Question Number: 22910

Law 5 - The Referee 3/8/2010

RE: Middle School Other

Phil of Dawsonville, Georgia US asks...

Hi All,
During a game last week, a player on the opposing team was injured during the normal course of play.The officials stopped play, and the coach of the opposing team was summoned out on to the field to tend to his injured player.
While play was stopped, I called our players over near our technical area for instruction. Our players never left the field of play,and I never entered it, and the officials did not object.
I am familiar with the fact that a coach tending his injured player on the field cannot give instruction. After the game, the opposing coach complained that neither coach can give instruction during an injury stoppage, but I was not sure if this is correct. Thank you for clarifying this for me.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Assuming the game is being played under the NFHS rules, Rule 3.3.2.b.1 says:

b. When a player(s) from either team is injured:
1. A coach or trainer may not enter the field without approval from a referee. During the time a coach or trainer is permitted on the field by the referee to attend to an injured player, coaching instruction shall not be given to any player on either team.

And in the Situations under that rule, 3.3.2 Situation I says:
Player A2 is injured. After examining Player A2, the referee stops the clock and beckons A2's coach or trainer onto the field to attend to the injured player. (skipping a & b) (c) opposing Coach B calls his team to the sideline and gives instruction to the team; Ruling: illegal in (a), (b) and (c).

So the opposing coach is correct. There is no direct prescribed penalty for doing this, but a referee could issue a misconduct card or give the coach a warning, if she felt it warranted. You are allowed to sub at this time, and you are allowed to give the substitute instructions, which can then be conveyed to the rest of the team on the field.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Coach Phil
As a referee who only has to officiate one code these NFHS Rules take some understanding. In this game neither the officials nor one coach knew this rule. Personally I believe that from reading all the questions and the answers given that it is way too complicated.
I have learned as well that there can be regional variations to the rules which makes it even more difficult.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Not all middle schools adopt NFHS rules. But, if they do, no 'instruction' can be given to any player on either team even if the coaches do not enter the field.