Sidelines and coaches

[mishatx]

One technique that works is to get the coaches on YOUR side.  I tried this once in a college game and the reaction was something I never expected.  "Guys, your coaches need room to work can you please get back so they can do their jobs???"  The reply was something like "yeah, we need room to work get the f*** out of the way NOW!"  It worked perfect.   

I find when I try this at lower levels it often ends up with coaches concerned about keeping the kids on the track but still all pissy about being told to stay off the field (never mind the white) during play.

[blindref757]

I was shocked and very proud when the crew working Allen vs Pearland in the TX 5A state game flagged Pearland for not being off the white.  If they have the stones to call it in front of 54K, you should have the stones to call it anywhere in the state.  If you want the white, you must demand it.  It only has to be a war if the coaching staff turns it into one.

[yarnnelg]

As a wing I always have a discussion with the Head Coach about the white stripe. I emphasize that last week doesn't matter. Then I explain, when I come down the line looking back over my shoulder, I will not see you there, my hitting you while you are standing still will cause damage to both of us, but I always leave a gift when I leave, it's yellow and cost 15 yards. I rarely have any collisions anymore.

[HLinNC]

No need for stories of games past, no need to look for the "get back coach", who I've found never do the job that is claimed they'll do, no need for cute, little veiled threats or  blatant ones even.  Remind the boss which line is for whom and then enforce it early.  The first one is free.  Rarely have I ever had to throw #2.

[Etref]

No need for stories of games past, no need to look for the "get back coach", who I've found never do the job that is claimed they'll do, no need for cute, little veiled threats or  blatant ones even.  Remind the boss which line is for whom and then enforce it early.  The first one is free.  Rarely have I ever had to throw #2.

In NCAA rules the first one is 5 yards now. But, we should still enforce it vigorously.

[busman]

In my two years as an observer, I have yet to see sidelines consistently enforced. And it amazes me in my post game visits how defensive crews can get about it. They complain about it happening in the 4th quarter and I keep telling them you can solve it the first four plays of the games. By not doing it then, they set themselves up for trouble in the fourth quarter. Like was said previously, the first warning usually solves it, and the second one with the flag almost always takes care of it. Rarely see the need for the third time and have never seen the death penalty on the fourth one in a junior high or high school game.  (We all know pee wee is a different breed.)

Deal with it early and often and it solves itself.

[HLinNC]

The main cause is the players pushing the coaches up towards us.  Keep the players back, the coaches stay back.

  Before the current NFHS rule and even now, my favorite fields are the multi-purpose turf fields- I tell the coach that during the live ball action to give me the white, you and your staff take the "green", and keep the players behind the blue, red, yellow, etc. soccer line.  Rarely do I have an issue on those fields.  For about half of them, the border is only about half the width specified in the field specs but I can live with it.  As long as there are nice, visible lines, everything works well.

The older grass fields inside the track are the problems in our area.  The sidelines are much tighter.  When we started having to enforce the current NFHS rule, many of the HC's complained that their kids were having to stand on the track.  My normal response was "they'll probably have a better view than me & you".

Now if we could only get the turf companies to add "clip marks" when they install the field, my life would be almost complete.

[busman]

Nothing wrong with players on the track.