Which statement best describes line authority?

• A. It gives the right to advise and support staff.
• B. It involves informal influence within the team.
• C. It is the authority to make decisions and issue orders down the chain.
• D. It is the responsibility to monitor compliance.

Answer: (C)

Line authority is the formal power in the organizational hierarchy that lets a manager make decisions and issue orders to subordinates, with those orders expected to be followed as part of achieving goals. In sport and recreation, this means a head coach can decide practice plans, assign tasks, approve schedules, and set expectations that players and staff must follow. This is different from staff authority, which provides expert advice and support without direct command over others. It’s also different from informal influence, which relies on personal relationships or respect rather than formal power. While monitoring compliance is about ensuring rules are followed, the specific act of directing and issuing orders downward through the chain is the essence of line authority.