Clear Sidelines

[Jim D]

Originally Posted by GoodScout

You're confusing a sideline warning with illegal participation.

While you are 100% in your explaination of the sideline warning vs. illegal participation, It's convenience rather than confusion. The sideline warning is seen as an effective way to cure a host of sideline ills, from crowding the sidelines to quieting chirpy coaches.

I think most sideline officials feel that since they have this really cool tool (a flag but no yardage), they might as well use it for whatever they need. Technically it's a misapplication of the rule, but if it helps out in sideline control they are going to use it.

[Jim D]

Originally Posted by Jim D

While you are 100% in your explaination of the sideline warning vs. illegal participation,...

Of course as Bob pointed out, a coach on the field is UC not IP.

[Texas Aggie]

The NCAA has eliminated the warning, so in Texas now, its 5 yards on the first offense. Last year, Texas made a HUGE deal about sidelines and for the most part, things worked pretty well, even into the subvarsity level. As R this year, I will be telling my crew to strictly enforce the sideline rule in the pregame and I will also inform the coaches in our meetings that the rule will be enforced.

I recommend that in a varsity game, you have your R request from the head coach a "get back" coach. I don't care if he's an actual coach (trainer is OK), just as long as it is someone the players and coaches listen to. That way all the wing official has to do is say, "coach, get 'em back" and hopefully, he will get everyone back. Beyond that, give a verbal warning once, then throw the flag on the next play if its not heeded.

[GoodScout]

Bob and Jim are both correct on USC vs. IP. Mea culpa.

Our wings are actually instructed to kill the clock, go to the R, inform him you need a sideline warning, and then let HIM signal the warning. Kind of weird but I guess stopping play like that gets everyone's attention, since a flag in the middle of the field is more visible than one blocked by everyone standing on the sidelines.

That said, Georgia has determined that the days of coaches on the field during live play are done. Last year one of our wings had a brutal collision when he collided with a coach on the field while working his way downfield and his head turned to watch the action. Our guy was OK, but the coach had to go to the ER for observation.

If our first goal is safety and preventing injury, then you're not doing anyone a favor by letting a coach slide for coming onto the field during play.

[SouthGARef]

Originally Posted by GoodScout

Bob and Jim are both correct on USC vs. IP. Mea culpa.

Our wings are actually instructed to kill the clock, go to the R, inform him you need a sideline warning, and then let HIM signal the warning. Kind of weird but I guess stopping play like that gets everyone's attention, since a flag in the middle of the field is more visible than one blocked by everyone standing on the sidelines.

That said, Georgia has determined that the days of coaches on the field during live play are done. Last year one of our wings had a brutal collision when he collided with a coach on the field while working his way downfield and his head turned to watch the action. Our guy was OK, but the coach had to go to the ER for observation.

If our first goal is safety and preventing injury, then you're not doing anyone a favor by letting a coach slide for coming onto the field during play.

Scout,

From what I have heard, the GHSA has adopted the new NFHS Officials Manual mechanic -- meaning that the wing official will now throw the flag and report it just like any other penalty.

That sentiment was also mentioned by the Exec Dir at the rules clinic I attended.

[ajmc]

Haven't seen the 2008 books yet, but if the recommendation is for the wingofficial to flag the sideline, that makes a lot of sense.

Presumably, it's that wing official who has been cautioning the sideline about their behavior up to the point a flag becomes necessary, and that wing official whose requests are being ignored.

It's that wing official who will have to control that sideline for the rest of the game so it seems only logical that it's that wing official who will decide when his sideline has failed to comply, and it's that wing official who has the sole authority to penalize for non-compliance, so it's he, who it makes sense sideline personnel, needs to pay attention to.

[Ed Hickland]

The sidelines have been a problem for almost 30 years in our Association. One coach was so bold has to stroll onto the field with his bright yellow cord behind him. He has retired.

Sideline control has to be enforced not just by your crew but consistently with every crew at every game, otherwise, coaches will label those who enforce the sidelines and/or scratch the enforcers.

You need to make it tough on wingmen so they want to enforce the sidelines without fear of coaches' retribution. Something like failing to enforce the sidelines will result in not getting a playoff assignment.

Consider this, for officials poor sideline enforcement can have two negative consequences; 1) injury to a coach or other sideline person caused by the official with the impact being a multi-million dollar lawsuit like we saw in Texas; or, 2) injury to an official which could be serious. Either way the official could be hurt either physically or in the pocket book.

[GoodScout]

Originally Posted by SouthGARef

Scout,

From what I have heard, the GHSA has adopted the new NFHS Officials Manual mechanic -- meaning that the wing official will now throw the flag and report it just like any other penalty.

That sentiment was also mentioned by the Exec Dir at the rules clinic I attended.

Thanks, SGR. That makes a lot more sense.