Rule 1 – Section 2 – Article 7 – Line-to-Gain and Down Indicators

The official line-to-gain (yardage chain) and down indicators shall be operated approximately six feet outside the sideline, except in stadiums where the total playing enclosure does not permit. These must be operated on the side of the field opposite the press box.

a. The yardage chain shall join two rods not less than five feet high, the rods’ inside edges being exactly 10 yards apart when the chain is fully extended.

b. The down indicator shall be mounted on a rod not less than five feet high operating approximately six feet outside the sideline opposite the press box.

c. An unofficial auxiliary line-to-gain indicator and an unofficial down indicator six feet
outside the other sideline are recommended.

d. Unofficial red or orange non-slip line-to-gain ground markers positioned off the sidelines on both sides of the field are recommended. Markers are rectangular, weighted material 10 inches by 32 inches. A triangle with an altitude of five inches is attached to the rectangle at the end toward the sideline.

e. All line-to-gain and down-indicator rods shall have flat ends.

f. Advertising is permitted on the down and line-to-gain indicators. One manufacturer’s logo or trademark is permitted on each indicator. Team/national and competition logos are allowed.