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 Participants, 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. Pre-game verification is mandatory.

2. The White Hat will instruct both Head Coaches to gather all uniformed players and all sideline volunteers at their respective 40-yard lines. Tackle players must remove their helmets.

3. Failure to comply will result in a Class B Forfeit.

4. The White Hat will issue a single warning to both teams to limit communication to only what is necessary for the verification process.

5. Non-compliance with this requirement will result in the following penalties:

   • First offense – Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty

   • Second offense – Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty, and the individual responsible will be ejected

   • Third offense – Class B Forfeit

6. If both teams engage in disruptive behavior, Referees will declare a DOUBLE Class B Forfeit.

7. Referees will oversee the verification process and intervene as necessary.

8. If a team is found with at least (1) ineligible or illegal player or volunteer, the team will receive a Class B Forfeit.

9. If a game is forfeited due to violations during the pre-game verification, the Head Coach will be charged with a Level IV violation.

1. If a challenge is made, the White Hat will instruct the Head Coach of the challenged team to present the specified players and/or volunteers at the 50-yard line. Tackle players must remove their helmets. Players must be in full uniform to be challenged. All adults on the sideline are subject to verification, with the exception of TYFA personnel, venue staff, and authorized media.

2. Failure to comply will result in a Class B Forfeit.

3. The White Hat will issue a single warning to both teams to limit communication to only what is necessary for the verification process.

4. Non-compliance with this requirement will result in the following penalties:

   • First offense – Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty

   • Second offense – Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty, and the individual responsible will be ejected

   • Third offense – Class B Forfeit

5. If both teams engage in disruptive behavior, referees will declare a DOUBLE Class B Forfeit.

6. Referees will oversee the verification process and intervene as necessary.

7. If a team is found with at least (1) ineligible or illegal player or volunteer, the team will receive a Class B Forfeit.

8. If a game is forfeited due to violations during the pre-game verification, the Head Coach will be charged with a Level IV violation.