Sideline Warning?

[grantsrc]

According to the NFHS Officials Manual, you do not throw a flag on the warning. (2004 and 2005 Officials Manual, page 22, under Controlling the sideline and team box):

"II. First Violation by Team.
A. Results in a sideline warning.
B. Covering official sound whistle, give proper signal, then report infraction to referee.
C. Referee will give proper signal and indicate offending sideline.
D. Covering official echo signal (No. 15) while verbally informing coach of warning. Communication also should include reminder of distance penalties of further violations.
E. All officials record time and period warning is given.

III. Second Violation by Team.
A. Covering official will drop penalty marker, sound whistle, report infraction to referee.
B. Referee will give approved signals and umpire will assess distance penalty.
C. Covering official will verbally inform and remind coach that each subsequent offense will result in 15-yard penalty.
D. All officials record time and period penalty is assessed.

IV. Third and subsequent Violations.
A. Covering official will drop penalty marker, sound whistle, report infraction to referee.
B. Referee will give approved signals..."
You get the point.

My thoughts are, it's just a warning- not a foul. Last year I messed this up and threw the flag on a coach, which really made the situation worse. He thought he got nailed for USC, when really I was only issuing a sideline warning. Here in Missouri, we're fortunate that the state provides us with the NFHS officials manual when they publish them (every other year). Otherwise, without having this, I probably would've flagged him too.