Tri-City Chargers 7 on 7
Spring League Rules

Participation

• Players shall be grouped by the following age divisions: 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U.
• A players age will be determined by his or her age on July 31, 2021.  
• 15-year-old players shall be eligible for participation if they are still in 8th grade.

Teams 

• Teams shall consist of a minimum 9 players

• Each head coach is allowed to protect his or her own child(ren) prior to the draft.  All other players will be selected in a preseason draft.  Assistant coaches to be assigned following the draft.  Protected players shall be assigned to a draft round as agreed upon by fellow coaches at the same level.

Season

• The season shall consist of 6 regular season games and 1 bowl game.  The bowl game schedule will be the top finisher vs. the 2nd place finisher and the 3rd place finisher vs. the 4th place finisher.
• Each team shall play one game per week and be allowed one practice per week.  The practice shall be no longer than 1.5 hours.
• Rainout games will be rescheduled based on availability of opposing teams.  If a makeup date cannot be arranged either due to the teams or due to referee availability, the game shall be declared a tie.

Game Rules

• Games shall consist of 2- 20 minute halves with a 5 minute halftime period.  There will be a running clock until the last minute of each half.  During the final 1:00 of each half the clock will stop according to normal football rules.
• Each team shall consist of 7 players.  One of the offensive players must be a center who snaps the ball either through a traditional shotgun snap (between the legs) or through a side shotgun snap.  The center is not an eligible receiver.
• Each possession starts on the 40-yard line- going in.
• First downs are made by crossing the 25-yard line and the 10-yard line.
• Four downs to make a first down.
• PAT attempts are from the 5-yard line for 1 point or from the 10-yard line for 2 points.  The offensive team will elect the try and which hash the ball is placed on.
• 4.0 seconds to get pass off, starting on the snap of the ball.  It is expected that coaches will keep the snap to pass time.
• Defense is not allowed to rush the passer
• Possession changes after PAT attempt, failure to make a first down, or turnover.
• One time-out per team per half.  One additional time-out per each overtime.
• 40 second play clock.
• One-hand touch anywhere.
• No running plays allowed.
• No blocking.
• Receiver/Ball carrier is legally down when touched below the neck with one or both hands. (Excessive force by shoving, pushing, or striking a blow will be penalized by automatic first down and 5 yards. 
• Interceptions may NOT be returned, and the play is whistled dead immediately. An interception simply results in a change of possession and the ball is placed at the 40 yard line in the middle of the field. 
• Offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the previous spot or the new scrimmage spot. Clock does not stop and any delay by offense in retrieving and returning the ball TO THE REFEREE will result in a delay of game.
• The offensive center is NOT an eligible receiver – only 5 receivers! (all teams must have a center – the center may be any player). The center is responsible for establishing the succeeding spot as designated by the Referee. If the offense is using the QB-Tee, one offensive player must “take a knee” next to the QB-Tee during each offensive play.
• The center will be responsible for setting or re-positioning the QB-Tee at the line of scrimmage.
• Each team will be allowed one coach on the field at all times, at all levels.  
• Every player on every team will be required to have a starting, full-time position on either offense or defense.  This is in accordance with Tri-City’s normal “11 on, 11 off” rules for tackle football.  Each player shall play at least 50% of the snaps for his or her team during a game.  Failure to adhere to this rule will result in disciplinary action for the offending head coach, up to and including removal from the league.  Player injuries are treated as an exception to this rule.
• Overtime shall consist of 3 tries from the 10-yard line  Each team has an attempt to score.  All PAT’s must be 2 point attempts in overtime.
• Scoring shall be as outlined below
  • Touchdown- 6 points
  • Interception- 2 points (Interceptions may not be returned for a TD)
  • Fumble - is a dead ball and offensive team retains possession at the spot of the fumble. A muffed snap is not a fumble/dead ball. The 4.0 second count remains in effect on snaps
  • PAT- 1 or 2 points based on PAT attempt length
• Penalties
  • Every game shall have 2 referees
  • Defensive pass interference- Spot foul and automatic first down
  • Offensive pass interference- 5 yard penalty and loss of down.
  • Defensive holding- 5 yards from LOS and automatic first down.
  • Illegal contact- 5 yard penalty from end of run (if complete) or LOS (if incomplete).  Replay down
  • Illegal procedure- 5 yard penalty and loss of down.
  • Defensive off-sides- 5 yard penalty.
  • Delay of game- Loss of down and clock stops in final 1:00 of either half.
  • Unsportsmanlike conduct- Player must sit out the remainder of either half.
  • Personal foul- Player must sit out the remainder of either half.
  • Illegal rush by QB (QB crosses LOS)- Loss of down
  • Illegal pass (Pass by player who does not receive snap)-Loss of down
  • Illegal QB lateral pass- Loss of down

 8U Specific Game Rules

• One running play per offensive series will be allowed at the 8U level.  The intent of this rule is to allow less developed players an opportunity to touch the football.  This running play shall not be used inside the opponent’s 10-yard line.

6U Specific Game Rules

• 6U shall be 5 on 5 and flag football.  The runner is down when his or her flag is pulled completely off.

• The center is an eligible receiver.

• All running plays, including running plays by the QB, are allowed.

• Lateral passes are allowed both behind and in front of the LOS

• A fumble shall be ruled a dead ball.  No change of possession.

• No blitzing is allowed by the defense on either run or pass plays.  The intent of this rule is to allow the offense a chance to hand off or pass the ball before the defense attempts a tackle.

• 2 coaches allowed on field.

• Coaches shall make every effort to have even ball distribution.