Possible Unfair Clock Tactics

[jra104]

Need an opinion on this.  If this was intentional it was genius.  D3 game, big 3rd down early in game, play clock at about 4 seconds, two timeouts already used.  The coach just walks out to the numbers to call a play or change it.  Field judge throws flag for a sideline warning. Play clock resets to 25.  They pick up the first down by a yard.
Thought?

[JasonTX]

Need an opinion on this.  If this was intentional it was genius.  D3 game, big 3rd down early in game, play clock at about 4 seconds, two timeouts already used.  The coach just walks out to the numbers to call a play or change it.  Field judge throws flag for a sideline warning. Play clock resets to 25.  They pick up the first down by a yard.
Thought?

109-2-21-b-1 covers this.  This is a UNS and a dead ball foul.  SLW are for when the ball is live.

[ElvisLives]

The wrong rule was used to address this illegal tactic. This a is violation of 9-2-1-b. Team personnel are not allowed on the field at ANY time during the game without permission from the referee. Violations are UNS fouls. There is no procedure for warnings, or anything of the kind. As a courtesy, we should request that all non-players stay off the field, when we see violations of this early in the game. Then, when we see this type of tactic that is clearly intended to avoid a DOG, it gets penalized as a UNS, and that should put a stop to this. If this is in a time critical situation, the Referee could also order the game clock to start on the snap, if it would have started on the ‘ready,’ otherwise.
This type of action is NOT 9-2-5 Game Administration and Sideline Interference. That requires the ball to be alive, or in the immediate continuing action after the ball becomes dead.

[Legacy Zebra]

Can we all just step back and ask why we need a flag here at all? If all he’s doing is trying to call a play, who cares that he steps out on the field? As long as he’s off the field and out of the white when the ball is snapped, why are we worrying about it? It’s not like he’s out there throwing a tantrum or protesting a call. No coach in the world is stepping out to intentionally get a sideline warning to avoid a delay of game. If the play clock is at 4, he’s probably not going to get his play in anyway. Just let it expire and hit them with the DOG. If they somehow get the snap off and he’s still on the field or in the white, give him the SLW. As mentioned, a sideline warning is not applicable before the ball is live, and this action is nowhere near being worth 15 yards and a UNS counter. Just let him have the natural consequence of his action.

[bossman72]

Can we all just step back and ask why we need a flag here at all? If all he’s doing is trying to call a play, who cares that he steps out on the field? As long as he’s off the field and out of the white when the ball is snapped, why are we worrying about it? It’s not like he’s out there throwing a tantrum or protesting a call. No coach in the world is stepping out to intentionally get a sideline warning to avoid a delay of game. If the play clock is at 4, he’s probably not going to get his play in anyway. Just let it expire and hit them with the DOG. If they somehow get the snap off and he’s still on the field or in the white, give him the SLW. As mentioned, a sideline warning is not applicable before the ball is live, and this action is nowhere near being worth 15 yards and a UNS counter. Just let him have the natural consequence of his action.

+1

[ElvisLives]

It is because we don't make these calls often enough that this crap happens.

As I stated, non-players are not permitted on the field at ANY time during the game - even when the ball is dead (between plays, time outs, intermissions, etc.)- without our permission. We have full authority to require all coaches/trainers/water carriers, etc., off the field for 100% of the game, if needed. Also, as I stated, we should 'work with' the teams to keep them under control at the sideline. If an OC or DC wants to take a step or two onto the field to give instructions between downs, fine. Just keep it to a step or two, give your signals, then get back behind the white.
In this particular case, the HC obviously believed he would get called for being on the field, and incorrectly believed he would only get a warning, under 9-2-5, which would bail his team out of a DOG foul. Letting the play clock expire and penalizing a DOG would have been an acceptable 'compromise' resolution to this situation. Going all the way to 9-1-2-b would have been justifiable, even if a little excessive. But, something more than just a warning was needed.

These guys think they can do whatever they want, and if we do nothing about it, they have no reason to believe otherwise. And then the crew next week has to put up with this crap all over again.

[Legacy Zebra]

It is because we don't make these calls often enough that this crap happens.

You honestly believe that this is qualifies as unsportsmanlike? We’re not talking about a coach coming out to argue. He’s calling a play. There’s nothing unsportsmanlike about it. Is the numbers too far? Probably, but just tell him that. “Coach, I don’t mind you stepping out to call plays, but you can’t be all the way out to the numbers. You’ve gotta stay closer to the sideline.” 99 times out of 100 they say, “Oh yeah, sorry.” And the problem is fixed.

the HC obviously believed he would get called for being on the field, and incorrectly believed he would only get a warning, under 9-2-5, which would bail his team out of a DOG foul.

No coach in the world is doing this on purpose to avoid a DOG. Most coaches don’t even know they can get flagged for being outside the team area when the ball is dead. He’s doing it to try to get his play in. In my opinion, a flag here is the definition of over officious. By flagging the coach in this circumstance you go from arbiter to antagonizer.

[dammitbobby]

Can we all just step back and ask why we need a flag here at all? If all he’s doing is trying to call a play, who cares that he steps out on the field? As long as he’s off the field and out of the white when the ball is snapped, why are we worrying about it? It’s not like he’s out there throwing a tantrum or protesting a call. No coach in the world is stepping out to intentionally get a sideline warning to avoid a delay of game. If the play clock is at 4, he’s probably not going to get his play in anyway. Just let it expire and hit them with the DOG. If they somehow get the snap off and he’s still on the field or in the white, give him the SLW. As mentioned, a sideline warning is not applicable before the ball is live, and this action is nowhere near being worth 15 yards and a UNS counter. Just let him have the natural consequence of his action.

As a wing, I'd say it is pretty disruptive to me if a coach did that; it interrupts my presnap routine, and takes my eyes and attention completely away from the NZ where I should be focused (especially with 4 seconds left on the PC), and causes defenders to look like prairie dogs craning their neck to see why a coach is on the field, and then they're not focused on the play either.