NFL 7-on-7 National Tournament: Tournament Rules

Participants

12 players and 2 coaches per team

Field Dimensions

50 yards long  x  53.5 yards wide

Rules

• Possession determined by coin toss
• Scoring: Touchdowns are worth 7 points, there is no extra point.
• Ball starts on 40yd line
• Offense has 4 downs to make a first down (20 yd line), then 4 downs to score
• Change of possession restarts the offense at the 40 yd line
• QB has 4 seconds to release the ball
• Sacks equal a loss of down, restart ball at original Line of Scrimmage (LOS)
• NO running plays including QB
• 5 receivers are eligible
• 25 seconds to put ball in play (play clock)- if team exceeds 25 seconds, loss of down and play clock stops and will restart when ball is snapped
• Ball is dead when ball carrier is touched with one hand by defense from shoulders down
• It is the responsibility of the defense to avoid all contact
• NO blocking is permitted
• NO bumping receivers
• Defense Coverage: 3 deep zone (safety in the middle of field), unless inside 10yd line
• One back in backfield (inside of the tackle box)
• LB’s must be 5 yards from line of scrimmage
• Coaches must stay on sideline during game- they cannot go onto the field
• Interceptions count for 3 points

Penalties

OFFENSE - loss of down
SITUATIONS - Pass Interference, Blocking, Offside-Motion

DEFENSE - 5 yards, repeat down
SITUATION - Off-sides, Illegal contact-holding, Pass interference, Incorrect alignment

OFFENSE/DEFENSE - 10 yards
SITUATION - Unsportsmanlike conduct

* NO taunting, excessive celebration or foul language will be tolerated by players or coaches. Failure to comply will result in loss of possession and player will be removed from the game. 2nd infraction will result in an ejection from the tournament.

Tiebreaker (TBD)

First Overtime

• Start ball on 20yd line, 4 downs to score
• PAT attempt from 5yd line – 1 point (in overtime only)
• Each team has a chance to score

Second Overtime

• Start ball on 20yd line, 2 downs to score
• PAT attempt from 5yd line – 1 point

Third Overtime (and thereafter)

• Start ball on 20yd line, 2 downs to score
• PAT attempt from 10yd line – 1 point

Format of Tournament

• Day 1-Round Robin Play
• Day 2-Playoffs- Single Elimination
• Day 1-  Two 10 minute halves (last 2 minutes REAL TIME) and one 3-minute halftime
• Day 2 –Two 10 minute halves (last 2 minutes REAL TIME) and one 3-minute halftime
• Each team has one 30-second time-out per half.

Proper Attire

• Gym Shorts,
• NFL provided mouth-guard
• NFL Provided Jersey/ No jewelry, hats or do-rags