7v7 Football is basically Pass Skelly as it is run in the 11-man version of the game.

The Offence has 5 eligible players - comprised of Receivers, Running Backs, Tight Ends - and a Quaterback.
The Defence has 7 players, a mix of Linebackers and Defensive Backs.

The Quaterback can either take the ball off of a Tee to start the play or have an ineligible player toss it back from the Tee to simulate a shotgun snap.

To make a tackle defenders have to get a one-handed touch on the player with the ball.

Rules are generally the same as NCAA football - 2 eligible players must be on the line of scrimmage (LOS), a covered player is ineligible, only 1 forward pass per play, minimum of one foot inbounds to make a catch, etc.

Consistent 7v7 rules include:

• The field is 40 yards long with a 10 yards endzone, American Football field width.

• Per possession:

  • The offence has 3 downs to gain at least 15 yards - to the 25 yard line minimum.

  • The offence has 3 downs to gain at least 15 yards - to the 10 yard line minimum.

  • The offence has 3 downs to score from the 10 yard line in.

• After a TD the Offence can elect to go for a 1-point or 2-point PAT. The difference is the ball on the 3 yard or 10 yard line respectively.

• No blocking on any play, whether a catch & run or interception return.

• The QB has 4 seconds to throw the ball or the play is ruled as a Sack.

• Press coverage and jamming of WRs is allowed (it does get physical).

• If a fumble occurs the ball is dead at the spot of the fumble and remains with the Offence.

There are however a number of 7v7 specific rules that can vary based on which organization is running the tournament, these can include:

• Games are 20 or 25 minutes long, running clock.

• Each team may get one timeout.

• Defence can gain 2 points for a stop (turnover on downs)

• Defence can get 3 points for an interception.

• Defence can get 6 points for an interception if they return it back to the 40 yard line.

• Defence can blitz - this takes on various forms per tournament such as: 

  • A single player can blitz once per game

  • Multiple players can blitz but must all be on same play once per game

  • Two blitzes per game but the blitzers must start outside of a 5 yard halo from the QB

  • Etc.

• One Offensive run play per drive or per game.

• If the QB scambles due to a blitz the 4-second throw rule is dropped.

• Each drive starts from a certain Hash (left, middle or right), defined by the organizers.

This means that a review of rules is important before each tournament.

A positive move from some organizers is to make rules around celebrating and taunting. Generally it is encouraged to celebrate with your team as much as possible, let the players have fun. If any of the celebration is aimed at the opposition, sometimes including the bench clearing to join a celebration, this is a Taunting penalty.
The penalty varies from a loss of down (which can mean no PAT attempt) to 15 yards to 2 points for the team that was taunted, or a mix of these. Two taunting penalties can result in a player or their team being ejected from the tournament.
We at MVP see this as a very important move towards tournaments being conducted in the true spirit of sportsmanship and when selecting which tournaments to play in these rules are part of our criteria.

Tournament Play

Tournaments are generally run over the two days of a weekend.

• Saturday there are 3 games in pool play, for each team in each age bracket, to determine seedings for the playoffs. Organizsers define the pools and you play who you get. 

• Sunday is playoffs. Each team is guaranteed one game on Sunday, the format is win and you stay in.