Question Number: 26106

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/27/2012

RE: NFHS Adult

L Broome of Yorktown, VA U.S.A. asks...

This question is a follow up to question 26094

While I agree with your analysis, if the coach is cautioned, then I believe the restart under NFHS rules should be an indirect free kick for the opposing team (RULE 13, SEC. 2, ART. 3 . . . The following indirect free kicks are taken from where the ball was when the referee stopped play: (Subject to restrictions in 13-1-3 and 13-1-4.)

a. If a player, coach or bench personnel enters or leaves the field of play without permission of an official (12-8-1)).

A drop ball would be appropriate under USSF/IFBA-sanctioned matches.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

If play is stopped and the coach cautioned, NFHS rules would provide for an indirect free kick. (This is the rare situation where the spot of the coach's misconduct is where the ball was located when play was stopped.)

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
Thanks for bringing that to our attention. You are indeed correct.
The question the referee has to ask is whether to caution the coach or not.
Without the caution is it an unusual situation in which no team has clear possession of the ball or does the referee go with a throw in?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

You are correct. We contacted NFHS authority who said the coach IS cautioned for entering without permission and restart is IDFK for opponents. This is more or less a mandatory caution.