I had heard somewhere that a point of emphasis this year was coaches being on the field, any truth to this across the state? I see several staffs in the Valley that skirt that rule pretty well and are at the numbers on a regular basis.
Sideline Warnings
- Thread starter RedPrideNation_RollPride
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It's no more of a point of emphasis this year than any other year. There are guys who abuse it but they should be handled.
You say coaches are at the numbers, so I have to assume this is between plays, because if it was during a play, that would not work at all. Between plays, I don't have a problem is a coach comes out to talk to his players, as long as he's not causing a problem and he's back inside the team box before the team is lined up and ready to snap the ball. If he's on the field and decides to start directing comments toward the officials or the opponent, he's made it very easy to flag that behavior.
Technically, coaches are supposed to be 2 yards off teh field during a live ball and immediately before the snap.
I'll be a bit of a stickler about that when:
1. the ball is spotted on the hash in front of that bench, between the 25s or very close to them.
2. the plsy is run to that boundary
3. There are more than 3 coaches or other team personnel crowding the sideline
4. The chains have trouble doing their job because of coaches in the way.
Other than that, I'm not going to create a problem if one doesn't exist.
You say coaches are at the numbers, so I have to assume this is between plays, because if it was during a play, that would not work at all. Between plays, I don't have a problem is a coach comes out to talk to his players, as long as he's not causing a problem and he's back inside the team box before the team is lined up and ready to snap the ball. If he's on the field and decides to start directing comments toward the officials or the opponent, he's made it very easy to flag that behavior.
Technically, coaches are supposed to be 2 yards off teh field during a live ball and immediately before the snap.
I'll be a bit of a stickler about that when:
1. the ball is spotted on the hash in front of that bench, between the 25s or very close to them.
2. the plsy is run to that boundary
3. There are more than 3 coaches or other team personnel crowding the sideline
4. The chains have trouble doing their job because of coaches in the way.
Other than that, I'm not going to create a problem if one doesn't exist.
A side judge told me last week that he had warned a photographer for the last time to stay out of the way of the chain gang or he was going to flag the team. Could he/should he? (He was not affiliated with the team).
Incidentally, I warned him that if I saw him within the two yard mark again that he would be escorted out of the stadium. (I wasn’t going to test the ref.) To his credit, the photographer apologized and was not a problem for the rest of the game.
Incidentally, I warned him that if I saw him within the two yard mark again that he would be escorted out of the stadium. (I wasn’t going to test the ref.) To his credit, the photographer apologized and was not a problem for the rest of the game.
An official can flag a reporter on your sideline. The HBC is incharge of his sideline and if he lets a reporter in the wrong area it is on him.
I've got the Rules Book right here. Please tell me the Rule number, section and article you are citing.
I have seen more sideline warnings this year than before, by a great number. I assumed it was a point of emphasis. It also seemed to be on long plays or kick-off returns so maybe they are interfering with the sideline official?
While we are at it, what are the side line officials called? It depends if they are on the visitor or home side, correct?
While we are at it, what are the side line officials called? It depends if they are on the visitor or home side, correct?
I think the number of sideline warnings in my games is about the same. I've emphasized it for years. I also remember why the rules came about. In Texas there was a game where an official collided with an assistant coach who was in the restricted zone (I believe he was on the sideline or maybe a foot or so on the field). It was a freak accident because the coach actually suffered a brain injury. He was out of work a long time and, I believe, he eventually had to go on disability.
Every official on the crew was sued. They were put through hell. They had to spend their savings. Their kids' college funds. One lost his house, not in the verdict, but in the defense. I think in the end, they got most of it back, but that anguish and anxiety takes its toll.
You know who sued them? The coach? No. The school system? No. Did anybody who knows anything about football file this lawsuit? Apparently not. They were sued by the insurance company that provided workman's comp and disability coverage. Among the company's allegations: the officials routinely performed their work in a hazardous manner because they frequently ran near the sideline, where coaches are standing. They watched the game instead of watching in front of them to see if anyone was standing there. There were a couple other allegations, but like these, all they really did was describe exactly what officials should be doing if they're calling games. They "won" the suit, but it took a heck of a toll on all involved.
So yes, I use sideline warnings, preferably early in the game. They're free -- the first one is no yards -- and they solve the problem. I think I've only had a second warning against a team (5 yards) twice in the last 10 years.
Every official on the crew was sued. They were put through hell. They had to spend their savings. Their kids' college funds. One lost his house, not in the verdict, but in the defense. I think in the end, they got most of it back, but that anguish and anxiety takes its toll.
You know who sued them? The coach? No. The school system? No. Did anybody who knows anything about football file this lawsuit? Apparently not. They were sued by the insurance company that provided workman's comp and disability coverage. Among the company's allegations: the officials routinely performed their work in a hazardous manner because they frequently ran near the sideline, where coaches are standing. They watched the game instead of watching in front of them to see if anyone was standing there. There were a couple other allegations, but like these, all they really did was describe exactly what officials should be doing if they're calling games. They "won" the suit, but it took a heck of a toll on all involved.
So yes, I use sideline warnings, preferably early in the game. They're free -- the first one is no yards -- and they solve the problem. I think I've only had a second warning against a team (5 yards) twice in the last 10 years.
Witnessing something is not indication that it's in the rules. In this case, there is absolutely no rules support for flagging a reporter for sideline interference. The reporter can be removed (I almost did that myself) but a team cannot be penalized.
I know of an official who flagged a band director for some dumb@$$ reason. Presumably there are hundreds of people who witnessed that sad state of affairs. I hope they don't think that, because they witnessed it, that's in the rules because it's not. The state has guidelines in the VHSL Handbook for when bands can play but it's 100% up to the game administration to enforce that. The men and women in stripes have nothing to do with it. (the penalty, btw, is a fine. So I'll enforce the rule if they let me keep the money.)
A team cannot be penalized for the actions of a reporter or photographer. If you saw it, the official was in error.
A photographer was on the field taking pictures when a friend that is a football official ran into him. Now my friend is going to have rotator cup surgery. Who's at fault here?
Well, that's pretty simple. One person does his job ON the field and one does not, so tbe fault lies with the guy on the field who didn't need to be there.
Merry Christmas guys. Thank you for all of the solid explanations over the years. May each of you and your families have the happiest and most meaningful Christmas ever.
We hear it every year about coaches' behavior on the sidelines and being on the court. The coaches almost want you to call a "T" on them. Happy New year.
