I was AR last weekend on an u16 game. The coach was standing on the line all evening. I asked him several times to move to give me room to work. On a break away down field I leveled him while running to the ball position. (I outweighed him by about 30lbs). I did chuckle when the CR came over to check on me and cautioned him for interfereing with an official. Is it my imagination or are the upper youth games coaches starting to feel they have the right to behave like the MLS coaches.
I'm thinking after the embarrasment of getting run over by the official, that U-16 coach will keep his ass in his coaches' box for a long time. Funny, but generally, I am more concerned about seeing the game down the sideline and/or running into the guy while I'm following the play than how close he might be to the field of play as he barks at his players. That rule is there for a lot of reasons and that coach discovered why with what sounds like a pretty uncomfortable collision. It really depends on the coach (the personality behind the coach really). I had some u-18 boys coaches who knew to stay on the bench, while I had to repeatedly warn a couple of u-13 girls coaches to stay in their coaches' area.
I'm surprised I haven't gotten a coach yet. I have gotten subs (not about to go in) and subs standing on the touchline (ready to go in). I usually try to warn coaches and subs to stay back, but some of our fields don't have much extra room by the touchline. <<Is it my imagination or are the upper youth games coaches starting to feel they have the right to behave like the MLS coaches.>> I've found them at all levels. But agree, some of the upper youth level coaches do seem to think they know it all, and are looking for any way to get an edge.
As mentioned in another thread, it's definitely easier when the technical areas are clearly marked, and the coaches and players stay in them. Yesterday, I had a game where the touchline was about 4-5 feet from a steep hill (going down) - no technical areas and not much room for the AR on that side.
Re: Re: coaches on the line i like it. most of the time in the games i do, i ask them to step back and then just HOPE the team i'm following has a fast break upfield so i can run into him...most of the time i have to shuffle slowly up the line...i did step on one's foot the other day. haven't gotten subs yet, but when i shuffle up i ask them to stand back, on their side of the half line.
I personally think that there is too much coach involvement in the game. Some seem to be trying to relive their soccer career or invent their soccer lives through the young players. Still, some are classier and minimize their involvement, often from a lawn chair. I find that if I run backwards towards the coach a couple of times, the coach tends to stay out of my way more often than not. It was good to see that the center referee checked on your well being and cautioned the coach. I believe both of these actions were appropriate and correct.
I like the running backwards idea. Cautioning the coach is not FIFA approved. I do know that this is standard with High School and some leagues. Know the rules of the competition you are doing.