Where should I stand, and how should I behave on the sideline?
Guideline- Scotland
- Scottish FA
- Scottish Youth FA
- Player Journey
- Small-sided games
- Born 2014-2020
- Ages 6-12
- 2026
- Parents
The Scottish FA's Let Them Play and Let Them Ref campaigns ask every club to have these in place at every game:
- Spectators stand at least 2 metres back from the touchline.
- Each team has a technical area about 4m x 2m, marked with cones, set 1 metre back from the pitch. Only registered team officials and players may be in it.
- Only the captain speaks to the referee, and only at key moments.
- Referees who are under 18 or newly qualified wear an armband, and the club appoints a Referee Liaison Officer to support them. Inappropriate behaviour towards a young referee is dealt with under child protection procedures.
The campaign's message to parents: let the coaches coach and the referees referee, encourage rather than instruct, and keep the car journey home supportive. The Scottish FA also has an online Touchline Behaviour module. It isn't compulsory, but the Scottish FA strongly encourages everyone in grassroots football to take it.
Added 21 Oct 2026