Which Football Program is Right for My Player?

It can be difficult to choose a sports program as a parent of young players- or as a kid with dreams of becoming an athlete. With numerous sports, leagues, clubs, and Play Styles available, the choices can seem endless- and selecting the right one for your player can seem daunting. Of course the biggest duty for any sports mom or dad is balancing your child’s safety with fun- and adding a dose of discipline and healthy competition along the way!

For football families, we’ve set out to break down the key differences between the 3 play styles offered here at Gridiron Football. This comparison guide will help you understand the main differences and similarities between Flag football, 7 on 7 (7v7) football, and Flex football. Use it to make a more informed choice when signing up your player next season!

What is a Play Style?

First, it’s important to know what we mean by “Play Style”. You are probably familiar with the differences between Tackle and Flag football- but did you know there are additional options as well? These different ways to play American football feature different numbers of players on the field, various gear requirements, and even different rule books! The overall focus changes as well, as some play styles are more focused on safety, skills development, or team cohesion. So when we say “play style,” we’re referring to a game play format such as flag, 7v7, flex, or tackle football.

Gridiron Playstyle Comparisons

COMPARING PLAY STYLES*
Play Style	Ideal for	Players	Gear	Contact	Competitive	Focus
Flag (rec)	New & young players Ages 4-14	5 or 6 on field	Flag belt	None	Less	Safety, Fun, Football Intro
Flag (comp)	Returning & young players Ages 6-14	5 or 6 on field	Flag belt	None	Moderately	Safe intro to Comp. Football
7 on 7	Returning players Ages 8-18	7 on field	Helmets; Softshell	Limited; 2 hand touch	Highly	Skill position development
Flex	Returning teams Ages 8-18	9 on field	Helmets + Pads; Softshell	2 hand touch + Blocking	Highly	Skill development for whole team
TACKLE	Returning players Ages 8-18	11 on field	Helmets + Pads	Tackle	Highly	Competition as a team

* This table is intended to provide a general guideline; play style experience and requirements may vary by organization, league, and/or season.

A closer look: the differences

Experience Level

Flag Football-

This program is the best place to start for players who are new to football. It is a safe and fun way to learn the basics of the game. These include teamwork, skill-development and the fundamentals in a less competitive environment.
Competitive Flag Football- for those with prior experience in flag football and want a more competitive environment

7v7 Football-

Fast paced and highly competitive gameplay make this gameplay style a big step up in skill development from flag football. 7v7 is a highly competitive non-contact game designed to develop passing and pass defense skills for football players. With fast-paced gameplay that focuses on the throwing game — designed to enhance football IQ in a safe environment.

Flex Football-

For Players seeking development in their position’s skillset to become a better player, Flex football is for those who want to reach the next level of game play in their development as a player.

Goal / Competition Level

Flag- rec vs. comp

For those who are starting out, Flag is the least competitive play style, where the focus is not on winning or losing. It
Competitive flag football is a step up in competition level. For new players who want more competition, but aren’t quite ready for It is more focused on Developing new players.

7 v 7

A greater focus on the passing game, timing and skill development than Flag Football without the contact/blocking of Flex Football. This is the most competitive game play style. 7v7 is Dedicated to the *skill players (link to glossary of terms page)* (WR,QB,RB,TE and LB,DB’s only).

Flex-

Designed by NFL players to replicate the NFL practice regimen, Flex Football focuses on technique and an understanding of the game in a fast paced, limited contact environment where hands-first blocking is allowed.

Play Styles

Flag:
- Gameplay is less about winning and losing – the focus is on fun, fair and safe gameplay
- Convenient game times with practice and game play usually on the same day
- Everyone walks away a winner
- Advanced team-rostering — We use our own draft-style system based on skill and experience to ensure fair and balanced teams
- Coaches are trained to provide the best experience possible
- Games are always local, no travel needed
- 5-on-5 format
- Practice and game day are on the same day
- 4 games are played on a 100 yard football field
- Games start on the hour, every hour
- Practices are an hour before games

7-on-7 Football
- Competitive and fast paced
- Due to the pace of the game, players wear a softshell helmet
- Dedicated to the skill players (WR,QB,RB,TE and LB,DB’s only)
- starts from each team’s 40 yard line with no tackling, no linemen, minimal gear and soft-shell helmets.
- Games are always local
- Played 7-on-7 format
- 4 games are played on a 100 yard football field
- Games start on the hour, every hour
Flex
- A fun and physical style of play
- Players wear soft-shell shoulder pads for fundamental development
- A game play format that includes all football positions
- Introduces hands first blocking with no contact to the head
- Games are always local, limited travel needed
- 9-on-9 format
- Full hands blocking
- Standard football rules

Contact Level

Flag football requires no contact since it involves pulling the opponent’s flag belt off, instead of directly touching them.
7v7 is a limited contact program with no tackling, no linemen, minimal gear and soft-shell helmets. The only contact between players for a down is done by tagging them with both hands in a two hand touch style game.
Flex Football is also limited contact. Contact that occurs between players is made up of hands-first blocking with no contact to the head, and two hand touch style game play. It is Non-tackle.

Number of Players

Flag- 5on5
7v7- 7on7
Flex- 9on9

How are they similar?

Safety: while each gameplay has a different level of contact, none of them involve tackling.
No kicking position is used in any gameplay style.
Coaching is the backbone of it all 3; making sure every kid gets to play and is improving at their level is the common goal of each play style.

Which playing style style is right for my child?

Flag
- Recreational
  - Boys and Girls learning Flag Football and seeking a safe and fun experience. For Players 4 to 12 years old.
- Competitive

7v7
- Experienced Flag players seeking a higher level of competition
- A Player looking to work on timing with other highly skilled players
- Tackle players looking to stay sharp and improve their game in the off-seasons
- For Players 8 to 18 years old
Flex
- Tackle players looking for an off-season format to improve individually and as a team
- 7-on-7 players that are looking for a more fun and physical style of play
- Competitive Flag players that are ready to move into a more physical game play but not ready for tackle
- For Players 6 to 18 years old

Break each down into AGE, Experience, goals, etc. What do THEY want to get out of it?

If you are looking for a non competitive place for your child to have fun and get an introduction to Football, Flag football is the best way for them to learn the game in a safe and fun environment. Here, they can play with friends, and fall in love with the game.

If your child wants to grow as a player and develop their timing by getting reps in, then 7v7 is the perfect environment for them to sharpen their skills in an ultra competitive and fast paced style of play.

For those seeking a more complete training program that involves the whole team, Flex football offers the most complete training setting for players who want to improve their skill sets.

Final Overview

Flag

The game is 5 on 5, minimal-contact, non-blocking, non-screening, youth flag football.
First possession is determined with a coin toss.
All players are eligible receivers.
There is no kicking in this style of play.
Game officials will use preventative officiating when possible.
No foul or penalty flag stops a live play. However, pre-snap fouls will stop the action.
Players cannot make contact that is considered unnecessary or provokes roughness.
3- and 4-point stances are not permitted.
Fields are 25 yards wide and a minimum of 50 yards long. Field dimension may be modified if physical space requires it.
Officials will mark the ball where the ball was at the time it became dead; not at the hips/flag belt.
The ball will be spotted in the middle of the field after each play.
Fields have a “no run zone” five yards from the end zones.
When the ball is spotted in a “no run zone” the offense must execute a pass play that breaks the line-of-scrimmage.
An “onside play” is available in the final two minutes of the game.
There is a mercy rule if the score differential is 27 points or more.

7 on 7

The game is 7 on 7, minimal-contact, skill position, non-blocking, non-screening touch football.
Fields are no less than 50 yards wide and 40 yards long, plus end zone.
Both teams will drive in the same direction when on offense (see Field Diagram, page 7)
Possessions will begin at the 40-yard line (unless moved by penalty) on the hash mark of the
team’s choosing.
Teams will have three downs to gain a new set of downs at the 25-yard line and three downs to
gain a new set of downs at the 10-yard line (unless the team is awarded an automatic first down
by penalty).
All plays must include a forward pass that breaks the line-of-scrimmage.
Fumbles are dead when they hit the ground. Bad snaps are not considered fumbles. Play will
continue.
Receivers must have one foot inbounds with possession to be a legal catch.
Ball carriers can slightly leave their feet, jump, and spin as evasive maneuvers in order to advance
the ball as long as they do not put another player’s safety at risk or initiate noteworthy contact.
Ball carriers may not dive, lunge, fall forward in an intentional manner or hurdle an opponent to
advance the ball.
There is no kicking in this format.
Game officials will mark the ball where the ball was at the time it became dead.
The ball will be spotted at the closest hash mark after the ball becomes dead.
No foul or penalty flag stops a live play. However, pre-snap fouls will stop the action (see
Penalty Chart, page 19)
The Mercy Rule will be invoked when the score differential is 27 points or more.

Flex

The game is 9 on 9, controlled and limited contact, skill position, blocking touch-football.
Players cannot make contact with another player if that contact is considered unnecessary or
provokes roughness.
Fields are no less than 50 yards wide and 40 yards long, plus end zone.
Both teams will drive in the same direction when on offense (see Field Diagram, page 7)
Possessions will begin on the 40-yard line (unless moved by penalty) at the hash mark of the
team’s choosing.
Teams must gain 10 yards to be awarded a new set of downs (unless the team is awarded an
automatic first down by penalty). A first down marker or pylon will be spotted at the line-to-gain.
There is no kicking in this format.
The “away” team will have first possession at the hash mark of its choice.
Three- and 4-point stances are not permitted.
Game officials will mark the ball where the ball was at the time it became dead.
The ball will be spotted at the closest hash mark after the ball becomes dead.
Pre-snap fouls will stop the action (see Penalty Chart, page 23)
The Mercy Rule will be invoked when the score differential is 27 points or more.

August 18, 2022 — Kara Soule

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