Either you 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.

2. Excessive arguing, mouthing off or loss of control by the sideline and the Referees will end the challenge, and can throw an Unsportsmanlike (15) 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 (5) 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. 

Pre-Game Field Check

• Before the start of the first game, the Head Coach may challenge the Size, Markings, or Safety of the field.

• To issue a challenge, the Head Coach must notify the Referees as soon as they arrive on the field.

• Upon receiving a challenge, the Referees will conduct a Pre-Game Field Check, if it has not already been completed.

Challenge Limitations

• The Pre-Game Field Check is only required before the first game of the day.

• Once the field has been inspected and deemed acceptable, no further challenges can be made for the remainder of the day.

• If at least one play has been run before a challenge is issued, the field is automatically considered accepted for the rest of the day.

• Note: The hosting organization is responsible for ensuring that the field meets all league rules and regulations. Player safety is the top priority. If there are any concerns about field compliance, please email the Help Desk to request an inspection. If feasible, a TYFA representative will be sent to assess the field.

• TYFA uniquely allows Head Coaches to challenge rule enforcement.

• A Head Coach may request a challenge if they believe a rule was incorrectly applied or enforced (e.g., not awarding two points for a forward pass XP), as long as another play has not yet occurred.

• To initiate a challenge, the Head Coach must signal the Side Referee, who will pause the game and inform the White Hat. The Head Coach must then use  the Volunteer.tyfa.com tool to locate the relevant rule — no other sources will be accepted. They will have two minutes to do so.

• If the Head Coach cannot find the rule in time, argues without using the tool, or references an unofficial source, the team will be charged a timeout.

• If no timeouts remain, the will be penalized a Delay of Game (5), and play will resume without further discussion.

• If the rule is found within the time limit, the Head Coach has one minute to present their case. The Referees will review the information and consult with any monitoring TYFA Black Shirt.

• If an error is confirmed, the situation will be corrected.

• If the challenge is unsuccessful, the team will be charged a timeout.

• If no timeouts remain, the will be penalized a Delay of Game (5), and play will resume without further discussion.

• Note: Head Coaches cannot debate with each other or bypass the challenge process by appealing directly to a TYFA Black Shirt.