SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOOTBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION – THE WEEKLY BULL FOR FLAG FOOTBALL – July 27, 2026
Hello Flag Football Coaches and ADs – This is our second Weekly Bulletin. In these bulletins, I will share rules, interpretations, and points of emphasis throughout the season. If you don’t find these helpful, there's always the delete button! Thank you! - Steve Coover, Instructional Chair and CIF Football Rules Interpreter, San Diego County Football Officials Association (619) 921-3006 cooversteve@gmail.com
CIF State Flag Football Rules Interpreter – Our California CIF State Rules Interpreter is MaryAnn Menlove (801) 635-9862. MaryAnnMenlove@gmail.com. Some of her interpretations are included in this Weekly Bulletin. But please try me first before calling MaryAnn. My phone number is (619) 921-3006.
Conference Meetings – The North County Flag Football Conference has already met. The City, Grossmont and Metro Conferences are meeting this week. The Coastal Flag Football Conference has not yet decided on a date. These meetings are very helpful to the coaches and the officials! We have an opportunity to meet face-to-face, keep each group informed, and learn from one another.
Main Topics from the North County Conference Meeting – The following 3 topics were discussed at length during the meeting: Flags and Shorts/Pants – Colors of both must contrast. If there are designs or words on the flags, the flag’s overall color must still clearly contrast with the pants. Vertical stripes on pants that are the same color as the flags make them illegal shorts. High Risk Play – At any time during the game, when a team scores but is still behind in the score of the game, they can run a High Risk Play and attempt to keep possession of the ball in an effort to catch up. The team that is behind would inform the referee that they would like to attempt the High Risk Play. The referee will place the ball on the 20-YL. The team behind in the score would have one play to make a first down at the 40-YL. The down box will show 4th down so if the ball ends up dead short of the 40-YL, the defense will take over possession at that spot, 1st down. If the offense throws an incomplete pass, the ball will be returned to the 20-YL and the defense will take over 1st and goal. Screen Blocking – If there is contact, there needs to be an illegal contact penalty called every time. If the contact is caused by the defender running into a stationary screen block, the penalty will be on the defender. If the blocker is moving, and that movement obstructs the defender with contact, the foul will be on the offensive blocker. We will go through many scenarios at each Conference Meeting. We will continue to collect film on these judgments so we all get on the same page. “We strive for perfection but will except excellence.” – Tony Corrente
The Field and Hash Marks – We are reminding our officials, and coaches, that if the 40-yard field is centered, then the goal posts will serve as the location of the hash marks. The referee is responsible for spotting the ball and then declaring the ball ready for play. If the ball ends up between the hash marks (between the goal posts) the referee will spot the ball in the center of the field. If the ball ends up outside of the goal posts, then it will be placed at the nearest hash mark (goal post). If the field is using one of the tackle football sidelines, then pylons must be placed just beyond the end lines of both endzones, marking the location of the hash marks. The same rules for spotting the ball will apply.
Length of Games - Due to some rule changes we expect the length of a varsity game to be well over 1 hour, maybe closer to an hour and a half. Each team now has three time outs (potential for 12 additional minutes, then the game has 4 12-minute quarters (48 minutes), 1-minute time outs between quarters to switch ends of the field, and then we have the 5-minute halftime. Just that adds up to 67 minutes. Then we have the following clock stoppages.
The Clock Will Stop For: - a. A penalty b. A new series is awarded to B (following a punt, turnover, etc.) c. A touchdown or safety is scored d. An official's time out e. A two-minute time out f. A legal or illegal forward pass is incomplete with less than two minutes remaining in either half. g. A runner goes out of bounds with less than two minutes remaining in either half.
Officiating Fees 2025 – The following fees are in effect this year. The travel reimbursements are not included here. Girls’ Flag Football Varsity Ref $80 Varsity Other $75 JV Referee $77 JV Other $74
Communication Between Coaches and Officials – Coaches were told that we greatly respect the work that the head coach puts into preparing and managing his team. For that reason, we make every effort to communicate with him, answer questions, provide explanations and listen to his complaints in full. as long as they are not unsportsmanlike and the coach is not on the field and objecting. CIF wants us to penalize unsportsmanlike outbursts and demonstrations on the field by any coach. But we have a high tolerance for our head coaches. CIF has also asked us to inform the head coach if an assistant is questioning the work of the officials and acting unsportsmanlike. This gives the head coach an opportunity to correct the situation. If it continues, we are to penalize as directed by the Commissioners.
Problems with Your Coach – If you have a problem with your coach let your referee know. One of the biggest complaints I get from coaches is that the flanks do not communicate their coach’s concerns to the referee. This builds frustration and adds to the original issue. By the time the referee does get to the sideline he now has to deal with an upset and frustrated coach. There shall be two officials present for all meetings between the referee and the head coach, but only one speaks – the referee!
