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 footballs, 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. Legal game footballs must be Wilson Leather models as follows:

   • K2 (5U, 7U, 9U)

   • TDJ (11U)

   • TDY (13U)

2. In the Fall season, footballs must also include the TYFA logo.

1. The White Hat requests all game footballs from the opposing Head Coach to verify compliance.

2. Each team must present the game football they intend to use to the Referees, who will determine if they are compliant.

3. Any footballs that do not meet the stated requirements are removed from play.

4. The team is issued a warning regarding the use of non-compliant equipment, and further violations will result in significant consequences.

5. A penalty for Illegal Equipment is enforced.

1. If a team’s footballs are the correct size and made of leather but do not have the TYFA logo, they may still be used. However, the Referees and the opposing team must document the situation in their Game Summary Report (GSR), and TYFA will issue a Level II violation to the violating Head Coach.

2. If a team does not have a Wilson Leather football or uses an incorrect size, their footballs are considered illegal. They must use the opponent’s footballs, and this is not optional. This violation must be documented in the GSR, and TYFA will issue a Level II violation to the Head Coach.

3. If neither team possesses a football that meets brand, material, and size requirements, the game will proceed. No challenges to the game’s outcome related to footballs will be accepted. Both Head Coaches will receive a Level II violation from TYFA.