Coaches on field

[refsmitty]

Can a coach be on the field of play calling plays between downs?

I keep getting grief from coaches telling them that they can't be on the field except during an authorized conference.

I am reading the rule book but can't find the specific language I am looking for.

[ECILLJ]

By rule they are supposed to be in or near their box and not out on the field when communicating to players between downs, unless it is an authorized conference. Most wings allow some leeway, as long as the coach is near the sideline. The coaches need to be behind the box once the down begins.

ART. 1 . . . No coach, substitute, athletic trainer or other team attendant shall
act in an unsportsmanlike manner once the game officials assume authority for
the contest. Examples are, but not limited to:
a. Using profanity, insulting or vulgar language or gestures.
NOTE: The NFHS disapproves of any form of taunting which is intended or designed
to embarrass, ridicule or demean others under any circumstances including on the
basis of race, religion, gender or national origin.
b. Attempting to influence a decision by a game official.
c. Disrespectfully addressing a game official.
d. Indicating objections to a game official’s decision.
e. Using any illegal communication equipment as outlined in 1-5-3c(2) and 1-
6.
f. Holding an unauthorized conference.
NOTE: Between downs, communications between players and coaches near the
sideline are not an unauthorized conference.

[hoochycoochy]

Lighten up, Francis!  Actually we don't make any issue of it.  Get outta the box during the down and come on out and do whatever you want between downs is what we tell them.  They're happy, no harm, no foul. 

[Curious]

Coaches are a strange breed indeed.  Most of them believe they need (and have the right) to be on the field between downs - as if a couple of steps will enable them to more effectively communicate with their players.

That said, MOST of the time, there is absolutely no problem except for what I call "coach creep".  The farther you let them go, the more they want.  So, you and your wing partner have to decide TOGETHER where you're drawing the line.  Obviously, if you are lenient and your partner is strict, he's going to have a problem - and vice versa.

Our rule of thumb: give him (the head coach) a step or two between downs.  If they abuse it, warn verbally.  Then, if he keeps it up, or you experience "coach creep", flag him with an official sideline warning.  Now before everyone screams that this is NOT what the sideline warning is for, THEY (coaches - except maybe for AB) don't know that - and it works - without actually penalizing the team.

Of course, if you've got an abusive coach, or he continues to be in the restricted zone during a live ball, no more a "nice guy" be!  Nail (penalize) his butt early!

[bama_stripes]

We supposedly have a "no-tolerance" policy in our state.  Coaches are supposed to be off the field at all times.

I've never figured out why a coach who thinks the opposite wing can hear him from 50+ yards across the field thinks his QB can't hear him from 15 yards away.   

[NWA_UMP]

I am trying to be politically correct about how I run my box and chains. I tell the teams if they are in the way of the chains they will get a flag...if they get in front of the chains they will get a flag. I don't tolerate coaches in the box during live ball play, period. I will allow them to come forward as the rule intends to communicate with their team...then back you go.

I have been taken out once since I started officiating. I will allow it to happen again. It is for my safety and his to stay out of the way. Nobody thinks it will happen to them but you see guys get rolled on the sidelines all the time. I enjoy this way too much to have my season end due to a rules violation that I alone control...

[TampaSteve]

we don't get too excited about coaches on the field (maybe to the numbers) giving the play to the QB who runs over after every single down.
Of course we also don't suggest to merely have a sub bring a play in either.

[nolary]

Just use common sense.  If they abuse the rule, flag.  If not just a reminder.

[Atlanta Blue]

OK, from the other side of the sideline:

Actually, in many cases, it DOES help to be a few steps out onto the field to call a play.  Not because it puts you closer to your QB, but because it separates you from all of the other hubbub going on on the sidelines.  You stand out more, the QB can see you easier, and you don't have a player or other coach in your ear while trying to signal in a play.

But I'm talking about ONE coach being a step or two on the field.  If that's all it is, AND the coach is out of the restricted area before the ball is snapped, leave it alone and don't go looking for trouble.  There will be plenty of it other places.  Worrying about this gets you a reputation of being overly officious and antagonistic.

Of course, if the coach is abusing it, a friendly request (without an incorrectly used sideline warning flag) will usually put an end to the abuse.  Believe it or not, most coaches don't go looking to be confrontational, and if approached in a friendly manner rather than ordered, they will try to cooperate.

If coaches in your area have NOTHING to do with your future through ratings or contract awards or complaints, then by all means, be a j#rk about it.  But in most places, they DO have input, either formally or informally, and establishing a good WORKING relationship with your sideline is beneficial to you and the game.

[bama_stripes]

Actually, in many cases, it DOES help to be a few steps out onto the field to call a play.  Not because it puts you closer to your QB, but because it separates you from all of the other hubbub going on on the sidelines.  You stand out more, the QB can see you easier, and you don't have a player or other coach in your ear while trying to signal in a play.

Which is why many teams are now dressing their play-caller in easily-distinguished clothing.

The team box is FIFTY YARDS long.  If the play-caller is having trouble with other team personnel bothering him, that sounds like a staff problem.

[Atlanta Blue]

Which is why many teams are now dressing their play-caller in easily-distinguished clothing.

We were considering black and white vertical stripes.

[LAZebra]

Our AHSAA Executive Director, who is one of the most successful large school head coaches in AHSAA history, is very serious about keeping coaches off the field.  If he is at a game and sees a coach on the field he takes a picture with his phone and sends it to the school principal and the officiating district director with instructions to put a stop to it.  There was a playoff crew suspended last year for allowing both head coaches on the field between every down.  So here, we just don't allow it, not because we (the officials) necessarily want it that way, but because the boss does.

[Curious]

....You stand out more, the QB can see you easier, and you don't have a player or other coach in your ear while trying to signal in a play.

Of course, if the coach is abusing it, a friendly request (without an incorrectly used sideline warning flag) will usually put an end to the abuse.  Believe it or not, most coaches don't go looking to be confrontational, and if approached in a friendly manner rather than ordered, they will try to cooperate.

See I told you AB knew the application of the sideline warning was "incorrect"; but, as I said, it comes AFTER a verbal (not an order) warning.  And it works!

Also, AB, I doubt your (or other) QB(s) has/have ANY difficulty finding you (or their coach) on the sideline (especially you in your red rain suit). 

[SanDiegoStryker]

My association does not want coaches on the field at all. If I see a coach step out onto the field I will give a verbal warning that this will not be allowed. The second time I see it, it will definitely get flagged. We want to let them know we are serious and we want to put a stop to it.

If I let a coach come all the way to the numbers, before every play, wow, I would definitely get a reprimand from the board of the association.

It seems like most are saying this is an incorrectly used sideline warning flag. Could anyone expand on why that is?

[InsideTheStripes]

It seems like most are saying this is an incorrectly used sideline warning flag. Could anyone expand on why that is?

Because by rule, a coach being on the field of play is unsportsmanlike conduct.  If you are going to flag the foul, you should go with the proper penalty.

9-8-1 No coach, substitute, athletic trainer or other team attendant shall act in an unsportsmanlike manner once the game officials assume authority for the contest. Examples are, but not limited to:

i. Being on the field except as a substitute or replaced player. (See 3-7-6; 9-6-4a)

PENALTY: Nonplayer fouls (Art. 1a through j) – (S27), (S7-27 if dead ball) – 15 yards.

Sideline warnings are for being outside of the team box, but not on the field.