule

• No diving at any time.

Important: Diving at the legs is unnecessary roughness and may result in penalty and ejection.

Quarterback Process

• QB has 4.0 seconds to release the ball.
• Officials use a chop count or stopwatch.
• The 4th chop = whistle.
• Clock begins on the snap.
• Failure to throw in time is a loss of down and treated as a sack.
• Passes may be thrown behind the line, but the receiver must advance beyond the line of scrimmage or the play is treated as a sack.

On-Field Coach

• One offensive coach may be on the field 10 yards behind the play.
• Coach must remain silent and stationary from snap to end of play.
• 1st violation: Warning.
• 2nd violation: Delay of game — loss of down for offense or 15 yards for defense.

Center Requirements

• Teams may snap via center or QB tee.
• If using a center, the center is ineligible.
• The center must take a knee immediately after the snap.

Running & Blocking

• Offense may NOT run the ball on any down.
• QB may NOT run.
• Second player to touch the ball may not throw or lateral.
• NO BLOCKING.
• Blocking penalty is 5 yards + loss of down.

Fumbles & Ball Return

• Any fumble, including a shotgun snap, is a dead ball at the spot.
• Fumble results in loss of down unless otherwise specified.
• Offense must retrieve and return the ball quickly.
• Delay may result in Delay of Game and loss of down.
• Teams have 25 seconds to get the play off.

Formations & Substitutions

• Must use legal formations.
• Receivers must align outside the tackle box.
• Players must sub in from behind the offense.
• Deceptive substitutions result in penalty + loss of down.

Extra Point Options

• 1 point: automatic from the 5-yard line.
• 2 points: attempt from the 10-yard line.
• Offense may choose hash or middle.
• Coach must declare immediately.

Standard Defensive Penalties

• Offsides= 5 yards
• Defensive PI= NFHS rules, 15 yards
• Holding= 10 yards

Coach Restriction

• No defensive coaches are allowed on the field at any time.

Pass Interference

• PI in the end zone is half the distance to the goal.
• PI on extra point moves the ball half the distance.
• The point value remains the same.

Dead Ball Enforcement

• After a change of possession or touchdown, defensive dead ball fouls cause loss of down when offense starts.
• Otherwise: 15 yards or half the distance+ automatic first down.

Contact Responsibility

• Defense must avoid contact with stationary offensive players.
• The game cannot end on a defensive penalty. Offense receives an additional play.

Unnecessary Roughness & Punting

• Unnecessary roughness= 15 yards + automatic first down.
• Player may be ejected.
• Diving at legs = unnecessary roughness.
• Punting the ball = personal foul.
• If change of possession occurred, offense starts at the 40 with loss of down.

Scoring Play	Points	Notes
Touchdown	6	Standard touchdown
PAT from 5	1	Automatic
PAT from 10	2	Live offensive attempt
Interception	1	Defensive scoring play
Defensive stop	0	No points awarded for standard stops

Overtime Start

• Tie games proceed to OT.
• Official chooses the team to call the coin toss.
• Winner chooses offense or defense.

OT Format

• Ball placed at the 10-yard line.
• Each team receives two plays to score.
• Only offensive scoring counts.

Later OTs

• After the 1st OT, all teams must go for 2.
• 2nd OT: possession flips.
• 3rd OT and beyond: one play from the 5 for 1 point or 10 for 2 points until a winner emerges.

OT Penalties

• All regulation penalties apply in overtime.

Fighting Policy

• Fighting results in immediate ejection and removal from the event.
• Throwing a punch = automatic game ejection.
• Punched but no swing back = sit one series.
• Swing back = ejected from the game.

Team Responsibility

• Teams are responsible for their coaches, players, and fans.

Celebration Rules

• Celebrations are allowed.
• Taunting is not tolerated.
• Crossing the opponent’s hash during celebration = taunting penalty.

Special Celebration Penalties

• Punting the ball = 2 points to opponent+ ball at the 25-yard line.
• Player may be ejected.
• Belt-to-Ass taunting= team forfeit.

Zero tolerance means zero tolerance. This section should remain prominent for sportsmanship and safety.

Division	Notes
3rd / 4th Spring	Smaller groups
5th / 6th Spring	Standard grouping
7th Spring	More established teams at this age
8th Spring	Upper age division

Mandatory Equipment

• Mouthguards are required.

Recommended Equipment

• Soft-shell headgear is optional but recommended.

Ball Sizes

• 3rd-4th: K2 / PeeWee
• 5th-6th: TDJ / Junior
• 7th-8th: TDY / Youth

Game-day checklist: Mouthguards ready, correct ball size available, scorekeeper/timekeeper assigned, and field monitor assigned before kickoff.