FLAG FOOTBALL RULES 2023 Rule 12 - Challenges
SECTION 1. Conference
Article 1 - Requesting a Challenge
Once in each half and once during overtime, a team may take a timeout and immediately request a conference to challenge a ruling or enforcement. The challenge may be about a ruling during the previous play or action or enforcement after it. The challenge must be made before the ball is snapped for the next play and before the Referee declares the end of the half or game.
A challenge may only be made about the misapplication of a rule or incorrect penalty enforcement. Judgment calls are not challengeable. Another challenge on the same play by either team for the same reason cannot be requested. AR 12-1-1-I to V
Article 2 - Procedure
After a team has requested a challenge the Referee will call an officials' timeout. The requesting team explains to the Referee, in the presence of a second official, what exactly they are challenging and the reason for it. The Referee will decide if the challenge is permitted by rule. The second official will inform the opposing team about the subject of a permitted challenge and the relevant members of the officiating crew will meet away from both teams.
The Referee will then explain and discuss the challenged ruling or enforcement with the relevant officials. The Referee can request more information from the challenging team if needed for a decision.
All involved officials shall provide information carefully and faithfully in order to decide if the ruling/enforcement on the field was correct or if something was missed by the officials and it should be changed.
When this decision has been made, the Referee, accompanied by another official, will explain to the challenging team why the ruling/enforcement has or has not been changed and provide all relevant information regarding the status of the game (spot, down, time) to them. This information will then also be given to the opposing team.
Article 3 - Video Review
Article 4 - Timeout
a. If the challenge is permitted and the ruling is altered, the requesting team will not be charged with a timeout and the game will continue.
b. If the challenge is not permitted or the ruling is not altered, the requesting team will be charged with a timeout and granted the full time allowed for this.
c. If the team has no timeouts remaining or the game is in overtime, it is a violation and no timeout will be granted.
VIOLATION - Charged timeout for the requesting team. [S3] Penalty - 5 yards, if no timeouts remain. [S21]