3-N-Out 7-on-7 Football Rules

Team Size

Minimum: 10 players
Maximum: 19 players
Dual Rostering is allowed

Field Dimensions

7th and 8th grade field length: 50 yards (40-yard playing field with a 10-yard end zone).
4th, 5th and 6th grade field length 40 Yards (30 yard playing field with a 10- yard end zone).

Game Play

Start of Game:
- Rock-Paper-Scissors determines possession.
- A whistle signals the start and end of the game.
Game Duration:
- 25 minutes with a running clock.
- Clock stops only for timeouts, official timeouts, or serious injuries.
- Each team has one 15-second timeout per game.
Overtime:
- Untimed.
- Rock-Paper-Scissors determines possession.
- Each team gets one play from the 40-yard line. The team gaining the most yards wins. If tied, teams alternate offense/defense until a winner is determined. Only passes are allowed in overtime.
Officials:
- Referees keep the official time and score.
- All penalties are enforced as in a regular football game.
Equipment:
- Mouthguards required (except for QB).
- 3nout Jersey
- Teams may wear their own uniforms but will have the 3nout provided jersey in case of color conflict against teams also wearing their own uniforms. In the case of a color conflict with team provided jerseys the team that loses Rock, Paper, Scissors will wear the 3nout provided jerseys for that game.
- Soft helmets are encouraged.
- Grid Kid game ball rules apply:
  - 4th & 5th Grades: Junior ball
  - 6th–8th Grades: Youth ball

Moving the Ball

Starting Position:
- For 7th and 8th Grade, offense always begins at the 40-yard line.
- For 4th, 5th and 6th Grade, offense always begins at the 30-yard line.
Downs:
- 3 downs to gain a first down.
- For 7th and 8th grade first down markers at the 25-yard and 10-yard lines.
- For 4th, 5th and 6th Grades first down markers at the 20 and 10
- Inside the 10-yard line, 3 downs to score.
Snapping the Ball:
- The center must mark and snap the ball. The center is not an eligible receiver.
- Snaps can be taken under center or from a shotgun. Teams may elect to have a center kneel down and hand the ball to the QB. All snaps must come from the ground.
Passing Rules:
- No passes allowed within the tackle box (3 yards from either side of the center, and 2 yards forward/back).
- The QB has 4 seconds to throw the ball in 7th and 8th grade and 5 seconds for 4th, 5th and 6th grade. If the ball is not released in time, it returns to the previous spot.
- Interceptions count, even if thrown after the allowed time. Interceptions are dead balls and result in a change of possession.
Running Rules:
- Offense is allowed one run play per series. Any pass completed behind the line of scrimmage counts as a run. No running in 4th, 5th or 6th grade.
- QB cannot run but can make one exchange (e.g., handoff, toss).
- No second exchanges (e.g., toss passes, reverses, double passes).
- Defense can only cross the line of scrimmage on run plays after the QB hands off the ball.
Other Rules:
- Blocking or screening for the ball carrier is not allowed and results in a loss of down.
- Receivers must line up outside the tackle box, with one receiver on the line on each side. No covered receivers or five receivers on one side.
- Offensive Center 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.

Defense

Blitzing:
- Defense is allowed one blitz per game, including overtime. Only one player can blitz. No blitz in 4th, 5th and 6th grade.
- If a blitz results in a loss of yardage behind the 40-yard line, the ball stays at the 40.
Jamming:
- 7th & 8th Grade: Receivers can be jammed for the first 5 yards.
- 4th–6th Grade: One bump and release allowed.
Tagging the Ball Carrier:
- Ball carriers are down when tagged below the neck with one hand or if their elbow/knee/ball touches the ground.
- No player offensive or defensive may leave their feet to tag or avoid a tag.

Scoring

Offensive touchdown: 6 points
Extra points:
- 1 point from the 3-yard line
- 2 points from the 7-yard line
Defensive stop: 2 points
Interception: 3 points

Penalties

Delay of Game:
- Offense has 40 seconds to put the ball into play. Failure to do so results in a 5-yard penalty.
- Delay in retrieving/returning the ball to the official results in a delay of game penalty.
General Penalty Rules:
- Penalties at the 40-yard line do not move the ball; yards are subtracted from the offense’s next positive play.
- The game cannot end on a defensive penalty—offense is granted one untimed down.
Unsportsman like actions
- Fighting will not be tolerated. If a player throws a punch, he is ejected immediately and CANNOT return to the game. If players are involved in pushing or shoving, they may be ejected immediately from the game at the officials’ discretion. If a second incident occurs with the same player(s), they may be ejected from the league. If a team’s bench clears, resulting in a fight, both of the teams are ejected, resulting in a forfeit. The official has the right to throw out any player, players, or team out of the game.
- Abuse of a game official, coach, league officer, player, or spectator, whether it is verbal or physical, including but not limited to swearing, violence, obscene gestures, and other aggressive/inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the field and or league.

Coaching Rules

Each team may have up to 4 coaches on the sidelines. Head coaches must wear ID tags for identification purposes.
Up to 1 coach may accompany the team on the field while on offense only. Coaches are to stay back enough to be out of the way of all players and officials. No audibles or changes to the play may be made once the huddle is broken. If an official determines this has happened the offense will be penalized with a loss of down.
Only the head coach may communicate with officials.
Coaches receive one sideline warning. Subsequent warnings result in:
- Second warning: 10-yard penalty
- Third warning: Ejection
Coaches may be removed with no warning at discretion of the officials and director.
Coaches are responsible for player and spectator behavior.

Code of Conduct

Abuse of officials, coaches, players, or spectators (verbal or physical) will result in suspension or expulsion.
Fighting, intentional harm, or gross misconduct are prohibited.
Parents/spectators must refrain from negative expressions (e.g., booing, jeering).
Coaches must prioritize players’ well-being and demonstrate good sportsmanship.

In an effort to promote good sportsmanship, 3-N-OUT Football, has pledged to enforce a code of conduct that we hope will ensure the physical and emotional well-being of all its participants. Our goal is to ensure that all of our participants will thrive in an environment where respect, team play, and camaraderie abound.3-N-OUT recognizes the physical and aggressive nature of the sport and, as such, we recognize the need for control. As parents and coaches, it is our responsibility to lead by example. All participants who are deemed to be in violation of the Code of Conduct are subject to suspension and/or expulsion from the program. Parents who are found to be in violation may be barred from attending future games and/or forfeit their child’s right to participate in the program.

Inclement Weather Policy

Games may be rescheduled or canceled if conditions are unsafe (e.g., thunder, lightning).
Games are played in light/moderate rain unless deemed unsafe.
Contact 3-N-Out for updates on game day.

4th Grade