Question Number: 24878

Law 1- The Field 5/4/2011

RE: provincial/competive Under 13

mike mitchell of ingersoll, ontario canada asks...

Hello. I was lining an under 12 house league game, and had a problem with the coach(volunteer). He and his players were standing right along the sidelines obstructing my view and ability to run up and down the sidelines... I continuesly had to remind the players to step back, (not a big deal), and 3 times I asked the coach politely to step back so i could see the play.(he still continued).. My question is what is the most simpliest/politest rule i could have used to explain to the coach that he and his players can not stand directly on the sidelines?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Kind of depends how old and how large you are. I've been known to run over problem coaches from time to time. My favorite trick is when the coach that is occupying the touch line past the half way line and is constantly obstructing my line of site. Wait until the ball goes out in favor of the coaches team and just stand there when the referee looks to you for advice as to which team takes the throw. Just shrug your shoulders and wait until the coach says something along the lines of 'how could you miss that?' and he will. You look him dead in the eye and say loudly, 'I couldn't see a thing through your body. I've asked you to move repeatedly. NOW will you please stop blocking my sight!'

If this is a higher level game, after asking nicely a few times get the referee's attention and both of you approach the coach. Let the referee handle it but bottom line will be 'Coach, you are making it impossible for my AR to do his/her job. You have been asked nicely to stay out of his/her line of sight and keep at least 5 yards off the touch line. Now I am telling you to stay far enough behind the touch line so we can all do our jobs. Nit telling you again. Next time you interfere you will be asked to leave the game and your assistant can take over. Thank you.'

By the way: after 3 times, there's no reason to go out of your way to be polite. A big smile on your face is fine especially coupled with "stay out of the way or leave"

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mike
there are a number of options here.
1. In the prematch inspection the location of the coaches, technical staff and substitutes needs to be discussed. How they intend to be managed also needs to be discussed plus the provision of a 'technical area'. That then needs to be conveyed to the teams.
2. If you have requested the coach/subs etc to stand back from the line twice and they have ignored your request I would attract the attention of the referee to the problem and ask him to move them back. If it is blatant ignoring of a match officials request as supposed to 'encroachment' after moving back I would treat that very seriously and a repeat would be reason enough to remove the offending coach. The Ask. Tell, Remove approach as outlined by USSF is a good model to use.
3. The situation can be a test of your 'influencing' skills and an opportunity to bring your personality to the situation. I have seen situations where the coach has been 'influenced' to help the AR do his role and I have also seen ARs bark instructions at coaches/technical staff so that they dare not move a muscle for fear of what might happen.
4. If the game is at lower levels the AR simply does the best he/she can do in the circumstances and if a call is missed then so be it. While it should not happen I have in low level games stepped on to the field of play when the ball is in the other half to get a view of the touchline.
Ultimately though it is up to the CR to provide the AR with the conditions to carry out their roles effectively and safely and that includes managing the techical area staff and substiutes when the AR's attempts to deal with it has been ignored.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Coaches, especially in the recreational leagues, get so wound up in the game they are often running up and down the touchline shouting instructions and repeatedly interfering with the job of the AR. It really helps if the leagues draw a line 3 feet from the touchline and about 15 yards on either side of the halfway line.

Don't see that enough, though. You can explain the need to stand back until you are blue in the face. They mean well (most of them) and they will try, but then something exciting happens and they forget, again. You can let the coach know you missed the call for his team, if it occurs, because you couldn't see through him at the critical moment. You can also call it the other way, which does get their attention - 'Sorry, coach that's the best I can do with you standing on the line.'

Getting this discussed pregame helps, because then you will know whether as the AR you will have any support from the referee, and under what specific circumstances you can call on that help. Telling the coaches ahead of time sets the stage, but at these young ages, they will forget (again). It is a behavior that is hard to extinguish.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 24930