Rules

7v7 Rules
Flag Rules

2026 – Henderson Flag Football 7v7 Rules

NOTICE

This Rule Book contains the official game rules for HENDERSON FLAG FOOTBALL, as reviewed and endorsed by the Board of Directors. The Board retains the authority to modify, amend, append, or remove any rule at any time. This is a dynamic document. Readers are responsible for checking for updates. Changes will be posted and highlighted for at least 30 days. HENDERSON FLAG FOOTBALL is not liable for typographical errors or phrasing misunderstandings. The Board of Directors has final authority over all rules and regulations.

For clarifications contact: Lee@SHOOKTOURNAMENTS.COM

GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

  1. Rosters
    • Maximum 24 players per team.
    • All rosters must be approved by deadline.
    • No additions after cutoff date.
    • Age cutoff: 08/01/2025.
    • Players may roster on multiple teams in different divisions but not in the same division.
  2. Illegal Play – Use of illegal player results in team forfeiture and removal.
  3. Rain-Outs – Cancellation decisions made by Board only. No refunds.
  4. Kicking – No punting or kicking.
  5. Sidelines – Spectators/tents 15 ft from boundary lines.
  6. Uniforms
    • No jewelry.
    • Mouthpiece required.
    • Approved softshell helmets required (except QB).
    • No metal cleats.
    • No hard casts with metal.
    • No sunglasses during gameplay.
  7. Music – No profanity or explicit lyrics during gameplay.

COACHING

  • Maximum 3 coaches/staff on sideline (additional up to 5 with fee).
  • Head Coach must be 18+ years old.
  • One offensive coach allowed on field.
  • No defensive coaches on field.
  • Sideline warnings escalate to penalties and possible ejection.
  • Cheating results in automatic disqualification.

FIELD DIMENSIONS

  • 50-yard field (40-yard playing field + 10-yard end zone)
  • 50–53.5 yards wide depending on venue

GENERAL SCORING

  • Touchdown: 6 points
  • Interception: 1 point (not during extra points or overtime)
  • Extra Point: 1 point (5-yard) / 2 points (10-yard)

PLAYERS ON THE FIELD

  • Offense: 5 eligible receivers + QB
  • Defense: 7 defenders

GAME PLAY

  • Ball starts at 40-yard line.
  • 25-minute running clock.
  • 1 timeout per team.
  • 30-second play clock.
  • One blitz per game (not allowed from 40-yard line).
  • QB has 4 seconds to release ball (unless blitz).
  • Mercy Rule: 28-point differential ends game.

ONSIDE KICK (Bracket Play Only)

  • One per team.
  • Must be within final 2 minutes.
  • Score within 8 points.
  • One untimed play from 40-yard line to gain 20 yards.
  • No touchdowns or blitzing during onside play.

MOVING THE BALL

  • Offense starts at 40-yard line after change of possession.
  • 3 downs to gain first down (markers at 25 and 10).
  • 3 downs to score inside 10-yard line.
  • QB cannot run.
  • No toss passes or reverse passes.

BRACKET PLAY / FORMAT

  • Seeding based on Win/Loss, Head-to-Head, Points For, Points Against, Point Differential.
  • Coin flip if tie remains.

OVERTIME (Single Elimination Only)

  • 2 plays from 10-yard line.
  • No interception points.
  • No blitzing.

DOUBLE OVERTIME

  • Longest play from 40-yard line.
  • No interception points.
  • No blitzing.

PENALTIES

  • Blitz violation: 15 yards.
  • No blocking.
  • Fumbles are dead balls.
  • Defensive Pass Interference: 15 yards + automatic first down.
  • Offensive Pass Interference: Loss of down.
  • Unsportsmanlike Conduct: 15 yards + loss of down or automatic first down.
  • Game cannot end on defensive penalty.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions or clarification:
Lee@SHOOKTOURNAMENTS.COM
702-809-3792 (Text)





2026 FLAG SHOOK TOURNAMENTS GAME PLAY RULES

RULE #1

We will utilize NFL Flag rules as a guideline. SHOOK staff will have final say on rules and interpretations.

DIVISIONS

Coed: 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U

Girls: 12U, 14U, High School

GENERAL RULES / EQUIPMENT GUIDELINES

  • Winner of the coin toss chooses offense or defense. Loser chooses direction. Possession changes at half.
  • Players must wear YOUTH flags with 2 poppers.
  • All players must wear mouth guards while on the field.
  • Age-specific game balls required.
  • Cleats required. No exposed metal cleats.
  • Soft shell helmets, halos, and secured sunglasses permitted. Prescription glasses allowed without strap.
  • Jerseys must be tucked in if below belt line.
  • No pockets on shorts/pants/sweats.
  • Participants must bring their own flag belts and mouth guards.
  • Flag belts cannot match shorts/pants color.
  • Teams not compliant at game time may use up to 2 timeouts to correct issues.

FIELD DIMENSIONS

  • Approx. 25 yards wide x 50 yards long
  • Two end zones: 7–10 yards each

OFFENSIVE POSSESSION

  • Ball starts at 5-yard line.
  • 4 downs to cross midfield.
  • 3 downs to score after crossing midfield.
  • Punt on 4th down moves ball to opposing 5-yard line.
  • Failed 4th down attempt results in turnover at spot.

4TH DOWN DECLARATION

  • Offense must declare “Play” or “Punt.”
  • Timeout may change declaration before play clock expires.
  • Declared punt results in immediate possession change.

NO RUN ZONES

  • 5 yards before midfield
  • 5 yards before end zone
  • Pass plays only in these zones

GAME TIMING

  • Two 12-minute halves (continuous clock)
  • 25-second play clock
  • 2 timeouts per game

OVERTIME (Bracket Play Only)

  • 1st OT: 1 play from 5-yard (1 point) or 10-yard (2 points)
  • 2nd OT: All attempts from 10-yard line (2 points)
  • 3rd OT: Longest play from midfield; 1 play each

SCORING

  • Touchdown: 6 points
  • 1-point try: Pass from 5-yard line
  • 2-point try: Run/pass from 10-yard line
  • Interception return (regulation): 6 points
  • Interception (conversion/OT): 2 points
  • Safety: 2 points

RUNNING

  • QB may not directly run.
  • No diving or hurdling.
  • Ball spotted at position of ball during flag pull.

PASSING

  • Forward passes must cross line of scrimmage unless touched by defender.
  • 7-second pass clock.
  • One forward pass per play from behind LOS.
  • Unlimited backward passes behind LOS.
  • No intentional grounding.
  • QB catching own pass = dead play.

RECEIVING

  • All players eligible.
  • One foot/body part in bounds required.
  • Simultaneous possession awarded to offense.
  • Interceptions are returnable.

RUSHING THE PASSER

  • Allowed starting at 8U.
  • Rusher must start 7 yards off LOS.
  • Path to QB cannot be impeded.
  • Officials have final interpretation.

FLAG PULLING

  • Legal when ball carrier has possession.
  • Defenders may dive but not tackle/hold.
  • No stripping ball.
  • Lost flag = player down at spot.
  • Flag guarding prohibited.

FORMATIONS

  • Minimum 1 player (center) on LOS; max 4.
  • QB must be off LOS.
  • Only one player in motion at snap.
  • Players must reset 1 second before snap.

COACHES

  • Maximum 2 per sideline.
  • 6U and below: 1 offensive coach allowed on field (5 yards behind QB).

MERCY RULE

  • Game ends at 28-point differential.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

  • Intentional physical play results in ejection.
  • No offensive/confrontational language.
  • Fans must display sportsmanship.
  • Two unsportsmanlike penalties = disqualification.

GENERAL PENALTY GUIDELINES

  • Officials administer penalties.
  • Half-distance enforcement when applicable.
  • Spot fouls in end zone:
    • Defensive: Ball on 1-yard line, first down
    • Offensive: Safety

CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions or clarification:
Lee@SHOOKTOURNAMENTS.COM
702-809-3792 (Text)