What do coaches need to know about time outs and equipment certification on game day?

Time outs: each team gets two time outs per half, each 1 minute. A player, the head coach or the designated head coach may request one from when the ball becomes dead until it is put into play. Time outs do not carry over from one half to the next. After a time out and any conference with the coaches, offensive (Team A) players must return to their huddle or move clearly away from the team bench area, or be penalized for illegal procedure.

Equipment certification: the head coach, or the designated representative, must certify to the umpire before the game that all players:

• have been informed of the mandatory equipment and what equipment is illegal;
• have been provided with the mandatory equipment;
• have been instructed to wear it, and how to wear it, during the game; and
• have been instructed to tell the coaching staff when equipment becomes illegal during the game.

Helmets: only helmets and facemasks approved by NOCSAE may be worn, visors must be clear (no medical exceptions), and a player whose helmet comes off involuntarily during a play, other than from a foul, must leave the game for 3 plays.

Source: Canadian Amateur Rule Book for Tackle Football 2026-2027, Rule 1 Section 5 Article 4 (time outs) and the equipment articles on helmets and coach's certification.