MidAmerica 7v7 Football

2026 Girls Flag Official Rules

Last updated 12/01/2025

1. Field Dimensions:

1. Length: 50 yards total, with a 40-yard playing field and a 10-yard end zone going one direction

2. Width: 40 yards, but can be at minimum 30 if space is not suitable

3. No-Run Zones: 5 yards before first down marker and 5 yards before end zone

4. First Down Marker: 20-yard line

2. Starting Each Game:

1. A whistle signals the start of the game

2. Coin Toss or Rock Paper Scissors:

1. Home team calls the toss

2. The winner begins possession at the +40 yard line

3. In bracket play, the higher seed chooses offense or defense

3. Game Duration:

1. 25 minute running clock

2. Clock stops only for official or coach timeouts

4. Timeouts:

1. One 30-second timeout per team per game

5. Snap Clock: 

1. Offense has 30 seconds to snap the ball after a dead ball

2. Teams are responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the line of scrimmage

6. Quarterback:

1. 4 seconds to throw unless blitzed

2. If blitzed, the 4-second limit is not enforced 

3. If the ball is handed off, the 4-second limit is not enforced

7. Untimed Plays: 

1. A game cannot end on a defensive penalty, an untimed down is played

8. A whistle signals the end of the game

9. Official Score and Time: Kept by referees and field director

3. Moving the Ball:

1. Starting Position: 

1. Offense starts at the +40 yard line after any change of possession

2. Offense cannot be penalized or sacked back beyond the +40

2. Downs:

1. 4 downs to reach a first down or score

3. Quarterback (QB) Rules:

1. The player receiving the snap is the QB 

2. Center is eligible to receive passes

3. Pass Rules:

1. One forward pass per play

2. One lateral pass allowed before the forward pass

3. All passes must be thrown from behind the line of scrimmage

4. Teams may hand the ball off and then lateral if done behind the LOS

4. QB may run only if blitzed outside of a no-run zone

5. The offense may run the ball as many times as they wish

4. Snapping the Football:

1. All snaps must come from the ground and be from the center

2. Fumbled/Dropped Snap results in a dead ball and loss of down, with the ball returned to the original line of scrimmage

5. Running Restrictions:

1. Teams may hand off or run the ball only outside of no-run zones

6. Fumbles or Flag Drops: 

1. A fumble, accidental flag drop by ball carrier, or interception results in a dead ball

2. No interception returns allowed

4. Offensive Play Restrictions

1. No-Run Zones: 

1. Offense may not run inside 5 yards of a first down or the goal line.

2. Blocking: 

1. No blocking, picking, or screening allowed

3. Flag Pulling: 

1. Swatting or attempting to knock away an opponent’s hand is illegal (flag guarding)

4. No Excessive Spinning: 

1. Spinning is legal, but excessive spinning will be a flag

5. Defensive Play

1. Flag Pulling:

1. When a flag is pulled it is a dead ball at the spot and next play begins

2. No tackling or unsafe contact is allowed 

3. Defenders may leave their feet to pull a flag

2. Blitzing:

1. Unlimited players may blitz and unlimited blitzes allowed per game

2. QB may run if blitzed, unless in a no-run zone

3. Blitzing is allowed in no-run zones

4. Players must start 5 yards off the line of scrimmage to blitz

3. Defensive Contact:

1. No physical impeding before the receiver touches the ball

6. Scoring:

1. Touchdown: 

1. 6 points.

2. Extra Points:

1. 1 free extra point may be taken or teams may go for a 2 point conversion from the 5 yard line

1. 2 point conversions are considered in the  no-run zone, only passes are permitted

3. Interception:

1. 2 points

2. Possession begins at +40-yard line

4. Overtime: 

1. One untimed play from the 40-yard line; only passing allowed

2. The team completing the farthest pass wins

3. Interceptions do not have value

7. Penalties:

Offensive Penalties

     Penalty   Result

Defensive Penalties

     Penalty   Result

Addition Clarifications:

1. A defensive penalty cannot end a game; an untimed down is played

2. Defensive penalties during overtime do not affect scoring; the play is replayed if necessary

8. Equipment

1. Flags: Mandatory for all players. Each player must wear a 2-flag belt (one flag on each hip) Flags must be:

1. Belt - One piece with 2 attached flags (standard style)

1. Quick-release clip (standard pop-style)

2. Must be snug to the waist so it doesn’t rotate

3. Can not be altered, taped, or knotted

2. Placement - Left hip and right hip

3. Dimensions

1. Length - 14 inches minimum

2. Width - 2 inches minimum

3. Material - Vinyl / vinyl coated (cloth or ribbon-style are not permitted)

4. Color - Contrasting color to uniform and not clear, thin, or camouflage

4. Uniforms

1. Must be tucked in so flags are visible and accessible

1. Failure to comply results in an equipment violation

2. No pockets or belt loops on shorts if possible

3. Belt must sit at or above the hips

5. Uniforms, flags, and belts are brought by the team; tournament does not provide flags

2. Mouthguards: Mandatory

3. Soft Shells: Required, may use headband style headgear

4. Football Sizes:

1. 10U: Pee Wee

2. 12U: TDJ

3. 14U: TDJ

1. 15U/18U: TDY

9. Overtime:

1. Play: One untimed play from the 40-yard line; only passing allowed

2. Scoring:

1. Team completing the farthest pass wins

2. Interceptions have no value

3. Blitzing: Not allowed in overtime

4. Coin toss to decide choice of possession, away team calls. If bracket play, the higher seed gets choice

5. If tied or neither side completes a pass, repeat the process

10. Eligibility & Age Divisions

1. Age Verification:

1. Coaches are recommended to carry player ID or birth certificate with them

2. Player Eligibility:

1. No disputes are allowed during the event; all players are pre-verified through the MidAmerica 7v7 Football age verification process

        Division         Maximum Age (as of Jan 1)

3. 
   Player eligibility disputes:

1. There are NO player eligibility disputes allowed. All players are age verified before the event to ensure a fair and proper tournament. Any questions regarding this process can be directed to the tournament director after the event. Games will not be delayed for coach concerns

11. Coaching Your Team:

1. Offensive Coaches: One allowed on the field behind the huddle. No defensive coaches allowed on the field

2. Coach Conduct:

1. Coaches cannot challenge rulings, the call on the field is final

2. Sideline warnings may lead to penalties or ejections after multiple violations

3. Sideline Coaches: No more than 5 allowed on the sidelines

4. Bench or Substitute Players: Must be on the sideline, not behind the offense

1. Any player not involved in the play must be on the sideline

12. Special Rules:

1. No Blocking: Shielding, picking, or obstructing defenders is not allowed

2. Pass Interference:

1. Face guarding allowed

2. High school rules apply for interference/contact

3. Ball Carrier: Considered down when flag is pulled. A defender may leave their feet to make a flag pull

4. Play Clock:

1. Offense has 30 seconds to snap the ball from a dead ball

1. Dead ball = When the whistle blows to end the play

2. The offense is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to an official

3. Delay of game results in a loss of down

4. Teams may not use a two ball system, players must retrieve the ball after each play and bring it back to the line of scrimmage

5. Defensive Penalties: Result in a first down at the next marker or at the 1-yard line

6. Offensive Penalties: Result in a loss of down

7. Quarterback Time Limit: 4 seconds to throw the ball, unless blitzed

8. Blitz:

1. Defense allowed unlimited blitzes per game, including overtime

2. Sacks are down where spotted, but the ball cannot be placed beyond the 40-yard line

9. Interceptions:

1. Play stops immediately. The intercepting team takes over at the 40-yard line

10. Celebrations:

1. We encourage team celebrations, please feel free to celebrate during the event

2. Excessive celebrations will result in a first down or loss of down on the next drive

11. Unsportsmanlike Conduct: 

1. Fighting and taunting will NOT be tolerated

2. Two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties result in ejection from the game

3. Profanity can be an unsportsmanlike conduct

4. Fans, coaches, or players can cause a sideline penalty

5. Fighting or throwing punches results in ejection from both the game and the tournament

6. Brawl or multiple ejections = Suspension

13. Event Bracket Format:

1. Seeding:

1. Based on Day 1 performance

2. Minimum of 3-4 games per team during the event. (Pool + Tournament)

2. Seeding Criteria:

1. Record

2. Fewest points allowed

3. Total points scored

4. Point differential

Appendix: Tournament Rules and Processes Explained

1. Coach Responsibilities:

1.1 Coaches are responsible for knowing and educating players on all rules.

1.2 Sideline maintenance and timely paperwork/payment submission are the coach's responsibility.

1.3 Team rosters must be entered and updated before each event.

1.4 Players must be on the team’s roster for each event to be eligible to play.

2. Starting Each Game:

(2) (C) Clarification. Time announcements at 15, 10, 5 minutes, with consistent updates in the last 2 minutes.

3. Moving the Ball:

(3) (C) Clarification. The QB may not exit the field of play behind the line of scrimmage, if they do it results in a dead ball and loss of down. Section (3)(C)(c) still applies to the QB.

(3) (D) (c) Clarification. Fumbles post-QB exchange result in a dead play; ball spotted where the fumble occurred.

4. Defensive Play Rules:

4.1 Defensive players do not have to look for the ball in the air.

4.2 No physical impeding allowed until the receiver touches the ball.

4.3 Blitz allows sending as many defensive players across the line as desired.

5. Special Rules:

(5) (A) Clarification. Any attempt to block or impede a defensive player results in a loss of down and return to the previous spot.

6. Tie Breaker Rules:

(6) (A) (c) Clarification. Running the ball is not allowed; teams must complete a pass.

(6) (A) (c) Clarification. Furthest completion rule in overtime; interceptions have no value.

(6) (A) Clarification. Pass interference during overtime results in a replay of the down.

(6) (A) Clarification. One point is awarded for an overtime win. If tied at 14 in overtime, the final score is declared 15-14 when a winner is decided.

7. Weather Policy:

7.1 Play through all weather, excluding extreme or unsafe conditions.

7.2 Lightning results in a 30-minute delay; subsequent lightning extends the delay.

7.3 Weather decisions are made by the acting event director.

7.4 Events subject to cancellation, relocation, rescheduling, or early ending due to weather.

7.5 Refunds or discounts due to weather are at the discretion of each event host.

8. Officials:

8.1 Each game has a minimum of 2 referees and 1 Field Manager.

8.2 Referee positions: 1 behind the defense, 1 on the line, and a third (if present) behind the offense.

8.3 Referee positions continued: If there are only two referees, the referee position will be behind the offense and cover sideline, while the second referee covers the middle and opposite sideline.

8.3 Head Referee/Field Judge oversees the 4-second clock behind the offense.

8.4 Referees and Field Managers assist with scorekeeping and time management.

8.5 Line Judges manage the game clock on the line of scrimmage.

8.6 If a 3rd official is present, they serve as the line judge opposite of the official behind the offense, tracking the 30-second play clock.

8.7 Field Managers assist with crowd control and rules discretions.

8.8 Field Managers do not have the authority to overturn Head Referee decisions.

8.9 Field Managers update live scoring in unison with the Head Referee.

8.10 Referees and Field Managers ensure games are on time and flow smoothly.

9. Eligibility

(9) (A) (a) Clarification. The 30 second clock starts immediately after a touchdown, in this time the scoring team must snap the ball if going for two or else it is a delay of game and loss of attempt.

(10) (A) Clarification. Players are not eligible to play in different divisions within the same age group (D1/D2/D3)

(10) Clarification) Age challenges are not allowed, every player has been age verified before the tournament. For any questions, please address the event host AFTER the game/event.

10. Age Rules for Midwest 7v7 Football:

(11) Clarification. Players are eligible to play up or in higher age divisions.

(11) Clarification. Players can be on two teams if they are in different age divisions.

(11) Clarification. Players are not eligible to play down or in lower age divisions.