2015 Preseason
Lacrosse Official’s Clinic
Rule 7 – Penalty Enforcement,
Simultaneous Fouls,
2-Man Mechanics
Lots to cover tonight, how we’ll do it:
First:
Rule 7 – Penalty Enforcement
& Simultaneous Fouls
Second:
2-Man Mechanics
Safety
• Player safety is why the rules exist and
the first and foremost concern of
officials.
• Enforce personal fouls to protect
players and technical fouls for game
management and control the flow.
Keys to Getting The Call Right
• Make sure the play is completed,
including any dead ball action
• If multiple flags talk to your partner
– Same foul?
– Different fouls?
– Who gets the ball?
– Where is the restart?
• One official will report while the other
sets the field
Infraction
Technical
Foul
No
Possession
Play-On
Personal
Foul
Possession
Against
Defense
Against
Offense
Flag
Down
Whistle &
Turnover
Flag
Down
Recognizing the Situation
Once you have determined that a foul has
been committed, you must determine
which of the following three situations you
are in:
1. Loose-ball technical fouls - Call “play-on”
or sound the whistle immediately
depending on the situation
2. Foul by team in possession - Blow your
whistle immediately
3. Any loose-ball personal foul -Blow your
whistle immediately
Flag Down, Slow Whistle
(FDSW)
• For a foul by Team B when Team A is in
possession (other than most goalie
interference and crease violation fouls), yell
“Flag down!” and throw your flag without
blowing your whistle. Team A will then be
allowed a chance to complete the scoring
opportunity.
• Play will stop either when Team A scores a
goal or when the rules require the official to
blow the whistle and stop play.
FDSW Steps
• Fouls with offended team in possession:
– Yell “Flag Down!”
– Throw flag straight up into the air
– Allow offended team to complete their play
– Sound whistle to stop play when the rules
require you to do so (Rule 7)
• Dead Ball
– Make certain all residual action among the
players has ceased
Relaying and Reporting the Call
• Check for flags from your partner. If there are
multiple flags, you may need to conference to
determine if you have two flags for the same foul or
flags for two different fouls.
• Position yourself promptly but not “hurriedly”:
– Face the table
• 2-person (Trail official)
• 3-person (Closest official to bench, usually the Trail)
– Make sure the table’s view to you is
unobstructed
– Stand up straight with your feet set
• Signal the penalty
Reporting the Penalty
(C-NOTE)
• Announce the following information to the table:
– Color of the offending player’s uniform
– Number of the player
– Offense/Foul the player committed (give signal)
– Time to be served (give “T” signal if 30 second
technical foul)
– Explanation (optional)
Reporting the Penalty
(C-NOTE)
• Quickly explain who has possession and where the
ball will restart
– “Blue ball, free clear at Center X”
– “Red ball, side-left, outside the box”
• Timer on after the report
– Teams have twenty-seconds to get the right
players on the field
C-NOTE
COLOR
NUMBER
OFFENSE
TIME
Bench Penalties
• If a penalty is called against a team when no
definite player is involved (not a simple offside)
or when the penalty is against someone other
than a player in the game, the official shall
assess the penalty time against the in-home.
• In-home: starting attack player, listed first in
the scorebook.
– You get the number of the in-home from the head
coach during the coaches certification. Write this
on your scorecard for easy reference
Play-On
• Loose ball technical fouls by either team
result in a “play-on” if the offended team
has an opportunity to pick up the ball
and maintain their advantage
• If no clear opportunity for offending
team to gain possession – blow the
whistle and award possession
Play-On Steps
• Team B commits a loose ball technical foul:
– Official says “play-on” and raises one arm into the
air
• Team A gains possession:
– Official points in direction of play and says “play-on
over”
• Team B gains possession or Team A does not
gain possession with in a few seconds:
–
–
–
–
Official blows whistle
Says and signals the technical foul
Awards possession to Team A
Restarts play according to the rules
Multiple Minutes
• Multiple Minutes
– Penalty time for personal fouls is 1, 2 or 3 minutes
• Suggested guidelines:
– 2 minutes if intentional or excessive
– 3 minutes if intentional and excessive
– Some violations mandate longer penalties
• Blows to head/neck
• Defenseless player
• Blindside hits
Non-Releasable (NR)
• Standard penalties (slash, cross check,
trip, etc.) are releasable upon the
scoring of a goal, regardless of duration
• More serious violations (illegal crosse,
USC, head/neck, defenseless, etc.) are
non-releasable / full time serving
– Opponents whose penalties start together
are non-releasable for longest common
time
Ejection Foul
• Automatic ejection for:
– Second non-releasable unsportsmanlike foul
– Deliberately striking or attempting to strike an
opponent / fighting
– Leaving the bench area during an altercation on
the field
– Use of tobacco or smokeless tobacco
– Flagrant misconduct
Penalty for Ejection Foul
• 3-minutes, non-releasable penalty
– The penalty is served by the ejected player’s
substitute.
• Plus:
– Ejected coach shall be removed from the game
– Ejected player, substitute, or non-playing member
shall:
• Be removed from the premises if there is
authorized school personnel present to
supervise the ejected student
• If no one is available the student shall be
confined to the bench area
Ejection – Post-game
• Referee shall notify the assigning
authority of any ejected coach or player
• Assigning authority shall notify the
appropriate school athletic director
• Ejected players / coaches may not be
eligible to participate in the next game
(varies by state)
Fouling Out
Any player who accumulates 5-minutes of
personal fouls shall be disqualified from
the game.
Example: Player A is given a 2-minute
personal foul. Later in the game he is
given a 3-minute non-releasable penalty
for an illegal crosse.
 A player who has fouled out of the game has
NOT been ejected
 The player can participate in his team’s next
game
CONSISTENCY
Topics for 2015
 Face-Offs
 Coaches
 Unnecessary Roughness vs.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
 Restarts in Defensive End
 Screens/Off Ball Movement
– Simultaneous Fouls
– Illegal Crosses
CONSISTENCY
Simultaneous Fouls
 Live Ball vs. Dead Ball
 Slow Whistle and/or play on
 Possession
 Penalty Time
CONSISTENCY
Simultaneous Fouls
Live Ball vs. Dead Ball
• Dead ball fouls are not simultaneous,
unless sequence can’t be determined.
• Live ball fouls on opposing teams are
simultaneous, and rarely occur at the
same time.
CONSISTENCY
CONSISTENCY
Simultaneous Fouls
Slow Whistle and/or play on
• Violation against team in possession (or entitled)
Technical – Kills the play, go back to original violation
Personal – Kills the play, flag down, all players involved
serve penalty time (yes a loose ball push will serve penalty
time)
• Violation against team not in possession (or entitled)
Technical – New flag down if there is possession, may
want to kill the play to clean things up if no possession.
Personal – New flag down (Last two-minutes kills the play)
CONSISTENCY
Simultaneous Fouls
Possession
• Team with less penalty time gets the ball
• If penalty time is equal, team in
possession (or entitled) keeps the ball
• If penalty time is equal and no possession,
AP
• If team are equal strength, there is no free
clear
CONSISTENCY
Simultaneous Fouls
Penalty Time
• Fouls that start together, stay
together
–The penalty time that is shared
by both players is non-releasable
Two-Man
Mechanics
The Mission of our Mechanics
 To put us in the best position to make the
calls that allow us to keep the game safe
and fair.
 To use methods that are easily applied in
a consistent manner by officials of various
levels of ability in games of various levels
of skill.
Pre-Game
Official’s Pre-Game Coordination
EMAIL/PHONE/TEXT (as appropriate)
partner(s) to confirm meeting time and
uniform
Referee may email coaches (use
selectively)
If you don’t hear from Referee, contact
him!
PRE-GAME CONFERENCE
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CREW PREPARATION & GAME LOGISTICS
POSITION ASSIGNMENTS to start the game
TEAM ASSIGNMENTS – Which official gets which captains
for faceoff, goals to inspect, pregame equip checks
MECHANICS
ALWAYS COUNT PLAYERS & CHECK THE CLOCK
COUNTS
HAND SIGNALS
CREASE COVERAGE (butt down, head up)
SUBSTITUTIONS (Trail official has timer & player counts,
player on field has right of way)
RESTARTS (Communicate Ready Signal, Visual 5-Second
Count)
FACEOFFS
STICK CHECKS
PRE-GAME CONFERENCE
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SPECIAL SITUATIONS & POINTS OF EMPHASIS
HITS TO THE HEAD/NECK
FOULS (Simultaneous vs. Multiple, Live Ball or Dead Ball,
Releasable)
PLAY-ON (Do Not Disadvantage Offended Team, Stop
Play Quickly, No Subsequent Fouls)
STALLING - Early and often, R MUST Start it, Try for
behind the goal (NO TRAPS)
FINAL TWO MINUTES (Shot or Deflection Out Of Box,
Use Of Play-On Technique)
FIGHTING (Trail Freezes Both Benches, Lead Control
Fight)
GOALIE LOOSES EQUIPMENT PLAY IS STOPPED
IMMEDIATELY
PRE-GAME PROCEDURES
 When possible meet your partner in the parking lot a
half-hour prior to game
 Walk on the field 20 minutes before game time
 Referee introduces crew to the head-coaches and asks
for captains, in-home and certifies the coaches:
“Coach, are you aware that the Cascade Model R and
Warrior Regulator helmet models do not meet the
NOCSAE standard for lacrosse at this time and they
are not legal for play? With this in mind, do you certify
all players are equipped by rule and that all helmets
including the goalkeepers meet the NOCSAE standard
for lacrosse helmets?”
https://www.arbitersports.com/Groups/108525/Library/files/Pregame%20statement.pdf
PRE-GAME PROCEDURES
 When certifying the coaches, either read the previous
paragraph to them, or print the paragraph out and hand
them the page as you read it.
(hopefully this will be resolved before too long!)
 Remind the coaches of the points of emphasis for this
year, that you will conduct a face-off clinic now and will
then be available for equipment checks
 Give instructions to bench personnel and sign scorer’s
books
 5 minutes before the start of the game conduct coin toss
Coin Toss
PRE-GAME PROCEDURES
PRE-GAME PROCEDURES
• After coin-toss, check nets for holes and
balls
• Meet back at the table for national anthem
& player introductions (if any)
• Jog onto field, if players don’t come out ….
blow whistle to get them moving
PRE-GAME PROCEDURES
• Team’s left shoulder to the goal they defend
• Reinforce sportsmanship, points of emphasis and
other key items for this game (keep it short!)
• Keepers come through
• Have teams shake hands
• Honor the Game: Play Hard! Play Fair!
• Jog to position. Begin game.
• And remember, HAVE FUN!
Field Position
HOME
XXXX
VISITOR
OOOO
There are five basic positions we should be in, if you
are not in one of these, you are out of position.
HOME
XXXX
BALL
VISITOR
OOOO
HOME
XXXX
VISITOR
OOOO
HOME
XXXX
VISITOR
OOOO
T
L
L
T
TRAIL:
• Side-Line and fast break the other way
•Watch late hits on shots, report player that
scored goal
•Technicals in area and Personals anywhere
LEAD:
• Responsibility for entire offensive area until
trail is in position. Lead has first count.
• Rubber band on Goal-Line Extended
• End-Line and Side-Line behind
• Focus on goal and crease on shots
• Technicals in area and Personals anywhere
Photo by Jim Manahan
Please Note:
The template depicting field diagrams that
follows is not exactly accurate as the
Substitution Area/Penalty Box and Coaches
Box are now larger.
Face-off—X possession
“Possession!”
W becomes L, has first 10count, and gets to GLE
W
X
O
X O
Team X
gains
possession
here
L
Down, Set, Whistle
O
O
X
O
F
X
X
T
X
O
T
X
O
“Possession!”
F becomes
T and has
20-timer
OX
X
O
X
O
Face-off—O possession
“Possession!”
X
O
W
T
X O
W becomes T
Team O
gains
possession
here
Down, Set, Whistle
O
X
O
O
F
X
X
L
X
O
X
O
“Possession!”
F becomes
L and has
10-count
OX
X
O
X
O
L
Transition
Count forward
for offside.
T
O•
X
X
O
Goalie
makes
save
X
O
L
X
O
O
X
O
X O
X
X
O
X
O
T
Count forward for offside;
clean-up box if needed.
OX
L
New T has
4-count and
20-timer
Settled situations I
X
O
T
O•
X
T’s main responsibility is
the goal at the other end.
O
T “yoyos” to midfield and back
as ball becomes loose or goes
back into possession
X
O
X
O
X
O
X
X
O
L “yoyos” in and
out along GLE,
as close to
crease as play
allows
X
O
OX
L
X O
Settled situation: On/Off official
T is the “On” official when
ball is in the blue area
T
L
L is the “On” official when
ball is in the yellow area
Settled Situations II
X
O
T
L should never get trapped
inside the play or pushed off
the GLE if play is above GLE!
X
O
O
X
O
O•
X
X
O
X
O
X
O
X
X O
OX
L NO!
L NO!
OX
L YES!
Settled Situations III
X
O
T
In that situation, the T may
move slightly into the box to
help with goal coverage
O
X
X
O
O
X
O
X
On a contested
end-line play, the
L must move off
the GLE
X
O
X
O
X
O
OX
L
X O•
Next pass
X
O
Team O has the ball
behind the goal. Where is
the next pass?
T
X
O
O
X
O
OX
X
X
O
X
O
X
O
X
O•
L
OX
L needs to be outside passing
lane, but not necessarily out as
far as the wing players
Key places to go
Ball loose—T goes to
the junction of the
sideline and midline
T
X
O
Ball in possession—T goes
to the corner of the box
T
O•
X
X
O
O
X
O
X
Ball loose or in
offensive
possession—L
goes to the GLE
X
O
X
O
OX
L
X O
L
X
O
On a shot,
L goes to
the end line
Goal scored—left side
W starts
timer…
W
X
O
…then officials
write goal on
scorecard
L
X O
L signals
goal for 2–3
seconds
X O
X
O
Ball at
midfield
F
X
O
O
X
O
X
Exchange
X
O
OX
X
O
T
If L is far from the goal when
goal is scored, signal first, then
run to the crease
Goal scored—right side
T
X
O
X
O
X
X
O
X O
F
X
O
X
O
If far from the goal when goal is
scored, signal first, then run to
the crease
Exchange
O
OX
W
X
O
L
X O
10-second count mechanics I
• L always has first 10-count across midfield
• A hand count is used, from navel to 45
degrees past vertical
• Switch arms if one count
ends and a new count begins
• No verbal count: use visual
count only
10-second count mechanics II
• Use “reset” signal to indicate new count on
changes of possession or after a play-on
• If you have the count and it ends, simply stop
counting
• If you do not have the count
and the ball goes into the box
in your area, put your hand up
for 1-2 seconds, then point
into the attack area.
(Especially important on
“Domed” fields.)
Ball crosses the midline after
the 10-second count ends.
• The ball crosses the midline after the 10-second
count ends, offense maintains possession.
• T has the new 10-second count:
“Get It In”
Most important responsibilities
• L has the goal
• T has the goal at the other end of the
field
• T is responsible for watching the
shooter and flagging late hits
• Call Technicals in your zone and
personals anywhere.
Restarts
Restart Location
A timeserving penalty in the def.
end results in a free clear
X
OOB on end line (shot, pass,
step, or deflection) with no
play-on or flag-down: ball
restarts at the spot
Stoppage in the
attack area
against defense.,
the ball moves
laterally outside
the attack area.
X
A stoppage in
the midfield area
or alley restarts
at the spot: do
not move to the
corner!
X
Simul. fouls with
both teams serving
time: no free clear,
but ball moves out
of the box
X
X
NEW: If against offense,
restart where offended.
..
Move restart in
5 yards from
substitution box
X
X
Flag down
Throw flag high into air, yell
“Flag down!”
X
O
L
OX
X
O
X• O
O
X
O
X
Repeat “Flag
down!”; give up
the other goal
and move to
corner
OX
X
O
X
O
X
O
T
Stop play when appropriate
Signaling penalties (lead’s flag)
While T reports, L gets
field ready for restart
X
O
L
X O
Must get eye
contact with
partner before
restart!
OX
X
O
O
Relay
signal
X
T starts timer
when finished
reporting penalty
OX
X
O
X
O
T
Relay
signal
X
O
X
O
Signaling penalties (lead’s flag)
T
X
O
T
O
X
O
Relay
signal
X
O
OX
X
X
O
X
O
X
O
Relay
signal
OX
L
X O
Signaling penalties (trail’s flag)
X
O
L
X
O
OX
X O
O
X
O
X
O
OX
First
briefly
signal
partner X
O
X
O
T
Then
signal
table
X
Signaling penalties (trail’s flag)
T
X
O
T
X
O
First
briefly
signal
partner
OX
O
X
O
Then
signal
table
X
X
O
X
O
X
O
OX
L
X O
HOME
XXXX
VISITOR
OOOO
Coverage On Clear/
Offsides
HOME
VISITOR
XXXX
OOOO
L
G
G
T
Goalie
makes
save and
passes to
middie
who runs
with the
ball to
center of
the field
HOME
VISITOR
XXXX
OOOO
T
G
G
L
Goalie makes save and
passes to middie who runs
with the ball to center of
the field
HOME
XXXX
VISITOR
OOOO
T
G
G
L
Goalie
makes
save and
passes to
middie
who runs
with the
ball to
center of
the field
HOME
VISITOR
XXXX
OOOO
T
G
G
L
Goalie makes save and
passes to middie who runs
with the ball to center of
the field
Fight
HOME
VISITOR
XXXX
OOOO
Note: On official takes the fight,
and Off official takes benches
with coaches.
FREEZE BENCHES!
T
X
L
Fight Procedure
X O
fight
HOME
VISITOR
XXXX
Note: On official takes the fight,
and Off official takes benches
with coaches.
OOOO
Trail tries to stop fight before
it gets out of hand, and get
players #’s
FREEZE BENCHES!
fight
T
X O
X
Fight Procedure
continued
L
Note: Lead has to hustle over to
bench area to freeze them! Look
for #’s and coaches leaving bench.
Questions
?