Deep South Rugby Referee Society Guidelines Regarding the Technical Zone
There have been a limited number of incidents regarding personnel on the sidelines at games in all divisions of play within the Deep South Union. The incidents have resulted in problems for Match Officials such that some sort of clarifying guidelines have become (unfortunately) necessary. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide you, the referee, with specific criteria by which to determine what can and cannot take place within the areas under your responsibility.
Definitions
The Playing Enclosure as defined under the Laws of Rugby, is an area that includes the Field of Play and a Perimeter Area around the Field of Play (around each side and end). The Perimeter Area is usually marked by ropes or other crowd restraints, but in many locations is unmarked.
The Field of Play is that area inside the touch line and dead ball lines of the rugby field.
The Technical Zone is an area of The Perimeter designated for medical trained personnel (1) and water carriers (2) to stand in during play. The Technical Zone should be marked on the Perimeter Area. There are two areas, one per team - so therefore there are 2 Technical Zones at a competitive rugby match.
Deep South Rugby Referee Society Guidelines
IRB regulations specify that only medically trained personnel and 2 water carriers may locate themselves in the Technical Zones during play. The water carriers may only enter the Field of Play when there is a stoppage for injury or when a try has been scored. The head coach of a team may not be a water carrier.
If a team has 2 medically trained personnel available, they must situate themselves on opposite sides of the field from one another. Therefore, only one of them may be located inside the Technical Zone at any given point in time.
No person within the Technical Zone may direct comments to the Referee or any other Match Official
Based on the above IRB Guidelines, the DSRRS recommends that all coaching staff and players be required to stand behind the crowd restraints. If a coach (head or assistant) is nominated as the designated touch judge, s/he may not make any comments to their team or to the Referee while executing this role.
If there are no crowd restraints, or these restraints are insufficient for the purpose of keeping the crowd from the Playing Area and interfering with the Match Officials, the Referee should instruct the Match Organizer (home team organizers) to ensure that the people watching the game retire a sufficient distance and stay there during the game. This distance can be marked by cones, lines or other means.
In the event that coaches take the field without the permission of the Referee, the Referee is required to report the incident to the Discipline Chair of the Deep South Union.
In the event that any non-playing person enters the Field of Play and touches a player of the opposing team that person should be dismissed form the Playing Enclosure immediately and the Referee is required to report the incident to the Discipline Chair of the Deep South Union.
In the event that a person within the Technical Zone directs comments, criticism or abuse at a Match Official, that person shall be required by the Referee to leave the Technical Zone and the Playing Enclosure and the Referee must report the incident to the Discipline Chair of the Deep South Union.