Chain Crew Member's Guide to Football Canada Game Day 2026-27

• The downs box and distance chain must be positioned out of bounds.
• The Downs Box Official places the downs box at the point where the ball is to be scrimmaged.
• The two Yardstick Officials place the distance chain as directed by the Down Judge.
• The Down Judge takes up a position on the line of scrimmage, a suitable distance in from the sideline, on the same side of the field as the distance chain and downs box. The Down Judge supervises the placement of the chain and downs box under the direction of the Referee, and works the same side as the Side Judge.
• The field is marked every 5 yards (metres) across the field, with hash marks 24 yards (22 metres) from each sideline, and the 35 and 45 yard (30 and 40 metre) lines are of double thickness.

Source: Canadian Amateur Rule Book for Tackle Football 2026-2027, Rule 1 Section 1, and Rule 2 Sections 7, 9 and 10.

The Downs Box Official (called the Downbox Official in the rule book) acts under the direction of the Down Judge and places the downs box at the point where the ball is to be scrimmaged, indicating the number of each down on it. The downs box is positioned out of bounds.

The number is changed only on signal from the Referee and the Down Judge. If you do not agree with the down number they signal, you must immediately report the disagreement to the Referee before the ball is next put into play.

Source: Canadian Amateur Rule Book for Tackle Football 2026-2027, Rule 2, Section 10, Articles 1 and 2, and Case Book comment 3-4-1.

The two Yardstick Officials hold the rods of the distance chain and place it as directed by the Down Judge, out of bounds. They move the distance chain only on signal from the Referee and the Down Judge, and when a measure is needed the Yardstick Official brings the distance chain to the Referee.

If a third Yardstick Official is used, that person holds a single marker rod on the sideline opposite the 10 yard (10 metre) objective line. This marker is not used to determine whether a first down has been gained. Under the direction of the Referee, penalties may be recorded.

Source: Canadian Amateur Rule Book for Tackle Football 2026-2027, Rule 2, Section 10, Articles 1, 3 and 4, Rule 2 Section 7 Article 4(d), and Case Book comment 3-4-1.

The rule book's recommended procedure is:

1. After each play the Referee signals the number of the next down and visually checks that the downs box shows it.
2. Each time the distance chain should be moved, the Referee signals for it to be moved, and checks that it is in the proper location before signalling "Time In" for the next play.
3. The Down Judge repeats the Referee's down signal, checks the downs box placement and number, and only on the Referee's signal directs the distance chain to be moved, then checks that it is stationed correctly.
4. Downs box official: change the location of the downs box and/or the number of the next down only on signal from the Referee and the Down Judge.
5. Yardstick officials: move the distance chain only on signal from the Referee and the Down Judge.

Source: Canadian Amateur Rule Book for Tackle Football 2026-2027, Case Book comment 3-4-1 (recommended procedure).

Speak up before the next snap. The rule book says:

• Downs box official: if you do not agree with the down number signalled by the Referee and/or the Down Judge, you must immediately report the disagreement to the Referee before the ball is next put into play.
• Down Judge: if the Down Judge does not agree with the Referee's down number, the Down Judge must immediately check with the Referee so the disagreement is solved before the ball is again put into play.
• All field officials: before every down, check that the downs box shows the correct number of the next down, and if you disagree, check with the Referee immediately.

The Referee has prime responsibility for the count of downs and control of the downs box and distance chain, with the Down Judge assisting. That does not remove the responsibility from the other field officials to make sure the down is correct and the chain is placed correctly.

Source: Canadian Amateur Rule Book for Tackle Football 2026-2027, Case Book comment 3-4-1.

The teams change ends at the end of the 1st and 3rd periods. At the start of the 2nd and 4th periods the ball is put into play at a point corresponding exactly to where the ball became dead at the opposite end of the field, in the same manner as if play had not been interrupted.

The Down Judge is responsible for changing the position of the distance chain at the end of the 1st and 3rd periods to the identical spot, at the opposite end of the field, corresponding to the point at which play ended in that period. The downs box and distance chain stay under the direction of the Down Judge, and out of bounds.

Source: Canadian Amateur Rule Book for Tackle Football 2026-2027, Rule 1 Section 3 Article 3, Rule 2 Section 7 Article 4(c), and Rule 2 Section 10.

• When the ball becomes dead and a measurement might be needed, the ball is not moved from where it became dead until the Referee checks whether the yards have been gained.
• When the Referee requires a measure, the Down Judge marks on the chain the spot corresponding to the far side of the cross stripe farthest from the ball within the span of the distance chain, and has the Yardstick Official bring the distance chain to the Referee.
• Only the on-field captain of each team is permitted in the vicinity of the measurement.
• The Referee may decline a request for a measurement if satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt that a first down has or has not been made.
• A sideline conference between coaches and players is legal during a measurement.

Source: Canadian Amateur Rule Book for Tackle Football 2026-2027, Rule 1 Section 4 Article 3, Rule 2 Section 7 Article 4, Rule 1 Section 13 Article 2, and Case Book comment 3-4-1.

Not if the foul comes after the Referee has whistled time in. If an objectionable conduct penalty is called after the Referee has whistled time in for any down, the penalty is L10 from the point of last scrimmage with the down repeated, and the distance chains will not be moved (unless a first down is gained from a penalty against Team B).

The Case Book shows the other side: Team A has 2nd down and goal on the Team B 4-yard line, B1 goes offside and the play gains 1 yard, and A2 is then called for objectionable conduct after the ball is dead. The offside penalty moves the ball to the Team B 2-yard line and 1st down. The objectionable conduct penalty is then applied, giving Team A 1st down and 10 from the Team B 12-yard line. The distance chains are moved as long as the objectionable conduct occurred before the Referee has whistled time in for the next play.

Source: Canadian Amateur Rule Book for Tackle Football 2026-2027, Rule 7, Section 4, Article 1 and Case Book play 4-0-4.

The ball becomes dead when a forward pass is declared incomplete, or when it strikes a game official, the goal post assembly, the downs box marker or a distance chain rod. The downs box and distance chain must be positioned out of bounds.

Source: Canadian Amateur Rule Book for Tackle Football 2026-2027, Rule 1, Section 8, Article 1(e), and Rule 2, Section 10, Article 1.

During the game the only people who may legally occupy a position on the sideline are the field officials, the downs box official, the yardstick officials, the timekeeper and the scorer.

Substitute players and team personnel (coaches, doctors, trainers and equipment personnel) must stay in their team bench area, which is 5 to 10 yards (metres) from the sideline. Bench occupants who encroach on the sideline or playing field while play is in progress, other than during legal substitution or with the Referee's express permission, draw a L10 penalty.

An unauthorized person may not enter or reach into the field while play is in progress or interfere with a player or a loose ball.

Source: Canadian Amateur Rule Book for Tackle Football 2026-2027, Rule 1, Section 13, Articles 1 and 3.