SECTION 2. Procedures

Article 1 - Equipment and personnel

a. The video judge may use whatever video equipment is reasonably available. The sources of video to be used shall be determined by the video judge before the game. This may include body-worn cameras.
b. When a replay is shown on a stadium screen, the on-field officials may observe it during a review and use clear evidence from it to change a decision. This may include situations when there is no video judge, but the referee has the ability to request a replay to be shown.
c. Review will not be used if there is no video judge AND the decision as to which plays to replay on the stadium screen is in the control of only one team.
d. If there is no video judge, but there is the capability to use video equipment near the field of play, the referee shall assume the duties of the video judge provided the following conditions apply:

1. The equipment to be used in the review is located outside the limit lines on the sideline or end line and must be completely outside the team area. This is a separate secure location away from spectators and sideline personnel. Ideally, it will be in a tent or other shelter to protect it from rain and also direct sunlight on the display equipment.
2. The sources of video to be used are determined by the referee before the game, and the referee agrees that the quality of the video obtainable from each source is sufficient for replay to be used effectively.
3. The referee agrees that the size and resolution of the display equipment to be used at the sideline is sufficient for replay to be used effectively.
4. National federations may implement a process by which game management must seek prior approval of sideline video equipment before it can be used in a competitive game.

Article 2 - Initiating review

a. A review can be initiated by stopping the game at any time before the ball is next legally put in play. This includes when there is a positive intention by any official to initiate a review, even if the whistle or signal to denote it comes after the ball is snapped or free kicked.
b. A review can be initiated whenever an official believes that:

1. There is reasonable evidence to believe an error was made in the initial on-field ruling; and
2. The play is reviewable; and
3. The outcome of a review would have a direct, competitive impact on the game.

Review shall not be used when there would be no competitive impact on the game, including when the running clock rule is in force (Rule 3-3-2).

c. An official shall not initiate a review in a situation when it would give one team an advantage with respect to time (on either the game clock or play clock).
d. There is no limit on the number of reviews initiated by the officials nor is there a time limit for a review. However, officials should have regard to the duration of the game and not instigate reviews that have little impact on the game.
e. Disqualifications may be reviewed at any time since the impact normally includes the player’s ability to play in the next game.

Article 3 - Criteria for reversing an on-field ruling

a. If there is clear, indisputable evidence that a ruling on the field was incorrect or that something within the scope of the review procedure occurred and was missed by the on-field officials, the video judge will advise the on-field officials to change their ruling(s).
b. If there is other evidence (e.g. not indisputable), the video judge shall inform the on-field officials of the evidence available and give them the opportunity to change their ruling(s) when that evidence is combined with evidence from their own observations. The video judge may not override the judgment of any of the on-field officials, but may advise them. The final determination of fact(s) shall remain with the on-field officials.
c. An official (usually the referee) may act for any other on-field official who is unable to communicate with the video judge.
d. When, in the judgment of the video judge, a foul should have been called, the referee may override that judgment if they believe the action as described to them would not have been ruled as a foul if it had been observed by an on-field official. The video judge is subject to the same officiating interpretations and philosophies as the on-field officials.

Article 4 - Information provision

a. The relevant official should repeat information provided to them by the video judge to ensure that both are satisfied that the on-field official has heard the information correctly.
b. Normally, an on-field official (or the referee on their behalf) will ask the video judge to answer a specific question of fact.
c. If a ruling is changed, the video judge shall provide the referee with all pertinent information as needed (next down, distance, yard line, position of the ball, clock status/adjustment) in order to resume play under the correct game conditions.

1. If the video judge does not know the precise information, an estimate can be used.
2. If the game clock was running and was stopped solely for a review, it should be adjusted such that no more than 40 seconds can elapse since the end of the previous play.
3. Anytime after the two-minute warning in the 2nd or 4th quarters, if the correct ruling would not have stopped the game clock, then the clock will be reset to the time the ball is declared dead by the video judge. The referee will subtract 10 seconds from the game clock and the game clock will start on the referee’s signal. Either team may use a team timeout to avoid the runoff.
4. If time expires in a half, and the clock would start on the referee’s signal after review, there must be at least 3 seconds remaining when the ball should have been declared dead to restore time to the clock. With 2 seconds or 1 second remaining on the clock, the half is over unless Team A uses a remaining timeout. (This does not impact situations when the clock is stopped and will remain stopped until the snap such as an incomplete pass or a ball carrier out of bounds.)
5. If the game clock expires at the end of any quarter, either during a down in which it should be stopped by rule through play when the ball becomes dead or after the down upon a request for an available team timeout, the video judge may restore time. In the fourth quarter, this only applies if the score differential is eight points or less (after a touchdown, all potential results of the try down must be considered).

d. After a review is completed, the referee shall announce that:

1. the ruling on the field is confirmed, if the video evidence confirms the on-field ruling;
2. the ruling on the field stands, if the video evidence is inconclusive;
3. the ruling on the field is changed, why and what the impact of the ruling is, if the video evidence reveals an error occurred.