When should I eject a player or coach?
Rule- USA
- NFL FLAG
- 12U
- 12 and under
- Ages 11-12
- League play
- 2026-27 season
- Referees
- Intentional physical play: if you or the field monitor see intentional tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking or any unsportsmanlike act, stop the game and eject the player. It's your decision, and no appeals are considered.
- Offensive or confrontational language: penalize it as unsportsmanlike conduct and decide whether an ejection is warranted.
- Two unsportsmanlike penalties on the same player or coach in a game result in disqualification.
- Electronic communication between a player and their coach or team spectator: the team is disqualified immediately.
Unsportsmanlike conduct is 10 yards from the dead-ball spot, plus an automatic first down against the defense or a loss of down against the offense. Unfair acts (the defense mimicking snap signals, a team not returning 5 eligible players after halftime) are unsportsmanlike conduct charged to the head coach.
Added 21 Oct 2026