Showdown Series Rules Explained: 5v5, Boys 7v7 & Girls 7v7

Choose the Right Showdown Rules

Quick Summary

Showdown Series 5v5 Flag Rules

SD7 uses NFL FLAG rules as a guideline for the 5v5 format, but SD7 staff has final say on all rule interpretations at the event.

Divisions & Field

Equipment Checklist

Possession & Downs

Timing & Overtime

Scoring

Running, Passing & Rushing

• QB runs: the QB cannot directly run across the line of scrimmage.
• No diving or hurdling: not allowed by any player.
• Ball spotting: the ball is spotted where the ball is when the flag is pulled.
• Forward pass: must cross the line of scrimmage unless touched by a defender; one forward pass per play, thrown from behind the line.
• Backward passes: unlimited behind the line of scrimmage.
• Pass clock: 7 seconds; penalty for not releasing applies after the clock expires.
• Intentional grounding: no intentional grounding penalty in the SD7 5v5 rule set.
• QB catching own pass: ruled dead / incomplete.
• Eligible receivers: all players, including the QB after receiving a handoff, pitch, or lateral behind the line.
• Catch requirement: one foot or any body part in bounds with possession.
• Simultaneous possession: awarded to the offense.
• Interceptions: returnable.
• Rushing: allowed beginning at 8U; rusher starts 7 yards off the line of scrimmage.
• After handoff / pitch / lateral behind LOS: all defenders may cross the line immediately.
• Impeding the rusher: the rusher’s path is established pre-snap from the rusher to the QB. Moving offensive players must avoid that path. Stationary offensive players force the rusher to adjust. SD7 officials have final say on impeding calls.

Flag Pulling, Formations & Coaches

• Legal flag pulls may only occur after the ball carrier takes possession.
• Defenders may dive for flags but cannot tackle, hold, or run through the ball carrier.
• No stripping of the ball.
• If a flag falls off while the ball carrier has possession, the runner is down where the flag lands.
• A player with one or no flags who gains possession is down immediately at that spot.
• No intentional flag pulls on players without the ball.
• Flag guarding includes stiff arms, dropping the head, hand, ball, arm, or shoulder toward a defender, or covering flags with a jersey.
• Offense must have a center on the line of scrimmage, with up to four players on the LOS. The QB must be off the LOS.
• Snap must be rapid and continuous between the center’s legs.
• One player in motion at the snap; motion must be parallel or backward.
• Shifts are allowed if players reset for one second before the snap.
• Maximum 2 coaches per sideline. 10U and below: 1 offensive coach allowed on the field, at least 5 yards behind the QB; no defensive coaches on the field.

Mercy, Conduct & Penalty Notes

• Mercy rule: game ends immediately once the score differential reaches 28.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct (defense): +10 yards from the dead-ball spot and automatic first down.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct (offense): −10 yards from the dead-ball spot and loss of down.
• Two unsportsmanlike penalties on any one player or coach leads to disqualification and possible additional discipline.
• Games and halves may not end on a defensive penalty unless the offense declines.
• Penalties are assessed from the line of scrimmage unless a spot foul applies.
• Half-distance enforcement applies when a penalty yardage would exceed half the distance to the goal.
• End-zone spot fouls: defensive — ball placed at the 1-yard line with a first down; offensive — safety awarded.
• Under SD7’s “last man standing” rule, a penalty by the last defender that prevents a score can result in an awarded touchdown.

Showdown Series Boys 7v7 Rules

Boys 7v7 is a passing-focused one-hand-touch format. There are no flags — a defender ends the play by touching the ball carrier with one hand below the neck. No blocking is allowed.

Format & Game Rules

Scoring

Fumbles & Sacks

• Fumbles that touch the ground are dead at that spot.
• A fumble during the QB-tee or shotgun-snap exchange may be continued.
• A sack or expired throw clock results in a loss of 5 yards from the previous spot and loss of down.
• If a sack or penalty occurs from the 40-yard line, the yardage is marked off on the next positive gain.
• Face guarding is allowed.

Coaches & Eligibility

• One offensive coach allowed behind the offense; no defensive coaches in the secondary.
• Coach and team-manager wristbands: 3 per team; all must be Zorts eligible.
• All players must have Zorts eligibility confirmed and a liability waiver submitted before the event.

Overtime

Bracket play only; no pool-play overtime. Higher seed chooses offense or defense first.

• Each team gets two plays from the 10-yard line.
• Teams must attempt a 2-point conversion after a touchdown.
• Teams alternate possessions.
• An interception in overtime wins the game for the defense.

Penalty & Conduct Notes

Showdown Series Girls 7v7 Rules

Girls 7v7 is a flag football format played on a one-way field. Plays are ended by pulling a flag, and unlimited rushers may be sent from 1 yard off the line of scrimmage.

Format & Field

Equipment

Downs, Possession & Ball Rules

• Downs: 3 downs to reach the 20-yard line; 4 downs to score after reaching the 20.
• Passes: only one forward pass per play; unlimited backward passes behind the line.
• Intentional grounding: a forward pass intentionally grounded to avoid a sack is ruled incomplete and the ball returns to the previous spot; a backward pass or lateral intentionally grounded is a fumble, spotted where it lands.
• Snap: taken from the ground; does not need to go between the center’s legs.
• Running: all players except the center are eligible to run; no stiff arm or flag guarding on runs.
• Jumping to avoid a flag pull: allowed; hurdling over a player is not allowed.
• Catch requirement: player must establish control before the ground and have a body part in bounds after gaining possession.
• Fumbles: dead when the ball hits the ground; a fumble caught in the air remains live and may be advanced.
• Ball carrier down: when a flag is removed from the belt — not when it simply falls off.

Rushing & Defense

• Unlimited rushers allowed from 1 yard off the line of scrimmage.
• Rushers must avoid offensive players and cannot make contact with the QB’s arm or follow-through.
• Receivers get a free release; no bump-and-run coverage allowed.
• Defenders may not play through a receiver to get to the ball.
• Interceptions may be returned for a touchdown if returned past the 35-yard line.

Scoring

Overtime

No pool-play overtime. Single-elimination games use overtime. Teams alternate possessions; teams must attempt a 2-point conversion after a touchdown.

• Each team receives two plays from the 10-yard line.
• Teams alternate possessions each overtime period.

Penalty Tables

Offensive Penalties

Defensive Penalties

Showdown 5v5 vs Boys 7v7 vs Girls 7v7

What Parents Should Confirm

• Zorts eligibility: confirm the player’s Zorts eligibility is active and the liability waiver is submitted before the event.
• Which format: confirm whether your division follows 5v5, boys 7v7 one-hand-touch, or girls 7v7 flag rules — each has a different rulebook.
• Equipment checklist: review the equipment requirements for your specific format before packing.
• Wristbands: confirm whether wristbands are required to access the field area and how to obtain them.
• First game check-in time: Showdown tournaments typically require early check-in for the first game of the day.
• Field location: verify the specific field complex and field number for your game.
• Parking: check parking instructions for the venue before arriving.
• Bracket overtime rules: pool-play overtime is not used; confirm bracket tiebreaker procedures with the event staff.
• Age / grade cutoff: verify your player is registered in the correct division before the event.

Official Sources

These are the official Showdown Series rule documents. Use these when exact wording matters.

Common Questions