Unintentional contact between a nonplayer and a game official
Posted: 9/18/2012
Q: Had a situation from a game last Friday that I would like to verify with you.
Officials view - Kick return that went about 70 yards one of the covering officials ran over an assistant coach. My advice to the official (with no warning for sideline interference) - I would throw a flag for unsportsmanlike and penalize as a live ball foul enforced as a dead ball foul? I could not find anything in the case book but seem to remember a conversation when we still met for our rules meeting that if there is contact it goes right to 15?
Team view (trying to verify with official) sideline interference on them, 5 yard face mask on the opponent - they went with offsetting penalties and a rekick?
A: This was updated for 2011. When we met in person in 2010, we had a procedure as you describe. But there are two areas now. Non-contact and contact.
Page 73 for the person being in the box. 9-9-3
ART.3 . . . A nonplayer shall not be outside his team box unless to become a player or to return as a replaced player. A maximum of three coaches may be in the restricted area. No player, nonplayer or coach shall be in the restricted area when the ball is live.
PENALTY: (Arts. 1k, 3) - (S15) - First offense-warning. (S7-29) - Second offense - 5 yards, each subsequent offense - (S7-29-27) - 15 yards. (Arts. 1, 2, 3) Any single flagrant foul is disqualification. A second unsportsmanlike foul with a 15-yard penalty results in disqualification. (See 9- 5 PENALTY) A disqualified member of the coaching staff shall be removed from the stadium area and be prohibited from any further contact, direct or indirect, with his team during the remainder of the game. For failure to comply, the referee may forfeit the game.
Page 70 for the person being in the box and having unintentional contact. 9-4-8
ART. 8 . . . Unintentional contact between a nonplayer and a game official in the restricted area while the ball is live.
PENALTY: Nonplayer foul (Art 8) - (S38-29). For the first offense, 15 yards from the succeeding spot. For the second offense (S38-29-47) - 15 yards from the succeeding spot and disqualification of the head coach. Disqualification also if any foul is flagrant - (S47).
You are correct with the 15 yards. Automatic if there is contact with anyone in the restricted area.
