OFFICIAL ONTARIO PROVINCIAL 7-ON-7 PASSING TOURNAMENT RULES
MOUTH PIECES: It is required that mouthpieces be worn!
1. Field Dimensions
a. Field Length – 60 yards long
b. Field Width - 65 yards
c. End Zone – 10 yards deep
2. Starting the game
a. A central timekeeper (from our staff) will be designated. All games will begin and end on this persons instructions. He will also announce the time remaining at the 10, 5, and 2 minute mark.
b. Visitors (according to schedule) will have first possession and wear white (top team in bracket or first team listed will be the visitor). The home team will have first possession in the 2nd half and wear a dark color (bottom team in bracket or 2nd team listed will be the home team).
c. No team will be allowed to participate without shirts.
d. All teams will have two jerseys (white/dark jersey, t-shirt, etc) with player’s number on the front and back.
e. No football jerseys of any type shall be worn. T-shirts, Under Armour, or basketball type sleeveless shirts are the only choice of acceptable jerseys.
f. Visitors (team in white) will always align their team on the left sideline facing the end zone. Home (Dark jersey) will always align their team on the right sideline facing the end zone.
g. Referee/Official will announce/post score before each offensive possession begins.
3. Moving the ball
a. Offensive plays must all be passes (No kicking/punting).
b. Field is marked at 15-yard intervals with cones. (Four first downs without a penalty would result in a touchdown).
c. Possession always begins at the 50-yard line.
d. No penalty will be assessed in excess of the 50-yard line. On a successful or unsuccessful play from the 50 yard line resulting in an offensive penalty: The ball will be returned to the 50 yard line and 1st down will become 2nd down; 2nd down will become 3rd down; and 3rd down will result in a turnover.
e. Offense always move in the same direction
f. All passes must be forward. A pass caught behind the line of scrimmage must be a forward pass.
g. Once a forward pass has been thrown, a backward pass (lateral) is allowed.
h. Should a swing pass not cross the line of scrimmage (LOS) and before the 4-second count has expired, a defensive player tags the ball carrier behind the 50-yard line, it is a safety.
4. Special rules
a. No blocking.
b. Receiver/Ball carrier is legally down when touched with one or both hands. (Excessive force by shoving, pushing, or striking a blow will be penalized by automatic first down and 5 yards. Expulsion of a player(s) if ruled unsportsmanlike and flagrant).
c. Fumbles are dead balls at the spot with the last team retaining possession. A muffed snap is not a fumble /dead ball. The 4.0 second count remains in effect on snaps.
d. Each team has 30 seconds to run a play. If a play is not called and run within 30 seconds, a delay of game penalty results with the play being stopped and the ball is placed 5 yards back from line of scrimmage and play and down is repeated. Two delay of game penalties in the same possession results in a turnover.
e. The QB is allowed 4.0 seconds to throw the ball. The Official timekeeper starts a stopwatch on the snap of the ball from center and stops the watch as soon as the QB releases the ball.
i. If release is under 4.0 seconds, the play goes on.
ii. If the timekeeper sees that the clock has exceeded 4.0 seconds, he waits until the play is over (the play is not blown dead), then brings the ball back to the original line of scrimmage with loss of down. (The timekeeper will be an official or coach from a team that is not playing. Timekeeping assignments will be given in welcome package).
iii. All penalties will be marked off on a 4 second count EXCEPT for a pass interference.
f. Defensive pass interference is the same as NCAA/CFL rules. (Automatic 1st down and spot foul up to 15 yards).
g. Responsibility to avoid contact is with the defense. There will be NO chucking. Deliberate bumping or grabbing. These actions will result in a “tack on” penalty at the end of the play (5 yard penalty).
h. Offensive pass interference is the same as NCAA/CFL rules. (15-yard penalty).
i. Interception may be returned (“no blocking” rule applies). If an interception is returned beyond the 50-yard line (the offensive origination point), it is a touchdown and point after attempt should ensue in the appropriate end zone. The teammates of the person who intercepted the ball may trail the runner so as to be in position to take a backwards pass. They may not block for or screen for the runner.
j. Offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the previous sport or the new scrimmage spot in a timely fashion. Failure to do so can result in a delay of game penalty.
k. The offensive center is not an eligible receiver (teams must have a center to begin play). The ball must be snapped from the ground either between the snapper’s legs (shotgun) or from the ground taken directly from the center on one knee (drop back) in order to mirror the game of football.
l. The center will be responsible for setting or re-positioning the Referee’s beanbag at the line of scrimmage. On change of possession, the team moving to offense will ensure the beanbag gets to the new scrimmage line (centers on both teams responsible).
m. No taunting or “trash talking”. (5-yard penalty and expulsion if flagrant).
n. The offense must gain at least 15 yards in the first 3 or less plays or the defense takes over. (There is no kicking). Four down territory occurs only after offense proceeds to or inside the 15 yards outside of the end zone (4th quadrant).
o. Fighting: the player(s) involved will be ejected from the game and the tournament. If a team fight occurs, the teams involved will be ejected from the tournament and denied participation in any/all provincial qualifying tournaments! They will also be disqualified from participating in the provincial showcase tournament.
p. Any dead ball foul on a play that results in the defense getting the ball and it is unable to be penalized back to the 50 yard line will result in a loss of down penalty. The defense, now the offense, would be starting play with 2nd down.
q. There will be an area referred to as the tackle box that extends 3 yards on both sides of the center and extending 3 yards deep in the backfield. No eligible receiver may align within the tackle box.
5. Scoring
a. 6 points for a TD.
b. 1 point for PAT from 3-yard line, 2 point PAT from 10 yard line.
c. 2 points if a team returns PAT back across the 45.
d. Official score is kept by field referee and game manager.
6. Tie breaker
a. After coin flip to determine first possession, teams will alternate 4 down series from the 15 yard line
b. A winner is determined when one team scores during its possession and the other does not.
c. If a second overtime period is necessary, each team must then go for two points on the conversion attempts (from the 10 yard line).
7. Time
a. 20 minute halves (continuous clock for each half—see: “starting the game”)
b. No time outs. (Exception: Injuries. Both games on the field will halt until player(s) can be removed as soon as safety dictates).
c. 5-minute half-time/10 minutes between games.
d. 7 on 7 tournaments require that all games start/end at the same time.
e. Teams must be on site and ready to play when scheduled.
f. If a team(s) are late and cannot start when the tournament officially starts, they will begin play with whatever time is left on the tournament clock – not to exceed 10 minutes of 1st half.
g. Forfeit will occur after 10 minutes of the 1st half.
h. Injury time outs may reduce the amount of time between halves and/or between games to maintain game schedules.
8. Secondary Coverages
a. Coverage will be the choice of each participating team.
9. Squad Members
a. Players: Maximum of 20 players per team. This rule will be strictly enforced in all Qualifying Tournaments.
b. Squad members must be from the same school/summer rep team. (No select teams).
c. All participants must have at least one year remaining of high school eligibility.
d. Rosters submitted before season with alternates. Cannot be changed after the first game.
10. Officials
a. 2: Referee and Field Judge
b. Timekeeper: A designated official (official or coach from an opposing team) will keep the 4-second clock.
c. Will use 3 officials for Semi-finals and Championship.
11. Coaches
a. Each team must have a coach/administrator accompany it to any/all events to serve as a school administrator on duty for their particular team(s). This individual is responsible for the action of those representing his/her high school.
b. All high school/summer rep team coaches present must sit in the end zone. No high school coaches are allowed on the sideline.
c. All team coaches will wear an identifying tag for clarification purposes. A team may not have more than four (4) coaches in the end zone and/or sideline.
12. Team Area
a. No team shall have additional athletes on the sideline or in the team tent partially dressed in a team uniform. (Exceeding the maximum number of 20 players)
13. Qualifying Eligibility – Championship Saturday
a.. Points for tournament standings and seeding for Final (1st place – 5 pts; 2nd place – 4 pts; 3rd place – 3 pts)
b. Top 8 teams play during championship Saturday (No fee) à Double Elimination Bracket Format
c. Must play in two tournaments minimum to qualify for Championship Saturday
14. Tournament Tie Breaker
a. Head-to-Head, Points Scored, Points Allowed will determine the pool winners or teams to advance.
b. In a three-way tie, only the scores of games between teams in the tie will be counted. Once a winner is declared, the remaining two teams will revert back to head-to-head to break remaining tie.
c. A forfeit will be treated the same as a qualifying team in a bracket. The team forfeiting or the team that has qualified will not count in the tiebreaker scenario when determining head to head, points scored or points allowed. In essence, a bracket with a qualifying or forfeiting team becomes a three-team bracket.
15. Fan Seating
a. Fans may sit behind their team when they are playing. However, after the contest, they must relinquish their position to the fans of the team schedule to play.
b. Fans may not sit behind someone else’s team during a contest.
**7–ON–7 PROVINCIAL SHOWCASE TOURNAMENTS
A. Teams will be divided into 16 groups of 4 and play a round robin (3 games for each team).
B. The top two teams from each pool will then be entered into a 32-team single elimination championship tournament. The remaining 32 teams will then be entered into a single elimination consolation tournament.
C. If there is a tie in pool play, head-to-head is the first tiebreaker, “total points scored” is second, “total points allowed” is third. After that, we will flip a coin. Once a winner is determined, we will revert back to head-to-head to determine the other places. Note: in a 3-way tie, only the scores of games between teams in the tie will be counted.
D. A team removed from any PQT for fighting will not be allowed to participate in the provincial tournament for that particular year.
E. Any team leaving the Provincial Tournament causing forfeiture of a scheduled game will result in said team being kept out of all PQT. (Subject to Board Review).
** Number of pools and rounds will be adjusted to accommodate teams who have played and registered for the season.
1. Field Dimensions
a. Field Length – 60 yards long
b. Field Width - 65 yards
c. End Zone – 10 yards deep
2. Starting the game
a. A central timekeeper (from our staff) will be designated. All games will begin and end on this persons instructions. He will also announce the time remaining at the 10, 5, and 2 minute mark.
b. Visitors (according to schedule) will have first possession and wear white (top team in bracket or first team listed will be the visitor). The home team will have first possession in the 2nd half and wear a dark color (bottom team in bracket or 2nd team listed will be the home team).
c. No team will be allowed to participate without shirts.
d. All teams will have two jerseys (white/dark jersey, t-shirt, etc) with player’s number on the front and back.
e. No football jerseys of any type shall be worn. T-shirts, Under Armour, or basketball type sleeveless shirts are the only choice of acceptable jerseys.
f. Visitors (team in white) will always align their team on the left sideline facing the end zone. Home (Dark jersey) will always align their team on the right sideline facing the end zone.
g. Referee/Official will announce/post score before each offensive possession begins.
3. Moving the ball
a. Offensive plays must all be passes (No kicking/punting).
b. Field is marked at 15-yard intervals with cones. (Four first downs without a penalty would result in a touchdown).
c. Possession always begins at the 50-yard line.
d. No penalty will be assessed in excess of the 50-yard line. On a successful or unsuccessful play from the 50 yard line resulting in an offensive penalty: The ball will be returned to the 50 yard line and 1st down will become 2nd down; 2nd down will become 3rd down; and 3rd down will result in a turnover.
e. Offense always move in the same direction
f. All passes must be forward. A pass caught behind the line of scrimmage must be a forward pass.
g. Once a forward pass has been thrown, a backward pass (lateral) is allowed.
h. Should a swing pass not cross the line of scrimmage (LOS) and before the 4-second count has expired, a defensive player tags the ball carrier behind the 50-yard line, it is a safety.
4. Special rules
a. No blocking.
b. Receiver/Ball carrier is legally down when touched with one or both hands. (Excessive force by shoving, pushing, or striking a blow will be penalized by automatic first down and 5 yards. Expulsion of a player(s) if ruled unsportsmanlike and flagrant).
c. Fumbles are dead balls at the spot with the last team retaining possession. A muffed snap is not a fumble /dead ball. The 4.0 second count remains in effect on snaps.
d. Each team has 30 seconds to run a play. If a play is not called and run within 30 seconds, a delay of game penalty results with the play being stopped and the ball is placed 5 yards back from line of scrimmage and play and down is repeated. Two delay of game penalties in the same possession results in a turnover.
e. The QB is allowed 4.0 seconds to throw the ball. The Official timekeeper starts a stopwatch on the snap of the ball from center and stops the watch as soon as the QB releases the ball.
i. If release is under 4.0 seconds, the play goes on.
ii. If the timekeeper sees that the clock has exceeded 4.0 seconds, he waits until the play is over (the play is not blown dead), then brings the ball back to the original line of scrimmage with loss of down. (The timekeeper will be an official or coach from a team that is not playing. Timekeeping assignments will be given in welcome package).
iii. All penalties will be marked off on a 4 second count EXCEPT for a pass interference.
f. Defensive pass interference is the same as NCAA/CFL rules. (Automatic 1st down and spot foul up to 15 yards).
g. Responsibility to avoid contact is with the defense. There will be NO chucking. Deliberate bumping or grabbing. These actions will result in a “tack on” penalty at the end of the play (5 yard penalty).
h. Offensive pass interference is the same as NCAA/CFL rules. (15-yard penalty).
i. Interception may be returned (“no blocking” rule applies). If an interception is returned beyond the 50-yard line (the offensive origination point), it is a touchdown and point after attempt should ensue in the appropriate end zone. The teammates of the person who intercepted the ball may trail the runner so as to be in position to take a backwards pass. They may not block for or screen for the runner.
j. Offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the previous sport or the new scrimmage spot in a timely fashion. Failure to do so can result in a delay of game penalty.
k. The offensive center is not an eligible receiver (teams must have a center to begin play). The ball must be snapped from the ground either between the snapper’s legs (shotgun) or from the ground taken directly from the center on one knee (drop back) in order to mirror the game of football.
l. The center will be responsible for setting or re-positioning the Referee’s beanbag at the line of scrimmage. On change of possession, the team moving to offense will ensure the beanbag gets to the new scrimmage line (centers on both teams responsible).
m. No taunting or “trash talking”. (5-yard penalty and expulsion if flagrant).
n. The offense must gain at least 15 yards in the first 3 or less plays or the defense takes over. (There is no kicking). Four down territory occurs only after offense proceeds to or inside the 15 yards outside of the end zone (4th quadrant).
o. Fighting: the player(s) involved will be ejected from the game and the tournament. If a team fight occurs, the teams involved will be ejected from the tournament and denied participation in any/all provincial qualifying tournaments! They will also be disqualified from participating in the provincial showcase tournament.
p. Any dead ball foul on a play that results in the defense getting the ball and it is unable to be penalized back to the 50 yard line will result in a loss of down penalty. The defense, now the offense, would be starting play with 2nd down.
q. There will be an area referred to as the tackle box that extends 3 yards on both sides of the center and extending 3 yards deep in the backfield. No eligible receiver may align within the tackle box.
5. Scoring
a. 6 points for a TD.
b. 1 point for PAT from 3-yard line, 2 point PAT from 10 yard line.
c. 2 points if a team returns PAT back across the 45.
d. Official score is kept by field referee and game manager.
6. Tie breaker
a. After coin flip to determine first possession, teams will alternate 4 down series from the 15 yard line
b. A winner is determined when one team scores during its possession and the other does not.
c. If a second overtime period is necessary, each team must then go for two points on the conversion attempts (from the 10 yard line).
7. Time
a. 20 minute halves (continuous clock for each half—see: “starting the game”)
b. No time outs. (Exception: Injuries. Both games on the field will halt until player(s) can be removed as soon as safety dictates).
c. 5-minute half-time/10 minutes between games.
d. 7 on 7 tournaments require that all games start/end at the same time.
e. Teams must be on site and ready to play when scheduled.
f. If a team(s) are late and cannot start when the tournament officially starts, they will begin play with whatever time is left on the tournament clock – not to exceed 10 minutes of 1st half.
g. Forfeit will occur after 10 minutes of the 1st half.
h. Injury time outs may reduce the amount of time between halves and/or between games to maintain game schedules.
8. Secondary Coverages
a. Coverage will be the choice of each participating team.
9. Squad Members
a. Players: Maximum of 20 players per team. This rule will be strictly enforced in all Qualifying Tournaments.
b. Squad members must be from the same school/summer rep team. (No select teams).
c. All participants must have at least one year remaining of high school eligibility.
d. Rosters submitted before season with alternates. Cannot be changed after the first game.
10. Officials
a. 2: Referee and Field Judge
b. Timekeeper: A designated official (official or coach from an opposing team) will keep the 4-second clock.
c. Will use 3 officials for Semi-finals and Championship.
11. Coaches
a. Each team must have a coach/administrator accompany it to any/all events to serve as a school administrator on duty for their particular team(s). This individual is responsible for the action of those representing his/her high school.
b. All high school/summer rep team coaches present must sit in the end zone. No high school coaches are allowed on the sideline.
c. All team coaches will wear an identifying tag for clarification purposes. A team may not have more than four (4) coaches in the end zone and/or sideline.
12. Team Area
a. No team shall have additional athletes on the sideline or in the team tent partially dressed in a team uniform. (Exceeding the maximum number of 20 players)
13. Qualifying Eligibility – Championship Saturday
a.. Points for tournament standings and seeding for Final (1st place – 5 pts; 2nd place – 4 pts; 3rd place – 3 pts)
b. Top 8 teams play during championship Saturday (No fee) à Double Elimination Bracket Format
c. Must play in two tournaments minimum to qualify for Championship Saturday
14. Tournament Tie Breaker
a. Head-to-Head, Points Scored, Points Allowed will determine the pool winners or teams to advance.
b. In a three-way tie, only the scores of games between teams in the tie will be counted. Once a winner is declared, the remaining two teams will revert back to head-to-head to break remaining tie.
c. A forfeit will be treated the same as a qualifying team in a bracket. The team forfeiting or the team that has qualified will not count in the tiebreaker scenario when determining head to head, points scored or points allowed. In essence, a bracket with a qualifying or forfeiting team becomes a three-team bracket.
15. Fan Seating
a. Fans may sit behind their team when they are playing. However, after the contest, they must relinquish their position to the fans of the team schedule to play.
b. Fans may not sit behind someone else’s team during a contest.
**7–ON–7 PROVINCIAL SHOWCASE TOURNAMENTS
A. Teams will be divided into 16 groups of 4 and play a round robin (3 games for each team).
B. The top two teams from each pool will then be entered into a 32-team single elimination championship tournament. The remaining 32 teams will then be entered into a single elimination consolation tournament.
C. If there is a tie in pool play, head-to-head is the first tiebreaker, “total points scored” is second, “total points allowed” is third. After that, we will flip a coin. Once a winner is determined, we will revert back to head-to-head to determine the other places. Note: in a 3-way tie, only the scores of games between teams in the tie will be counted.
D. A team removed from any PQT for fighting will not be allowed to participate in the provincial tournament for that particular year.
E. Any team leaving the Provincial Tournament causing forfeiture of a scheduled game will result in said team being kept out of all PQT. (Subject to Board Review).
** Number of pools and rounds will be adjusted to accommodate teams who have played and registered for the season.