TIFL 7v7 Football Official Rules
Official Rules Updated 3/20/23
Field Dimensions:
Field: 40 yard playing field with a 10-yard end zone.
Starting Each Game:
1. Coin Toss. The toss of coin will take place within two minutes of scheduled start time of game. The toss will be called by the team captain (Ref's Discretion) before the coin is flipped. Winning team will begin possession of the ball on the +40 yard line with their choice of hash. 2. A whistle will begin each game.
3. Each game last 25 minutes with running clock.
4. Official will declare when the clock is under 2 minutes
5. The clock never stops except for injury.
6. A whistle will end each game.
7. The referees will keep the official score and time on the field for each game.
8. Soft Helmets and Mouth pieces must be worn at all times by all players. If a player does not have either they cannot participate until they do.
Moving the Ball:
1. Offense always starts on +40 yard line with their choice of the hash. After any change of possession. Teams must lineup in legal football formation.
2. All snaps at the +40 yard line must be off the QB-TEE (No Shotgun). Upon gaining a yard or more QB may take a shotgun off QB-TEE.
3. Offense has three (3) downs to gain a first down. First down markers will be at the 25, and 10 yard lines.
4. Once inside the 10 yard line, the offense has 3 downs to score a touchdown.
5. The first person to control the football off the QB-Tee or shotgun snap is the QB. The QB is never eligible to run.
6. The offense may run the ball as many times as they want on any down during the game. The QB is allowed to make one exchange (ex. Pass, handoff or toss). No toss passes, reverses or hook and ladder.
7. Defensive players cannot cross the line on a run play until the quarterback hands the ball off to the RB. If he does that is considered a blitz.
8. Quarterback can NEVER run the ball.
9. A conversion after a touchdown, the offense can choose to go for 1 or 2 points. One (1) point for the PAT from the 5 yard line. Two (2) points for the PAT from the 10 yard line.
Coaching your Team:
1. There will be one offensive coach allowed on the field at any time. 2. The coach must be position behind the offensive huddle.
3. Coaches are not allowed to challenge any official ruling.
4. Remaining team coaches can work from the sidelines.
5. NO defensive coaches allowed on the field.
6. Coaches will be given 1 sideline warning during play. Second warning will result in a 10 yard penalty or half the distance to the goal. Third warning will result in coach ejection.
Special Rules:
1. NO blocking.
2. Face guarding is allowed
3. Blocking will result in a loss of down, return to previous spot.
4. Ball carrier is legally down when touched below the neck with one hand. A defender may leave his feet to make a tag.
5. Fumbles (Including snap) are dead balls at the spot with the last team in control retaining possession at the spot.
6. Offensive team will have 25 seconds to put the ball into play. Delay of game is a loss of down.
7. The offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the official. The clock does not stop, and any delay of the offense in retrieving and returning the ball to the official will result in delay of game.
8. Defensive pass interference or defensive holding will result in a first down at the spot of the foul.
9. Offensive pass interference will result in a return to the previous spot plus a loss of down.
10. QB is allowed 4.00 seconds to throw the ball. Referees will stop play if 4.0 seconds is surpassed. Only when the defense blitzes the 4.00 second clock is not in play meaning the QB can avoid the rush for as many seconds as needed but he is still not allowed to run pass the line of scrimmage.
11. The defense is allowed one (1) blitz in the entire game (including overtime) meaning if you don’t blitz during the 25 minute game it carries over to overtime but if you used your blitz in the 25 minute game you do not have a blitz for overtime.
12. An interception is three (3) points (no runbacks or “pick 6”)
13. If a team clears the sideline to celebrate a touchdown and delay the game, they will be penalized 15 yards on defense on the next opponents’ offensive drive/possession. If on an extra point the team will be penalized 15 yards on defense and the extra point will not count.
14. A game cannot end on a defensive penalty. If this occurs, the offense will have an untimed down if time has expired.
If a player or players are ejected from a game, they will be suspended for the teams next game.
16. Each team is allowed one (1) blitz per game. If a team blitz’s more than one time in a game, they will be penalized 15 yards, un-sportsman
17. Overtime will be for each team to get 1 down from the 10-yard line to score.
POINT VALUES:
OFFENSIVE PENALTIES:
1. False Start = Loss of Down
2. Delay of Game = Loss of Down
3. Each team will have 25 seconds to snap the ball once it has been marked ready for play; delay
of game penalty will be assessed.
4. Offensive Pass Interference = 5-yard penalty and Loss of Down
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Dead Ball penalties on the Offense assessed after the play would result in a 15-yard penalty.
15. Fighting will not be tolerated. If a player throws a punch, he is ejected immediately and can
NOT return to the game. If a team’s bench clears, resulting in a fight, both of the teams are
ejected, resulting in a forfeit. The referee has the right to throw out any player, players, or team
out of the game. A referee can also give a 15-yard un-sportsman penalty.
18. All coaches and players on roster must be in Zorts. No coaches’ bands will be given to
anyone not in Zorts.
19. If you have multiple teams in the same age level or different age level, NO CROSS USAGE
OF PLAYERS AT ALL. If found guilty both teams will be DQ’d from league immediately.
1. Offensive touchdown 6 = points.
2. Extra point from the +5 = 1 point.
2. Extra point from the +10 = 2 points.
3. Tiebreaker victory = 1 point.
4. Defense interception = 3 points
8. 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..
9. Back-to-Back delay of game penalties will result in change in a defensive stop and defense will be given 2 points
10. If the scoring team is assessed a dead ball penalty after a touchdown, they will forfeit their extra point opportunity.
11. 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.
DEFENSIVE PENALTIES:
1. Off-sides = 5-yard penalty
2. Defensive Pass Interference = will be a spot foul (1st down at the spot).
3. Defensive Holding = will be a spot foul (1st down at the spot).
4. If Defensive Pass Interference occurs in the end zone, it will result in a 1st down at the one-
yard line.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Responsibility to avoid contact is with the defense.
8. 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.
9. Game CANNOT end on a defensive penalty!
10. 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.
11. 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. (Ex: Defensive team blitz, offensive team scores a TD. There is a defensive penalty on the play. The defense loses the blitz.)
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.
AGE Requirements
HS – Must have a picture ID along with a document demonstrating the player is in a class below 2023.
No graduating seniors can play.
15u- Must be 15 years of age on 1/1/23. Must be able to demonstrate age with picture ID.
Examples include any government-issued ID, birth certificate along with a picture ID, etc.
14u- Must be 14 years of age on 1/1/23. Must be able to demonstrate age with picture ID.
Examples include any government-issued ID, birth certificate along with a picture ID, etc.
12u- Must be 12 years of age on 1/1/23. Must be able to demonstrate age with picture ID.
Examples include any government-issued ID, birth certificate along with a picture ID, etc.
10u- Must be 10 years of age on 1/1/23. Must be able to demonstrate age with picture ID.
Examples include any government-issued ID, birth certificate along with a picture ID, etc.
8u- Must be 8 years of age on 1/1/23. Must be able to demonstrate age with picture ID.
Examples include any government-issued ID, birth certificate along with a picture ID, etc.
Celebrations
PLEASE HELP US KEEP OUR FIELDS CLEAN; EACH TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEAN UP OF WATER BOTTLES AND TRASH ON THEIR OWN SIDELINES. THANK YOU!!!
We encourage celebrations. However, we do not tolerate taunting. Keep it fun and keep it
quick so as not to unnecessarily delay game play. If during a celebration you pass the other
teams hash, you will be penalized for taunting.
Official Rules Updated 3/20/23
Field Dimensions:
Field: 40 yard playing field with a 10-yard end zone.
Starting Each Game:
1. Coin Toss. The toss of coin will take place within two minutes of scheduled start time of game. The toss will be called by the team captain (Ref's Discretion) before the coin is flipped. Winning team will begin possession of the ball on the +40 yard line with their choice of hash. 2. A whistle will begin each game.
3. Each game last 25 minutes with running clock.
4. Official will declare when the clock is under 2 minutes
5. The clock never stops except for injury.
6. A whistle will end each game.
7. The referees will keep the official score and time on the field for each game.
8. Soft Helmets and Mouth pieces must be worn at all times by all players. If a player does not have either they cannot participate until they do.
Moving the Ball:
1. Offense always starts on +40 yard line with their choice of the hash. After any change of possession. Teams must lineup in legal football formation.
2. All snaps at the +40 yard line must be off the QB-TEE (No Shotgun). Upon gaining a yard or more QB may take a shotgun off QB-TEE.
3. Offense has three (3) downs to gain a first down. First down markers will be at the 25, and 10 yard lines.
4. Once inside the 10 yard line, the offense has 3 downs to score a touchdown.
5. The first person to control the football off the QB-Tee or shotgun snap is the QB. The QB is never eligible to run.
6. The offense may run the ball as many times as they want on any down during the game. The QB is allowed to make one exchange (ex. Pass, handoff or toss). No toss passes, reverses or hook and ladder.
7. Defensive players cannot cross the line on a run play until the quarterback hands the ball off to the RB. If he does that is considered a blitz.
8. Quarterback can NEVER run the ball.
9. A conversion after a touchdown, the offense can choose to go for 1 or 2 points. One (1) point for the PAT from the 5 yard line. Two (2) points for the PAT from the 10 yard line.
Coaching your Team:
1. There will be one offensive coach allowed on the field at any time. 2. The coach must be position behind the offensive huddle.
3. Coaches are not allowed to challenge any official ruling.
4. Remaining team coaches can work from the sidelines.
5. NO defensive coaches allowed on the field.
6. Coaches will be given 1 sideline warning during play. Second warning will result in a 10 yard penalty or half the distance to the goal. Third warning will result in coach ejection.
Special Rules:
1. NO blocking.
2. Face guarding is allowed
3. Blocking will result in a loss of down, return to previous spot.
4. Ball carrier is legally down when touched below the neck with one hand. A defender may leave his feet to make a tag.
5. Fumbles (Including snap) are dead balls at the spot with the last team in control retaining possession at the spot.
6. Offensive team will have 25 seconds to put the ball into play. Delay of game is a loss of down.
7. The offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the official. The clock does not stop, and any delay of the offense in retrieving and returning the ball to the official will result in delay of game.
8. Defensive pass interference or defensive holding will result in a first down at the spot of the foul.
9. Offensive pass interference will result in a return to the previous spot plus a loss of down.
10. QB is allowed 4.00 seconds to throw the ball. Referees will stop play if 4.0 seconds is surpassed. Only when the defense blitzes the 4.00 second clock is not in play meaning the QB can avoid the rush for as many seconds as needed but he is still not allowed to run pass the line of scrimmage.
11. The defense is allowed one (1) blitz in the entire game (including overtime) meaning if you don’t blitz during the 25 minute game it carries over to overtime but if you used your blitz in the 25 minute game you do not have a blitz for overtime.
12. An interception is three (3) points (no runbacks or “pick 6”)
13. If a team clears the sideline to celebrate a touchdown and delay the game, they will be penalized 15 yards on defense on the next opponents’ offensive drive/possession. If on an extra point the team will be penalized 15 yards on defense and the extra point will not count.
14. A game cannot end on a defensive penalty. If this occurs, the offense will have an untimed down if time has expired.
If a player or players are ejected from a game, they will be suspended for the teams next game.
16. Each team is allowed one (1) blitz per game. If a team blitz’s more than one time in a game, they will be penalized 15 yards, un-sportsman
17. Overtime will be for each team to get 1 down from the 10-yard line to score.
POINT VALUES:
OFFENSIVE PENALTIES:
1. False Start = Loss of Down
2. Delay of Game = Loss of Down
3. Each team will have 25 seconds to snap the ball once it has been marked ready for play; delay
of game penalty will be assessed.
4. Offensive Pass Interference = 5-yard penalty and Loss of Down
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Dead Ball penalties on the Offense assessed after the play would result in a 15-yard penalty.
15. Fighting will not be tolerated. If a player throws a punch, he is ejected immediately and can
NOT return to the game. If a team’s bench clears, resulting in a fight, both of the teams are
ejected, resulting in a forfeit. The referee has the right to throw out any player, players, or team
out of the game. A referee can also give a 15-yard un-sportsman penalty.
18. All coaches and players on roster must be in Zorts. No coaches’ bands will be given to
anyone not in Zorts.
19. If you have multiple teams in the same age level or different age level, NO CROSS USAGE
OF PLAYERS AT ALL. If found guilty both teams will be DQ’d from league immediately.
1. Offensive touchdown 6 = points.
2. Extra point from the +5 = 1 point.
2. Extra point from the +10 = 2 points.
3. Tiebreaker victory = 1 point.
4. Defense interception = 3 points
8. 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..
9. Back-to-Back delay of game penalties will result in change in a defensive stop and defense will be given 2 points
10. If the scoring team is assessed a dead ball penalty after a touchdown, they will forfeit their extra point opportunity.
11. 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.
DEFENSIVE PENALTIES:
1. Off-sides = 5-yard penalty
2. Defensive Pass Interference = will be a spot foul (1st down at the spot).
3. Defensive Holding = will be a spot foul (1st down at the spot).
4. If Defensive Pass Interference occurs in the end zone, it will result in a 1st down at the one-
yard line.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Responsibility to avoid contact is with the defense.
8. 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.
9. Game CANNOT end on a defensive penalty!
10. 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.
11. 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. (Ex: Defensive team blitz, offensive team scores a TD. There is a defensive penalty on the play. The defense loses the blitz.)
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.
AGE Requirements
HS – Must have a picture ID along with a document demonstrating the player is in a class below 2023.
No graduating seniors can play.
15u- Must be 15 years of age on 1/1/23. Must be able to demonstrate age with picture ID.
Examples include any government-issued ID, birth certificate along with a picture ID, etc.
14u- Must be 14 years of age on 1/1/23. Must be able to demonstrate age with picture ID.
Examples include any government-issued ID, birth certificate along with a picture ID, etc.
12u- Must be 12 years of age on 1/1/23. Must be able to demonstrate age with picture ID.
Examples include any government-issued ID, birth certificate along with a picture ID, etc.
10u- Must be 10 years of age on 1/1/23. Must be able to demonstrate age with picture ID.
Examples include any government-issued ID, birth certificate along with a picture ID, etc.
8u- Must be 8 years of age on 1/1/23. Must be able to demonstrate age with picture ID.
Examples include any government-issued ID, birth certificate along with a picture ID, etc.
Celebrations
PLEASE HELP US KEEP OUR FIELDS CLEAN; EACH TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEAN UP OF WATER BOTTLES AND TRASH ON THEIR OWN SIDELINES. THANK YOU!!!
We encourage celebrations. However, we do not tolerate taunting. Keep it fun and keep it
quick so as not to unnecessarily delay game play. If during a celebration you pass the other
teams hash, you will be penalized for taunting.
