LFA 7v7 FOOTBALL RULES
AGE DIVISIONS (Age cutoff: July 31st, 2024. Grade/Age verified using Zorts or other verified Certification Platforms)
8U – Must be 8 years old or younger as of 7/31/24
10U – Must be 10 years old or younger as of 7/31/24
12U – Must be 12 years old or younger as of 7/31/24
14U – Must be 14 years old or younger as of 7/31/24
UNIFORMS
All players must wear matching jersey tops
Jerseys should have numbers for identification (Referee discretion)
FIELD DIMENSIONS
Total: 50 yards
40-yard playing field + 10-yard end zone
GAME RULES
Starting the Game
Coin toss determines initial possession
Possession begins at the 40-yard line
Game duration: 25 minutes (running clock)
If a team scores with 0:00 left and trails by 2 points or fewer, they may attempt an extra point
Equipment Requirements
Soft helmets (strongly recommended)
Mouthguards are mandatory - Athletes that don't have their mouthguards will not be allowed to play.
Moving the Ball
All drives begin at the 40-yard line
First snap must be under center or QB-Tee (no shotgun)
3 downs to reach each first down (25- & 10-yard markers)
3 downs to score inside the 10-yard line
QB must release the ball within 4 seconds
QB cannot run; no handoffs or tosses
Scoring
Touchdown = 6 points
Extra Point:
1 point from 5-yard line
2 points from 10-yard line
COACHING RULES
One offensive coach allowed on-field (must stay behind the huddle)
No defensive coaches on the field
Coaches must stay within designated coaching box
One sideline warning allowed; penalties follow
Cheating = Team disqualification
SPECIAL RULES
Defense & Blitzing
No safeties
Interception = 3 points; if returned, 6 points + possession change
Ball is dead at 4 seconds
No blitzing from the 40-yard line (Illegal blitz = 1st down + 15 yards)
One blitz per game per team (only after ball crosses 40-yard line)
Multiple blitzers allowed; QB clock turns off on blitz
Referee determines 4-second count and ends play
No jamming at line or hand separation on offense
PENALTIES
Offense
Violation
Result
False Start / Illegal Motion
Loss of Down
Delay of Game
Loss of Down
Illegal Forward Pass
Loss of Down
Blocking
Loss of Down
Offensive Pass Interference
Loss of Down
Unnecessary Roughness
Loss of Down
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
15 yards, Loss of Down
Defense
Violation
Result
Encroachment / Neutral Zone
5 yards, Repeat Down
Holding
10 yards, Repeat Down
Defensive Pass Interference
15 yards, First Down
Unnecessary Roughness
15 yards
Additional Blitzing
15 yards, First Down
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
15 yards, First Down
OVERTIME RULES (Bracket Play Only)
Coin toss decides possession
Each team receives 2 plays from the 10-yard line
Only passing plays allowed
If still tied, winner determined by longest completed pass
No blitzing allowed in overtime
SPORTSMANSHIP & CONDUCT
Coaches are responsible for players, staff, and fans
Unsportsmanlike conduct = 15-yard penalty
Fighting = Automatic ejection for the day.
Excessive celebration will result in a penalty and loss of down. If it occurs in the end zone, the extra point will be forfeited.
Celebrations directed at opposing teams are strictly prohibited
Bench-clearing altercations = Ejection of both teams
AGE DIVISIONS (Age cutoff: July 31st, 2024. Grade/Age verified using Zorts or other verified Certification Platforms)
8U – Must be 8 years old or younger as of 7/31/24
10U – Must be 10 years old or younger as of 7/31/24
12U – Must be 12 years old or younger as of 7/31/24
14U – Must be 14 years old or younger as of 7/31/24
UNIFORMS
All players must wear matching jersey tops
Jerseys should have numbers for identification (Referee discretion)
FIELD DIMENSIONS
Total: 50 yards
40-yard playing field + 10-yard end zone
GAME RULES
Starting the Game
Coin toss determines initial possession
Possession begins at the 40-yard line
Game duration: 25 minutes (running clock)
If a team scores with 0:00 left and trails by 2 points or fewer, they may attempt an extra point
Equipment Requirements
Soft helmets (strongly recommended)
Mouthguards are mandatory - Athletes that don't have their mouthguards will not be allowed to play.
Moving the Ball
All drives begin at the 40-yard line
First snap must be under center or QB-Tee (no shotgun)
3 downs to reach each first down (25- & 10-yard markers)
3 downs to score inside the 10-yard line
QB must release the ball within 4 seconds
QB cannot run; no handoffs or tosses
Scoring
Touchdown = 6 points
Extra Point:
1 point from 5-yard line
2 points from 10-yard line
COACHING RULES
One offensive coach allowed on-field (must stay behind the huddle)
No defensive coaches on the field
Coaches must stay within designated coaching box
One sideline warning allowed; penalties follow
Cheating = Team disqualification
SPECIAL RULES
Defense & Blitzing
No safeties
Interception = 3 points; if returned, 6 points + possession change
Ball is dead at 4 seconds
No blitzing from the 40-yard line (Illegal blitz = 1st down + 15 yards)
One blitz per game per team (only after ball crosses 40-yard line)
Multiple blitzers allowed; QB clock turns off on blitz
Referee determines 4-second count and ends play
No jamming at line or hand separation on offense
PENALTIES
Offense
Violation
Result
False Start / Illegal Motion
Loss of Down
Delay of Game
Loss of Down
Illegal Forward Pass
Loss of Down
Blocking
Loss of Down
Offensive Pass Interference
Loss of Down
Unnecessary Roughness
Loss of Down
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
15 yards, Loss of Down
Defense
Violation
Result
Encroachment / Neutral Zone
5 yards, Repeat Down
Holding
10 yards, Repeat Down
Defensive Pass Interference
15 yards, First Down
Unnecessary Roughness
15 yards
Additional Blitzing
15 yards, First Down
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
15 yards, First Down
OVERTIME RULES (Bracket Play Only)
Coin toss decides possession
Each team receives 2 plays from the 10-yard line
Only passing plays allowed
If still tied, winner determined by longest completed pass
No blitzing allowed in overtime
SPORTSMANSHIP & CONDUCT
Coaches are responsible for players, staff, and fans
Unsportsmanlike conduct = 15-yard penalty
Fighting = Automatic ejection for the day.
Excessive celebration will result in a penalty and loss of down. If it occurs in the end zone, the extra point will be forfeited.
Celebrations directed at opposing teams are strictly prohibited
Bench-clearing altercations = Ejection of both teams
