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The past several years have seen a rapid growth in flag and touch football leagues across the United States, led by the NFL Air-it-Out for adults, NFL Flag for youngsters and others. At the high school level, where nearly 1 million students play contact football, flag and touch have generally become an approved and encouraged activity in the off-season. Organized by school and experienced coaches, the mission is to provide the structure for 8th-12th grade football players, as well as other male and female students, whereby they can develop their skills, competing in the off-season at organized local, regional and nationals events.
| 7-ON-7 Passing League Guidelines |
The 7-on-7 Passing League is a fun competitive, non-contact way to play football. It is all passing, played on a 40-yard field plus end zone, and allows scoring both on the offense and defense. Passing is now the feature offense, and thus defense, of most teams. Passing and catching take a great deal of practice to master. Participating in a 7-on-7 league offers athletes an exceptional, competitive way to hone their skills.
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| ELIGIBILITY: |
Any enrolled student in the 8th-12th grades is eligible to participate in appropriate divisions. All student athletes need to check with their coach, league and state sport governing body to insure that high school and or college eligibility is not jeopardized by participating in any leagues or tournaments. |
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DIVISIONS:
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This league is open to all athletes completing the 8th-12th grades, with 1 year eligibility left. |
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| TEAMS: |
Teams consist of 10-14 players together with 1-3 adult coaches. |
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| TIME: |
All games will be 30 minutes in length with a running clock.. There will be a 25-second play clock in effect. In case of injury the clock will stop at the discretion of the Referee, if that occurs the player must leave for at least one play. |
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| FIELD: |
The playing field will be 40 yards in length, plus a 10 yard end zone. |
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| POSSESSION OF THE BALL: |
All possessions start at the 40-yard line. No matter where the defense stops the offense, they take over at the 40-yard line. |
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| PLAY: |
Each team will have 7 players on the field at all times. In the Varsity Division Only, there will be a center, which will be one of the three offensive players on the line of scrimmage. In all other divisions, there will be no center, but rather an extra receiver who will be one of the three offensive players on the line of scrimmage. |
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| Play begins when: |
The ball is snapped to the quarterback (Varsity Division only) or when the Quarterback slaps the ball (all other divisions). A play in progress at the final whistle is completed. The game cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it. |
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Play ends when:
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One hand touch below the neck. |
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Substitution:
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Regular substitution rules apply. |
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No running plays allowed:
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Everyone (except the center in varsity divisions) is eligible to receive passes. |
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Passing:
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The Quarterback has 4 seconds to release the ball or it is blown dead, returning to the line of scrimmage for the next down. There is no rushing the Quarterback or crossing the line of scrimmage, until after a pass is thrown. |
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Double Pass:
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Double passing is allowed, but there must be one forward pass across the line of scrimmage within 4 seconds. |
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Downs:
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Only one first down per series is possible, achieved when reaching the 20-yard line within 4 downs. |
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| SCORING: |
Touchdown scores 6 points
1 extra point by passing from the 10 yard line
2 extra points by passing from the 15 yard line
Interception scores 3 points, plus possession at the 40-yard line
Interception returned for Touchdown 6 points
No fumbles, the ball is dead if it touches the ground |
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| PENALTIES: |
This is a non-contact game and any flagrant contact is cause for immediate ejection. As always, any unsportsman like conduct is also cause for ejection. The Referees decision is final on all plays, there will be no tolerance for arguing, and only a coach may ask for a rule clarification. Coaches control profanity. Coaches are expected to eliminate profanity on their team. |
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Offense:
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Blocking or Holding 10 yards from line of scrimmage, loss of down, ejection for contact violation.
Illegal Motion 5 yards
Offensive Pass Interference 10 yards from line of scrimmage and loss of down
Delay of Game clock stops, 10 yards from line of scrimmage and loss of down |
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Defence:
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Tackling or Holding 10 yards from line of scrimmage, loss of down, ejection for contact violation.
Offsides 5 yards from line of scrimmage, loss of down
Pass Interference 10 yards from line of scrimmage, loss of down
Illegal Rushing 10 yards from line of scrimmage, loss of down
Delay of GameClock stops, 10 yards from line of scrimmage |
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| BLOOD RULES: |
If and when an official observes that a player is bleeding, has an open wound, or has an excessive amount of blood on his or her uniform, the player will be directed to leave the game. The injured player is not to return until the bleeding has stopped, the open wound is covered, and excessively bloody uniform is changed. |
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| PROTEST: |
Protest must be made verbally with the tournament Official by the offended team at the time of play. A fee of $100 cash (refunded if upheld) must accompany the protest. All decisions of the protest committee shall be final. |
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| OVERTIME: |
A tiebreaker will occur, with a flip of a coin to determine possession. After a 2-minute break, the teams will each have 4 plays to score from the 20-yard line, until the tie is broken. There is no defensive scoring in overtime. |
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