What helmet rules apply, including Guardian Caps?

• Only helmets and facemasks approved by the National Operating Committee on Safety in Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) may be worn.
• Visors must be clear, not tinted, and no medical exceptions are allowed.
• A player must wear the helmet while in bounds and must not voluntarily remove it while play is in progress.
• If a helmet involuntarily comes off during a play (other than from a foul), the player must leave the game for 3 plays.
• A player who loses their helmet must stop participating in the play (penalty L10).
• Hitting a player who has lost their helmet is Unnecessary Roughness.
• Using the helmet or other objects to deceive opponents about the location of the ball is illegal.
• A player may choose to wear a manufactured protective helmet cover ("Guardian Cap") in practices and games. It must be designed and made by a professional manufacturer and cannot be altered.

For a NOCSAE, visor, removal or deception breach, the player is removed until corrected and the team is penalized 10 yards.

Source: Canadian Amateur Rule Book for Tackle Football 2026-2027, Rule 1, Section 11, Article 2.