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.