Question Number: 25256

The Technical Area 7/26/2011

RE: rec, select Under 11

gord majic of hamilton, ontario canada asks...

do coaches have to coach players from there own side of half or can they move freely up and down the entire length of the field?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Gord
Coaches are restricted to the technical area if one exists. The technical area extends 1 m (1 yd) on either side of the designated
seated area and extends forward up to a distance of 1 m (1 yd) from the touch line. In the absence of a seating areas on some grounds there may be a competition rule which sets out where coaches and substitutes must remain during the duration of the game.
Either way if the referee believes that the coach is not acting in a responsible manner he can ask him to desist and if it continues he can remove him from the vicinity of the field of play. I personally don't have a problem with coaching. However once it includes getting involved with opponents and berating the referee that is not not acceptable behaviour and the coach can be removed.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Coaches may not move up and down the touchline. They must remain in the 'technical area.'

In professional matches where both teams are on the same touchline, this rectangular area is usually marked on the field 1 yard back from the touchline, starting 5 yards from the halfway line, and extending 1 yard beyond the benches.

For youth matches, the technical area is rarely marked. When teams are on opposite touchlines, the tradition in my area is that the coaches must remain within the width of the center circle - - no further than 10 yards from the halfway line. USSF allows the referee to approximate a technical area within which substitutes and team officials must stay (and behave themselves).

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

It has been tradition in our area that coaches may roam the sideline 'from 18 to 18'. (Teams and their supporters each take one side of the field.) Some fields have a line painted outside the touchline, typically extending about 10 yards either side of the half line. When we were revising the local operating rules a few years back, I put in a provision that coaches must stay in their technical area where one was provided. We then instructed referees to interpret this auxiliary line as being the technical area, and that they could instruct coaches to stay in that area. Only if the coach is getting obnoxious with his movement and instructions would I make any issue of it.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

A coach who is roaming the entire touchline is more of an interference in the game than an assistance to his/her players. The time for coaching is practice, before the game and at halftime.

When the players are on the field, they should take what they know and try to apply it. When it doesn't work, or when it does, the coach can use these incidents to build on during his/her time.

If a technical area is provided or is indicated by the referee before the start of the match, the coaches and their staff and players are bound by the law to stay there. This area restriction exists for the safety of the players, the referees, the fans and the coach (believe it or not).