How do officials use the whistle and marker, and report a foul?

• Each field official carries a whistle and a red marker.
• Throwing the marker indicates an infraction, but play continues until a whistle sounds.
• A whistle while the ball is in play makes the ball dead and stops the game. In the event of injury, the whistle should not be sounded until the ball is dead.
• The nearest official marks the out-of-bounds spot, and the appropriate official marks the spot of forward progress, which is the point of the next play.
• The Referee whistles to show the ball is ready for play and signals "time is in" with a downward sweep of the arm from the overhead position.

Reporting a foul: the official reports it to the Referee immediately if the ball is dead, or as soon as it is dead if the ball is alive. The Referee gives a preliminary signal to show the nature of the foul, then gives the player's number, the penalty signal and the assessment, and signals that the ball is again ready for play. The Referee explains to the non-offending captain how the penalty applies, or any option available if the captain refuses it, and is the sole means of communication between officials and the team captains or coaches.

Any field official who sees a player showing signs, symptoms or behaviours consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or balance problems) reports their concerns through the Referee to the head coach or appropriate health-care professional.

Source: Canadian Amateur Rule Book for Tackle Football 2026-2027, Rule 2, Sections 2 and 3.