In the last few years, football has seen a rise in popularity that was quick to appear and just as quick to disappear. The world woke up to the charm of the game and the passion of its fans. Now that the novelty has worn off, many are seeking to find out more about the game and how to play it safely and wittily.
One of the biggest attractions of the game is that it is a seven-a-side version of football. For those not familiar, the number of players on the field is reduced, resulting in more space and opportunities for play. It also means that there are more goals to be scored, more space for individual skill, and a higher likelihood that a game will end in a draw.
Since seven is a special number in football, the seven-a-side version has received a unique name: 7 on 7. The attraction of the number is that it makes for some interesting betting and odds-making, as the following analysis will highlight.
The Basics Of 7 On 7
The basics of 7 on 7 are fairly simple. The teams are made up of seven players each, meaning there are seven goals scored by opposition teams. It uses a modified version of the regular 11-a-side rules and takes place on a rectangular field with one end zone and two sideline stripes. The size of the field is 70 by 84 yards.
The ball can be kicked off from either end or the middle and must be made of firm leather with a circumference of no less than 52 inches. Touchdown is worth six points, and a safety each additional four points. Fumbles, interceptions, and kickoff returns give away three, two, and one point, respectively. There are also two special bonuses for scores in each quarter: one for the offense and the other for the defense. The clock starts when the ball is kicked off and stops when it is recovered by a member of the team. Once the ball is batted, caught, or thrown in, it is live and not time-out.
Special Rules For 7 On 7
One of the interesting aspects of 7 on 7 is the fact that it was only introduced in college football in 2015 and has since caught on quickly, leading to more and more schools and conferences following suit. This trend is likely to continue as it makes for some interesting betting opportunities.
Some of the special rules for 7 on 7 are common to all football matches but bear mentioning:
- No regular place-kicking
- No extra points for a missed field goal
- Same as point after touchdown (6 points) for goal-totum
- One point safety for fumble
- No running with the ball
- No fair scrimmage kicks — players must stay in bounds
- Inbounding the ball from the sideline is legal
- Only two players can be blocked upfront
- Outsides arms cannot block for a tackle
- The clock does not stop for injury time
- There is no limit on the number of time-outs
Other rules are specific to either offense or defense, creating more variety in the strategy and making it more interesting to follow:
- Four downs for the offense
- No fair catches by the defense
- No backward pass
- No passing while in motion
- No kicking while in motion
- No kicking when the ball is blocked
- Quarterback draw — if you’re under center, you can slide to the right and avoid the rush
- Defenses can blitz without fear of penalty
Keep in mind that aside from creating more space for the players, the game also provides less opportunities for injuries. A study by the American Association of University Football Statistics (AAUFS) in 2016 showed that compared to 11-a-side football, 7 on 7 resulted in a lower rate of knee injuries, fewer concussions, and a lower rate of broken bones. The report also pointed out that fewer players leave the field due to injury. Hopefully, these figures will continue to improve as more and more schools adopt seven-a-side football.
Odds-makers Get Curious
The increased interest in football has led to a rise in the number of people looking to place bets on the game. If you’re interested in making some money from football betting, you need to become familiar with the odds-makers’ interpretation of the game. Most notably, the bookmakers have adjusted their odds to make the game more attractive for bettors. Here’s a look at how they see the game now:
- Over/Under 2.5 Goals: If you’re betting over two and a half goals, the over/under betting gives you an advantage. The current odds for under two and a half goals are as follows: Under 2.5 Goals: –Over 2.5 Goals: –Total Goals: 11 (2.45)
- Over/Under 2.0 Goals : Most bookmakers have also adjusted their odds on the over/under two goals market to make the game more interesting for bettors. The current odds for over and under two goals are Over 2.0 Goals: –Under 2.0 Goals: –Total Goals: 12.5 (2.0)
- Under/Over 1.5 Takedowns: Similarly, if you’re betting on a particular team to score more than one side of the football, the under/over betting makes it more attractive. The current odds for under and over one and a half touchdowns are Under 1.5 Takedowns: –Over 1.5 Takedowns: –Total Takedowns: 13.5 (1.5)
- Over/Under 1.0 Takedowns: Many bookmakers have also adjusted their odds on this market to make the game more interesting for bettors. The current odds for under one and a half touchdowns are Under 1.0 Takedowns: –Over 1.0 Takedowns: –Total Takedowns: 14.0 (1.0)
- Over/Under 1.0 Safeties: If you’re betting on a team to score a safety, the over/under betting makes it more interesting. The current odds for over and under one safety are Over 1.0 Safety: –Under 1.0 Safety: –Total Safeties: 14.0 (1.0)
- Over/Under 1.0 Fumbles: If you want to bet on a team to fumble the ball, the over/under betting makes it more interesting. The current odds for over and under one fumble are Over 1.0 Fumble: –Under 1.0 Fumble: –Total Fumbles: 14.0 (1.0)
- Over/Under 1.0 Interceptions: If you’re betting on a team to throw the ball away more than once, the over/under betting makes it more interesting. The current odds for over and under one interception are Over 1.0 Interception: –Under 1.0 Interception: –Total Interceptions: 14.0 (1.0)
- Over/Under 1.0 KR Returns: If you’re betting on a team to score a return touchdown, the over/under betting makes it more interesting. The current odds for over and under one return touchdown are Over 1.0 KR Return: –Under 1.0 KR Return: –Total KR Returns: 14.0 (1.0)
These odds-makers have created an interest in football betting that was previously unheard of. However, despite making the game more attractive and bettors more likely to wager on it, the odds-makers are not responsible for making the game more enjoyable for the players. That is the role of the fans and the coaches who promote the game.