Situation from Last Night

[IceGator8]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Here, too. For me, it's a license to have zero tolerance on the field.

Liberating, frankly. And once the coaches understand we mean business, they learn they can coach from off the field, where they belong.

Another byproduct that I neglected to mention is that many teams are pushing the team box back further (We aren't forcing or recommending this in any way) and the coaches are staying two yards back which leaves me the whole sideline.

[Rob S]

Originally Posted by IceGator8

Another byproduct that I neglected to mention is that many teams are pushing the team box back further (We aren't forcing or recommending this in any way) and the coaches are staying two yards back which leaves me the whole sideline.

I had a game last Friday on a brand new field with soccer lines so that the "2 yard box" was about 4 yards wide. Even better, no one was in this box (by the head coach's request). On top of that, there was another line about 8-10 yards off the side line where the coach told all his players to stay. We probably had about a dozen guys (coaches, stat guys, cameramen) in that 4-10 yard back box, but no players to be seen anywhere near the field. That was an extremely nice sideline to work on, too bad it doesn't happen more often.

[Forksref]

Last Friday my linesman threw the flag on a coach in the first quarter for a sideline warning. This was after several verbal reminders. He had no problems the rest of the game. And...the linesman got the first drink free after the game!

I love the sideline warning because it is visible and costs no yardage. It signals that you mean business. Giving repeated verbal reminders to stay off the field doesn't work most of the time. We need to do more sideline warnings early in the game.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Forksref

Last Friday my linesman threw the flag on a coach in the first quarter for a sideline warning. This was after several verbal reminders. He had no problems the rest of the game. And...the linesman got the first drink free after the game!

I love the sideline warning because it is visible and costs no yardage. It signals that you mean business. Giving repeated verbal reminders to stay off the field doesn't work most of the time. We need to do more sideline warnings early in the game.

My wings and I have talked about this and we've agreed on ONE verbal reminder before the first sideline warning. Hey, the first flag on the field is free, so that's TWO warnings, then, without an actual penalty.

[GoodScout]

I agree. I'll warn a coach about being on the field once in a live ball situation -- which by rule I don't have to. After that, I'm absolutely going to enforce.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by GoodScout

I agree. I'll warn a coach about being on the field once in a live ball situation -- which by rule I don't have to. After that, I'm absolutely going to enforce.

Live ball, dead ball, what does it matter? Keep them off the field ALL the time (except for an authorized conference with the team).