Question Number: 32979

The Technical Area 1/12/2019

RE: Select Under 15

Michael of Concord, CA United States asks...

How many coaches can be on the sidelines with their team? Is there a maximum?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Michael
It is generally covered in the competition rules unique to that competition.
In the World Cup the maximum allowed is 11 technical staff.
What is key is that each member of technical staff is named and is under the jurisdiction of the referee.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Michael,
This is not something that is specified in the Laws of the Game. According to the Laws of the Game (and as ref McHugh says) it is the Rules of Competition (ROC) that deal with this issue. This is what the Laws say on the subject:

''- the number of persons permitted to occupy the technical area is defined by the competition rules
- the occupants of the technical area:
- are identified before the start of the match in accordance with the competition rules
- must behave in a responsible manner
- must remain within its confines except in special circumstances, e.g. a physiotherapist/doctor entering the field of play, with the referee's permission, to assess an injured player
- only one person at a time is authorised to convey tactical instructions from the technical area''

So you would have to check with the competition organisers responsible for the matches you are playing in, what their rules are regarding the maximum number of occupants in the technical area.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Michael,
The ROC would likely define such a condition but the LAWS simply state those coaching should be confined to the technical area by a single entity & not spread all over the field screaming instructions or advise in stereo phonic majesty . Something a whole lot of parents seem inclined to do. lol
Cheers

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