MOKAN 7v7 RULES

Official Rules of MOKAN 7v7 Football

1. Field Dimensions/Specs

• 40 yards in length – 40, 25 & 10 are the first down lines
• Between 145’ - 160’ in width
• 10 yards deep in End Zone
• Field hash marks are of high school dimensions

2. Team Members

Players

• Each team has a maximum of 25 players. Players will not be accepted into the event as individuals. All players must be a part of a team.
• All Players must have an Active Zorts Card. 
• All Players must have checked in with team/player entry & received a wristband for that age group.

      -    Teams are not required to utilize an offensive center.

If utilizing one, the offensive center is not an eligible receiver.

The center will be responsible for setting or re-positioning the football at the line of scrimmage. If no center, the QB will be responsible.

• SNAPPERS OR CENTERS ARE NOT ABLE TO BE IN THE PLAY AT ANY TIME, INCLUDING INTERCEPTIONS. AUTO 6 points on an INT if a QB or Snapper advances to tag the defender.

Age Requirements

• All players must be under the age of 19
• Seniors who have graduated from high school may only play until July 31 of the season directly following high school graduation.
• Seniors who graduated and have started college are not eligible.
• Players can play up in an age division. Example a 10U player can play on both 10U team & 12U team for organization.
• NO PLAYER CAN PLAY DOWN IN AGE. Example a 15U player who is 15 cannot play down for a 14U team. 
• Player can only play on ONE team per age division. No roster hopping in the same age division. Only allowed to play up in divisions. 

Coaches

• Each team has a maximum of 4 coaches. Coaches will be allowed on the sidelines only during games.
• Coaches must have a Active Zorts Card.
• Coaches must have a wristband to be on the sideline. 
• One offensive coach may be in the huddle with players between plays but when the huddle breaks the coach must move outside the hash on the side of his team bench so as to not interfere with the operation of the official or game play.
• Defensive coaches are not allowed on the field at any time.

3. Officials & Staffing

• Each game will have a minimum of three (3) officials. Positions are Referee/Field Judge, Sideline Judge and Back Judge.
• Each game will have a scorekeeper.
• Field manager – Event will have one for every two 7v7 fields to assist with crowd, player, coach, and referee control on/around the game fields.

4. Game Times

• Teams must be onsite and ready to start on time. If a team is late or cannot start on time, the game clock will begin and whatever time is left on the clock will be where the game starts.
• The team that is late will begin on defense. If a team is late by 10 minutes or more they will forfeit the game.
• Games are played with an twenty-four (24) minute running clock.
• 1 timeout per team (30 sec) – during tournament bracket play only
• Overtime: During tournament bracket play only
• If overtime is required, teams will alternate three (3) plays from the ten-yard line. Each team has an attempt to score in each overtime period.

Starting with the 2nd overtime, all PAT’s must be 2 point attempts from the 10 yard line. If you get to the 3rd Overtime. Each team will get one play from the 40 yard line. Longest play wins the game. Keep going until a winner is decided. 

• Overtime periods are not timed.
• No Timeouts in Overtime.
• CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES. All final games will be two, 14 minute halves. Higher seed will choose to take ball in the 1st or 2nd half. Halftime will be a 1 minute break. Same timeout & overtime rules as stated above. Only 1 timeout for entire game. 

5. Scoring

• Six (6) points for a touchdown
• One (1) point for a PAT from 3 yard line
•  Two (2) points for a PAT from 10 yard line
•  Two (2) Points for Defensive Stop on downs
• Three (3) Points for Interception & then downed by opposing player (NO QBS or Snappers can down a defender on a INT, auto 6 pts if they advance to tag defender)
• Six (6) Points for Interception that is returned for TD (40 yard line) without being downed.
• Turnover on a PAT or ONSIDE  is dead ball (including INT)
• Official scores will be kept by the head referee and field scorekeeper.

6. Penalties

Offense

• Off-sides/False Start = Loss of Down
• Delay of Game = Loss of Down
• Each team will have 25 seconds to snap the ball once it has been marked ready for play; delay of game penalty will be assessed.
• Pass interference = 5-yard penalty and Loss of Down
• No penalty may be assessed in excess of the 40 yard line. If a penalty would move the offense beyond the 40 yard line, the offensive team shall be charged with a loss of down.
• If the referee sees that the clock has exceeded 4.0 seconds, the play is blown dead. The ball should be returned to the original line of scrimmage with loss of down. If the QB proceeds to throw the ball after the play has been blown dead, a penalty for offensive delay of game will be assessed.
• Offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the previous spot or the new scrimmage spot. Clock does not stop and any delay by offense in retrieving and returning the ball TO THE REFEREE will result in a delay of game and will be a 5-yard penalty from the succeeding spot.
• If defensive holding occurs on the same play as a sack, the defense will be penalized and the sack is void.
• After a score or extra point. The opposing Offense must wait for the Back Judge to restart play & allow defenses to sub in & get set.

Defense

• Off-sides = 5-yard penalty.
• Defensive Holding = 5-yard penalty. (NOT a Automatic 1st Down)
• Defensive Pass Interference will be a spot foul (1st down at the spot).
• If Defensive Pass Interference occurs in the end zone, it will result in a 1st down at the 1-yard line.
• Any dead ball penalty on the defense AFTER a change of possession would result in a loss of down for that team’s offense when they begin their ensuing possession. 
• Responsibility to avoid contact is with the defense. The defense is allowed an INITIAL disruption within 5 yards, and then must cover. Excessive or prolonged contact will result in a “tack on” penalty at the end of the play (5-yard penalty).

7. Turnovers/Deadballs

• Receiver/Ball carrier is legally down when touched below the neck with one or both hands. (Excessive force by shoving, pushing, or striking a blow will be penalized by automatic first down and 5 yards. Player can be expelled if ruled unsportsmanlike & flagrant).
• Fumbles that hit the ground 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.
• The QB is allowed 4.0 seconds to throw the ball. Time starts on the snap of the ball and stops as soon as the QB releases the ball. If release is under 4.0 seconds, the play continues. Play is blown dead after 4.0 seconds.
• Interceptions can be returned – 3 points are awarded on interception & downed before scoring past the 40 yard line. 6 points are awarded for interceptions returned for TDs past the 40 yard line. Points for defensive stop and interception are not “added together”. One or the other ends a possession with defensive points.
• NO BLOCKING on INTS. Defenders can run with the player who intercepted the ball but if ANY contact happens with an Offensive player trying to tag then the play is blown dead & only 3 pts will be awarded. 
• The offense must gain at least 15 yards in the first 3 or less plays or the defense takes over.
• No 4th downs. (3) downs in all zones.

NEW ONSIDE RULE - Teams will receive one onside try per game. Teams will get one play from the 40 yard line & must convert to the 20 yard line to complete the onside. If the onside is completed the team will receive the ball at the 20 yard line no matter where the ball was completed (example if the onside play gain was to the 10 yard line the ball is still moved back to the 20 yard line. You CANNOT score on the onside play.  If the onside is NOT completed the opposing team will receive the ball at the 20 yard line. Teams will not be allowed to onside if the clock hits zero before attempting the play. If the clock runs out during the play & the onside is completed. The team will receive one untimed play. 

The onside play is a timed down UNLESS the opposing team calls a TO (Bracket Play Only) BEFORE OR AFTER the XP attempt after a score.

SCENARIOS - 

• If the offense scores & receives a after the play penalty. The penalty will not be applied on the onside if they elect to do so but on the following play whether they successfully complete the onside or not.
•  Example: If the team were to complete the onside but had an unsportsmanlike celebration on the score. The ball would be moved back 15 yards from the 20 yard line. If the team had an unsportsmanlike celebration on the score & did NOT complete the onside. The opposing team would gain 15 yards from the 20 yard line.

8. Appeals

• If during game play a coach or player disagrees with an official’s call, they may not dispute that call with the official at that time.
• For consideration, the coach must report all game play ruling discrepancies to the Field Manager no more than 20 minutes after that game has ended. Any reversal or game-changing decisions will be made at the Field Manager’s discretion.

9. Additional Game Format Rules

• - Pool Play – Team sides must be chosen prior to opening possession.
• - Bracket Play - Higher seed gets choice of offense/defense for opening possession
• - Ball always placed on the middle mark when at the 40-yard line. Offense has choice of hash once off of the 40-yard line.
• - No kicking or punting
• - No passer may run with the ball.
• - All passes must be thrown forward
• - Hand offs in the backfield are not allowed.
• - All offensive formations must be legal sets. Receivers’ alignment should respect the tackle box.
• - No blocking.
• - No taunting or "trash talking.” to the OPPONENT
• - Level 1 Taunting (hand gestures, name calling, individual player) = 15 yard penalty
• - Level 2 Taunting = (excessive to the above or team taunting a opposing player or team) = automatic offensive possession at 25 yard line (no matter who has possession of ball, in normal play or extra point), (if score & level 2 taunting is called, no extra point try will occur & opposing team will get ball at the 25 yard line)
• - If an individual player has two, Level 1 or Level 2 Taunting calls in a game. He is DQ’d from the game.
• - Fighting: All players must abide by the MOKAN 7v7 Code of Conduct. See Code of Conduct for more detail.

10. Tiebreakers

• - If two teams are tied at the end of pool play, the tiebreaker is head-to-head records.
• - If three or more teams are tied at the end of pool play, the following criteria will be used to determine winners:

Head-to-head records

Points allowed

Points scored

Coin flip

Appendix: MOKAN 7v7 Tournaments

Uniforms

• All teams are required to wear the designated tournament uniform
• Players are permitted to wear standard football cleats with plastic or rubber spikes. No metal spikes are allowed.
• MOUTHGUARDs are required

Helmets

MOKAN 7v7 tournaments highly Recommend players to wear a soft shell helmet.

11. CODE OF CONDUCT

EXPLANATION OF CODE OF CONDUCT

The MOKAN Football Association takes great pride in the quality of its members, sanctioned events, coaches, facilities and broad community involvement at each event. In order to continue making the experience enjoyable and rewarding for everyone, the Association requires all members to adhere to a set of guidelines known as the Code of Conduct. Its purpose is to establish standards by which players, coaches, and event organizers are expected to conduct themselves. The Code of Conduct is to be followed throughout one’s membership.

CODE OF CONDUCT

• General Conduct and Responsibility for Players, Coaches, and Event Organizers:
• Refrain from unsportsmanlike conduct including abusive language, cheating, disrespect, or abuse of equipment and property.
• Treatment of players, officials, volunteers, and spectators will be conducted with respect and courtesy, free of objectionable material and profanity.
• Avoid the use of abusive behavior whether verbal, physical or sexual.
• Respect the property of others.
• When speaking as a representative of the sport, act responsibly and communicate professionally.
• Appear in appropriate and respectful dress code when at event functions.
• Be responsible for your own safety and the safety of others, for the entire time period spent in the event community.
• Never make a false statement in relation to eligibility and membership to compete.
• Complete event requests and registration for events prior to registration cut-off dates.
• Complete onsite registration during the posted registration hours.
• Know, understand and follow the MOKAN Football Association Official Rules
• Any of the following conduct by a MOKAN Football Association member at a sanctioned event, non-sanctioned event, or toward another member anywhere, constitutes a violation of the MOKAN
• Football Association Code of Conduct:
• Unsportsmanlike conduct, including fighting, abusive language, profanity, cheating, disrespect to volunteers, officials or fellow competitors, or abuse of equipment and property.
• Use or association with weapons, drugs, alcohol, or smoking or chewing tobacco products.
• Theft or vandalism at the host hotel or at the event.
• Conduct not becoming of a MOKAN Football Association member, such as acting in anger or creating other distractions.
• Physical abuse, threat of physical abuse, verbal abuse, slander or libel towards other players, parents, coaches, sponsors, host facilities, staff or members, event staff or volunteers in any medium.

Specific Conduct for Players

• Proper attire is required at all times at the host facility/event, including during member designated functions. Questionable attire will be reviewed by the MOKAN Football Association staff. Should a host facility/event have a stricter dress code, its policy will take precedence.
• Refrain from wearing denim shorts, short-shorts, cut-off shorts, jeans, jewelry, and hats/visors during games.
• Obey instructions from officials at all times.
• Compete in the spirit of fair play.

Specific Conduct for Coaches

• Do not enter the field of play during the competition.
• Show respect and adhere to instructions given by officials, event organizers, and MOKAN Football
• Association representatives.
• Do not engage in public criticism of officials or incite players or spectators against the officials.

Specific Conduct for Event Organizers

• Work in cooperation with all MOKAN Football Association staff, coaches, and players to run a safe and clean event that adheres to MOKAN Football Association guidelines.
• Promote a drug-free athletic environment to protect the health of student-athletes and preserve fair competition.
• Supervise the event to ensure that players, coaches, and spectators conduct themselves in a reasonable and polite manner. This includes supervision to prevent and prohibit unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Enforce the rules of the Association.

CODE OF CONDUCT VIOLATION PENALTIES FOR PLAYERS

• If a violation of the Code of Conduct occurs during an event or game, an official, event organizer, or MOKAN Football Association representative may immediately assess any or all of the following penalties based on the severity and frequency of the violation(s):
• One-game penalty at the event.
• Disqualification from the event.
• After the completion of an incident where a Code of Conduct violation occurred, the MOKAN
• Association Code of Conduct Committee may assess any or all of the following penalties based on severity and frequency of the violation(s):
• Disqualification from the next event(s) for which a member has been registered.
• MOKAN Football Association reserves the right to suspend or revoke a person’s membership for a major breach of the MOKAN Football Association Code of Conduct.
• Violation of the MOKAN Football Association Code of Conduct may affect a player’s eligibility for invitational and post-season honors.
• MOKAN Football Association members violating the Code of Conduct at non-sanctioned events are also subject to the penalties above based on severity. Multiple Code of Conduct violations will result in a written letter to the player and his or her parent/guardian.

SUSPENSION INFORMATION

• In the event of a potential suspension, both the player and parent/guardian will be required to submit a written account of the Code of Conduct violation to the MOKAN Football Association staff within 30 days of the suspension. The MOKAN Football Association staff will determine the length of the suspension after reviewing all submitted materials, including an event staff account of the violation.
• Any player whose membership is under suspension will not be eligible for postseason honors. The Code of Conduct will be outlined by the MOKAN Football Association staff at each event’s
• Registration or Members Meeting.

CODE OF CONDUCT VIOLATION PENALTIES FOR COACHES

• If a violation of the Code of Conduct occurs during an event or game, an official, event organizer, or MOKAN Football Association representative may immediately assess any or all of the following penalties based on the severity and frequency of the violation(s):
• One-game penalty at the event.
• Disqualification of coach and/or team from the event.
• After the completion of an event where a Code of Conduct violation occurred, the MOKAN Football
• Association Code of Conduct Committee may assess any or all of the following penalties based on severity and frequency of the violation(s):
• Disqualification from the next event(s) for which a member has been registered.
• The MOKAN Football Association reserves the right to suspend or revoke a person’s membership for a major breach of the MOKAN Football Association Code of Conduct.

CODE OF CONDUCT VIOLATION PENALTIES FOR EVENT ORGANIZERS

• After the completion of an event where a Code of Conduct violation occurred, the Elite 7evens
• Football Association Code of Conduct Committee may assess the following penalty based on severity and frequency of the violation(s):
• MOKAN Football Association reserves the right to suspend or revoke a person’s membership or eligibility for future event sanctions for a major breach of the MOKAN Football Association Code of Conduct.
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REPORTING AND APPEALS PROCESS

Event Organizers must report all coach and player violations of the Code of Conduct to the Association within 48 hours of the last day of the event. Players, coaches, and event organizers may appeal a disqualification from further events or suspension or revocation of membership by sending a written appeal to the MOKAN Football Association.