American Football IFAF Approved Ruling 1-4-8

I. After the ball is ready for play, an official identifies a player(s) (a) who is obviously not wearing a mouthpiece or (b) whose mouthpiece is hanging from their facemask. RULING: (a) The player(s) must leave the game for at least one down and may not return until properly
equipped with a mouthpiece. The player(s) may remain in the game by spending an available team timeout, but they may not play until properly equipped. (b) The official notifies the player. If the player does not respond by wearing the mouthpiece correctly
after two notifications, a timeout or delay penalty will be charged to their team. [Cited by 1-4-8-b] II. Late in the first half, Team B has used its three timeouts. At the end of a play the line judge notices that B44, a player who participated in the previous play, is equipped with an eye shield that is either tinted or not clear. RULING: Equipment violation. B44 must leave the game for at least one down and may not return if they are still wearing an illegal eye shield. [Cited by 1-4-6-c, 1-4-8-b] III. When the ball is dead after a scrimmage down, the umpire notices that linebacker B55 has an exposed back pad at waist level, which apparently became exposed through play during the previous down. RULING: B55 is not required to leave the game, but they must cover
the exposed pad with their jersey before the next down. [Cited by 1-4-7-i, 1-4-8-c] IV. An official discovers a player wear ng illegal equipment or not wearing mandator y equipment (other than a helmet coming completely off through play – Rule 3-3-10). RULING: The official notifies the player that they must leave the game. If the player responds by star ting to leave the field, the official is not to stop either the game clock or the play clock. If possible, the referee will use their microphone to make a brief announcement identifying the player and their team and the reason why they must leave the field. This announcement should be made from the referee’s position to officiate the next play, and must not delay the start of the next play. However, if the player does not respond after two notifications or stops before leaving the field, the official shall blow their whistle and signal to stop the clock and the offending team will be charged with a timeout (or a delay penalty if all timeouts are exhausted). [Cited by 1-4-8-b, 1-4-8-d]