Old SI article on Tommy Bell and his Crew

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

A liberal interpretation of the rule is you don't look at the video until after the game. The question in this situation is how can you look at the video at halftime to see if a play was successful or not and not be coaching? And, if the coach tells you he looked at the video is not that sufficient evidence?

Not looking for a flag but the rules are the rules.

Clarification. In our area the game is not over until you leave the field. Example. A few years ago my head linesman made a terrific no-call that decided the game. The losing assistant coach approached him and verbally berated him to the point that security had to step in. We flagged the coach and he sat home the following week.

"When in Rome....", so "local practice" can often trump general rules, but
NF:1.7 defines "The game officials shall assume authority for the contest, including penalizing unspotsmanlike acts, 30 minutes prior to the scheduled game time or as soon thereafter as they are able to be present."

NF:1.8 declares, "The officials jurisdiction extends through the referee's declaration of the end of the fourth period or overtime." In essence, when the referee declares the game is over, it's over and so is our official authority.

However, although there are no "football rules" governing a coaches behavior after a contest has ended, they are restricted by civil law, and whatever expectations are imposed upon them by a school, a league or any organization responsible for the event. A flag is not necessary, nor appropriate, as any improper conduct or behavior by players, coaches or attendants simply should be reported to game management for disposition.

Should game management fail to act satisfactorily, that becomes an issue for your assigning body to deal with.