Flag Weekly Update 8/10/26
SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOOTBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION - THE WEEKLY BULL FOR FLAG FOOTBALL – August 10, 2026
Jersey’s – Home jerseys must be a color other than white. The only possible white should be the number, or decorative stripe(s), school name/nickname, school logo, school mascot, or player name. Visitor jerseys are white with the same possible dark color (not white) additions as the home jersey. If you think you don’t have these jerseys, you will need to contact CIF for a waiver. Without a waiver, your school will be penalized 10-Yds at the opening kickoff for illegal equipment, and the situation will be reported to the CIF.
Pants – Pants, shorts, or skirts which shall not have pockets of any type, exposed drawstrings, belts and/or belt loops. The color of the pants, shorts or skirts shall be the same single solid color that clearly contrasts with the color of the flag. If you think you don’t have legal pants, you will need to contact CIF for a waiver. Without a waiver, your school will be penalized 10-Yds at the opening kickoff for illegal equipment, and the situation will be reported to the CIF.
Flags – If you have legal jerseys and legal pants, making sure the overall color of the flag clearly contrasts with the pants should be easy. Despite some artwork (school name/nickname, school logo, mascot, etc.) the flag should be quite visible up against the pants. In other words, you should be able to see the flag against the uniform. The CIF and NFHS will be considering a rule change for the 2027 season that would require that all flags be of one solid, contrasting color. No decorations. Stay tuned!
Progress Spot – Reminder, the accurate progress spot is the location of the ball when the flag is pulled. It is much more common for a runner in flag football to extend the ball forward from their body in an attempt to gain extra yardage. They should be given that extra yardage. Do not get in the habit of marking progress where the flag was pulled. This may be accurate, but not always! See the flag pulled, see where the ball is!
Forward Fumbles – A forward fumble, which hits the ground, will be dead and the play ends. But the succeeding spot will be the spot of the fumble (the ball will be returned to the spot of the fumble. If the forward fumble lands forward and out of bounds, it too will be returned to the spot of the fumble. If the forward fumble hits the pylon in the air, or goes beyond the goal line and lands out of bounds, it will be a touchback. If the forward fumble occurs in the runner’s own end zone, and hits her own pylon, lands in the field of play, or lands out of bounds, it will be a safety.
PS. These fumble rules are inconsistent with the NFHS rulebook, and it has been communicated to the CIF. We have been using these rules for two years now, so there should not be any surprises. The CIF and NFHS will also take this issue into consideration for the 2027 season.
Backward Fumbles – No changes.
Corrections to Overtime Proceedure -
From the 10-yard line (previously reported from the 20-YL)
Each team gets a series
Interceptions can be returned
Starting with the 2rd series each team must go for a 2-point PAT from the 3-YL. (previously reported starting with the 3rd series)
I've attached the 2026 Simple Review for CIF to help with your game preparations.
