Rule 1 - Clock Mechanics
Embedded Files
TYFA does NOT have a RUNNING CLOCK!
While it is not the same stop and start as the NCAA, there are situations where it will stop. See Rule 1.4 below.
Black Shirt: Moniker assigned to TYFA staff members due to their consistent attire of black shirts while carrying out rule enforcement duties at events.
On Field Minimum is: 7 for Flag and 11 for all Tackle.
Rule 1.1 - Game Time/Play Clock
Rule 1.1 - Game Time/Play Clock
Quarters: 4 | Spring: 8 minutes | Fall: 10 minutes | (all age brackets)
At end of each quarter, teams MUST change direction as required by all football rules.
Normal Halftime is 10 minutes.
Max 20 minute during homecoming.
Max 30 minute during homecoming but Referees are owed an extra $5 each.
Referees keep the official game clock on the FIELD unless there is a Referee controlling the scoreboard/clock.
Referees or Black Shirts may reduce halftime to a minimum of 2 minutes or time between games to avoid suspending or postponing a game due to oncoming darkness or bad weather.
Under normal circumstances the play clock is 40 seconds.
After a stoppage such as a timeout, penalty, etc., the play clock is 25 seconds.
Rule 1.2 - Equipment, Injury and Standard Timeouts
Rule 1.2 - Equipment, Injury and Standard Timeouts
Standard Timeout
Each team is allotted (3) x 30-second timeouts per half.
Equipment/Uniform Timeout
A player with equipment issues must leave the game until issue is resolved.
A team may call a timeout to quickly fix the issue.
If removing the player from the field drops the team under the ON FIELD MINIMUM, follow the ON FIELD MINIMUM procedure.
Injury Timeout
All remaining players are to move to the hash marks for watering and coaching.
The injured player must leave for at least one play unless EITHER team calls for and is charged with a timeout.
Players DO NOT need to take a knee. Coaching IS ALLOWED in a low tone.
If removing the player from the field drops the team under the ON FIELD MINIMUM, follow the ON FIELD MINIMUM procedure.
Blood Timeout
A player who is bleeding or has excessive blood on their uniform must leave the game until the bleeding is stopped or the uniform is changed.
If removing the player from the field drops the team under the ON FIELD MINIMUM, follow the ON FIELD MINIMUM procedure.
Rule 1.3 - Mercy Rule Timeouts
Rule 1.3 - Mercy Rule Timeouts
Once the mercy rule is invoked, the winning team may not call a timeout for any reason.
If the losing team calls a timeout, the winning team's coaches may give water, but are not allowed to coach from the field or they will be penalized Unsportsmanlike Conduct (15).
The following are the only exceptions to stop the "Mercy Rule" running clock:
Referee's timeout or an injury timeout - until the Referees start the clock.
2-minute warning or a timeout (called by losing team) - until the snap of the ball.
Within the last 2-minutes of each half if the losing team spikes the ball, throws an incomplete pass, or gets the ball out of bounds.
Rule 1.4 - Clock Stop & Start
Rule 1.4 - Clock Stop & Start
Stops/Starts on Referee's Signal
First Down, Complete a Penalty, Handling an Injury, Measurement, Inadvertent Whistle, Pass incomplete down field, Head Coach Challenge.
Stops/Starts on Snap of the Ball
Timeouts, Change of Possession, Ball out of bounds inside 2 minutes each half, each quarter, incomplete pass or ball spiked inside 2 minutes each half, offense commits a delay-of-game while in a scrimmage-kick formation.
Starts/Stops on Kickoffs
The game clock shall be started when the ball is free kicked and is legally touched in the field of play by someone other than the kicker or crosses the goal line after being legally touched by the receiving team in its end zone. The game clock will stop when the ball is dead by rule.
Clock Does Not Run
The game clock shall not run during an XP attempt, during a Period Extension or during Overtime.
Stops/Starts in Mercy Rule
Refer to 1.3 Mercy Rule.
Rule 1.5 - Ten-Second Runoff
Rule 1.5 - Ten-Second Runoff
The 10-second runoff does NOT apply to Flag (5u).
Once the mercy rule is invoked, the winning team cannot call a timeout to avoid a 10-second runoff.
If the Referees see less than 7 Flag or 11 Tackle players on the field prior to a play being run, they should let that play run because it could be a coaching error.
Right after the play, they should stop the game and determine if the team who was short players the previous play has any eligible players (not hurt or does not have equipment issues) available to enter the game. IF there are no additional eligible players, review the rule below.
On Field Minimum of Eligible Players Procedure
On Field Minimum of Eligible Players Procedure
If a team falls below the minimum eligible players (7xflag, 11xtackle):
This means a team does not have 7xFlag or 11xTackle players who are eligible to play for that team, have no injuries or equipment issues preventing them from playing.
The team must call a timeout if they have one. They may use all of them back-to-back for this situation.
If they do not have a timeout, the Referees will call 1xReferee timeout, but will penalize the team a Delay of Game (5).
If issue is INJURY
If at the end of the timeouts the team cannot get the minimum eligible players back on the field, the game will be declared a Class C Forfeit.
When in doubt, sit them out. If the Referees believe a player is being forced onto the field to avoid a forfeit but is hurting or could have a concussion, the can deny the player the ability to get back on the field. - Safety first!
If issue is Equipment
If at the end of the timeouts the team cannot get the minimum eligible players back on the field, the game will be declared a Class B or C Forfeit.
This would apply to wrong Facemask types, dark visors, wrong cleats, and bloody jerseys that cannot be replaced in time.
The Grace Period CANNOT be used for this.
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