ARTICLE 5.While the ball is alive and during the continuing action after the ball has been declared dead:
a. Coaches, substitutes and authorized attendants in the team area must be behind the coaching line.
PENALTY—Administer as a dead-ball foul. First infraction: Warning for sideline interference. No yardage penalty. [S15]
Second and third infractions: Delay of game for sideline interference, five yards from the succeeding spot. [S21 and S29]
Fourth and subsequent infractions: Team unsportsmanlike conduct for sideline interference, 15 yards from the succeeding spot. Automatic first down for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other rules. [S27 and S29]
b. Physical interference with an official is a foul for unsportsmanlike conduct charged to the team unless the individual can be readily identified.
PENALTY—Team unsportsmanlike conduct unless the individual can be readily identified. Administer as a dead-ball foul. 15 yards from the succeeding spot. Automatic first down for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other rules. [S27]
Approved Ruling 9-2-5 I. On the opening kickoff, B22 catches the kick at his goal line and returns the ball down the sideline on Team B’s side of the field. As he moves down the sideline officiating the play, the side judge either runs into or must run around a Team B coach or squad member in the restricted area (“the white”). B22 is driven out of bounds at the A-20. RULING: Either situation is physical interference with an official during the play. No warning. Foul for unsportsmanlike conduct administered as a dead ball foul. If Team B coach or squad member is readily identifiable, the unsportsmanlike conduct is charged to that individual. If the coach or player is not identified, it is a team unsportsmanlike conduct foul. After the 15-yard penalty, Team B will have first and 10 at the A-35.
Approved Ruling 9-2-5 II. During a long kickoff return, the Side Judge has to stop and run around the head coach who is out of the coaching box in the restricted area or on the field of play near the sideline. RULING: Administer as a dead-ball foul. Penalize 15 yards at the succeeding spot.
Approved Ruling 9-2-5 III. During a long kickoff return, the head coach and/or other coaches are outside the coaching box and are in the restricted area or on the field of play near the sideline. No physical interference is made with an official during the play. RULING: Administer as a dead-ball foul. First infraction: Warning for sideline interference. No yardage penalty. Second and third infractions: Delay of game for sideline interference, five yards from the succeeding spot. Fourth and subsequent infractions: Team unsportsmanlike conduct foul for sideline interference unless the individual is readily identifiable. Penalize 15 yards at the succeeding spot. This is a team foul, and is not charged as an unsportsmanlike conduct foul against any coach.
