There has been a growing trend to ignore the technical area. Clubs and coaches use the excuse “the referee didn’t tell me to stay in it”. It is now important that it is self-policed for removal of doubt this page sets out the technical area protocol.
Entering the field of play
No coach, replacement, physio/first aider or Yellow Carded Player may enter the field of play during the match, other than in situation as below.
The Technical Area
The home club are responsible for the following.
- Providing a permanent or temporary barrier.
- A marked technical area. If it is not possible to mark a permanent technical area one should be marked out with cones.
It is recommended that a technical area for both teams is created using cones, if the home club you’re visiting don’t provide one. This can be discussed/agreed prior to kick off.
Permitted Personnel
- Coach
- Replacements
- Physio
- Yellow Carded Player
Responsibilities of Permitted Personnel
Coach or DOR
The coach or DOR must stay within the technical area at all times. He can enter the field of play only at half time. If the coach wants to move up and down the touchline it must be done from behind the barrier. However, it must be one or the other he/she cannot switch it must be technical area or behind the barrier not both.
Replacements
Replacements must stay in the technical area and have shirt/top on that differentiates them from the players on the pitch. The only exceptions are:
- During a break in play replacements can take water on to the pitch. If a player requires water at any other time he /she must come to the technical area (see additional information re water carrier below)
- One replacement may enter the field of play to take on the kicking tee.
- A player may leave the technical area to warm up prior to replacing a player. This must be done in an area that does not impact on the match in progress.
Physio
The Physio must stay in the technical area except when entering the field of play to attend to an injured player. It is advisable to agree a protocol with the match referee prior to kick off.
Yellow Card
When a player is temporarily suspended (yellow card) the player may stand in the technical area subject to the following.
- If agreed by the match referee. The referee may require the player to stand elsewhere.
- The player must stay silent and not shout instructions to the players.
Red Card
The player who has been sent off must go behind the barrier and cannot be in the technical area.
Discipline Sanctions
Coaches & DOR
If a coach or DOR is ordered from the technical area (red card) sanctions will be based on the equivalent on field offence.
- An additional sanction will be added as the Coach or DOR would be expected to set an example to the players.
- An additional sanction will be applied if the referee reports that staying in the technical area at the appropriate times was not adhered to.
Replacements
If a replacement is ordered from the technical area prior to replacing an on field player that player can take no further part in the match.
Overall Conduct
All people in the technical area are under the same jurisdiction and control as the players on the field and are subject to refereeing sanctions. Any person, including replacements, can be asked to leave the technical area. Serious offences can result in a red card being issued and reported in the normal way. Players and coaches often think that because they are in the technical area they have licence to complain or abuse the opposition or the referee, they do not.
Water Carriers
The World Rugby Council has approved a global trial limiting the opportunity for non-playing personnel to enter the field of play during a match. Operational for all competitions and stand-alone matches starting after 1 July 2022, the trial aims to improve the flow of matches by reducing unnecessary stoppages without compromising welfare.
The new trial for non-medical personnel sets out a revised protocol for when medics and water-carriers, can access the field of play, limiting the ability to interact with the match officials, and providing a sanctioning framework for any action that that either interferes with play or is against the values of the sport.
Medics
- Can only provide water to players who they are treating
- Cannot field or touch a ball when it is live in play (sanction: penalty kick)
Additional personnel
- Teams are permitted up to two dedicated water carriers
- Water carriers cannot be a Director of Rugby or Head Coach
- In elite-level rugby, water carriers will only be able to enter the field of play twice per half at points agreed with the match officials – this can only be during a stoppage in play or after a try has been scored
- A person bringing on a kicking tee may carry one bottle for the kicker’s use only
- These water/tee carriers must remain in the Technical Zone at all times before entering the field of play as permitted. Any attempt to field or touch the ball while it is live in play, including the technical zone, will be sanctioned with a penalty kick.
- No-one should approach, address or aim comments at the match officials, save for medics in respect of treatment of a player. Should this happen, the sanction will be a penalty kick.
Players on the field
- May access water behind the dead ball line or from within their Technical Zone at any time
