Every year the NFHS identifies a handful of topics that deserve additional emphasis. This year, Sideline Control and Management made the list for good reason. It seems that over the past decade, managing the sidelines has become increasingly challenging. Whether that’s the result of instant replay culture, the influence of social media, the emotional intensity we regularly see in college and professional football that high school coaches emulate, or simply a society that has become more comfortable expressing frustration, the reality is difficult to ignore. None of those factors excuse poor behavior, but they do remind us that effective sideline management is no longer a secondary officiating skill; it is one of the primary responsibilities of every crew.
Regardless of the reasons behind this shift, our responsibility as officials has not changed. We cannot control a coach’s emotions, the pressure of a close game, or the atmosphere surrounding high school football. What we can control is how we respond. Great sideline management is less about having the perfect verbal response or knowing exactly when to throw a flag. It is about establishing expectations early, applying the rules consistently, communicating professionally, and preventing small issues from becoming major confrontations.
The key word is consistency. Coaches deserve to know what to expect every Friday night. When one crew ignores obvious sideline violations while the next crew enforces them, frustration is inevitable. Consistent standards build credibility with coaches, improve sportsmanship, and make difficult conversations much easier when they become necessary.
One of the most important realities every official must accept is the inherent disconnect between coaches and officials. Coaches are trying to win football games. Officials are trying to administer the game fairly, safely, and in accordance with the rules. Those differing priorities naturally create conflict. We should never be surprised when emotions become elevated. The goal is not to eliminate conflict; it is to manage it professionally.
That leads to one of the hardest lessons for newer officials: there is a double standard, and that is perfectly appropriate. Coaches are allowed to be emotional. Officials are not. Coaches may yell. Officials must remain composed. Coaches can disagree with our decisions. We cannot take those comments personally or allow ourselves to be drawn into an argument. Our responsibility is to recognize when emotional behavior becomes unsportsmanlike. Until that point, our focus should be game management rather than penalty enforcement.
Good sideline management begins before kickoff. During the pregame conference, identify the get-back coach, remind coaches about the restricted area, and explain expectations for coaches between plays. These conversations take less than a minute, yet they prevent problems later in the evening. Likewise, during the game, wing officials should address minor technical issues early and calmly.
A simple, “Coach, I need you back, please,” is usually enough; most coaches will calmly step back. It’s also perfectly acceptable to remind a coach multiple times during the game. Remember, in most cases the coach isn’t challenging your authority or intentionally violating the restricted area. Their attention is on the players, the next play call, substitutions, and the flow of the game, not on where they are standing when the ball is live. Don’t treat these violations as acts of defiance. A calm reminder is often all that is needed. Reserve your flags for coaches who refuse to comply after repeated requests or whose behavior becomes unsportsmanlike.
One sideline expectation should be non-negotiable: coaches must not enter the field to dispute an official’s ruling. Only players and substitutes are permitted on the field unless a coach or other nonplayer has been specifically authorized by an official to enter. The Colorado Mechanics Manual provides an important exception, allowing the head coach to step onto the field between plays to communicate with a player. Although it is not specifically addressed in the Colorado Mechanics Manual, I extend that same courtesy to offensive and defensive coordinators. In return, I expect coaches to remain off the field when addressing the officiating crew. If a coach wants to discuss a ruling, I’ll gladly have that conversation, but we’ll have it at the sideline.
When a coach steps onto the field to question a ruling or communicate with an official, our first responsibility is to calmly remind them that discussions belong at the sideline and ask them to return to the coaching box. Most coaches will comply immediately. However, if a coach refuses to return after being directed to do so, repeatedly ignores those instructions, or remains on the field to berate an official, the behavior has become unsportsmanlike, and a flag may be warranted. Whenever possible, move toward the sideline before engaging the coach. Conducting the conversation on the sideline prevents a manageable situation from becoming a public confrontation. Face the field and not the sideline when communicating with a coach.
When evaluating coach behavior, I find it helpful to remember “Four P’s.” Behavior that becomes Persistent, Profane, Public, or Personal may warrant an immediate flag for unsportsmanlike conduct. Some actions, such as rushing onto the field, making personal attacks, or using abusive language, require an immediate unsportsmanlike conduct foul. Other situations develop gradually. In those cases, use preventative officiating whenever possible. Tell the coach, “Coach, your behavior is unsportsmanlike.” Using that exact word signals that they are approaching the point at which a penalty will follow if the behavior continues. Many coaches will immediately recognize the warning and adjust accordingly.
Finally, remember that sideline management extends beyond coaches. Ball persons, statisticians, chain crews, photographers, media personnel, and even spectators all influence game administration. Chain crews should understand they are members of the officiating crew and must remain neutral. Photographers should never interfere with officiating responsibilities, particularly near the goal line. Spectator issues should never become personal battles between officials and fans; involve game management and let them solve the problem. Effective officials understand that they are managing an entire game environment, not merely enforcing football rules.
The best crews rarely need to throw unsportsmanlike flags because they prevent situations from reaching that point. They communicate early, establish expectations, remain calm under pressure, and apply the same professional standard to every team. Sideline management is not about controlling coaches. It is about creating an environment where the game can proceed safely, fairly, and without unnecessary distractions. When we consistently accomplish that goal, everyone on the field benefits.
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer. (Note: this play is slightly different than the play in the previous Ready for Play article. In this scenario, Team K fouls.)
Free kick from the K-40. While the loose ball is rolling on the R-40, K44 blocks R55 below the waist at the R-45. R12 recovers the ball at the R-38. Enforce the penalty for R44’s foul from the ______.
- K-40
- R-45
- R-38
Review Rule 10-4-2 EXCEPTION