• Review all TYFA behavioral policies and consequences, educate team participants, and inform them there will be fines, and suspensions (to include season ending). Parents need to be told to be in control as it could cost you.

• TYFA is not a battleground for racism or any other hatreds. While one is free to do as they wish, they are not free of consequences.

• All players and volunteer staff that will be on the sideline on game day need to be TYFA certified. If they are not, regardless of what small items may have been missed, they are considered illegal and there will be severe consequences.

• Work with your Organization’s board, assign Team Managers, or monitor the status of your players and staff yourself, but make sure they are all completing their certification.

• The Participant Policies for both players and volunteers should be reviewed to make sure a Head Coach knows the rules in staffing and building their roster.

• Learn TYFA rules. TYFA uses modified NCAA for Tackle and its own rules for Flag. TYFA does not use NFL or UIL rules. You cannot watch TV and think you know TYFA rules. Of Major Importance: Learn the Challenge Rules.

• Make sure that your staff knows how to perform the PRE-GAME Verification that is mandatory BEFORE each game. This includes making sure your staff know how to bring up their own digital profiles.

• There are consequences for incorrect equipment. Additionally, if you are really short on players and illegal equipment is found causing the player to leave the field, a potential forfeit that will also bring additional consequences could occur.

• Make sure your organization provides you with the ONLY Authorized Football TYFA allows for Officially Scheduled Games which is the WISLON LEATHER ball. In the Fall it MUST have a TYFA logo on it. The K2 is used for 5U, 7U and 9U. The TDJ is used for the 11U and the TDY is used for the 13U.

• If you are a Flag Head Coach, make sure your organization provides you with GAMEBREAKER Soft-Shell Helmets. Only non-TYFA teams in Spring are exempt.

• If you are a Flag Head Coach, make sure your organization provides you with TRIPLE-THREAT Flag Belts that are:

  • • At a minimum 12” in length, and 2 ¼” wide

    • Red, Green, Yellow or Royal Blue only. No custom color or logo

    • Color must be contrasting to your shorts/pants color AND any writing or stripes down the side of the shorts/pants.

• Overbuilt Facemasks are prohibited.

• Guardian Caps are approved for use ONLY during practices and are NOT permitted to be used or worn in games. This policy aligns with NCAA, NHSCA, NFHS and UIL standards, as Guardian Caps are currently approved for use exclusively in the NFL. *No medical waivers, exemptions or exceptions are allowed for game-day use.

• Eyewear: VISORS MUST BE CLEAR. CLEAR MEANS CLEAR. There are no exceptions for Doctor’s excuses. Goggles may be dark as they can be removed without moving a player’s head during an injury.

• Mouth Pieces are required for all ages while the play is going and could cost you timeouts or penalty yards if the players do not have them in their mouths.

• Towels are prohibited for Flag players and Tackle players towels can be no larger than 6 ½” and must be a neutral color (blacks, browns, white or grays) or team colors.

• Jewelry – Chains and necklaces around a player’s neck or attached by piercing is prohibited. Earrings are fine because at all ages they wear helmets.

• Handwarmers are prohibited for Flag players and Tackle players must be a neutral color (black, browns, white or grays) or team colors.

• Gloves: An approved glove is a fitted covering for a hand having separate sections for each finger and thumb, without any additional material that connects any of the fingers and/or thumb, and that completely covers each finger and thumb. A player will not be allowed to play with unauthorized gloves. There are no restrictions on color or brand.

• Proper Tackle Equipment (Helmet, Shoulder Pads, and 7-Piece Pads)

• Cleats: An approved cleat is a rubber-soled cleat or replaceable (detachable) cleat with hard plastic soles - the replaceable cleat stud being no longer than 1/2" and may not be metal tipped. There are no restrictions on color or brand. If the cleats are spiked, the Head Coach will be penalized with an Unsportsmanlike Conduct (15).

• Helmet stickers are allowed as long as they are youth appropriate.

• • • The TYFA Safety Initiative, introduced in 2018, aims to enhance player safety in youth football by reducing injuries, particularly concussions. The policy establishes key safety measures for TYFA member organizations, focusing on:

• • • Reducing Padded/Full-Contact Practices: Limiting full-contact practices per week and promoting non-contact training with an emphasis on execution and technique.

    • Education and Training: Providing training for coaches on non-contact strategies, concussion recognition, and overall health and safety.

    • Equipment Safety: Ensuring regular re-certification of helmets, promoting padded headgear in flag football, and providing high-quality protective equipment.

    • Player Safety Measures: Enforcing proper tackling techniques, imposing harsher penalties for dangerous plays, and implementing heat preparedness protocols. Emphasizing the importance of rest, recovery, and rehabilitation.

    • Implementation and Compliance: Requiring member organizations to follow safety protocols, with disciplinary actions for violations. Regular updates ensure continuous improvement.

• • • The initiative underscores TYFA's commitment to player safety by reducing contact exposure, enhancing education, and ensuring proper equipment use, creating a safer and more enjoyable experience for all participants.

• GO PRO: Coaches on the field must be hands free of any recording device but may wear GO PRO devices. Any other device found by Referees will be penalized Unsportsmanlike Conduct (15).

• Whistles worn by coaches are prohibited. If sideline personnel accidentally blow a whistle that stops the game prematurely, the team will be penalized Unsportsmanlike Conduct (15). It will be handled like an inadvertent whistle.

• Coach-to-Player or Coach-to-Coach devices are allowed. They can only be put on 7u+ players. The coach may be in the Press Box or Stands. Once the ball is snapped, coaches need to stop talking to their players. If a Referee hears it or it is determined some other way, the team will be penalized Unsportsmanlike Conduct (15).

• Spectator-to-Coach/Player is prohibited.

  • • This is a circumvention of the spectator getting certified as a coach for that team. If it can be determined this is happening, the team will receive a Class B Forfeit for an illegal volunteer. 

    • Additionally, if it is determined that the spectator is a person banned or indefinitely suspended by TYFA, the team will be charged with a Level III violation.

TYFA has a dress code for Players and Volunteer Staff and there will be no exceptions to its enforcement if violations are found. Learn the dress code and comply.

It is highly suggested that extra equipment, uniforms and accessories be carried for those situations that will arise.