NF: Celebration?

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by bisonlj

When I started to follow the run the other way I noticed the head coach was running out near the numbers (excited about his team getting the turnover).

Probably would have flagged this.

I was considering flagging him for that when I was suddenly hit from the side by one of the assistant coaches (I'm near the sideline but not too far on to the field). I'm nearly knocked down but I'm able to catch myself. As I'm getting my flag to throw it, I end up twisting my ankle and fall on the ground. I have now completely missed the end of the play and have no idea where the ball should be spotted (my R got the spot).

I'm 200% sure I would have thrown the flag at this point.

He told me I had just ruined a great play by his team (his team still retained possession so it didn't impact the play that much).

"No, sir, your coach did when he decided to participate in the play."

He also asked me when I became so important.

"When they decided it was prudent to hire officials to officiate your games. That's enough coach."

A few minutes later I heard him telling his players to stay back and the coaches to stay away from me because I apparently owned that part of the field.

And there's 15 more.

I should note the sideline had been an issue all night with coaches standing a yard on the field during several plays (they claimed it was because their sideline dropped into a pit and they would sprain their ankles if they stood there).

Perhaps an early SW would have avoided the situation you had to deal with later.

Per request from my R I did not throw any warning flags and just tried to talk to the coaches.

Horrible advice. No R worth his salt would have suggested this.

If they don't listen to polite requests, you need to throw the warning flag because that may be the only way to get their attention.

So very true.

So after a long explanation, do you sometimes ignore coaches who end up cheering on the field during a big play like that?

Sometimes, if this was the first incident ... although out near the numbers is hard to ignore. Once the coaches creep onto the field, the players creep into the working area. Nip it in the bud when it doesn't cost them anything.