[Green]

Keeping the Sidelines Clean - is an article I authored for Referee Magazine in the September issue. Before summitting it to Referee, I gathered information from a number of officials group. Now, I'm looking for feedback and would apprecicate whatever you have to say.

http://www.referee.com/

************

Keeping the Sidelines Clean

Sideline warnings have been authorized by the rulebooks for a number of years now, but some officials haven’t used them effectively. The initial violation brings a warning and doesn’t cost the team anything, so why isn’t it used more often?

For so long, coaches on the field have been viewed solely as a wing official’s area of responsibility. In reality it’s the crew’s responsibility and everyone needs to take a proactive approach.

How? The referee and umpire, during their meeting with the head coach before the game, can address the subject of coaches in the team box. On a kickoff, the umpire is positioned on team R’s 20 yardline and the linesman at team R’s 30 yardline. As the teams are lining up, those officials can remind coaches and players, adding another voice. On scrimmage downs, wings can get help from the "get-back" coach to keep the sideline clean. When coaches and players hear the same message from all crew members, it will be more effective.

There are officials who feel that only the wing official should call for a sideline warning. But if the referee can see that a warning is needed, it would be appropriate for the referee to make the call.

There are situations in which the wing official doesn’t have a complete view of what’s happening behind him, but the referee, umpire and back judge – with an inside-out view – can see that coaches are outside of their team box. The information can be passed on to the wing official, who can then give a sideline warning. The input from the inside officials can confirm and support what the wing official is already contemplating, which confirms for the wing that it’s the appropriate decision.

With the entire crew actively addressing sideline situations, it will result in a well-managed and safer sideline.

Written by Neville Owen, Santa Cruz, Calif. A retired firefighter, he has officiated high school football for more than 35 years