How do you deal with this?

[DJ_NV]

JV and Varsity game, one team has a coach that his physically disabled and must be in a wheelchair. He is one of only three coaches in the coaching box--he never leaves the coaching box however prior to the play he takes a position right behind and just to the side of the wing official as his job is to monitor line play of his players. He remains in this location throughout the play.
Had several plays where players were being tackled within a few yards of this coach.
Obviously he has a right to be there and to coach, but what is the best way to handle the obvious safety issues, not only for the coach but also for the players?

[wwcfoa43]

In Canada, there was similar problem with a coach in a wheelchair. There was a long involved process pitting safety against disabled persons' rights. In the end, the area of football involved ended up having ALL bench personell five yards back from the sideline. In that way, there was no discrimination against any one person. An interesting side effect is that now in that area, the side officials have much more room. This policy has not spread beyond the one high school area yet.

[verticalStripes]

Fed Rules in my state:

We had a coach in a wheelchair. The intrepreation we received from the State Interpreter was that it is perfectly legal provided that he stays off the field. Wheelchairs are not illegal equipment for non-players.

[DJ_NV]

vstripes,

just to clarify, when you say "off the field", you're saying that the coaching box area is acceptable?

thanks

[AndrewMcCarthy]

Could you get someone to stay behind him rerady to wheel him back if play comes to your side?

[MJT]

Originally Posted by AndrewMcCarthy

Could you get someone to stay behind him rerady to wheel him back if play comes to your side?

I'd say that would be a good way to go about it. Someone must be behind him and anytime they come his way, he must get out of the way for the safety of all. He is only being selfish if he does not agree with that, and if that is the case, he can go up in the pressbox.

[HawkeyeCubP]

Originally Posted by DJ_NV

JV and Varsity game, one team has a coach that his physically disabled and must be in a wheelchair. He is one of only three coaches in the coaching box--he never leaves the coaching box however prior to the play he takes a position right behind and just to the side of the wing official as his job is to monitor line play of his players. He remains in this location throughout the play.
Had several plays where players were being tackled within a few yards of this coach.
Obviously he has a right to be there and to coach, but what is the best way to handle the obvious safety issues, not only for the coach but also for the players?

Generally speaking, you have your local association contact the state association and get their precise directive on the matter, and then have your association communicate this to all associations that could work that team's games.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by DJ_NV

JV and Varsity game, one team has a coach that his physically disabled and must be in a wheelchair. He is one of only three coaches in the coaching box--he never leaves the coaching box however prior to the play he takes a position right behind and just to the side of the wing official as his job is to monitor line play of his players. He remains in this location throughout the play.
Had several plays where players were being tackled within a few yards of this coach.
Obviously he has a right to be there and to coach, but what is the best way to handle the obvious safety issues, not only for the coach but also for the players?

Safety always comes first. Always.

As 43 refers, the incident in Canada had the compromise that showed the disabled person was not discriminated against.