4/25/22 Revised

Game Rules Equipment & Field Setup

• Flags must be contrasting color to team colors, be at least 12 inches long and attach to the belt with Velcro strips. (SHIRTS MUST BE TUCKED IN AND FLAGS ON THE SIDES OF PLAYER)
• Mouth guards are required. 
• Football sizes: 7U/9U: K2, 11U: TDJ, 14U TDY – Home team to provide game ball.
• Field set-up, breakdown and clean-up falls on the Hosting Association.
• Each team is responsible for cleaning up the sidelines and benches after each game.
• GAMES WILL BE READY PLAY after the first set is played.
• The 7×7 game will be played on a 40 yard field (100 yard field split in half) with two-20 minute halves (running clock).
• There is a 25-second play clock in between plays.
• Each team gets 2 timeouts per game (used at any time)
• One Coach is allowed on the field at a time for Offense and Defense behind the players.
• Halftime will be 5 minutes.
• Drawing for the Tournament will be done in April prior to the start of season at League meeting.
• No change to game day roster, any exceptions must be approved by the Board.
• ONLY APPROVED COACHES ALLOWED ON SIDELINES, ONLY CQL BOARD AND ADC ARE ALLOWED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD.

Scoring

• Touchdown – 6 points
• Extra point from 10 yard line – 1 point
• Extra point from 15 yard line – 2 points
• Interceptions – Dead ball at the point of interception. Intercepting team gets ball at 20 yard line.
• Overtime – Each team has a chance to score in each overtime from the 20 yard line until a winner is declared. (no OT during regular season)

Penalties

• Offensive penalties include: blocking, pass interference, unnecessary roughness, false start. Penalties will result in a 10 yard loss and loss of down.
• Defensive penalties include: pass interference and unnecessary roughness. Penalties result in a 10 yard gain for the offense and an automatic first down.

Offense

• All possessions will start on the 40 yard line, the offensive team has 4 downs to get to the 20 yard line, and 4 downs from the 20 yard line to score.
• The offense must have a center to snap the ball to the quarterback (under center, shotgun or side snap). Ball must be snapped from the ground.
• Only forward pass plays are allowed and must be beyond the line of scrimmage.
• The quarterback only has four seconds to pass the ball. Pitches or handoffs are not allowed behind the line of scrimmage.
• The center is eligible to receive a pass.
• A fumble is considered a dead ball.
• Flag guarding is NOT allowed, flag guarding will result in a dead ball call.
• No blocking or contact is allowed.
• Offensive receivers not catching the ball must stop when the ball is caught.
• Quarterback is allowed to step outside the 45 yard line without being penalized. 

Defense

• Tackling or other contact is not allowed.
• The defensive player must make an effort to pull the flag of the offensive player.
• The defense can’t rush the QB. (Only for 9U, 11U and 14U)
• The defense cannot “Jam the receiver” with any physical contact at any time. (Penalty will be enforced) 

7U Only - 11 vs 11 Flag Game

• GAMES WILL BE READY PLAY after the first set is played.
• Contact is allowed, blocking within 5 yards from the line of scrimmage. (NO BLOCKING DOWNFIELD)
• Running plays are allowed.
• Ball will start on the 40 yard line, offense has 4 downs to get to the 20 yard line, and 4 downs from the 20 yard line to score.
• Defense can not line up over the center.
• Change of possessions will start at the 40 yard line.
• In the event of an interception, the ball is dead at the point of interception. Intercepting team gets ball at 20 yard line.
• There is a 35-second play clock in between plays.
• TWO Coaches are allowed on the field at a time for Offense and Defense behind the players.
• Halftime will be 5 minutes.
• Any Offensive Penalty will result in loss of down.
• Any Defense Penalty will result in an automatic 1st down.
• Each team gets 2 timeouts per game (used at any time)
• Defense is allowed to cross the line of scrimmage.
• Extra point from 10 yard line – 1 point
• Extra point from 15 yard line – 2 points
• Drawing for the Tournament will be done in April prior to the start of season at League meeting.

                                   All rules pertaining to disciplinary action will revert to the CQL Bylaws.

4/25/22 Revised