Unless my memory has failed me there are no restrictions on where a team may huddle. It doesn't matter if they huddle during an injury near the sideline either. We allow it after any other play so no issue with it during an injury. The bottom line is that once the injured player is off the field we are not going to wait on that team to get ready.
JasonTx, we are probably on the same page, but for the sake of the masses, I would like to expound a bit.
You are correct in that there are no restrictions on where a team may "huddle" - "huddle" as defined in Rule 2.
However, rule 9-1-b-1 and 9-1-b-3 prohibits coaches, squad members, trainers, equipment managers, school administrators - anybody except "players," "substitutes," and "replaced payers" as defined in Rule 2 from being on the field of play, or outside the team area without our permission. Period. Even during a dead ball period or a time out of any kind. Even attendants seeking to aid an injured player are supposed to get "recognized" by us before entering the field of play, or leaving the team area. Other than players, subs, and replaced players, Team personnel do not have a "right" to be on the field at any time. Period.
Now, having said that, convention has been for
us to allow such persons onto the field of play during a time out (charged, injury, etc.) to varying degrees. If it is a charged time out, we let as many folks on the field as they desire (within reason), but we should keep them reasonably close to their side line, i.e., outside the numbers. We really should not allow them to gather at the hash mark, etc., and I see way too many folks that allow that. "Why?" you ask? Just for the sake of overall game management. Allowing them to get inside the numbers can place the teams dangerously close to each other, encouraging taunting, etc. Also, it just adds to the amount of time it takes to get them off the field and back into their team areas following the TO.
If it is an injury TO, we should allow as many folks as needed to attend to the injured player (including a HC, even if he has nothing to offer towards tending to the injury), but that's all. Sure, we'll allow the coaches to step onto the field a step or two (at most) to talk to other players that come over to the sideline (as many as they want) to get instructions, but we should keep them very near the sideline, and discourage squad members from coming onto the field to get into this cluster. Sure, let them send the water-girls out to the team. They just need to be ready to clear the field immediately when notified by us.
Other TOs, such as for measurements, penalty administration, etc., should be like play is continuing - everybody stays off the field.
But the key element here is that they are not permitted to be on the field
without our permission. Even during a charged time out. Yes, we generously permit them to be on the field, but it is with our permission, which can be denied, if conditions suggest that permission be denied, like bad blood between the teams, and we need to keep them as far apart as possible. Or they have abused the privilege to the point they just need to stay off the field, etc. Those conditions are very, very rare. But, the rule is there for us to use, if needed.
To repeat,
the Teams do not have a right to come onto the field of play during a TO. It is a privilege granted by the officials.
Next time you go to an FBS game, watch how this is managed by the crew. Each team gathering has an official nearby, keeping them outside the numbers, and hustling them back onto the field when the TO period has nearly expired. That's how it should be done at all levels.
Robert