Volunteer Help Desk - FLAG BELT CHALLENGE

Challenge - Flag Belts

To ensure fair play, we've outlined a clear process for addressing flag belt concerns during the game.

Grace Period = Set period of time that both teams share for each game to fix situations.. 15 minutes in the Spring / 30 minutes in the Fall.

If a Head Coach wishes to challenge an opponent's flag belts, they should first notify the Side Referee.
The Side Referee will then pause the game and inform the White Hat.
The White Hat will approach the challenging Head Coach and ask if they have supporting evidence from (volunteer.tyfa.com only) to justify the challenge.
If the Head Coach cannot provide valid proof, the challenge is dismissed, and the game resumes.
If proof is available, the White Hat will ask the Head Coach to clearly state the issue and present their supporting evidence.
All evidence is listed below.

Flag Belt Type (construction):

At any point during the game, a Head Coach can challenge the TYPE of flag belts being used.
Referees will inspect all belts on the field of the challenged team.
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.
Any non-compliant belt must be removed.
If at least one (1) flag belt remains (specifically for the QB), the game must continue. The Referees will penalize the team an Illegal Equipment (5).
If no flag belts remains, the Referees will declare the game a Forfeit. TYFA will charge the opposing Head Coach with a LEVEL III violation.
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.
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.

A Head Coach can challenge the SIZE of the flags at any time during the game.
Referees will inspect all flag belts on the field of the challenged team.
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.
Non-Compliant flag belts must be removed.
If at least one (1) flag belt remains (specifically for the QB), the game must continue. The Referees will penalize the team an Illegal Equipment (5).
If no flag belts remains, the Referees will declare the game a Forfeit. TYFA will charge the opposing Head Coach with a LEVEL III violation.
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.
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.

If a 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."
Since color and customization do not inherently affect gameplay as long as there is contrast, the game will continue.
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.
TYFA will issue a LEVEL II violation to the opposing Head Coach.

Flag colors must clearly contrast with the player's shorts or pants, including any stripes or writing.
If a Head Coach challenges the contrasting color, Referees will inspect all flag belts on the field of the challenged team.
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 penalty (5).
If turning the shorts inside out does not resolve the contrast issue, non-compliant flag belts must be removed.
If at least one legal flag belt remains (specifically for the quarterback), the game continues. The Referees will penalize the team Illegal Equipment penalty (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.
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.
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.

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.
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 opposing Head Coach.

If the belt is not illegally clasped, but Referees still find it difficult to pull the flags, the belt must be removed from play.
If at least one legal flag belt remains (specifically for the quarterback), the game continues.
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.
The Grace Period cannot be used.

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