Pylon 7on7 Football

HOLY CITY WARFARE 7v7 TOURNAMENT

RULES

FIELD:
The playing field will be 40 yards in length, plus a 10-yard end zone.
BALL:
Teams will use their own football.
TIME:
Each game will be 20 minutes with a running clock. The final 2 minutes of each game will be played
with a stopped clock (Clock stops on first down until set, incomplete pass, out of bounds, etc.) At the
end of the game if you are down by 14 points the clock will continue to run (THERE WILL BE NO
TIMEOUTS IN POOL PLAY).
Each team will have one 30 second time-out per game BRACKET PLAY. (In case of injury the
clock will stop at the discretion of the referee. Any stoppage by the referee will require the injured
player to leave the field for a single play).
If the defensive team commits a penalty in the last 2 minutes of a game the clock will stop, and
not start until the following snap.
A 25-second play clock is in effect and begins on the referees’ whistle after the ball is spotted.
POSSESSION OF THE BALL:
Possession will be decided by a coin toss. All possessions start at the 40-yard line. Intercepted balls
will be placed at the 40-yard line. In Bracket Play the higher seed will get to choose possession or
defense to start the game. In the championship game possession will be decided by a coin toss.
PLAY:
Play is limited to seven on seven.
Coaches are allowed in the offensive huddle but must stay 10 yards back after breaking the huddle.
No more than 2 coaches in the huddle.
Defensive coaches must be on the sideline.
Any player not in a play must stand on the sideline.
Included in the offense’s seven players must be a center (this person is responsible for moving the tee).
Offense must be lined up in a legal formation (Receivers must line up outside the tackle box). Everyone
is eligible to receive passes, except the center and QB.
NO running plays in ANY division.
2 first downs are possible per possession, achieved when reaching the 25-yard line in 3 downs
and reaching the 10-yard line in 3 downs. Once you reach the 10-yard line you have 3 downs to
score. The game cannot end on a defensive penalty unless the offense declines it. Play ends with one
hand touch below the neck.
Running Backs going out for a pass must release from the offensive tackle position on out. No
releasing over the centers path. No hook and lateral plays allowed.
No fumbles or stripping. The ball is dead if it touches the ground, and the offense retains possession.

The QB has 4 seconds to throw the ball or it is blown dead, and a 5-yard sack is incurred. Once the
ball is tossed to the QB the referee will keep the 4 second count on a stopwatch. If the stopwatch reads
anything more than 4.0 seconds after the QB releases the ball it is considered a sack.
There is no rushing the QB. If the QB drops the snap or there is a bad snap the 4 second rule still
applies from the time the center releases the ball. The muffed snap can be picked up and the
play continues.
No RB passes.
No shovel passes. Passes between the tackle box must be caught (beyond) the line of scrimmage.
Swing passes behind the line of scrimmage are allowed as long they are forward passes.
Regular substitution rules apply. There is no mandatory playing time
The game cannot end on any accepted penalty.
SCORING:
Touchdown scores 6 points.
1 point try from the 5-yard line.
2 point try from the 10-yard line.
3 points for an Interception.
2 points for a defensive stop.
OVERTIME RULES (Bracket Play ONLY):
A tiebreaker will occur, with a flip of a coin to determine possession. After a 1-minute break, the teams
will each have 2 plays to score from the 10-yard line, until the tie is broken. At the beginning of the 3 rd
overtime each team must go for 2 points after a score.
An interception on the extra point is 3 points in OVERTIME ONLY.
PENALTIES:
All penalties will be enforced. Emphasis is placed on pass interference, holding, unnecessary
roughness, and unsportsmanlike conduct.
No blocking, or screening of opponents.
This is a minimal-contact game, and any flagrant contact is cause for immediate ejection. As always,
any unsportsmanlike 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 and are expected to eliminate profanity on their team.
ANY player who throws a punch OR gets in to a fight is EJECTED for the TOURNAMENT! If 2 or
more players from any team throws a punch that team is EJECTED FROM THE TOURNAMENT!
Teams circling a player after a Touchdown WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! It will be a 15 yard
unsportsmanlike penalty. If a team receives 2 unsportmanlike penalties they will be charged to
the Head Coach and he will be ejected from the tournament.
If an unsportsmanlike penalty occurs after a touchdown on the scoring team they DO NOT get
to attempt the extra point. If there are 2 penalties against the scoring team a 15 yard penalty will
be enforced at the start of the ensuing drive giving the offense the ball at the 25 yard line.
Offensive Penalties: (No penalty can move the ball beyond the 40-yard line)
Blocking or Holding: 10 yards from spot of foul and A LOSS OF DOWN!!!
Illegal Motion/False Start: LOSS OF DOWN!!!

Illegal Formation: 5-yard penalty and replay the down.
Offensive Pass Interference: 10-yard penalty AND LOSS OF DOWN!!!
Illegal forward pass: 5-yard penalty and a LOSS OF DOWN!!!
Delay of Game: 5 yards penalty. In the last 2 minutes of a game the clock will be stopped.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct: 15-yard penalty, and possible ejection
Sack: Loss of down
Defensive penalties:
Holding/Illegal Bump: 10-yard penalty and replay the down.
Offsides: 5 yards penalty and replay the down.
Pass Interference: 10-yard penalty and replay the down
Unsportsmanlike Conduct: 15-yard penalty, and possible ejection
BLOOD RULE: 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.
Mouth pieces and Soft Shell Helmets are encouraged by all players!!!
Coaches:

- You will be ejected from the tournament if your team receives 2 unsportsmanlike
penalties
- Please make sure you communicate the Code of Conduct Policy with your players and
parents.

We expect all games to be fast paste. Don’t waste time trying to talk with officials or explain every call.
Please pick up trash at the end of your game.
PLAYERS ARGUING WITH REFS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! PLAYER WILL BE EJECTED!
- Ejected Players are out for the Tournament
- Team disqualification if multiple players are ejected
Tournament rules may be changed at any time if problems arise due to
concerns with safety conditions, game play, sportsmanship, or any other unforeseen issues.