Before, during, and after the game proactive communication for Lacrosse
Officials
“Consistency in communications between games”
1
Before the game…
• Contact each member of your Officiating Team prior to
arriving at the field.
– Confirm time and location of game.
– Confirm when and where to meet for pre-game.
– Discuss weather forecast / uniform.
• Reach out no later than 12PM (noon) the day of the game.
• This should not placed solely on the “Referee”.
– Phone
– Text
– E-Mail
2
Game Day…
• Meet at the pre-determined time and location
– Call your partner(s) if you’re running late!
• Things to Do / Pre-Game discussion
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Uniform for the day.
Equipment checks – how many and when?
Rules clarification/situations.
How to handle coaches if necessary?
How to handle a fight if necessary?
Previous experience(s) with the opponents.
How to consistently manage “face-offs”?
Walk onto the field together (@ least 20 min before game
time)!
– Stretch Out / Warm-Up!
3
Pre-game with the Coaches
“You’ll never have a second chance to make a first impression”
• Talk to the Home Team Coach First...
 Introduce yourselves
 Give them the officials “line-up card”
 Read the PIAA sportsmanship message verbatim!
 Fill out your game day scorecard
 Ask / discuss any other details (e.g. national anthem, line-up, etc.)
 How to handle inclement weather / lightning (where do teams go?) if
necessary.
 How will you be compensated?
 Any rules clarifications / questions? Do NOT judge previous calls!
• Talk to the Visiting Team Coach next..
 (repeat)
4
On the Field before the Coin Toss
• Check the Field.
–
–
–
–
Field markings ok (e.g. centerline)?
Conditions (e.g. mud, creases)?
Obstructions (e.g. soccer goals, etc.)?
Check balls for either ‘NFHS’ or ‘NOCSAE’ stamp!
• Check with the Table Personnel / Score Book.
– The table is at least 6 yards from the field if possible.
– Any rule changes from last year to review?
• Explain “stacking of fouls” – new this year!
– Keeping track of personal fouls & minutes.
5
On the Field with the Players
• Call for Stick Checks (far mid-field).
• Do you want to speak to the Face Off middies?
• Call Captains for the Coin Toss (5 min before
game time).
–
–
–
–
Introduce yourselves to the Captains.
Read the PIAA sportsmanship message verbatim!
Administer the Coin Toss.
Check the nets after the final warm-ups.
• Call the Teams for the Line-up
– Any expectations from the Referee?
6
During the Game…
• Three types of communication
– Audio (whistle and verbal)
– Signals / Body position
– Eye contact
• Audio (whistle and verbal)
– Whistle to start / stop play, vary volume and length.
– Talk to your partners during play.
• “I’ve got your sideline Rob”, “Thanks Dale”
• “Whadda ya think Dale, are they stalling?”
• “I’ve got your goal Rob”, “Thanks Dale”, “I’m back Dale”
7
During the Game…
• Signals and Body Position
–
–
–
–
–
–
Know your signals and use them! Over-emphasize!
Announce (signal) your fouls to your partner(s) first.
Come together on multiple fouls / flags before announcing.
Be in the right position for the call and to start play.
Show your partners that you’re ready to re-start play.
Adjust your field position to maintain your 3 man “triangle” or keep
your diagonal “string” (2 man) and keep all play in front of you.
• Eye Contact
– Make eye contact throughout the game esp. on starts / re-starts.
– Watch your partner(s) position frequently.
8
Penalty Management…
• The nearest official announces the foul(s) to the table.
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Calmly, clearly, and decisively – sell the call!
C – Color of the team committing the foul.
N – Number of the player committing the foul.
O – the Offense committed (e.g. slashing).
T – the Time (duration) of the penalty (e.g. one minute).
E – any Explanation if necessary (“releasability”).
Explain multiple fouls / sequence of fouls / “releasability” clearly to
the table and verify understanding.
– Explain “stacking of fouls” if necessary to the table and verify
understanding.
– Trail official should monitor releases from the box.
9
Simultaneous Fouls…
• Defined as “fouls on players of opposing teams during a live
ball or a dead ball when sequence cannot be determined”.
– Used for penalty time management - not awarding possession.
– Simultaneous fouls are non-releasable.
– If sequence cannot be determined, the team that incurred less penalty
time is awarded the ball. Use Alternate Possession if penalty time is
equal.
– Restart of play is NOT a “free clear”.
– Think about “what happens between whistles” as simultaneous for
penalty time management.
10
Simultaneous Fouls…
7.6.4-E – A1 has ball, B1 slashes A1, flag down. A2 slashes B2, stopping play.
Are these simultaneous fouls?
How much penalty time is assessed? Releasable?
Who is awarded possession and where?
7.6.4-B – A1 has ball, B1 slashes A1, flag down, slow whistle. Team A scores. After whistle
sounds on the goal, A1 retaliates and slashes B1.
Are these simultaneous fouls?
How much penalty time is assessed? Releasable?
Who is awarded possession and where?
SITUATION – A1 has ball, B1 slashes A1, flag down, slow whistle. Team A scores. Halftime.
After the halftime whistle sounds and on way to locker room A2 maligns an official.
Are these simultaneous fouls?
How much penalty time is assessed? Releasable?
Who is awarded possession and where?
11
During the Game…
• During time-outs
– Which team called the time-out, how many left, what time in the game?
– Did they get the ball in the offensive zone before calling the time-out?
– What count do they get on the re-start, if any?
• After a goal
– What color team and which # player scored?
• Between quarters and at half-time (be proactive)
–
–
–
–
–
Confirm the score and penalty situation with the Table.
Are we keeping players safe?
Even or un-even face-off? Penalty time remaining?
Everything ok (e.g. coaches, players, contact, sportsmanship)?
Are we calling the game consistently?
12
After the game…
• The game ends………
– Confirm the score.
– Leave the field together after the teams cross on their way to their
benches.
– Do NOT discuss the game further with coaches, players, fans, etc.
– Get to a “quiet” place and share constructive feedback.
• Did you keep the players safe?
• Did your Team communicate well?
• Were your calls consistent?
– In the event of an ejection(s) / fight:
• Reach alignment on the sequence of events and details.
• Contact your assignor immediately after the game.
• Confirm who will fill out and submit the PIAA paperwork.
13
Quiz Question #2
• Which of these topics (with others) do you
discuss in your “pre-game” with your crew?
Field conditions?
How you’ll consistently manage face-offs?
How to handle a fight?
Where you’re going for “post-game”
All of the above.
14
Quiz Question #2 - Answer
• Which of these topics (with others)do you
discuss in your “pre-game” with your crew?
Field conditions?
How you’ll consistently manage face-offs?
How to handle a fight?
Where you’re going for “post-game”?
All of the above.
15
Quiz Question #3
• Which topics do you discuss with each coach
in your “pre-game” with them?
Read the PIAA sportsmanship message?
Field conditions and markings?
Where you’re going for “post-game”?
If there will be a national anthem and line-up?
All of the above.
16
Quiz Question #3 - Answer
• Which topics do you discuss with each coach
in your “pre-game” with them?
Read the PIAA Certification (if PIAA contest)?
Field conditions & markings?
Where you’re going for “post-game”?
If there will be a national anthem and line-up?
All of the above.
17
Quiz Question #4
• What conditions should you check?
Goals and nets?
Clarify field markings?
Is the field playable (e.g. muddy)?
Obstructions (e.g. soccer goals)?
Dangers (e.g. grates, etc.)?
Do the lax balls have a “NOCSAE” & “NFHS”
marking?
All of the above.
18
Quiz Question #4 - Answer
• What conditions should you check?
Goals and nets?
Clarify field markings?
Is the field playable (e.g. muddy)?
Obstructions (e.g. soccer goals)?
Dangers (e.g. grates, etc.)?
Do the lax balls have a “NOCSAE”&”NFHS
marking?
All of the above.
19
Quiz Question #5
• How many times should you read the PIAA
sportsmanship message during the pre-game?
Once.
The what?????
Three.
20
Quiz Question #5 - Answer
• How many times should you read the PIAA
sportsmanship message during the pre-game?
Once.
The what?????
Three.
21
Quiz Question #6
• Who originally said,
“The will to win is not nearly as important as the
will to prepare to win.”?
Rob O’Brien
Kevin Schaefer
Bobby Knight
Dale Biegel
22
Quiz Question #6 - Answer
• Who originally said,
“The will to win is not nearly as important as the
will to prepare to win.”?
Rob O’Brien
Kevin Schaefer
Bobby Knight
Dale Biegel
A well conducted, thorough communication plan is
“preparing to win”!
23
Keep ‘Em Safe !
24