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7v7 PASSING

RULES AND OVERVIEW

OLD PUEBLO FOOTBALL

Code of Conduct

This document presents the expectations for conduct from athletes, parents, and coaches at all Old Pueblo Football events. We hold athletes, parents, coaches, and community members to a high standard of sportsmanship. Enforcing this Code of Conduct allows Old Pueblo Football to promote a safe, rewarding, and fun sports experience for our entire community.

7v7 passing showout showdown | rules and overview | not girls flaG

Version Date:01.20.25

1. ​​​​​​​GENERAL​
   1. Offense will Start on the 40-yard line.
   2. There will be a coin flip before each game for 1st possession on day one.
   3. Player is down when he is touched with one hand below the neck and above the ankle.
   4. The QB will have 4.0 seconds to throw. If QB tee is not working, Refs will 3-chop and the 4th chop is the whistle. The four second clock starts on the snap of the ball.
   5. Each team will have one blitz per game (including overtime). HEAD REFEREE WILL TRACK.
   6. Running the ball on offense is permitted (Unlimited).
   7. There are NO untimed downs with the exception of the extra point if a team scores a touchdown as the game time expires.
   8. The Field Marshal / Head Referee can stop the clock to ensure proper application of the rules outlined herein.
2. TEAMS, COACHES AND GAME MANAGERS
   1. Suggested maximum number of players on one team is Fourteen (14). Orgs with multiple teams will also wear different colors, as you cannot play on multiple teams within the same division of play, without league approval!
   2. Players must remain on their sideline during the game.
   3. Players and coaches respect the teams that are playing. Do not warm-up on their sideline.
   4. Please police your own sidelines keeping players back during the game and PLEASE clean up all trash after your game.
   5. Maximum of four (4) coaches per team. This includes team Business Manager/Parent. NO EXCEPTIONS.
   6. If offensive players and coaches become an issue on the field, the following will be enforced: One Offensive Coach and no more than two players can be on the field (players must be on one knee) during play. The 1st time is a warning. Any additional occurrences will be considered a time delay of the game and will be assessed (which IS a loss of down)! 
   7. No defensive coaches can be on the field at any time. The 1st time is a warning. Any additional occurrences will be considered a 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
   8. The offense cannot set up on the field until the opposing team reaches the 25-yard line. Penalty is delay of game on your defense, 5 yards and replay of down.
   9. Each game will have at least two (2) referees. Coaches should confirm the score at the end of the game. Field Marshal / Head Referee records scores as given by Refs,
   10. The Field Marshal / Head Referee will be in charge of maintaining order during the game and ensuring these rules are enforced properly. The Official will be responsible for yelling the score to both teams as points are awarded.
   11. PLAYERS CANNOT PLAY ON MORE THAN ONE TEAM WITHIN THE SAME DIVISION FOR THE ENTIRETY OF THE EVENT WITHOUT LEAGUE APPROVAL!
3. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
   1. All ages/grades are based on July 31,(7/31) of the active school year. This would also be the Tackle Football age/grade division that they completed last. 
   2. Every participant will be required to check in at the registration table. Please arrive ONE HOUR or more before game time to allow time for the registration process.
   3. ALL teams must have all players registered in the OPF system in order to participate. If a player is found not to be rostered, all games for that team may be deemed forfeited. 
   4. Players are required to have participated in two previous active season games with that team to be eligible for the championship roster.
   5. During regular season play players may be added to the roster on game day and are required to have proof of age/grade. IE. I.D., birth certificate, school I.D., grade card.
   6. Old Pueblo Football events strive to ensure fair and equitable play. As such, we will check to ensure all players meet the age/grade requirements by division.
      PLEASE BE SURE TO UNDERSTAND OPF DIVISION AGE/GRADE REQUIREMENTS. If found guilty of using illegal players, both players and team will be eliminated immediately.
4. CO-ED 7v7 GAMES:
   1. All players must be registered with the OPF website and be rostered to a team. 
   2. Female athletes may choose to wear two (2) flags in lieu of one hand touch. One on each hip and one centered in the rear. OPF will not supply flags. If flags are selected, the opponent then has the option to use or not use flags. 
   3. Any intentional contact, sexual in nature, will result in the athlete being removed for the remainder of the game and the next 2 games.
   4. Perceived unintentional contact, sexual in nature, can result in one warning. If a warning has been given, a second offense will be considered intentional (see rule above).
5. GAME TIMES AND LATE POLICY
   1. Each game will last 22 minutes. 10min - First Half, 2 min half time break, 10 min - Second Half. 
   2. Running clock with one time out per half.
   3. Pro Clock - At the two minute warning of the second half, if the score difference is LESS THAN 9 points, a pro clock will not be initiated and will continue with a running clock. Same applies if a team scores during the 2 minutes to create a LESS THAN 9 point lead. If a team scores to create a one possession game within 2 minutes of game end, a pro clock will then be initiated.
   4. Please arrive at least 60 mins before scheduled game time. Player check in is required every week. 
   5. Teams must be onsite and ready to start on time. Game clock will start at the original scheduled game time or the game time specified by the event Director.  Teams Five minutes late, 7 points will be awarded to the team that is present on time and they will possess the ball first.  Ten minutes late, the team will forfeit the game.  A win by forfeit will result in a 7-0 final score. With exception of field monitors communicating OT or Injury holding a team up on another field. (Registration will not be a reason to hold up games.  Game times are final and you must be at the field ready to compete by game time.)
   6. If a touchdown is scored and time runs out, the scoring team will be allowed an extra point attempt.
   7. The head official will keep the time and score; The head official will blow the whistle to start the clock.
6. OFFENSE
   1. Offense will start on the 40 yard-line with the option of using either hash. First downs will be at the 25-yard line and 10-yard lines. Once the 1st down is achieved inside the 10-yard line you will have three (3) downs to score.
   2. Offense has three (3) downs to gain a first down.
   3. Each team must take possession off the QB tee, must provide a center to snap the ball off the tee if in shotgun. If using a center, he is ineligible to catch a pass, and must take a quick knee alongside the QB tee. NO SHOTGUN from the 40-yard line to prevent injury.
   4. Offense is allowed 6 active players. The tee or a center shotgun tossing the ball off the tee are not eligible. This is the “seventh” player on offense.
   5. After a score, the offense can take the automatic (+1) point, or go for two (2) points at the 10-yard line. The offense may place the ball either on the hash or the middle.
   6. The offensive team may  run or behind the line pass the ball on ANY DOWN (Example they can run 1st 2nd and 3rd if they choose). All forms of runs and handoffs are permitted.
   7. The 1st player to receive the ball from the center is considered the QB and can NOT run. The 2nd player to possess the ball is the runner and is not allowed to throw, lateral or hand off the ball.
   8. NO BLOCKING – THIS WILL RESULT IN A 5-YARD PENALTY FROM THE PREVIOUS LINE OF SCRIMMAGE AND A LOSS OF DOWN.
   9. A fumbled shot-gun snap is a dead ball (loss of down), and the ball will return to the original line of scrimmage. All fumbles are dead where they lay.
   10. The offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the previous spot or the new line of scrimmage.
   11. All offensive formations must be legal sets.
   12. Receivers’ alignment should respect the tackle box. 
7. SCORING
   1. Six (6) points for a touchdown
   2. One (1) point for a PAT. Automatic if NOT going for 2 (MUST DECLARE ASAP)
   3. Two (2) points for a PAT from 10-yard line (MUST DECLARE ASAP)
   4. One (1) Point for an Interception & the ball starting on the 30-yard line (no runbacks or “pick six”)
   5. Turnover on a PAT is dead ball (including interception) and no points will be given
   6. If there is an interception that occurs with no time on the clock, the defense will still be awarded one (1) point for the interception.
   7. Official scores will be kept by the HEAD OFFICIAL on the Field.
8. OFFENSE PENALTIES
   1. False Start or Offsides = 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 by the official; 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 at 40-yard line, next play will be 2nd down from the 40-yard line.
   6. The offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the previous spot or the new scrimmage spot. The 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/Personal Foul penalties on the Offense assessed after the play would result in a 15-yard penalty.
   8. If a personal foul is assessed on a Touchdown to the offensive player, the offensive team will lose the next down which is the PAT. No automatic (1) for PAT will be given. Ball goes to the Defense on the 40-yard line.
   9. Back-to-Back delay of game penalties will result in a defensive stop and a change of possession.
   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.
9. DEFENSIVE PENALTIES
   1. Off-sides = 5-yard penalty
   2. Defensive Pass Interference = 15 Yards (1st down).
   3. Defensive Holding or preventing a receiver from leaving the line of scrimmage. (One hand jamming will not be considered holding)= 10 Yards (Replay down unless penalty yds give 1st).
   4. If Defensive pass interference in the end zone is 15 yards from the previous spot, and an automatic first down. If less that 15 yards to the goal line it will be half the distance to the goal.
   5. Defensive Pass Interference on an extra point is half the distance for the same number 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. A defensive press is allowed with incidental contact. Intentional contact = 10 Yards (Replay down unless penalty yds give 1st).
   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. The game CANNOT end on a defensive penalty, unless an offensive score WILL NOT result in a tie or lead change.  
   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.)
10. 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 40 yd line. (Also, PLEASE SEE PUNTING BALL NOTE BELOW UNDER "CELEBRATIONS)
11. BLITZ
    1. 1) Each team has 1 blitz to be used during game play and/or during overtime
    2. 2) If a team blitzes, there will be NO 4 second count! QB can scramble but cannot run past the original line of scrimmage
    3. 3) NO BLITZING FROM THE 40 (Player Safety) The Blitz can be used at any part of the field after the ball advances off the 40; the blitzing team can blitz as many players as they choose.
    4. 4) If a team blitzes, and there is a Defensive penalty on the play the blitzing team will forfeit their blitz. If there is an offense penalty on the play, the blitzing team can accept the penalty, if the penalty is accepted the blitzing team will maintain their blitz.
12. TIE BREAKER/OVERTIME RULES
    1. NO OVERTIME IN SEASON PLAY!
    2. OVERTIME ONLY WHILE IN BRACKET/ELIMINATION/CHAMIONSHIP PLAY!
    3. The referee will select a team to call the coin toss in overtime, at his/her discretion.
    4. The winner of the coin flip will select if they want to be 1st   offense or defense.
    5. The ball will be marked on the 10-yard line and NCAA overtime rules will apply. Each Team has three attempts at the end zone.
    6. Only offensive scoring will count in overtime. Interceptions only result in change of possession of the ball.
    7. After the 1st overtime, both teams must go for two (2) points (spot ball at 10-yard line) after a Touchdown.
    8. *If a game goes into a 2nd overtime, the team that gets the ball 2nd in the 1st overtime will receive the ball 1st in the 2nd overtime.  3rd overtimes and the teams will switch again. 
13. OVER TIME PENALTIES
    1. All regulation rules and penalties apply.
14. FIGHTING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED
    1. If a player throws a punch, he is ejected immediately and cannot return for the day or tournament. If the team benches clear and it results in a fight both of the teams will be ejected and cannot return. IF A PLAYER WHO IS PUNCHED & RETALIATES BUT DOES NOT SWING BACK, WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIT OUT A SERIES. IF A PLAYER IS PUNCHED AND SWINGS BACK, HE WILL BE EJECTED FOR THE GAME. Each team is responsible for their fans, coaches and players!
15. CELEBRATIONS
    1. We encourage celebrations. However, we do not tolerate taunting, celebrations sexual in nature or simulation of simulation of weapons. Keep it fun and keep it quick so as not to unnecessarily delay game play. If during a celebration your players pass the other team's hash, you will be penalized for taunting.
    2. BALLHEAD NOTE: Circling or touching players from the opposite team will result in a double taunting penalty plus (6) points being awarded to the non-offending team. Could also result in players being ejected. Second infraction will result in ejection and forfeiture at the discretion of the Field Marshal / Head Referee. So same as if you were in your HS or youth tackle game, JUST DO NOT DO IT. THIS IS TO PREVENT ANY POTENTIAL ISSUES PLAYERS DO NOT NEED TO BE IN!
    3. BALL PUNTING NOTE: If at the end of the game, the INT or DEF stop will be negated, and the offense will get a 1st down after a 15 yard penalty from the previous spot. So same as if you were in your HS or youth tackle game, JUST DO NOT DO IT. THIS IS TO PREVENT ANY POTENTIAL ISSUES PLAYERS DO NOT NEED TO BE IN!

16. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
    1. - Headgear are recommended but not required
    2. - Mouthpieces are MANDATORY, but at the refs discretion to enforce. Not required for quarterbacks.
    3. - Players CANNOT play with any kind of cast on their hands or arms