Question Number: 35973

Law 1- The Field 7/26/2025

RE: Rec Under 13

Laura of Frederick, MD USA asks...

Our coach was carded for coaching down by the goal. What law explains where the coach may stand during a game? Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Laura
Thanks for the question
Law 1 sets out the use of technical areas which is generally a seated area for coaches and substitutes / substituted players which they must remain in for the duration of the game . Substitutes may leave the area to warm up. Occupants of the technical areas must behave in a responsible manner and Law 12 sets out sanctions for misconduct while in the technical areas

Those in the technical areas are required to remain in that area during play other than warming up by substitutes or a physio beckoned on to the field of play by a referee to deal with an injured player. Law 12 states that it is a. cautionable offences to clearly / persistently not respect the confines of a team’s technical area.

So a coach who is down at the goal area has clearly left the confines of the technical area. Generally a referee might ask a coach to return to the area and a repeat would garner a card. Sometimes the manner of how a coach deals with that request might draw an immediate sanction particularly if the coach was not respectful or dissented the request.