5V5 • GAME DAY • REF CREW

GirlPower Carolinas

REFEREE HUB

Know the rules. Make the call. Own the field.

Whether you're already part of our referee crew or interested in becoming one, this is where you build the game-day knowledge, confidence and decision-making you need before stepping onto the field.

Coming Next

January 2027

Hands-On Referee Training

Stay tuned for details on our in-person training event. We'll take the rules, calls and scenarios from this Referee Hub onto the field for live practice.

NFL FLAG RULES •

FINAL CHALLENGE •

GIRLPOWER REF CREW Learn it here. Practice it on the field.

The Assignment

Good refs make better games.

You don't need to know everything on day one. You do need to know where to look, when to blow the whistle, how to explain a call and how to keep the game moving. That's what this training is built to teach.

Your Referee Toolkit

What you're building.

Every module connects back to four things you will do again and again on game day.

Pregame

Check the field, inspect equipment, verify flags, meet coaches, bring captains together and get the game started correctly.

See the Play

Know the important lines, understand the rush, watch flags and recognize what actually happened before making the call.

Make the Call

Whistle when necessary, identify the foul, apply the enforcement and communicate the next down.

Manage the Game

Stay calm, communicate clearly, work with your crew and keep coaches and players focused on the game.

SEE IT. Watch the play

WHISTLE. Stop when needed

CALL IT. Be clear

RESET. Next play

Keep It On The Sideline

Referee Downloads

Save these to your phone or print them for game day. They're designed as fast sideline references when you need the answer without working through a training module.

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GAME DAY

Referee Game-Day Checklist

A one-page checklist covering what to do before the game, at halftime and after the final whistle.

✓ Field setup
✓ Equipment & flag checks
✓ Captains & coin toss
✓ Halftime reset
✓ Final score sheet

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SIDELINE FAVORITE

Penalty Cheat Sheet

A two-page quick-reference guide for common offensive, defensive and spot-foul enforcement.

✓ Spot fouls
✓ Defensive penalties
✓ Offensive penalties
✓ Clock & timeouts
✓ Enforcement reminders

QUICK RULES

Referee Rules Card

The rules you're most likely to need quickly in the middle of a GirlPower game.

✓ Downs & possession
✓ 7-second clock
✓ Rush line
✓ No-run zones
✓ Scoring

Game-Day Tip: Save the PDFs to your phone before Sunday so they're available on the sideline whenever you need them.

Your Training Progress

0 of 6 modules completed

Referee Training Path

Six modules. One game-ready ref.

Work through each section at your own pace. You'll get immediate feedback as you go, then finish with a 20-question Ref Challenge.

6 MODULES
+ FINAL CERTIFICATE

Start Here

Game Ready

Pregame, equipment, halftime and end-of-game responsibilities.

OPEN MODULE →

Ready

Field IQ

Field markings, no-run zones, rush lines and legal rushing.

OPEN MODULE →

Ready

You Make the Call

Decide what happens on realistic flag football plays.

OPEN MODULE →

Ready

Penalty Lab

Recognize common fouls and learn how to enforce them.

OPEN MODULE →

Ready

Game Management

Communicate calls, handle questions and manage tough moments.

OPEN MODULE →

Final

Ref Challenge

Put everything together and unlock your completion certificate.

OPEN CHALLENGE →

MODULE 01 / GAME DAY

Game Ready

Your assignment starts before the first snap. Work through the full game-day routine from pregame through final score verification.

Part 1

Before the Game

This is your pregame checklist. Check each item as though you are preparing for an actual GirlPower game.

Check field setup, boundaries and end zones. Confirm the line of scrimmage and 7-yard rush marker setup. Complete player equipment checks. Confirm official NFL FLAG belts and flags. Confirm mouthguards are in place. Check jerseys, jewelry and exposed metal. Make sure flags are visible and unobstructed. Have players pull/test their flags before the game. GirlPower Game-Day Standard Meet with both head coaches. Identify team captains and bring them to midfield. Visiting team calls the coin toss. Coin-toss winner chooses offense or defense; the other team chooses direction. Confirm scorekeeper and game clock are ready.

Part 2

Equipment Challenge

Each player is about to take the field. Decide whether she is ready or whether something must be fixed first.

Part 3

Halftime

Reset the game before the second half begins.

Confirm the score with the scorekeeper. Confirm the team that began the game with possession begins the second half on defense. Teams switch sides of the field. Recheck any equipment or flag issues that changed. Watch halftime timing and get both teams ready to resume.

Part 4

End of Game

Your job isn't finished just because the final play is over.

Confirm the final score with the scorekeeper. Coaches, officials and scorekeeper verify the score sheet. Report ejections, unusual incidents or major game-management issues. GirlPower Game-Day Standard Return or collect referee equipment as required. GirlPower Game-Day Standard Leave the field professionally and prepare for your next assignment.

✓

Game Ready Complete

You worked through your complete referee game-day routine: pregame, equipment, halftime and end-of-game responsibilities.

Referee Game-Day Quick Card

BEFORE: Field → Equipment → Flags → Coaches → Captains → Coin Toss → Clock/Score → Ready

HALFTIME: Score → Second-Half Possession → Switch Sides → Equipment → Resume

AFTER: Final Score → Score Sheet Verified → Issues Reported → Done

MODULE 02 / FIELD AWARENESS

Field IQ

Know the important lines and zones before you worry about making calls.

Learn It

Know the Field

Line of Scrimmage The imaginary line running through the location of the football.

Line-to-Gain The yard line the offense must reach for a first down.

Rush Line Seven yards from the line of scrimmage on the defensive side.

No-Run Zone Five yards before midfield and five yards before the opponent's end zone.

Boundary Stepping on the boundary line means the player is out of bounds.

Ball Spot The referee spots the ball in the middle of the field before ready-for-play.

END ZONE

NO-RUN ZONE

MIDFIELD / LINE-TO-GAIN

7-YARD RUSH LINE

LINE OF SCRIMMAGE

END ZONE

Training diagram — not drawn to exact scale.

Challenge

Field IQ Challenge

✓

Field IQ Complete

You completed the field-layout and rushing challenge.

MODULE 03 / DECISION MAKING

You Make the Call

Plays happen fast. Read the situation, make your ruling and then compare it to the correct call.

Live Scenarios

Make the Call

✓

You Make the Call Complete

You worked through common situations involving flags, dead balls, passing, running and player contact.

MODULE 04 / PENALTIES

Penalty Lab

Seeing the foul is step one. A referee also has to know the enforcement.

Quick Reference

Common Calls

Defensive Illegal Rush Defender illegally rushes from inside the 7-yard requirement. +5 yards from LOS + automatic first down

Illegal Flag Pull Defender intentionally pulls a flag before the player has the ball. +5 yards from LOS + automatic first down

Roughing the Passer Illegal contact with the passer. +5 yards from LOS + automatic first down

Defensive Holding / Illegal Contact Illegal defensive contact restricting an offensive player. +5 yards + automatic first down

Defensive Pass Interference Illegal interference with an eligible receiver. Automatic first down

Flag Guarding Ball carrier obstructs access to the flags. -5 yards + loss of down

Screening / Blocking Offensive player illegally impedes a defender. -5 yards + loss of down

Charging Ball carrier illegally runs into a set defender. -5 yards + loss of down

Impeding the Rusher Moving offensive player disrupts the established rusher path. -5 yards from LOS + loss of down

Illegal Forward Pass Includes a pass received or landing behind the LOS or thrown after crossing the LOS. -5 yards from LOS + loss of down

✓

Penalty Lab Complete

You practiced matching common fouls with the proper enforcement.

MODULE 05 / COMMUNICATION

Game Management

Good officiating isn't just knowing a rule. It's staying composed and communicating the ruling clearly.

Referee Mechanics

Make the Call Clearly

1. Stop Use your whistle when the play needs to stop.

2. Identify State the foul and which team committed it.

3. Enforce Communicate the yardage and effect on the down.

4. Reset Spot the ball, communicate the next down and move on.

✓

Game Management Complete

You practiced coach questions, rule clarifications, sportsmanship and referee communication.

MODULE 06 / FINAL

Ref Challenge

Put it all together. Score at least to unlock your GirlPower Carolinas completion certificate.

✓

Challenge Complete

Certificate Unlocked

Create Your GirlPower Carolinas Certificate

Enter your name exactly as you want it to appear. Your PDF will include your completion date, final challenge score and training-rule version.

Please enter your name before creating the certificate.

GirlPower Carolinas

Certificate of Completion

Your Name

has successfully completed the GirlPower Carolinas Referee Training Program covering 5v5 game preparation, field knowledge, rules application, penalty enforcement, game management and officiating fundamentals.

Completion Date:
Final Ref Challenge:
Training Standard: NFL FLAG Official Playing Rules — Revised

Official Rules Reference: This Referee Hub is currently aligned to the NFL FLAG Official Playing Rules revised . If this training and the official rulebook differ, the official rulebook governs.