2017 LSFA Spring 7 on 7 Game Rules
Game Rules
THE PLAYING FIELD DIMENSIONS - The game shall be played ideally upon a rectangular field, which
measures 100 yards in length with two 10-yard end zones. The width of the field shall be 55 1/3 yards
wide.
GAMES - 2 games will be played on a field at the same time. Games will be played from the 40-yard line
to the end zone. The 50-yard line divides the two ends of the field.
MARKINGS - First down markers will be positioned at the 30-yard line and 15-yard line. First downs can
be achieved by crossing these markers.
COACHES/PLAYERS AREA – Coaches and players NOT on the field must stay between the 10-yard line
and the 30-yard line on their sideline.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS - The maximum number of players on the field per team is seven (7), and the
minimum is six (6) players.
GAME TIMING LENGTH OF THE GAME - The length of the game is 40 minutes, divided into two 20
minute halves.
RUNNING CLOCK - The clock will NOT stop other than for injuries and team time outs until the last TWO
minutes of EACH HALF. During the last TWO MINUTES of EACH HALF, the clock shall stop following
standard NFHS rules.
TIME OUTS - Each team is allowed two (2) timeouts per half. Timeouts will not carry over into the
second half.
TIME OF THE GAME - The time for each half will be kept by the OFFICIAL. The official is responsible for
letting both teams know when there is 10 minutes, 5 minutes, and 2 minutes remaining in the half.
HALFTIME – There will be a halftime lasting five (5) minutes.
STARTING EACH GAME – A coin toss will determine first possession. Home team is listed second on the
schedule. Coin toss options are offense or defer to 2nd half.
PLAY CLOCK - The offensive team has 25 seconds in which to snap the ball once the ball has been
spotted by the referee.
SCORING
TOUCHDOWNS = 6 points
EXTRA POINT = 1 point (from the 3-yard line) or = 2 points (from the 10-yard line)
NO OVERTIME – Games will end in a tie at the end of the 2nd half.
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OFFENSE
OFFENSIVE POSSESION – Each offensive possession shall begin on the defense’s 40-yard line. The
offense can gain first downs by crossing the 30-yard line and 15-yard line. Once the ball has crossed the
15-yard line, the offense shall have four downs to score a touchdown.
ADVANCING THE BALL – The offense may only advance the ball via forward pass from behind the line of
scrimmage. There may be only ONE forward pass each play. Only K/1st, 2nd, & 3rd grade teams may hand
off or lateral behind the line of scrimmage (running plays). Teams in 4th through 7th grade can only
advance the ball via forward pass. Laterals can occur beyond the line of scrimmage.
TIME TO THROW FORWARD PASS - Following the snap, the offense shall have five (5) seconds to throw
a forward pass from behind the line of scrimmage. If the forward pass is not thrown in 5 seconds, the
ball shall be declared dead where it is and the play is OVER.
EXCEPTION – Due to field space limitations, if the ball is marked dead behind the 40-yard line, the
down shall count, but the ball shall be placed at the
40-yard line for the next play.
CENTER- All teams must have a center to snap the ball to start each play. The center must be lined up on
the line of scrimmage and MUST snap the ball between his/her legs.
LINE OF SCRIMMAGE –The offense may have as many players on the line of scrimmage as they wish.
ELIGIBLE RECEIVERS – All players are eligible receivers. Except for designated Player/QB in K/1st and 2nd
Grade.
MOTION – After all players have been SET for ONE second, ONE PLAYER can be in motion at the snap of
the ball and must be running parallel to or away from the line of scrimmage.
NO PUNTING OR KICKING - Punting or kicking the ball is not allowed – Kicking a PAT is NOT allowed.
FUMBLES – Following the forward pass by the offense, if the ball carrier losses possession of the ball,
the ball shall be marked DEAD at the spot of the fumble.
FUMBLED SNAP – A fumbled snap shall NOT be considered a fumble – play shall continue with the FIVE
second rule following the snap to make a forward pass.
DEFENSE
NO RUSHING/NEUTRAL ZONE – A two-yard neutral zone has been established between the offensive
and defensive lines. Defense cannot cross the neutral zone unless ball leaves the QB’s hands by handoff, pass or lateral. No defensive players are allowed to rush the quarterback.
DOWNING THE BALL CARRIER - Ball carrier is DOWN when touched (one hand or two) below the neck or
by fumble (see FUMBLES). If ball carrier is downed behind the 40-yard line, the down shall count, but
the ball shall be placed at the 40-yard line for the next play.
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STRIPPING THE BALL – Players attempting to strip the ball and not attempting to down the ball carrier
are subject to a personal foul penalty: 10 yards from the end of the run.
BALL CARRIER INADVERTENTLY FALLS TO THE GROUND - A ball carrier who falls to the ground is
considered down and play is over.
OFFENSIVE & DEFENSIVE PENALTIES
ENCROACHMENT/OFFSIDE - A defensive or offensive man will be considered offside when he/she
breaks the neutral zone prior to the snap, even if there is no contact with the opponent (5-yard penalty).
DEFENSIVE HOLDING – This occurs when a defender grabs a receiver and impedes his forward progress
(10-yard penalty from the spot of the foul, or half the distance if inside the 20-yard line).
DEFENSIVE PASS INTERFERENCE - Will result in an automatic 1st down and 10-yard penalty from line of
scrimmage.
OFFENSIVE PASS INTERFERENCE - Will be a 10-yard penalty from line of scrimmage.
DIVING – At no time may a ball carrier leave his feet to advance the ball (5-yard penalty) from spot
where player left their feet. A defender cannot dive to touch a ball carrier (5-yard penalty added to the
end of the run).
CHARGING – All offensive players once receiving the ball must make an attempt to avoid contact with
the defense. If an offensive player lowers their shoulder, or attempts to bull through a defensive player,
a 10-yard person foul penalty will be accessed from the spot of the foul.
BLOCKING IS NOT ALLOWED - Neither the offensive or defensive player may initiate contact at any time.
Intentional blocking of an opponent will result in a 5-yard penalty from the line of scrimmage.
STIFF ARMING - Stiff-arming is illegal and will draw an unnecessary roughness penalty. This will result in
a 10-yard penalty from the spot of the foul.
TACKLING/UNNECESARY ROUGHNESS – Will be a 10-yard penalty and automatic 1st down. A second
penalty will result in the player being disqualified for one (1) game. If the disqualification happens in the
2nd half, the player will miss the 1st half of the next game.
ON FIELD COACHING DURING THE PLAY (K/1st and 2nd Only) – First penalty will be a warning. 5-yard
penalty on second violations. 5-yard penalty and removal from as on-field coach on third violation.
Incidental contact does not constitute a penalty against the offense or defense.
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GRADE LEAGUE RULE EXCEPTIONS:
COACHES ON THE FIELD (K/1st and 2nd Grade Teams)
Both the offense and defense may have TWO coaches on the field. Coaches must be 10 yards behind
their deepest player. The “on field” coaches MUST REMAIN SILENT once the offense has lined up in
formation.
COACH AS QB (K/1st and 2nd Grade Teams)
 The Coach/QB may be a coach of the team or a parent/guardian of a player.
 The Coach/QB may be in a “shot-gun” or directly under center – the snap MUST pass between
the center’s legs. (if the ball hits the ground during the snap, the play SHALL CONTINUE)
 Once the Coach/QB receives the snap, the Coach/QB shall not be permitted to move with the
ball other than a taking a step in the act of passing/handing the ball to a player.
 Once the Coach/QB has passed/handed the ball to another player, the QB may not touch the
ball again.
 Only six (6) eligible receivers will be allowed on offense.
 No pass will be allowed by a Coach/QB over 10-yards for K/1st Grade, and over 15-yards for 2nd
Grade
PLAYER AS QUARTERBACK (3rd through 7th Grade Teams)
 The QB must be a player.
 The Player/QB must wear a penny to designate that player as QB.
 The Player/QB may move behind the line of scrimmage after receiving the snap, but may not
advance beyond the line of scrimmage with or without the ball.
RUNNING PLAYS ALLOWED – K/1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grade teams may advance the ball with running plays.
Running plays are allowed on any down, distance situation.
PRACTICE
PRACTICE ALLOTMENT – Team practice allotment per week:
 K/1st Grade – One (1) practice per week for a maximum of one and one-half (1.5) hours
 2nd through 7th Grade – Two (2) practices per week for a total of three (3) hours
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