The game of seven-on-seven is a variation of traditional football that is sweeping the nation.

Seven-on-seven, as the name entails, is played with seven players on each side of the ball. The game is played without offensive and defensive linemen and is meant to develop players’ ball skills, such as passing and catching. Tackling is not allowed, and plays are considered down when a player is two-hand touched by an opponent.

Seven-on-seven leagues have begun to pop up around the country.

Baron Pylon, who founded Pylon 7on7 Football in 2005, has been instrumental in the growth of the game.

“It’s growing exponentially every year,” Pylon said. “From the high school level on down to the third and fourth grade level, where it’s really starting to explode.”

Pylon turned his company into one of the largest and most competitive seven-on-seven leagues in the country.

The Amateur Athletics Union Junior Olympics, who claim to be known as the largest national multi-sport event for youth in the United States, have even added seven-on-seven to its games.

“Pylon, my company, brought seven-on-seven to the Junior Olympics,” Pylon said. “And now it is its staple event.”

As the popularity of the game continues to grow, Pylon believes it could translate to the international level.

“The American football game doesn’t really translate well globally,” he said. “But seven-on-seven, anyone can play … both men and women can play.”

Minnesota has even jumped on the seven-on-seven scene with programs fielding nationally competitive teams. Potenza Sports, a Minnesota-based team, began in 2014 under the direction of Japel Hook, a St. Thomas graduate from the class of 1997.

Hook, who has seen his program numbers rise every year, thinks the game could grow into a league of its own, separate from traditional football. Currently, the game is used as a way to gain exposure to college recruiters, as well as a way to train in the off-season.

“I do see seven-on-seven becoming its own sport. When the money comes, then it’ll change into its own thing,” Hook said of companies like Nike and Adidas starting their own leagues.

The St. Thomas football team currently has four former Potenza players, including tight end Grant Slavik.

“It was really exciting to travel all over the country and play with other guys from Minnesota,” Slavik said. “It definitely helps players get college exposure.”

The growth of seven-on-seven may also be partly related, at least in the younger levels, to parents’ concern over the danger tackle football.

Seven-on-seven could offer a safer alternative to tackle football until children are physically developed enough to sustain repeated, high-velocity hits.

Pylon believes that there are parents like him who prefer seven-on-seven as a safe way to develop young football players.

“My son is one of those kids,” Pylon said. “I don’t want him playing football until his body is mature enough to take the physical hits.”

Pylon has high hopes for the future of seven-on-seven, and the game shows no sign of slowing its growth.

“(Pylon 7on7 Football) will be in Nigeria, South Africa, and Mexico City in 2018. We are really growing the sport,” Pylon said. “It’s going to be an international game.

Brady Halbmaier can be reached at halb2084@stthomas.edu.