1.1 Helmets

• Soft-shelled helmets are mandatory for all players.

• Helmets DO NOT have to be the same color for all team members.

• Game Breaker (GB) is a sponsor of the league, but:

  • You do not have to wear GB soft-shelled helmets.

  • Other soft-shelled helmets or Halos are allowed.

  • Special TYFA pricing is available for GB helmets (Contact: tyfa7v7@tyfa.com).

• Helmets must be fully fastened during play.

• Mouthpieces must be in place—failure to comply may result in removal from play and a loss of down.

• Highly recommended: Helmets should have a Virginia Tech rating of 4 stars or higher.

• Teams can wear a combination of Soft-Shell Helmets and Halos.

• Helmets must not contain any metal components.

• Helmets must not have hard parts, sharp edges, or any feature that could harm another player.

• Helmets must have a functional retention system or chin strap.

1.2 Footballs

• Wilson Leather (only) can be used for game play.

• Ball Size:

  • • K2: 8u and 8u

    • TDJ: 10u and 11u

    • TDY: 12u and 13u

    • 1003: 14u and above

1.3 Uniforms

• Players must wear matching uniforms consisting of a top and shorts or pants.

• Jerseys must have a number on the rear (at a minimum).

• Players not in uniform with the team will not be permitted to play.

• Jerseys with "hoods" are permitted, but must be worn under the Soft shell not over.

• All team members must wear jerseys of the same color and design.

• Shorts or pants must match in color and design for all team members.

• No pockets or belt loops on game shorts or pants (safety rule).

• Cleats must be rubber-molded or turf-approved—no metal spikes or detachable cleats allowed.

• Accessories (armbands, sleeves) must be team-coordinated in color.

• Players out of compliance may be removed from play until the issue is resolved.

1.4 League Dress Code

• Coaches must wear attire that matches the team colors.

• No crocs, slides, flip flops or improper footwear.

• Players must wear matching uniforms and soft-shelled helmets of the same color.

• The wearing of hats like racoon hats etc. on top of the soft-shelled helmet or halos is NOT permitted

• Jerseys must have at a minimum a # on the rear/back of the jersey.

2.1 Officials & Site Management

• Each game will have up to two officials, with a Site Manager present to oversee operations.

• Referees will manage the 4-second play clock and keep score.

• Officials and the Site Manager will ensure that games start on time and that all rules are enforced.

• Site Managers cannot overturn calls.

2.2 Pre-Game Verification

• Teams and players must be verified 15 minutes before their scheduled start time.

• All players, coaches and volunteers must be certified in the TYFA 7-on-7 certification system.

• TYFA enforces fair play and will verify age and grade requirements per division.

• Using illegal players will result in team and player disqualification for the remainder of the season.

• Certified means in the TYFA Webapp with no holds of any type.

2.3 Game Times & Late Arrivals

• Teams must arrive at least 30 minutes before their scheduled game time.

• The game clock starts at the original scheduled time. If a team is 10 minutes late, they forfeit the game (score recorded as 7-0).

• Excessive forfeitures (more than 2) during the season by a team will result in removal for the season.

3.1 Game Clock

• Games are 25 minutes long (running clock).

• No timeouts, except for injuries or at the referee’s discretion.

• 30-second play clock between plays.

• The game clock is maintained by the on-field official.

3.2 Possession & Play

• Coin toss determines first possession.

• All possessions start from the 40-yard line.

• Only forward passes are allowed (no running plays, kicking, or punting).

• Offense consists of 7 players, with a mandatory center (not an eligible receiver).

• First downs: Teams have two opportunities to cross the 25-yard line and 10-yard line.

• Teams have three downs to make a first down, even inside the 10-yard line.

• One-hand touch ends a play.

3.3 QB & Center Responsibilities

• The QB must take a shotgun snap or use a tee.

• The center and QB must set the ball at the line of scrimmage.

• The center cannot be an eligible receiver but can tag a defender after an interception.

• Both the center and QB must wear a properly fastened helmet and mouthpiece.

3.4 Field Setup

• Field Length: 40 yards

• Field Width: 160 feet

• End Zone: 10 yards deep

• Field must be marked at 10-yard intervals, with lines clearly visible.

4.1 Defensive Play

• Defenders can jam receivers within 5 yards.

• Excessive holding, shoving, hands to the face, slapping the head, or throwing a player down will result in unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

• Players are down upon one-hand touch.

4.2 Offensive Formations

• Teams must line up in legal offensive formations.

• TYFA 7v7 is a pure Passing league. 

  • • No runs are permitted; all plays must consist of a forward pass from the quarterback to an eligible receiver.

    • "Double" passes or "Shovel" passes are not allowed.

    • Violations will result in a loss of down and a 5-yard penalty.

• Tackle Box Definition and Alignment Restrictions

In accordance with TYFA regulations, a legal offensive formation must adhere to the following standards:

• • The tackle box is defined as:

    • Extending three (3) yards laterally to each side of the center

    • Extending three (3) yards deep into the offensive backfield

  • Eligible receivers are prohibited from aligning within the tackle box at the time of the snap and must be outside the tackle box when the ball is snapped.

4.3 Defensive Participants and Alignments

• Maximum of 7 defenders.

• They cannot line up in an 8-man front and then drop one player before the snap.

5.1 Scoring

• Touchdown = 6 points

• Interception = 3 points (no return permitted)

• Turnover on Downs = 2 points

• PAT:

  • • 1-point Attempt from the 5-yard line

    • 2-point Attempt from the 10-yard line

5.2 Overtime (Tournament Play only)

• No Overtime in regular season play.

• In tournament play:

  • • Each team gets 3 plays from the 10-yard line.

    • Starting in the 3rd overtime period, all PATs must be 2-point attempts.

    • Overtime periods are not timed.

5.3 Mercy Rule

• If a team leads by 21 points or more after 15 minutes, the game is called, and the score stands.

6.1 Player & Coach Conduct

• TYFA has a zero-tolerance policy for unsportsmanlike conduct.

• Celebrations are allowed but must be respectful. We encourage players and coaches to show exuberance and excitement, but excessive or derogatory displays will result in removal from the game.

• Fighting results in ejection:

  • • 1st Offense: Immediate ejection

    • 2nd Offense: Suspension from the league

    • If a team engages in a fight, they forfeit the game and are suspended for one week.

• Players ejected (fighting or behavior) twice in a season are removed for the remainder of the season.

• Coaches may be fined and/or suspended for misconduct.

• Foul or offensive language, taunting etc. by players or coaches will result in ejection.

7.1 End-of-Season Tournament

• Format: Round-robin pool play.

• The top 2 teams from each pool advance to a single-elimination tournament.

• Tiebreakers: 

  • • Head-to-head results

    • Total points allowed

    • Total points scored

    • Coin flip (if necessary)

7.2 Special Tournament Rules

• “Retain Possession” Rule: Teams trailing may attempt to gain 20 yards on one play to keep possession. If unsuccessful, the opposing team gains possession at the 40-yard line and is awarded 2 points.

• Money Shot: Teams may attempt a 3-point PAT from the 20-yard line, but they must declare this before the attempt.

• One Blitz Rule: Each team is allowed one blitz per game.

• Certified means in the TYFA Webapp with no holds of any type.

ATHLETES

• Roster Minimum: Each team must have a minimum of eight certified players on the roster. 

• Roster Maximum: A team’s roster may not exceed 25 players.

• Game Play: A team MUST start and maintain six players on the field throughout the game. If a team falls below seven players at any point, the game will be declared a forfeit, and the recorded score will stand if the forfeiting team was losing, or 7-0 if the forfeiting team was winning.

COACHES/VOLUNTEERS

• Each team is permitted to have four sideline personal (Coaches, Team Managers, Photographer etc.). All sideline personnel MUST be certified.

• Unauthorized or non-certified personnel are subject to removal, and the organization/team may face a fine.

DUAL PARTICIPATION POLICY

• Players may ONLY compete for their officially certified TYFA 7-on-7 team.

• Playing for another team within the same organization—whether as a permanent member or a temporary substitute—is prohibited.

• Participation with any other team in the league is NOT permitted.

• Exceptions:

  • Players may join external (non-TYFA) 7-on-7 teams.

  • Participation in TYFA Spring tackle or other external tackle leagues is allowed.

Age Eligibility:

• Players will be placed on teams based on their age as of January 1st of the current year.

• Players are permitted to move up one age group (e.g., a 9U player may play in 10U).

• Players cannot skip an age group (e.g., an 8U player is not eligible for 10U).

• Pass Interference

  • Defensive Pass Interference: Automatic first down + 5 yards from the original line of scrimmage.

  • Offensive Pass Interference: Ball returns to the previous spot + loss of down.

• Defensive Penalties

  • Defensive Holding: Automatic first down + 5 yards from the original line of scrimmage.

  • Defensive Off-Sides: 5-yard penalty.

• Offensive Penalties

  • Illegal Procedure: Loss of down. 

  • Delay of Game: Loss of down + clock stops in the final 1:00 of the game.

  • QB-Center exchange: If the QB drops the snap the play is dead.

• Personal Fouls

  • Offensive Personal Foul: Loss of down + 5 yards from the original line of scrimmage.

  • Defensive Personal Foul: Automatic first down + 5 yards from the original line of scrimmage.

• Offensive Penalty from the 40

  • If the offense commits a penalty at the start of their drive (at the 40-yard line or designated start line), the penalty shall result in a loss of down, regardless of the type of infraction. 

Requirements:

• All players and coaches must be verified through the TYFA Certification platform

• Verification must be completed 15 minutes before scheduled game time (mandatory)

Process:

• Teams will present their roster via mobile device/tablet

• Opposing team's coach will verify players using the presenting team's device (access is limited to verification only)

• Coaches must also be verified during this process - only coaches with a valid TYFA 7v7 Profile will be permitted on the sideline in accordance with rules.

Team Responsibilities:

• Arrive with sufficient time for verification

• Ensure all players are present for verification.

• Have TYFA platform accessible on a mobile device or tablet

• Ensure all participants are present for verification

Non-Compliance:

• Failure to complete verification may result in game delays or game forfeiture

• This standardized process ensures fair competition and efficient game operations. Your cooperation is appreciated.