RED ZONE ELITE – OFFICIAL 7on7 RULES (2026 EDITION)

GENERAL GAME RULES

Field and Game Setup

Offense starts each possession on the 40-yard line with the option to choose either hash.
First downs are awarded at the 25-yard line and 10-yard line.
Once inside the 10-yard line, the offense has three (3) downs to score.
The tackle box is defined as 2 yards on each side of the QB tee (referee discretion).

Possession Rules

Day One (Pool Play): Coin flip determines first possession.
Day Two (Bracket Play): Higher seed chooses who receives the ball first.

Player Down Rules

A player is ruled down when touched with one hand between the neck and ankles.
No diving at any time.

Quarterback Clock

QB has 4.0 seconds to release the ball.
Officials will use chop count or stopwatch; the 4th chop = whistle.
Clock begins on the snap.

Blitz Rules (General)

Each team receives one (1) blitz per game, including overtime.
Blitz is tracked by the Head Referee and Field General.
No blitzing is allowed from the 40-yard line (safety rule).

Running Rules

Offense may run on ANY down.
QB may NOT run.
First player to possess the snap = QB.
Second player to touch the ball = runner only (cannot throw or lateral).

Game Clock

25-minute running clock (20 minutes if required for scheduling).
No timeouts.
No untimed downs except:
- Extra point attempt after a TD scored with time expired.
- Following a defensive penalty.
Field General may stop the clock to ensure proper rule application.

TEAMS, COACHES & GAME MANAGERS

Team Size

Maximum of 24 players.
No more than 24 wristbands will be issued.

Sideline Rules

Players remain on their assigned sideline.
No warming up on fields where another game is being played.
Teams must keep the sideline area clean and clear.

Coaching Staff

Maximum of 4 coaches/staff per team.
One offensive coach may be on the field pre-snap; players must be on one knee.
No defensive coaches allowed on the field at any time.
Violations:
- 1st: Warning
- 2nd: Delay of game (loss of down) for offense or 15 yards for defense

Field Setup

Offense may not enter the field until the opposing team reaches the 25-yard line.
Penalty: Delay of Game (5 yards).

Game Officials

Each game features at least 2–3 referees and one Field General.
Coaches must sign score sheets when applicable.
Head Official/Field General will loudly communicate all scores.

Multiple Teams from One Organization

Players receive color-specific wristbands tied to their roster.
Wristbands are not interchangeable.
A player on a team that is eliminated cannot play again that day within the same division.
Illegal players or wristband switching = automatic team disqualification.
Players cannot play on more than one team within the same division.
Players can play up or down only if eligible and properly rostered.

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

Registration Requirements

All players must check in at registration with valid documentation.
Teams must be fully rostered in Zorts.
All players must wear their issued wristband for the duration of the tournament.
Removing it requires full recertification.

Eligibility Requirements (2026 Update)

A player qualifies by AGE OR GRADE. Grade overrides age with proper verification.

High School Divisions

HS/18U

Current 11th, 10th, and 9th graders.
School-issued ID required.
No graduating seniors.

HS/Seniors

Class of 2026 graduates are eligible.
9th–11th graders may also compete.
RZE may merge HS divisions if necessary.

15U / Freshman Division

A player is eligible if either:

In 9th grade, OR
15 years old or younger on 1/1/26

Grade overrides age if verifiable.

14U / Middle School Division

A player is eligible if either:

In 8th grade, OR
14 years old or younger on 1/1/26

Grade overrides age if verifiable.

Youth Divisions (Age as of 1/1/26)

A player qualifies by AGE OR GRADE.

13U (Age or 7th Grade)

12U (Age or 6th Grade)

11U (Age or 5th Grade)

10U (Age or 4th Grade)

9U (Age or 3rd Grade)

8U (Age or 2nd Grade)

GAME TIMES & LATE POLICY

Arrival and Game Start

Teams must arrive 30 minutes early.
Games may start ahead of schedule if fields open.
Game length: 25 minutes, running clock.

Late Policy

Clock starts at the scheduled time.
5 minutes late:
- Opponent receives 7 points and first possession.
10 minutes late:
- Forfeit (21–0) recorded.

Registration delays will not delay games.

Scoring at End of Game

If a TD is scored as time expires, the scoring team receives an extra point attempt.

Timekeeping

Head Official keeps the clock and signals start/stop.

OFFENSIVE RULES

Field Position & Downs

Offense starts at the 40-yard line.
First downs at 25-yard line and 10-yard line.
Inside the 10: 3 downs to score.
Offense has 3 downs to gain a first down.

Center Requirements

Teams may snap via center or QB tee.
If using a center:
- Center is ineligible.
- Must take a knee immediately after the snap.

Extra Point Options

After scoring:

1 point: automatic from the 5-yard line
2 points: attempt from the 10-yard line
Offense may choose hash or middle

Coach must declare immediately.

Running Rules (Offense)

Offense may run the ball on any down.
QB cannot run.
Second player touching the ball cannot pass or lateral.

Blocking

NO BLOCKING.
Penalty: 5 yards + loss of down.

Fumbles

Any fumble (including shotgun snap) = dead ball at the spot.
Loss of down unless otherwise specified.

Ball Retrieval

Offense must retrieve and return the ball quickly.
Delays may result in Delay of Game → loss of down.

Formations & Substitutions

Must use legal formations.
Receivers must align outside the tackle box.
Players must sub in from behind the offense.
Deceptive substitutions result in penalty + loss of down.

Goal Posts

Goal posts are out of bounds.

SCORING

Point Values

Touchdown: 6 points
PAT from 5: 1 point (automatic)
PAT from 10: 2 points
Interception: 1 point
No points awarded for defensive stops

Special Scoring Rules

Turnover on PAT = dead ball, no points awarded.
INT at end of game still earns 1 point.
Official score is kept by referees and reported to Field Monitor.

OFFENSIVE PENALTIES

Loss of Down Penalties

False Start = Loss of down
Delay of Game = Loss of down
Offensive Pass Interference = 5 yards + loss of down

Penalty at the 40-yard Line

Any offensive penalty = loss of down only.
Ball stays on the 40.

Clock Management

Offense must quickly retrieve/return the ball.
Delay → Delay of Game (loss of down).

Dead Ball Penalties

15-yard penalty from end of play.

Personal Foul on Touchdown

Offense forfeits PAT.
Defense takes over at the 40-yard line.

Back-to-Back Delay of Game

Results in a defensive stop.
Defense awarded 2 points.

Dead Ball Penalty After TD

Scoring team loses PAT attempt.

Blitz Recovery

If offense commits a penalty during a defensive blitz and penalty is accepted → defense regains its blitz.

DEFENSIVE PENALTIES

Standard Defensive Penalties

Offsides = 5 yards
Defensive PI = NFHS rules (15 yards)
Holding = 10 yards

Pass Interference in End Zone

Enforced as half the distance to the goal.

PI on Extra Point

Penalty moves ball half the distance.
Point value remains the same.

Dead Ball Penalties

After change of possession or TD → loss of down when offense starts.
Otherwise: 15 yards or half the distance + automatic first down.

Contact Responsibility

Defense must avoid contact with stationary offensive players.

Game Cannot End on Defensive Penalty

Offense receives an additional play.

Unnecessary Roughness

15 yards + automatic first down.
Player may be ejected.
Diving at legs = unnecessary roughness.

Penalty During Blitz

Defensive penalty during blitz = loss of blitz (except encroachment).
Encroachment = 5 yards, replay down, blitz not lost.

Punting Penalty

Punting the ball = personal foul.
If change of possession occurred → offense starts at 40 with loss of down.
May include player ejection.

BLITZ RULES

Blitz Definition

A blitz is any defender crossing the line of scrimmage to attack the QB.
Not a blitz: Defender tagging RB on mesh/RPO.

Blitz Allowance

One blitz per team per game (OT included).

Four-Second Rule Removal

During blitz: No 4-second clock.
QB may scramble but not cross original LOS.

Blitz Anywhere

Blitz can be used anywhere except the 40-yard line (safety rule).

Blitz & Penalties

Defensive penalty → blitz lost.
Offensive penalty (if accepted) → blitz retained.

OVERTIME RULES

Overtime Initiation

Tie games (bracket play only) proceed to OT.

Coin Toss

Official chooses team to call.
Winner chooses offense or defense.

Overtime Format

Ball placed at 10-yard line.
Each team receives two plays to score.
Only offensive scoring counts.

Two-Point Conversions

After 1st OT: All teams must go for 2.

Possession Rotation

2nd OT: Possession flips.
3rd OT & beyond:
- One play from the 5 (1pt) or 10 (2pt) until a winner emerges.

OT Penalties

All regulation penalties apply.

TOURNAMENT SEEDING

Day Two Tournament

Teams are seeded based on:

Win/Loss record
Point differential
Additional tiebreakers if needed

FIGHTING & CONDUCT POLICY

Zero Tolerance

Fighting results in immediate ejection and removal from event.

Throwing a Punch

Automatic tournament ejection.

Bench Clearing

Both teams are removed from the tournament.

Retaliation

Punched but no swing back → Must sit one series.
Swing back → Ejected from game.

Team Responsibility

Teams are responsible for coaches, players, and fans.

CELEBRATION RULES

Celebration Policy

Celebrations allowed.
Taunting not tolerated.
Crossing opponent’s hash during celebration = taunting penalty.

Ball-head Rule

Touching, circling, or confronting opposing players = double taunting penalty.
Touchdown stands, but:
- No PAT
- Opponent awarded 2 points + ball at 25-yard line
May result in ejection.

Punting Penalty

Punting ball = 2 points to opponent + ball at 25-yard line.
Player may be ejected.

BTA Actions

Belt-to-Ass taunting = team ejection.

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

Mandatory Equipment

Mouthguards required.

Recommended Equipment

Soft-shell headgear (optional but recommended).

Ball Requirements

Minimum sizes:

8U/9U: Pee Wee
10U: K–2
11U/12U: TDJ
14U: TDY
15U+: High School

Teams may use a larger ball if approved.