Coaches on field

[just another ref]

Attended my first high school football game in several years and I had an observation which leads to a question. By rule, what are the restrictions for a coach stepping out on the field? There seemed to be one or more coaches out on the field conferring with players before every play.

[JRutledge]

Yeah there are restrictions, but it is not as strictly enforced during dead ball periods.

Peace

[HLin NC]

My old high school coach basically lived below the numbers back in the 80's and 90's so I would say things have improved considerably since that time.

[jTheUmp]

By rule, they're not supposed to be on the field at all, except during timeouts. Up to three coaches are allowed to be in the 6-foot restricted area (ie: "the white") during dead-ball periods, but they're supposed to retreat behind that area when the ball is live to give the wing officials room to run up and down the sideline.

My crew usually will allow a coach to go a step or two out onto the field during dead-ball periods, as long as they're coaching their players and not causing a distraction for our wing officials. (it's the whole "don't make it my problem, and it won't be my problem" philosophy).

[jchamp]

JV and below, I usually try to mark the ball as close to the nines as I can. As I walk backwards to the sideline, I shoo them back, a stern admonition to keep behind me during the first couple series can be a good preventative measure.
I've occasionally plowed into coaches while following blown plays. Administer it as necessary.
In HS, there's no reason for a coach to be beyond the sideline except in timeouts, (or the occasional desparate-timeout-while-near-the-goal-line). Especially true if that sideline has a chain crew that knows how to help. I've had plenty of that responsibility, as well.

[ajmc]

Really good advice has always been, "you catch more flies with honey, than vinegar", so it seems best to "be nice", until YOU decide it's necessary to be NOT nice.

Gentle (cheerful & consistent) reminders usually get the message across (most of the time), and if they fail YOU decide how far and how fast YOU want to ratchet up the intensity of YOUR reminders.

What YOU want to happen, WILL happen WHEN YOU decide it must. Why start a war over something YOU already know the eventual outcome of?