SIDELINE MANAGEMENT

TEAM BOX DEFINITION Rule 1-2-g Team boxes shall be marked on each side of the field outside the coaches area between the 25 yard lines for use of coaches, substitutes, athletic trainers, etc., affiliated with the team. The coaches area is a minimum of a two yard belt between the front of the team box and the sideline, and becomes a restricted area when the ball is live. Notes: 1.It is permissible for both team boxes to be on the same side of the field, provided each team box is marked between respective 20 and 45 yard lines.

FIELD DIAGRAM

RULES 9-4-8, 9-8-1K and Rule Unintentional Contact between a nonplayer and a game official in the restricted area while the ball is live, Rule 9-8-1k No coach, substitute, athletic trainer or…Examples are, but not limited to: k: Being outside the team box but not on the field. Rule A nonplayer shall not be outside his team box unless to become a player or to return as a replaced player. A maximum of three coaches may be in the restricted area. No player, non player or coach shall be in the restricted area when the ball is live.

PRE-GAME SIDELINE RESPONSIBILITIES Make sure sideline is clear of all obstacles…water bottles, footballs, medical kits Yard markers should be moved at least 2 yards back from the sideline. This should be the line the players stay behind. During the pre-game conversation each wing official should make sure that the referee asks each coach if they have a “get back coach” and who it is. Have a brief conversation with the get back coach outlining your expectations. This conversation must include “…when the offense breaks the huddle the 2 yard belt must be completely clear and needs to remain that way until the conclusion of the play”

PRE-PLAY SIDELINE RESPONSIBILITIES At the end of the previous play when moving back to the sideline observe who is in the restricted area and where exactly they are. Prior to the ball being marked ready for play the official’s attention should be on the field and the crew communication that needs to be done. In addition however, the official needs to be aware of those around him and whether or not there are people or objects within the restricted area. Early in the game the official should establish his baseline of expected behaviour and stick to it. Allow stat people to move up and down the field but if they begin to question calls feel free to limit them to the team box Use the tools you have, the get back coach and a side line warning Essential that you have the side line cleared prior to the start of the play.

DURING PLAY SIDELINE RESPONSIBILITIES Simply…during the play the official should not be concerned with the sideline in any way. Complete focus needs to be placed on the action on the field. This can only happen with complete confidence of the sideline being clear. If you are not confident that the sideline is clear then your attention could be divided when it absolutely can not be. Running around someone is an automatic sideline warning Running into someone is an automatic sideline interference penalty Keep your entire sideline clear

STRATEGIES TO KEEP YOUR SIDELINE CLEAR Know who the get back coach is from the pre-game conversation with the coaches and use him When offense breaks the huddle say “…coaches 2 yards please.” or something to that effect that gets the message across that the 2 yard belt on the sideline needs to be clear. Use your sideline warning early on. As soon as coaches know that they could be penalized they are extremely cooperative. Make sure that it is warranted however. An unwarranted warning could make the coach your enemy for the entire game. A sideline warning is not to be given for coaches who are consistently questioning, commenting or speaking negatively towards the official. To deal with this talk to the head coach and if necessary an unsporting foul can be given. See Rule 8-1 a-m

CONVERSATIONS WITH COACHES Throughout the game coaches will ask you questions or present comments to you for calls or non calls made by anyone on the crew. Answer these to the best of your ability without commenting on your view of the correctness of the call. Do not ignore the head coach. Respond in some way to his queries. Even if it is just to say “Sorry coach that is 40 yards away from me and my attention is directed elsewhere.” Assistant coaches will ask questions of you and you have a number of options in this area. You can refuse all contact with assistant coaches or you can respond to polite and respectful queries. We recommend that you respond but anything that is presented in a negative fashion needs to be brought to the attention of the head coach.

CONVERSATIONS WITH COACHES cont’d Be respectful to coaches in all conversations especially when you don’t see things the same way they do. Pour water on any fire they start…not gasoline. Keep your emotions out of all conversations. When a penalty is called and they are asking for a number, if you can’t get it right away tell them at the first opportunity you will get the number for them. Don’t stop the game for a number but make sure at some point you get it to them. Never converse with players about calls or non calls Sideline Control Video