NCAA rules on coaches entering the field of play?

Like most things in life, it depends.

During a live ball there are two different things that could happen. If the coach is just on the field or in the restricted zone (within 6 feet of the sideline) then rule 9-1-6 applies. Penalty for the first and second offense is 5 yards from the succeeding spot (delay of game, sideline interference). Penalty for the third and subsequent offense is 15 yards from the succeeding spot (unsportsmanlike conduct, sideline interference).

If the coach actually interferes in any way with the ball, a player, or an official during the play then Rule 9-1-5a applies. Normally the penalty is 15 yards from the previous spot but the referee may also award any penalty he finds equitable including awarding a score to the offended team (unsportsmanlike conduct).

Outside of those circumstances, Rule 9-2-1b1 applies to coaches who enter the field or leave the coaching or team areas without the referee's permission. The penalty is 15 yards from the succeeding spot (unsportsmanlike conduct).

That all being said, unless there is actual interference the sideline officials have a great deal of discretion in enforcing the rules, especially between plays, so long as the coach is being reasonable and not taking advantage of the leeway the official provides. For example, a coach may step onto the field to call a timeout or ask a question between plays, he may even take a step out to talk to a player between plays. If he gets in my face or walks out to the hash marks we have a problem.

The NCAA rule book is available online for free from NCAA publications (or you can pay for a hard copy) at http://www.ncaapublications.com/p-3926-2009-10-nca... Please note that they NCAA only publishes rule books on odd numbered years although they do issue minor changes between publication dates.

Technically they can't, but most refs allow it to some degree. If the coach goes too far out onto the field or spends too much time on the field then the ref usually warns him to stay on the sideline. If the coach continues to go onto the field after being warned or if he gets involved in a play, then it's either a 5 yard sideline violation penalty or a 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty depending on the severity; the decision is left up to the ref.

During a timeout the coaches are allowed. During play coaches are not allowed on the field. I believe the first time is a warning and the second and successive times is a 15 yard penalty.

They can't, but it's always overlooked.

Why wouldn't you look in the rule book instead of asking here?

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Amazon has it. I have 2009 in a pdf file.

im almost sure its not. just make sure u r registered with the NCAA clearing house. Ive gone through this process this year and wat i have learned is they are only limited to a certain amount of contact times for u, but u r allowed to contact them at any time u choose