Rules

6v6 GAMEPLAY FORMAT

• Coin toss decides first possession and direction

• Offense starts at own 5-yard line

• 4 downs to cross midfield (1st down), then 4more to score

• On 4th down: Option to either Punt(opponent starts at their own 5-yard line) or Go For It (risk turnover at spot)

• Interceptions returnable (not on extra points)

• Teams switch sides at halftime

• First possession in the 2nd half will be given to the team that started the game on defense

CLOCK RULES

• 40-minute games: Two 20-minute halves, 5-8 min halftime

• Halftime is allotted for, but modified for devotions

• Game clock will run NON-STOP

• Offense has 30 seconds to run a play

• 2 UTD (Untimed Down) that can be utilized at the END of regulation (one per half). The offense is then allowed one (1) play attempt to score before ending the half/game.

SCORING

• Touchdown: 6 points

• Points After Touchdown:

1-Point PAT, 5-yard line (pass only)

2-Point PAT, 10-yard line (run or pass)

• Safety: 2 points; scoring team will also maintain possession on its own 5-yard line

OVERTIME

• Coin toss to determine first possession

• Each team gets ONE SET of 4 downs to score a TD from the 10-yard line.

• Then attempt a 2-point PAT from the 10-yardline.

• If both teams score equally on the given possession (TD and PAT), the game ends in a TIE.

RUNNING THE BALL

• The player that receives the snap is considered the QB and CANNOT run the ball across the LOS

• Handoffs/laterals/pitches allowed by the QB behind LOS

• A forward pass or lateral behind the LOS is considered a run play

• Ball carries are allowed to spin and evade defenders, and ARE NOT allowed to hurdle other players or dive for extra yards.

• The ball carrier is downed where their forward foot is when their flag is pulled

• NO RUN plays allowed in the No-Run Zones, including handoffs/laterals/pitches behind LOS

PASSING THE BALL

• The QB has 7 seconds to throw the ball to a receiver. Failure to do so results in a Sack and Loss of Down

• All players are eligible to receive passes

• A player who receives a handoff, lateral, or pitch behind the LOS is allowed to throw a forward pass from behind the LOS. The QB then becomes eligible to receive a pass.

• A completion consists of a receiver gaining control of the football with at least one foot in bounds.

• The ball is spotted where the flag is pulled

• Pass plays are the only plays allowed in theNo-Run Zone (5 yards to midfield and 5 yards to end zones)

PRE-SNAP

• A minimum of three players must be aligned on the LOS at every snap

• If there are 3 receivers lined up on the same side of the ball, they must be arm’s length apart from each other

• Only 1 player can be in motion at a time

• The QB must have possession of the ball before the handoff or passing

• The center MUST SNAP the ball sideways or between the legs to the QB to begin every play

DEAD BALL

The play is ruled dead when one of the following occurs:

• Flag pulled, knee down, or player out of bounds

• Dropped/fumbled ball (except clean snap recovery by the QB behind the LOS). If the snap is mishandled, the QB is the only player who can pick up the ball and continue the play.

• If a flag falls off without being pulled, the play is ruled dead if the defender is within distance of touching the player. (Determined by the officials)

• 30-second play clock expires

• TD or Safety is scored

• The QB's 7-second pass time has expired

DEFENSE & RUSHING

• Teams may run man-to-man, zone, or a combination of both

• All defensive players (not rushing) may ONLY line up as close as 1-yard of the LOS, but as far back off the line as deemed necessary.

• Press coverage allowed (no jamming, pushing, or grabbing)

• Interceptions CAN be returned for yardage and/or a TD (except for interceptions during a PAT). An interception that is downed in the end zone will result in a touchback and spotted at the 5-yard line.

• Rushers must start 10 yards from LOS. Before the snap, the referee will indicate the 10-yard rush line

• All defenders may cross the LOS once the ball leaves the QB’s hands to pursue the ball carrier

PENALTIES

Offense:

• Illegal Motion/Pass, Flag Guarding, Blocking = -5 yds or loss of down

• Illegal Formation (not enough players on the LOS) = -5 yds. Replay down

• Illegal Pass (a pass thrown after the ball has crossed the LOS) = -5 yds and loss of down

• Delay of Game = -5 yd, replay down

• Pass Clock Violation = loss of down

• Shielding/Blocking = -5 yds from the spot of the foul and loss of down.

• Illegal Run = -5 yds and replay down.

• Intentional Grounding = -5 yds and loss of down

• Offensive Pass Interference = -5 yds from the LOS and loss of down

• Flag Guarding = -5 yds from the spot of the foul and loss of down

• Illegal Use of Hands = -5 yds from the spot of the foul and loss of down

• Diving/Hurdling = -10 yds from the spot of the foul and loss of down

• Unsportsmanlike Conduct = -10 yds and loss of down 1st Warning. 2nd Warning = Ejection

Defense:

• Encroachment, Illegal Rushing = 5 yds, replay down

• DPI, Illegal Contact = 5 yds spot foul + automatic 1st down

• Illegal Flag Pulls = 5 yds from the LOS + automatic 1st down

• Unsportsmanlike = 10 yds + loss of down 1st Warning. 2nd Warning = Ejection

COACHES ON FIELD

• Allowed for Grades K–3 (ages 5-8 y/o)

UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT

• Mouthguard required (no exceptions)

• Cleats allowed (no metal spikes)

• Official jerseys & flags required

• Shorts: solid color, no pockets/stripes; flags must contrast shorts

SPORTSMANSHIP

• No tackling, blocking, or foul language

• 1st ejection: suspended 1 game | 2nd: banned for season (no refund)

• Play Safe. Play Fair. Have Fun!

FNA 6v6 Quick Rules Guide Handout

7v7 GAMEPLAY FORMAT (Non-Traditional)

• Coin toss decides first possession and direction

• Starting possession begins at the 40-yard line

• 3 downs to cross the 25-yard line (Zone 1), then 3 more to cross the 10-yard line (Zone 2), and 4 downs to attempt to score (Zone 3)

• If an offense is stopped from advancing the ball upfield, then a turnover on downs is awarded to the defense, starting back at the 40-yd line + 2 points

• Interceptions CANNOT be returned (see-scoring)

• Teams switch sides at halftime

• First possession in the 2nd half will be given to the team that started the game on defense

CLOCK RULES

• 40-minute games: Two 20-minute halves, 5-8 min halftime

• Halftime is allotted for, but modified for devotions

• Game clock will run NON-STOP

• Offense has 25 seconds to run a play

• 2 UTD (Untimed Down) that can be utilized at the END of regulation (one per half). The offense is then allowed one (1) play attempt to score before ending the half/game.

SCORING

• Touchdown: 6 points

• Points After Touchdown:

1-Point PAT, 5-yard line (pass only)

2-Point PAT, 10-yard line (run or pass)

• Interception: 3 points (n/a in OT)

• Turnover on Downs: Defense awarded 2points (n/a in OT)

OVERTIME

• Coin toss to determine first possession

• Each team gets ONE SET of 4 downs to score a TD from the 10-yard line.

• Then attempt a 2-point PAT from the 10-yardline.

• If both teams score equally on the given possession (TD and PAT), the game ends in a TIE.

PASSING THE BALL

• The QB has 4 seconds to throw the ball to a receiver. Failure to do so results in a sack and loss of Down

• Passes can be thrown behind the LOS, but the receiver must advance the ball upfield past the LOS or the play will result in a loss of down and spotted back at the original LOS

• NO RUN PLAYS or handoffs

• NO double passes allowed. The player who receives the snap is the ONLY player who can attempt a pass.

• Fumbled snaps may be picked up by the QB; however, they must be thrown within 4 seconds.

RECEIVING

• A completion consists of a receiver gaining control of the ball and having at least one foot inbounds

• If a player catches a pass with their knee(s) on the ground, the play is dead, and the ball is spotted at the point of the completion

• All players are eligible EXCEPT the center

PRE-SNAP

• A minimum of three players must be aligned on the LOS at every snap

• If there are 3 receivers lined up on the same side of the ball, they must be arm’s length apart from each other

• Only 1 player can be in motion at a time

• The QB must have possession of the ball before passing

• The center MUST SNAP the ball sideways or between the legs to the QB to begin every play

DEAD BALL

The play is ruled dead when one of the following occurs:

• Flag pulled, knee down, incomplete pass, or player out of bounds

• Dropped/fumbled ball (except clean snap recovery by the QB behind the LOS). If the snap is mishandled, the QB is the only player who can pick up the ball and continue the play.

• If a flag falls off without being pulled, the play is ruled dead if the defender is within distance of touching the player. (Determined by the officials)

• 25-second play clock expires

• TD or Safety is scored

• The QB 4-second pass time has expired

PASS DEFENSE

• Teams may run man-to-man, zone, or a combination of both

• All defensive players (not rushing) may ONLY line up as close as 1-yard of the LOS, but as far back off the line as deemed necessary.

• Press coverage allowed (no jamming, pushing, or grabbing)

• Interceptions CANNOT be returned for yardage and/or a TD. Instead, they are ruled a dead ball after the catch and 3 points are awarded to the defense.

• All defenders may cross the LOS once the ball leaves the QB’s hands to pursue the ball carrier

PENALTIES

All penalties can be accepted or declined

In the event a penalty is called while the ball is spotted at the 40-yard line, there will be no loss of yards, but the play will result in a loss of down.

Offense:

• Illegal Motion/Pass, Flag Guarding, Blocking = -5 yds or loss of down

• Illegal Formation (not enough players on the LOS) = -5 yds. Replay down

• Illegal Pass (a pass thrown after the ball has crossed the LOS) = -5 yds and loss of down

• Delay of Game = -5 yd, replay down

• Pass Clock Violation = loss of down

• Shielding/Blocking = -5 yds from the spot of the foul and loss of down.

• Intentional Grounding = -5 yds and loss of down

• Offensive Pass Interference = -5 yds from the LOS and loss of down

• Flag Guarding = -5 yds from the spot of the foul and loss of down

• Illegal Use of Hands = -5 yds from the spot of the foul and loss of down

• Diving/Hurdling = -10 yds from the spot of the foul and loss of down

• Unsportsmanlike Conduct = -10 yds and loss of down 1st Warning. 2nd Warning =Ejection

Defense:

• Encroachment = 5 yds, replay down

• DPI, Illegal Contact = 5 yds spot foul +automatic 1st down

• Illegal Flag Pulls = 5 yds from the LOS +automatic 1st down

• Unsportsmanlike = 10 yds + loss of down 1stWarning. 2nd Warning = Ejection

COACHES ON FIELD

• NOT allowed for Grades 5–9 (ages 10+)

• Coaches must remain on the sidelines

UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT

• Mouthguard required (no exceptions)

• Cleats allowed (no metal spikes)

• Official jerseys & flags required

• Shorts: solid color, no pockets/stripes; flags must contrast shorts

SPORTSMANSHIP

• No tackling, blocking, or foul language

• 1st ejection: suspended 1 game | 2nd: bannedfor season (no refund)

• Play Safe. Play Fair. Have Fun!

FNA 7v7 Quick Rules Guide Handout