RULES

Follow these rules correctly and calmly or the Referees do not have to honor a challenge.

1. Only the Head Coach speaks to the Referees. Assistant Coaches, Board Members and Support Staff do not have a voice in the process.

   1. • Board Members that are also Head Coaches, but not the Head Coach of the team playing do not get to talk to the Referee.

2. Excessive arguing, mouthing off or loss of control by the sideline and the Referees will end the challenge, and can throw an Unsportsmanlike on the team.

3. The Head Coach must PROVE their point by showing the Referees the rule or policy using the volunteer.tyfa.com tool. There is no paper or PDF copy of some old rules that will be acceptable.

4. The challenge is between the Referees and the challenging Head Coach. There is no debating with the opposing Head Coach.

5. If a Head Coach declares a challenge and they are proven wrong, they will be penalized a timeout or a Delay of Game if no timeouts left.

6. If a challenge is proven, the White Hat informs the opposing Head Coach of the result. THERE IS NO NEGOTIATING. 

PROCEDURE

1. If a Head Coach wishes to challenge an opponent's flag belts, they should first notify the Side Referee.

2. The Side Referee will then pause the game and inform the White Hat.

3. The White Hat will approach the challenging Head Coach and ask if they have supporting evidence from TYFA's Rules Portal to justify the challenge.

4. ALL PROOF NEEDED is listed below in the specific challenges.

5. If the Head Coach cannot provide valid proof using the proper tool, the challenge is dismissed, and the game resumes.

6. If proof is available, the White Hat will ask the Head Coach to clearly state the issue and present their supporting evidence.

1. At any point during the game, a Head Coach can challenge the TYPE of flag belts being used.

2. Referees will inspect all belts on the field of the challenged team.

3. Legal Flag Belts must be "TRIPLE-THREAT" style: three vinyl flags sewn to a nylon belt, one to each side and one in the back with a plastic clasp.

4. Any non-compliant belt must be removed.

5. If at least (1) flag belt remains (must be put on the QB), the game must continue. The Referees will penalize the team an Illegal Equipment.

6. If no flag belts remain, the Referees will declare the game a Forfeit. TYFA will charge the opposing Head Coach with a LEVEL III violation.

   1. • The opposing team can provide any number of flags if they wish to avoid a forfeit win.

7. If the issue is caught before the game, the remainder of the Grace Period can be used. If caught during the game, the Grace Period cannot be used.

8. If the game is forfeited prior to starting, it will be a Class A Forfeit. If forfeited during the game, it will be a Class B Forfeit.

1. A Head Coach can challenge the SIZE of the flags at any time during the game.

2. Referees will inspect all flag belts on the field of the challenged team.

3. Legal flags are a minimum of 12" in length and 2 1/4" in width. 

   • Flags exceeding 12" are permitted. 

   • A K2 football is nearly 12" and a good measuring tool.

4. Non-Compliant flag belts must be removed.

5. If at least (1) flag belt remains (must be put on the QB), the game must continue. The Referees will penalize the team an Illegal Equipment.

6. If no flag belts remain, the Referees will declare the game a Forfeit. TYFA will charge the opposing Head Coach with a LEVEL III violation.

   • 1. The opposing team can provide any number of flags if they wish to avoid a forfeit win.

7. If the issue is caught before the game, the remainder of the Grace Period can be used. If caught during the game, the Grace Period cannot be used.

8. If the game is forfeited prior to starting, it will be a Class A Forfeit. If forfeited during the game, it will be a Class B Forfeit.

1. If a Head Coach observes that an opponent's flags are not red, yellow, green, or royal blue, or are customized with writing or logos, but are still contrasting with the player's shorts or pants, the flags are considered "Out of Compliance."

2. Since color and customization do not inherently affect gameplay as long as there is contrast, the game will continue.

3. The offended team must be allowed to take a picture of the flags, and that picture must be sent in with the organization's GSR.

4. TYFA will issue a LEVEL II violation to the opposing Head Coach.

1. Flag colors must clearly contrast with the player's shorts or pants, including any stripes or writing.

2. If a Head Coach challenges the contrasting color, Referees will inspect all flag belts on the field of the challenged team.

3. If the team can resolve the issue by turning their shorts inside out, they must do so. The Referees will penalize the team Illegal Equipment.

4. If turning the shorts inside out does not resolve the contrast issue, non-compliant flag belts must be removed.

5. If at least (1) flag belt remains (must be put on the QB), the game must continue. The Referees will penalize the team an Illegal Equipment.

6. If no flag belts remain, the Referees will declare the game a Forfeit. TYFA will charge the opposing Head Coach with a LEVEL III violation.

   1. 1. The opposing team can provide any number of flags if they wish to avoid a forfeit win.

7. If the issue is caught before the game, the remainder of the Grace Period can be used. If caught during the game, the Grace Period cannot be used.

8. If the game is forfeited prior to starting, it will be a Class A Forfeit. If forfeited during the game, it will be a Class B Forfeit.

1. If it becomes apparent that a flag belt is excessively difficult to pull (e.g., a player being dragged), Referees will stop the game and inspect all flag belts on the field of the challenged team.

2. If any belt is found to be illegally clasped (tied, wrapped, etc.), the game is declared a Class B Forfeit, and TYFA will issue a LEVEL III violation to the challanged Head Coach.

3. If the belt is not illegally clasped, but Referees still find it difficult to pull the flags, the belt must be removed from play.

4. If at least one legal flag belt remains (must be put on the quarterback), the game continues. 

5. If no legal flag belts remain, the game is declared a Forfeit, and TYFA will issue a LEVEL III violation to the opposing Head Coach.

6. The Grace Period cannot be used.