FAQs
- Do you have a Fall season?
- How long has the TCTFL been in operation?
- What nights are TCTFL games played on?
- How many games does each team play?
- What are the basic rules used in the TCTFL?
- What is the competition level like the TCTFL?
- Are there any restrictions on who can play in the TCTFL?
- What is the cost to enter a new team?
- When does the TCTFL operate?
- How many games does each team play?
- If I want to start a new team who do I contact and by when?
- If I am by myself, what can I do to join an existing team?
- What about payment of the Annual League Fees?
Do you have a Fall season?
The TCTFL runs between June and September only.
How long has the TCTFL been in operation?
The TCTFL’s inaugural season was in 2017
What nights are TCTFL games played on?
Games for the men’s division are typically are played on Wednesday or Thursday night. There may be an occasional game played on a Sunday afternoon or Monday night, but those are the exception and not the norm.
Games for the women’s division are played Sunday or Monday evening.
How many games does each team play?
A typical regular season for a team, consists of ten (10) games within your division, plus at least one playoff game. All teams qualify for the playoffs.
What are the basic rules used in the TCTFL?
This League uses rules based on the Canadian Football League and those used by Touch Football Ontario.
It is 7-on-7, one-hand touch, 3-down football. The offence must gain 10 yards on three downs to earn a fresh set of downs, allowing them to continue their drive.
There are no steamboats. Immediately after the snap, on defence rushers can rush, and on offence the quarterback can run.
Field Goals and Extra Points are not a part of the game, instead we incorporate conversions after the touchdown. Touchdown conversions are attempted from 5 yds for 1-point or 10 yds 2-points.
The game is played in two 36-minute halves and game officials are provided as part of the Annual League Fees.
Lead blocking and picks are illegal and penalized. The League promotes competitive, safe fun!
What is the competition level like the TCTFL?
Many players have played high school and/or college football. That being said, many other players have had only limited recreational touch (or flag) football exposure before joining this League. For example, the level of competition various from high performance athletes/teams competing for national titles to every day guys staying in shape and having organized/competitive games. League organizers will interview you/your team in order to assess an appropriate level/division of play for you.
Are there any restrictions on who can play in the TCTFL?
Yes, Players must be 18 years of age or older and may only be registered with one team at any given time during the season (in the TCTFL).
Players are also encouraged to be in good health and have their own personal and/or work related health insurance. A team may carry as many as 22 players on its roster although most carry between 12 and 15 dedicated players.
What is the cost to enter a new team?
The Annual League Fee includes the cost of field permits, League Insurance, game officials and other associated administrative costs such as game cards and web site maintenance.
When does the TCTFL operate?
The regular season is a 13 week season that runs from June to mid-August, with the playoffs running from mid-August to the first week of September.
How many games does each team play?
A typical regular season for a team, consists of ten (10) games within your division, plus at least one playoff game. All teams qualify for the playoffs.
If I want to start a new team who do I contact and by when?
The League opens registration in early March. To join, it’s best that you contact the League well before then. Furthermore, depending on how your team finances are organized, you may also need to contact your players and/or sponsors before that time as well to collect the funds necessary to pay the Annual League Fee by the registration deadline.
In addition, as a new team, you may also need time to coordinate your purchases of equipment (e.g. footballs, kickoff tees, goal post pads and team jerseys/shirts) before the season actually starts. As an example, six weeks is a typical time period to organize your team, hold practices or scrimmages and get team uniforms out of the way. Finally, the League reserves the right to control who may actually join (as a team and/or individual player).
If I am by myself, what can I do to join an existing team?
In general, most teams join the league with an already established roster. Some would accept walk-ons. Some hold tryouts before the start of the season. Your best option is to use the ‘Contact Us’ button to drop us a line that you’re looking to join a team. The League maintains a list of all such players and will pass on names to teams who are looking for new players. There are no guarantees that you will be contacted. Individual fees will vary by team, for example you may need to purchase a team jersey to be a member of a particular team. Players should budget approximately $150 per season along with the purchase of a pair of cleats.
What about payment of the Annual League Fees?
The League typically requires a 500$ non-refundable team deposit in late February as a solid commitment by your team to play in the upcoming season. Half of the remainder needs to be payed by mid-April and the final payment needs to be paid before you take field for your first game. We do this so as to not overly burden new teams and to make field permit payments.
Policies
The TCTFL follows TFONT rules regarding rosters. All players must be registered on Karelo for insurance and liability purposes. Each team may have up to 22 players registered to their roster.
Bad Weather – In the event of bad weather, only the referees can cancel a game. The city (or field owner) could also cancel the permit for that night if damage to the field is imminent. Prior to the game, the referees will indicate that whether or not a game will be cancelled due to lightning or any other adverse weather conditions that make the game unsafe to take place. In the event a game is cancelled, the League will schedule a make-up game. Referees also have latitude to delay the start of a game due to weather. They have the final say.
Forfiets – Your team must be at your scheduled game with the minimum required number of players (5) in order to be eligible for a make-up game or else it will be deemed a forfeit. Forfeiting teams will incur a financial penalty equal to, but not more than, the cost of the referees.
Players ejected from a game must clear the field of play immediately and not associate or interfere in any way with the players, referees or spectators for the remainder of the time allocated to that game. Failure to comply, that player and/or the team he plays for will be subject to even further discipline than that which is to be assigned for the ejection itself. Furthermore, an ejected player is placed on immediate suspension and is not permitted to play in any future TCTFL games until notified by the league that they may do so. Finally, a disciplinary committee (composed of League Executive Members not directly implicated in the incident) will be formed to review each ejection incident in a timely manner. If appropriate, this committee may assign further disciplinary actions such as, but not limited to game suspensions, fines, or expulsion from the League as it sees fit towards fulfilling the purpose of this League.
The ‘Tie-Breaker Policy’ explains the steps taken for breaking ties in the regular season standings.
Two Teams
At the end of the regular season, if a tie exists between two teams in the division standings, the following steps will be used to break the tie:
Winning Percentage – The team with the higher winning percentage will be ranked higher.
Wins – The team with the higher total number of wins will be ranked higher.
Wins, Head-to-Head – The team with the greater number of wins in head-to-head games will be ranked higher.
Points, Head-to-Head – The team with the greater point differential (points for, less points against) in games played head-to-head will be ranked higher.
Points, Division – The team with the greater point differential (points for, less points against) in games vs. all division opponents will be ranked higher.
Coin-Toss – A coin toss will be use to decide who will be ranked higher.
Three or More Teams
At the end of the regular season, if a tie exists between three or more teams in the division standings, the following steps will be used to break the tie (if two teams remain tied after the third or other teams have been eliminated during any step, revert back to step 1 of the two team format):
Winning Percentage – The team with the higher winning percentage will be ranked higher.
Wins – The team with the higher total number of wins will be ranked higher.
Wins, Head-to-Head* – The team with the greater number of wins in head-to-head games will be ranked higher.
Points, Head-to-Head* – The team with the greater point differential (points for, less points against) in games played head-to-head will be ranked higher.
Points, Division – The team with the greater point differential (‘points for’ less ‘points against’) in games vs. all divisional opponents will be ranked higher.
Coin-Toss – A coin toss will be use to decide who will be ranked higher.
Names, logos, emblems and decals must not contain (by text, symbol or by inference) profanities, sexual, racial or otherwise prejudicial content. Similarly, they must not by design or inference make derogatory statements/pictures of the game of football or the referees needed to execute it.
Players that have been injured during a TCTFL regular season or playoff game must fill out and submit an Injury Report to Touch Football Ontario within 48 hrs of any injury that takes place during any sanctioned league game.
For more information and to download accident claim form, please visit Touch Football Ontario injury report page.
If your injury is of a minor nature and can be taken care of without using our insurance please do so.