As a first year L, I feel like keeping the coaches where they're supposed to be is an area I need to improve on. I'm definitely being overly permissive and need to be better at being in control. Some of that has to do with an ignorance of the rules on my part. I also feel like they take what they can get, so setting expectations early in the game should be important.
So let's start with rules, and then move to practical application of it.
9-2-1-b-1 says
Other prohibited acts include:
1. During the game, coaches, squad members, and authorized attendants
in the team area may not be on the field of play or outside the 20-yard
lines to protest an officiating decision or to communicate with players
or officials without permission from the referee. (Exceptions: Rules 1-2-
4-f, 3-3-4-d, 3-3-9-b, and 3-5-1).
1-2-4-f says kickers can practice outside the team area if there's not enough room.
3-3-4-d says a head coach "in or in the vicinity of their team area or coaching box" may call a timeout, which in this case I guess means the coach can leave the coaching box to call a timeout.
3-3-9-b says if the visual game clock is not working and the officials are keeping time on the field, a representative can leave the team area and move along the limit line to relay time information to the team.
3-5-1 says substitutes can enter the game between downs.
PENALTY [1-4]—Unsportsmanlike conduct. Dead-ball foul. 15 yards from
the succeeding spot [S7 and S27]. Automatic first down for
fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other rules. Flagrant
offenders, if players or substitutes, shall be ejected [S47].
Then we have 9-2-5:
Game Administration and Sideline Interference
ARTICLE 5. While the ball is alive and during the continuing action after the
ball has been declared dead:
a. Coaches, substitutes and authorized attendants in the team area must be
behind the coaching line.
PENALTY—Administer as a dead-ball foul. First infraction: Warning for
sideline interference. No yardage penalty. [S15]
Second and third infractions: Delay of game for sideline
interference, five yards from the succeeding spot. [S21 and S29]
Fourth and subsequent infractions: Team unsportsmanlike
conduct for sideline interference, 15 yards from the succeeding
spot. Automatic first down for fouls by Team B if not in conflict
with other rules. [S27 and S29]
b. Physical interference with an official is a foul charged to the team for
unsportsmanlike conduct. (A.R. 9-2-5-I)
PENALTY—Team unsportsmanlike conduct. Administer as a dead-ball
foul. 15 yards from the succeeding spot. Automatic first down
for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other rules.[S27]
I didn't see any relevant UIL exceptions to either rule.
Then we have these approved rulings:
9-2-1-VIII. Safety B33 intercepts a pass at the B-10 and returns for a touchdown.
As he is coming down the sideline covering the play the line judge drops
his flag after he runs into the Team B head coach who is just on the field
of play near the B-40.
RULING: Although this is a foul that takes place
while the ball is alive, it is treated as a dead-ball foul against the team
because it is committed by a non-player. The touchdown counts and the
15-yard penalty is enforced on the try, the succeeding kickoff, or from the
succeeding spot in extra periods.
9-2-5-I. On the opening kickoff, B22 catches the kick at his goal line and returns
the ball down the sideline on Team B’s side of the field. As he moves
down the sideline officiating the play, the side judge either runs into or
must run around a Team B coach or squad member in the restricted
area (“the white”). B22 is driven out of bounds at the A-20.
RULING: Either situation is physical interference with an official during the play.
No warning. Team B foul for unsportsmanlike conduct administered as a
dead-ball foul. After the 15-yard penalty, Team B will have first and 10 at
the A-35.
9-2-5-II. During a long kickoff return, the Side Judge has to stop and run around the
head coach who is out of the coaching box in the restricted area or on the
field of play near the sideline.
RULING: Team foul for unsportsmanlike
conduct. Administer as a dead-ball foul. Penalize 15 yards at the succeeding
spot. This is a team foul, and is not charged as an unsportsmanlike conduct
foul against the head coach.
9-2-5-III. During a long kickoff return, the head coach and/or other coaches are
outside the coaching box and are in the restricted area or on the field of
play near the sideline. No physical interference is made with an official
during the play.
RULING: Administer as a dead-ball foul.
First infraction: Warning for sideline interference. No yardage penalty.
Second and third infractions: Delay of game for sideline interference, five
yards from the succeeding spot.
Fourth and subsequent infractions: Team unsportsmanlike conduct foul
for sideline interference. Penalize 15 yards at the succeeding spot. This is a
team foul, and is not charged as an unsportsmanlike conduct foul against
any coach.
So a strict, literal enforcement of this would be that anytime a coach (just focusing on coaches for now) steps across the sideline and onto the field, or steps past the 20 yard line, to communicate with players or officials, it is a 15 yard UNS penalty. Anytime during or immediately after a play an official has to move around a coach in the restricted white area or on the field, it's a 15 yard UNS penalty. If coaches enter the restricted area or field of play during or immediately after a play and it doesn't interfere with the movement of the official, it's a warning the first time and escalates from there.
Here is what I routinely see and do. What should I be doing instead in each scenario?
At lower levels of play (JH and JV) it is common for the offensive coach to have the QB or a WR come towards the sideline. The coach steps 1 or 2 steps onto the field and gives the play to that player. I then remind the coach, repeatedly throughout the game, to get back behind the sideline and off the field before the play starts.
At all levels, defensive coaches are often taking a step or two onto the field to call in plays to their teams. I then remind the coach, repeatedly throughout the game, to get back behind the sideline and off the field before the play starts.
Coaches are routinely standing in the restricted area during and between plays. If they're near me, I politely tell them to back up and give me some space to work. If I have to go around them during a play I pass in front of them and tell them to backup.
When the ball is near the goal line, coaches sometimes wander down past the 20 yard line, and sometimes even onto the field, to call in plays. If I notice, tell them to get back inside the coaches box.
Once a long FG attempt was short and was returned by the defense. The defensive team coaches were across the sideline and on the field of play during the return.
