2026 G7 7-V-7 Guidelines

Eligibility

• Open to any registered youth team

• League is based on single age divisions:
  8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U / Rising 8th Grade, and 15U

• Athletes must still be enrolled in school

• Birthday control date: July 1

Divisions

• Open to athletes ages 8U–15U

• Age is determined by the July 1 control date

Teams

• Maximum 20 players per team

• Maximum 3 Coaches per team - Coaches will be issued wristbands on game day.

Game Time & Clock

• Games are 25 minutes in length

• Running clock

• 25-second play clock

• Clock may stop at referee’s discretion for injury

  • Injured player must sit out at least one play

Field Dimensions

• Standard field: 40 yards, plus a 10-yard end zone

• 8U Division (Modified Rules):

  • 30-yard field

  • First down at the 15-yard line

  • Teams may run the ball once every four downs

Possession of the Ball

• All possessions begin at the 40-yard line

• Regardless of where a drive ends, the next offense starts at the 40

• 8U only: possessions start at the 30-yard line

Players on the Field

• 7 players per team on the field at all times

• One designated center

• Offensive formations and alignment mirror tackle football
  (Game is played without linemen)

Start & End of Play

Play Begins When

• The ball is snapped to the quarterback (shotgun or under center)

Play Ends When

• One-hand touch below the neck

• A play in progress at the final whistle is completed

• A game cannot end on a defensive penalty unless declined by offense

Substitution

• Standard substitution rules apply

Running Plays

• No running plays allowed

• All players except the center are eligible receivers

Passing Rules

• Quarterback has 4 seconds to release the ball

• If not released, play is blown dead and returned to LOS

• No rushing the quarterback

• Defense may not cross the LOS until after the ball is thrown

Double Pass

• Not allowed

Downs & First Downs

• Teams receive 3 downs to gain a first down

• Possible first-down markers per possession:

  • 40-yard line

  • 25-yard line

  • 10-yard line

Scoring

• Touchdown: 6 points

• Extra Point:

  • 1 point – pass from 5-yard line

  • 2 points – pass from 10-yard line

• Interception:

  • 3 points

  • Plus possession at the 40-yard line

Penalties

This is a minimal-contact league.

General Conduct

• Flagrant contact = immediate ejection

• Unsportsmanlike conduct = immediate ejection

• Referee decisions are final

• No arguing calls

• Only a coach may request rule clarification

• Coaches are responsible for controlling profanity

Offensive Penalties

• No blocking

• Illegal motion: 5 yards

• Offensive pass interference:
  10 yards from LOS + loss of down

• Delay of game:
  Clock stops, 10 yards + loss of down

Defensive Penalties

• No tackling or holding

• One jam at the line is allowed; defender may run with receiver

• Offsides: 5 yards + loss of down

• Delay of game:
  Clock stops, 10 yards

Blood Rule

If a player is observed bleeding, has an open wound, or excessive blood on their uniform:

• Player must leave the game immediately

• May not return until:

  • Bleeding has stopped

  • Wound is covered

  • Uniform is changed if necessary

Overtime

• Tournament play only

• Each team receives possession from the 10-yard line