Keep the Sidelines Clear!
Something that you won’t learn from a rule book is the importance of keeping coaches and players off “the white.” The white is the sideline and it should be about 2-3 yards deep. During the play, no player, coach, or chain crew should be in the white. Some officiating crews and chain crews like to keep the chains in the white…. DON’T! I have seen too many players and officials hit the chain sticks and get hurt. There is no need for them to be that close to the field. Nothing but the officials should be in the white during a play.
If players and coaches are in the white during the play, officials can be running on the sideline at full speed and run into someone, having the potential to hurt both people. When Football officials are running, they rarely have the luxury to be watching where they are going. If they did, they may miss something. Also, when coaches and players are in the white, it makes it that much easier for them to affect the play while they should not be. Maybe a player with the team on defense stands close to the field so the quarterback thinks he can’t throw there.
This rule, depending on the coach and team, may be one of the most annoying to enforce, but it helps keep everyone safe and the game fair. Coaches and players may need constant reminders to get back. What I advise you to do is before the game, when meeting with the coaches, ask if they have a get back coach. This is a coach or player that is in charge of keeping his team out of the white to avoid penalties. If they do have a get back coach, introduce yourself so if you have any problems during the game you can go to that person. I would also recommend doing everything you can not to throw a flag. It is a flag that should be able to be avoided with proactive officiating and effective communication.
If you would like further reading on this topic, Football Zebra’s blog has a good post here that you can read and watch videos to help fully understand the importance of keeping the white clear.
If players and coaches are in the white during the play, officials can be running on the sideline at full speed and run into someone, having the potential to hurt both people. When Football officials are running, they rarely have the luxury to be watching where they are going. If they did, they may miss something. Also, when coaches and players are in the white, it makes it that much easier for them to affect the play while they should not be. Maybe a player with the team on defense stands close to the field so the quarterback thinks he can’t throw there.
This rule, depending on the coach and team, may be one of the most annoying to enforce, but it helps keep everyone safe and the game fair. Coaches and players may need constant reminders to get back. What I advise you to do is before the game, when meeting with the coaches, ask if they have a get back coach. This is a coach or player that is in charge of keeping his team out of the white to avoid penalties. If they do have a get back coach, introduce yourself so if you have any problems during the game you can go to that person. I would also recommend doing everything you can not to throw a flag. It is a flag that should be able to be avoided with proactive officiating and effective communication.
If you would like further reading on this topic, Football Zebra’s blog has a good post here that you can read and watch videos to help fully understand the importance of keeping the white clear.
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