Kingdom 7v7 Rules

Welcome to the Kingdom 7 on 7 Tournaments!
This rulebook outlines the basic rules and guidelines for participating in our 7v7 Football Passing Tournaments. Please read carefully to ensure a fun, competitive, and fair experience.

General Information
Team Rules:

Each team's roster consists of a minimum of 8 players and max of 24 players.
There are 6 active offensive players with 3 substitutes positioned behind the huddle.
- Positions: Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Running Backs
There are 7 defensive players on the field at a time. The Offense is allowed to have up to 3 substitutes.
- Positions: Defensive Backs and Linebackers
All players must check in and wear the appropriate divisional wristband.
Soft Shell 7on7 Helmets are required for participation.
- Helmets must be strapped up during gameplay.
- The only player that is not required to wear a helmet is the QB.
  - If the QB is going to go out for a pass or to play defense, a helmet is required.
Mouthguards are strongly recommended but not required.

Game Duration:

Games: Pool play games are each 20 min / Bracket Play games are 20 min.
The clock runs continuously, except for a Head Referee timeout, injury, etc.
- Teams get 0 timeouts.

Field Dimensions / Layout:

Field Length / Width:
- The field is 50 yards long, which includes 40 yards of playing field and 10 yards for the end zone.
- The width is 50 yards, or it may vary depending on the venue type (standard width if venue allows).
Field Markers:
- 40-yard line: The starting point for each offensive possession.
- 25-yard line: The first down marker (1st first down).
- 10-yard line: The second first down marker (2nd first down) before entering the end zone.

Gameplay Rules

First Possession:
- Pool play: Determined by the Rock / Paper / Scissors winner.
- Bracket play: Determined by the highest seed.
Starting the Game / Drive:
- A whistle will start the game.
- The ball is placed on the 40-yard line starting each drive.
- Teams will be given adequate time on change of possession.
- The Head Referee will start every drive.

Ending the Game / Drive:

When the game clock hits 0:00 a whistle will end the game and there will be no attempts for a 2-point conversion after a touchdown is scored. An automatic 1-point still applies.
Extra Points are considered Timed Downs, regardless of intention to attempt a 2-point conversion.
Game ending in a tie:
- Pool play: Overtime rules do NOT apply.
- Bracket Play: Overtime rules apply. (Overtime rules listed)
- A drive is over once the offense scores or it is a turnover (On downs or Interception).

Scoring:

Game scores are tracked and concluded at the end of the game.
Scores are then updated to the tournament platform (Sports Thread) following each game.

Point Scored:

Touchdown: 6 points
Extra Points: Automatic 1 point after touchdown, optional 2 point conversion from the 10-yard line (Timed Down)
Interception: 2 points awarded to the intercepting team
In Bracket Play Overtime, teams will be awarded 1 point for winning the longest play, if necessary.

Downs and First Downs:

The offense has 3 downs to advance the ball from the 40-yard line to the 25-yard line (1st first down).
The offense then has another 3 downs to reach the 10-yard line (2nd first down).
After reaching the 10-yard line, the offense gets 3 more downs to score a touchdown.

No Contact or Blocking

There is no blocking or tackling allowed.
Offensive players are entitled to their own space but may not attempt to screen or block a defender.
Defenders may break up passes but must avoid significant contact.
“Intentional” contact to the neck or head is considered unsportsmanlike conduct.

QB Clock

The QB has 4.0 seconds to throw the ball (count: “1, 2, 3, DOWN). If the QB holds the ball longer than 4 seconds, the play is downed, and it results in a loss of down.
If a QB is moving forward in their throwing motion at the 4sec mark, play continues.
If forward throwing motion is stopped before release, play will be blown dead.
The 4-second clock disappears if the defense blitzes (crosses the LOS).

Catching the Ball

If a player has 1 foot down in bounds and full possession of the ball it is considered a completed catch.
Stripping the ball after a catch does not affect the catch.
Players are considered down at first touch with possession of the ball.
Simultaneous possession is up to the referee’s discretion.

Running the Ball

The quarterback is NOT allowed to run the ball beyond the line of scrimmage at any time.
The offense may run the ball on any down, except:
In overtime (no running allowed).
When the ball is placed within the 10-yard line (no running allowed).
LOS/Ball Placement is where the 2 Back Legs of the QB Tee are placed.
The Neutral Zone ends on the Front Leg of the QB Tee.

No Trick Plays

The QB is allowed only one exchange per play (pass, handoff, pitch/toss).
Trick plays (double pass, reverse, hook and ladder) are NOT allowed.
The QB is considered to be the first person to touch the ball after the snap.

Legal Formation

One Wide Receiver must be on the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
Offensive players (WRs/RBs) lined up and set inside the tackle box at the snap of the ball will result in a loss of down, and the ball is returned to the previous spot.
A designated Center is not allowed to release down field for any reason. The
Center can only snap the ball.
Centers must be on a knee after the ball has been snapped.
Centers used at the same time as a QB tee, must press and release the trigger simultaneously with the snap of the ball.

Tackle Box

The Tackle Box is defined as an area extending 3 yards to the left and right of the ball spot, and 3 yards in front and behind the line of scrimmage.

Coaching / Staff

General:
- Coaches / Staff are NOT allowed behind the end zone. (Playing Teams)
- Coaches / Staff cannot challenge official rulings. Only head coaches may communicate with the Head Referee.
  - Warnings and Penalties:
    - 1st warning: sideline warning.
    - 2nd warning: 10-yard penalty.
    - 3rd warning: possible ejection at the Head Referee's discretion.
  - Cheating: Any form of cheating results in automatic team disqualification.
Offense:
- One offensive coach and three substitutes are allowed behind the huddle but must remain at least 10 yards behind the ball at all times, except when the ball is spotted outside the 35-yard line.
- All other team players and coaches / staff must remain on the sidelines.
Defense:
- No defensive coaches are allowed on the field at any time.
- Defensive Coaches must be on the sideline.

Blitz Rules

General:
- Each team is allowed one blitz per game.
- A blitz can only be used by the defense when the ball is spotted within the 30-yard line.
  - LOS/Ball Placement is where the 2 Back Legs of the QB Tee are placed.
  - The Neutral Zone ends on the Front Leg of the QB Tee.
- The QB clock disappears once a blitz occurs.
- No Limit on the number of players blitzing.
- The Defense can cross the line of scrimmage without using their blitz after the first exchange on offense.
Defensive Alignment:
- If the defense is wanting to blitz, the blitzing player/s must align behind or outside the tackle box. The defense may blitz once the ball has been snapped.
- A defensive player may line up in the tackle box but is NOT allowed to blitz from this position. If they were to blitz/cross the LOS, their blitz will be considered used.
Penalties During a Blitz:
- If a defensive penalty occurs during the play on a blitz, the blitz is considered used.
- If a defensive dead ball penalty occurs (offsides/encroachment/neutral zone infraction), the blitz is not considered used.
- If an offensive penalty occurs during a blitz, the blitz is restored to the defensive team.
- Illegal Blitz is not a dead ball penalty.
- If a team were to blitz twice, it results in a 5-yard penalty, repeat down.
Restrictions:
- If the QB is tagged during a blitz, the player is marked down and the ball will be placed at the spot of the tag.

Face Guarding:

Face guarding without contact is allowed.
Contact results in pass interference:
- Offensive Contact: Loss of down, ball returned to the previous spot.
- Defensive Contact: 15-yard penalty or half the distance to the goal line (when inside the 30-yard line).

Ball Carrier:

A ball carrier is down when touched with one hand. Players should be touched down below the neck.
Intentional Contact to the head results in an unsportsmanlike penalty.

Fumbles:

Fumbles behind the line of scrimmage result in a dead ball and are returned to the previous spot, with possession retained by the last team in control.
Downfield fumbles result in a dead ball at the spot of the fumble, with the fumbling team retaining possession.
Defense cannot strip the ball away.

Players Leaving Feet:

Players are allowed to leave their feet to make a play (e.g., to tag, catch, or score).

Play Clock:

The offensive team has 25 seconds to put the ball into play once spotted by the Head Referee.
Teams must promptly retrieve their own ball and return to the Head Referee.

Interceptions:

Worth 2 points and result in a turnover. The intercepting team starts at the 40-yard line.
If an unsportsmanlike penalty is committed after an interception by the intercepting team, the team will be penalized on offense and lose a down, starting at the 40-yard line.

Celebrations:

Celebrations are encouraged but taunting is prohibited. Taunting results in an unsportsmanlike penalty.
Teams celebrating with the intercepted ball are allowed. However, the ball must be promptly returned to the opposing team.
Taunting is considered any celebration that involves the other team (gesturing, contact, profanity, etc.)
Penalty: 15 yards (and a loss of down for offense or an automatic first down for defense).

Format:

All teams will be seeded in the bracket based on pool play standings.
All teams are guaranteed at least one round of bracket play.

Seeding Criteria:

Number of Wins/Losses.
Point Differential.
Points Scored.
Head-to-Head Results.

If a tie persists after these criteria, a coin flip will determine seeding.

Overtime / Tie Breaker (Bracket Play Only):

Initial Tie Breaker:
- Rock, Paper, Scissors determines who chooses to play offense or defense first.
- Each team gets 2 plays from the 10-yard line. If a team scores, they receive 6 points. Extra point rules apply (automatic 1-point or attempt for 2 points from the 10-yard line).
- No running plays allowed in overtime and all plays must be pass plays.
  The ball can be advanced on the 1st play.
- An Interception during a scoring attempt (not during a 2-pt conversion) ends the game.
- The Intercepting Team gets 2 points and wins the Game.
Subsequent Overtime Rounds:
- If neither team scores in the first round of overtime or if the score remains tied, another round is played with the same rules.
- Offense and Defense will switch order, based off of the 1st round.
- In the second round of overtime, teams must attempt a 2-point conversion after scoring.
- If still tied after the second round, the teams play a "Longest Play" tiebreaker from the 40-yard line. No running is allowed.
- The team with the longest completion wins and adds 1 point to their final score.
- If both teams fail to complete a pass or have equal completions, the longest play attempt is repeated.

PENALTIES

Offensive Penalties:
- False Start / Illegal Motion / Illegal Formation: Loss of down, ball returned to the line of scrimmage.
- Delay of Game: Loss of down, ball returned to the line of scrimmage.
- Blocking / Holding: Loss of down, ball returned to the line of scrimmage.
- Pass Interference: Loss of down, ball returned to the line of scrimmage.
- Unnecessary Roughness: 15-yard penalty and loss of down.
- Unsportsmanlike Conduct: 15-yard penalty and loss of down.
Defensive Penalties:
- Offsides / Encroachment / Neutral Zone Infraction: Dead Ball, 5-yard penalty, repeat down.
- Illegal Blitz: Live Ball, 5-yard penalty, repeat down, loss of blitz for defense.
- Holding: 10-yard penalty, repeat down.
- Pass Interference: 15-yard penalty from line of scrimmage and automatic first down.
- Unnecessary Roughness: 15-yard penalty from line of scrimmage and automatic first down.
- Unsportsmanlike Conduct: 15-yard penalty from line of scrimmage and automatic first down.

CONDUCT AND SPORTSMANSHIP

Ejection means unable to participate in the remainder of the current game.
Disqualification means being unable to participate in the remainder of the Tournament.
- Required to leave the tournament site.

Fighting:

Fighting will not be tolerated. Players involved in physical altercations (e.g., throwing punches) will be immediately ejected by the Head Referee and will not be allowed to return to the game.
Disqualification will be at the discretion of the Tournament Staff.
If a bench-clearing brawl occurs, both teams will forfeit.
Officials and tournament staff have the right to eject players, coaches, or teams for misconduct.

Celebration:

Celebrations are encouraged but Taunting is prohibited. Taunting results in an unsportsmanlike penalty.
Taunting can lead to possible Ejection or Disqualification upon repeated infractions.
Teams celebrating with the intercepted ball are allowed. However, the ball must be promptly returned to the opposing team.
Taunting is considered any celebration that involves the other team (gesturing, contact, profanity, threats, etc.)
Penalty: 15 yards (and a loss of down for offense or an automatic first down for defense).