Most Important Points Veteran Laxer, New Official

[Stormlax]

Guys,

I have over 35 years playing and coaching lacrosse. Most of the last five years has been focused on coaching. I'm studying my mechanics, studying the signals and I know from a coach's perspective what I think refs do poorly. Please give me three focal points for my first year of HS ball in a couple of pretty competitive HS districts.

Thanks

[3rdPersonPlural]

The hardest adaptations (for me) from playing to officiating were mental:

1) Pulling the trigger on a foul took some learning. As a rule of thumb, new officials with a lax background are reluctant to throw out the flag, and new officials who've come over from another sport start off way to aggressive. You're gonna find yourself thinking 'Ref should have called that' and then it will dawn on you that you ARE the ref. Your playing instincts and your involvement in the game from a field perspective are too ingrained to make the transition easy.

2) Being in the right place, not all over the field. I don't know how many times I hesitated while crossing the midfield line and glanced over to see if a middie was going to stay back. For 35 years you've learned and taught that standing still out of the play was counterproductive, and you'll find it hard to just plop yourself down and watch. Staying in position (ahead of or behind the ball) during transition is really important to an official, but all of your playing experience will demand that you be somewhere else on the field, and you'll have to keep reminding yourself that you're doing the right thing.

3) Watching off the ball. This feels so wrong for a player but it's just so right for an official. Don't beat yourself up too much if you fail utterly in this discipline in your early games, or even in your early seasons. However, try to remember to work on this.

Hopefully, your assigner will team you up with senior officials, and study what they do. Ask a lot of questions. Try to align your calls with what they're calling. Don't feel bad if they call something that by rights should have been your call. Don't feel that you should call as many fouls as they do. Make a habit of pausing a second before throwing a flag or making a call. You make your mistakes trying to instantaneous on these.

Don't forget to count.

[CardinalPuff]

well done 3PP....i would add two words of advice that i took to heart early in my so called career and they came in handy: SELL IT!

when you make a call be firm in your conviction....be large with your signals, annunciate clearly and with confidence and be quick with your restarts....

[eme]

1. Does that infraction necessitate a flag or an immediate whistle?
2. Always vocalize and signal "Play ON" even if you plan to blow the whistle quickly.
3. Check with partner with a quick glance before you blow your whistle for a restart.

[shrekjr]

Great stuff so far. I'd add focus on something each game to work on...mechanic, rule, communication...something you feel you could improve on. You'll never stop learning, but you'll have a pretty good idea what you're not comfortable doing yet, so work on doing it. But don't try to do it all at once. You'll never be perfect!

To stress a previous comment, learn mechanics! I was always taught, "even if you blow the call, you can sell it if you're in position, but you'll never be able to sell the good calls if you're out of position". That being said, if you blow a call and can fix it before restarting, admit you're wrong and fix it.

[3rdPersonPlural]

I almost forgot! The bane of new refs.......GET THE NUMBER WHEN YOU THROW A FLAG!!!!!

Let he who once threw a flag that was followed by a nice stretch of play and who then remembered the call but not the number of the infractor raise his hand.

I thought so. That's everybody.

When you throw a flag, remember the number. You will almost certainly forget to do this before you've done 10 quarters, and will feel like an arse for it.

[PlayOn]

Now you'll get to find out why ref's are usually right. As a coach you probably only noticed things that didn't go your way.

My one piece of advice, which I learned in my first game: Don't get caught up trying to explain all your calls to the coaches. Getting in to situations where you may find yourself trying to quote the rule book in the heat of the game leads to problems, and the coaches just want to suck you in to an argument that you can't win.

Make your call, explain it once if you are compelled, and blow your whistle.

"He got pushed from behind coach, that's the call." Tweet!

Also I find sticking my finger out with the players jersey number helps me remember. Counting on your hands never gets old.

[pboyd]

New Official's Guidance taken from our training program:

Know the rules - get the call right
Get in condition - be in proper position
Understand On and Off Official responsibilities
Anticipate
Stay outside of play
Don’t get caught inside
Manage the game (be fair and consistent)
Work on communications (partner, bench, table)

Poise and confidence are the two major ingredients of a good official.

Being in position, good communications and getting the call right will indicate that you are in control

Take you time - keep your signals crisp, clear, confident and consistent. Good strong signals help portray officials as competent and in control

Review 2-Man Mechanics (www.zlax.net) regarding duties for the On and Off Official.

[massref]

All of the advice so far is right on, but as a new official, know how to blow your whistle. In my experience working with new officials, the coaches get all over you if you are wimpy when you blow the whistle or blow it so most people can't hear it. It seems like a little thing, but if the whistle isn't sharp, clear and loud, you are asking for a tough time. :whyme:

[inblack]

Great Advise, pardon me while i repeat a few ....

1) sell your call. you are the ref you are right. This is your confidence, your mannerisms, how you blow the whistle, make the signal ....

2) dont explain everything, you know the rule, it the coaches job to learn not yours to teach him.

3) position. be in position. But stay on you toes! transitions happen fast and you have to be ready yo move. all the anticipation in the world but you will still be there looking at the pass get intercepted and you say "Crap I have to beat that attack to the Goal Line, its 60 yrds away!!! Move it Ref!"

4) nothing wrong with being friendly after the game, talk to coaches players about the game, a rule, one of your calls. But talk dont argue. You NEED their respect you will have to earn it. This is one of may ways to get it. Your own life experience will tell you how to deal with certain people, apply that skill.

5) No matter how well you think you know the rules, NEVER stop reading the rule book. Buy/print a second copy and leave it on the toilet/couch/night stand. Never stop reading it.

6) Post game review yourself, you coached/played, you know how it should look. Assess yourself, you may find that you are your own best critic. The read up on the call you missed, or got wrong, look at the proper mechanic, then next game out ... work on this, get it into your game.

7) {last one} Your Referee Tool Box is huge, you can't master it on your own. Talk to your colleagues ask them questions, listen to them talk about other games they have called. Listen to what they did, how they handled that situation. Remember it. Some day you will find your self doing the exact same thing. You junior partner will ask you "how did you know to do that?" and your answer ... 'Some old timer once told me'. When that junior ref's turn comes ... what will his answer be?

[NCLAXREF]

All the above is great.

I would add, never lie to a coach. If you did not see it or you cannot explain it, do not call it.

Ask for help from a crewmate when needed.

[wolfenburg]

the very first point 3pp pointed out is the most importand and hardest I think, to blow the whistle/throw the flag when you see a foul. In practice when I am goalie I see so many fouls but when I first put on the zebra jersy I always was uncertain weather to call it or not.....

in addition:
For me it helped to talk to your self what the call will be (flag is down so you say to your self: red no. 10 slash 1 min. ) or very important: out by red ....
It happend so often, that you just forgot who touched the ball last.

The last point is: don't heasitade to decide, but take your time. In case there was some unclear situation (ground ball and ball whent off or some loose ball pushes so red touches blue so he pushed red ....) just decide what you belive is rigt and call it. If there is a fast restart the players will forget about the situation within seconds.

[PlayOn]

Excellent point about talking to yourself. I find that it is helpful to always say outloud who has possession and if it's moving quick i'll say "off blue" so if it goes out i can make the right call fast.

[Stormlax]

Guys,

Thanks tons. Pray for me, most of the coaches know me. I'm fit, keep the kids safe, keep the game flowing!

[laxzeeb]

I should have added this a while back. Players and coaches get alot of exposure to the rules, for obvious reasons. I wouldn't expect them to get much exposure to the mechanics. MDOC level 1 and 2 training is oriented towards two man mechanics. There are some key differences between the two and three man mechanics. A really good reference for me was the zlax site: http://www.zlax.net/. Good luck.

[6x6]

Hope you won't mind a non official throwing in my .02. As a parent who runs the table a lot, I really appreciate refs who communicate well with the table. They come over and clearly call the penalty, time, etc. so we can keep an accurate book. I'm always trying to break in new parents on how to work the table, keep the penalty clock etc and it its a pleasure working with refs that make our job easier.

Also, its appreciated when refs support the table staff. I don't mean they favor one side or the other but the good guys seem to back the table if an issue is brought to their attention. Two examples, it is my understanding that a player who has been penalized must remain in the box to serve the penalty. I've had a couple occasions where coaches have subbed the guy in the box out and it was not when the penalty was about to expire. I advised the coaches they couldn't and they said they could. At the next dead ball I advised the ref and was told not to worry about it. Another game involved coaches or players dropping F bombs repeatedly. Same situation where I notifed the refs after asking the offenders to stop because two women were workng the table but conduct was not modified. Again, received little support from officials.

Didn't mean to rant, 99% of you guys do a great job for what amounts to the love of the game because you're not paid nearly enough for the abuse you have to put up with.

[BlueJaysLaxFan]

Hope you won't mind a non official throwing in my .02. As a parent who runs the table a lot, I really appreciate refs who communicate well with the table. They come over and clearly call the penalty, time, etc. so we can keep an accurate book. I'm always trying to break in new parents on how to work the table, keep the penalty clock etc and it its a pleasure working with refs that make our job easier.

Also, its appreciated when refs support the table staff. I don't mean they favor one side or the other but the good guys seem to back the table if an issue is brought to their attention. Two examples, it is my understanding that a player who has been penalized must remain in the box to serve the penalty. I've had a couple occasions where coaches have subbed the guy in the box out and it was not when the penalty was about to expire. I advised the coaches they couldn't and they said they could. At the next dead ball I advised the ref and was told not to worry about it. Another game involved coaches or players dropping F bombs repeatedly. Same situation where I notifed the refs after asking the offenders to stop because two women were workng the table but conduct was not modified. Again, received little support from officials.

Didn't mean to rant, 99% of you guys do a great job for what amounts to the love of the game because you're not paid nearly enough for the abuse you have to put up with.

Interesting points...if a table official brings up a penalizable action, do we penalize right away based on their report, do we assess on an individual basis based on what we also did or did not observe, or do we strictly warn if we did not witness the action?

I have penalized the bench or player for illegal substitution or early penalty releases based on the table official's report, but I've not run into a USC situation for F bombs and the like. Of course, this has been at games where the table official knew enough about the rules, as opposed to the girlfriend of a player who basically runs the clock and updates the scorebook. So, I would take the word of a table official if during my pregame conversation with them or during the game, I was convinced that they are giving me a fair unbiased assessment.

[Woodenstick]

Interesting points...if a table official brings up a penalizable action, do we penalize right away based on their report, do we assess on an individual basis based on what we also did or did not observe, or do we strictly warn if we did not witness the action?

I have penalized the bench or player for illegal substitution or early penalty releases based on the table official's report, but I've not run into a USC situation for F bombs and the like. Of course, this has been at games where the table official knew enough about the rules, as opposed to the girlfriend of a player who basically runs the clock and updates the scorebook. So, I would take the word of a table official if during my pregame conversation with them or during the game, I was convinced that they are giving me a fair unbiased assessment.

You pose some very good questions.

Illegal substitution where a penalized player is replaced: in this case the violation has absolutely no effect on the game (the substituted player and substitute are off the field), so I would tend to treat this as a trivial infraction, just give a warning.

Illegal substitution of a player on the field, early leaving box on penalty, illegal exchange of crosse: NFHS Rule 2-8 says that the timekeeper gives a double horn if these are observed. So the rulebook explicitly recognizes the timekeeper's authority over these items. But the rulebook does not explicitly state that the referee must penalize these based on the scorekeeper's information. So I think that you have to exercise some judgment here. Early leaving the box on penalty, you almost always have to go with what the timekeeper says. The others, I think that you might have some leeway, especially if the infraction seems trivial, less so if it seems important.

USC: I would not call this based solely on information from the scorer's table if I did not observe the conduct. I would certainly give a warning and keep on eye for future infractions though. The F-bomb conduct mentioned above is intolerable.

[laxfan224]

I am fairly new myself to officiating and one thing I learned is to read all the A.R's in the rulebook. There are some great examples in there that cover most questions you will have. There are some A.R's that make you wonder in which game that actually happened and how!!!

Speaking of, during the Sugar Bowl game last night I was able to dive into the rule book some more and read one A.R. that stood out to me.

A.R. 116. Team A scores the game-winning goal in a sudden victory period. The head coach of Team B requests an equipment inspection after the sudden victory goal has been scored to determine the legality of the crosse. RULING: The game has ended. No inspection is permitted.

With that in there, it opens up players to use an illegal stick in overtime and score. The issue is that if they get caught before the goal is scored. Running through six players, tripping, and the ball still in the stick might tip off an opposing coach.

Imagine how the game would be played if players actually read the rulebook?

[eme]

If an opponent dodges through six people, falls repeatedly, and still has the ball in his stick, this might prompt the observant opposing coach to ask for an equipment check. But it can't be after the winning goal...it has to be before.

[6x6]

[QUOTE=Woodenstick;1422469]You pose some very good questions.

Illegal substitution where a penalized player is replaced: in this case the violation has absolutely no effect on the game (the substituted player and substitute are off the field), so I would tend to treat this as a trivial infraction, just give a warning.

Yeah, I agree it was a minor matter. I don't get crazy being a hard *** trying to enforce all the rules such as making players either sit or kneel in front of the table as the rules require; as long as other players can sub in and out and the penalized player is not obstructing my view. Yet, in this situation after the coach had done it twice I mentioned it and he basically blew me off. That's when I mentioned it to the official and no warning was given so I kind of felt like I could have been supported a bit more.

But I'm used to it, my wife of 37 years ignores me too. (which is good most of the time!)

[3rdPersonPlural]

I mentioned it to the official and no warning was given so I kind of felt like I could have been supported a bit more.



One thing I've learned from experienced officials is to take your time briefing the scorer's table. Rookies at the table need some preparation, and experienced table people will (and should) ask questions that set the expectations you found to be unset here.

Particularly if it's less than 3 officials, Ask the refs what you should do if there's profanity on the bench, or sketchy substitution happening, or if a timekeeping error is made.

I can never hurt to do this. If the ref works with you at this point, he'll work with you during the game. If he blows you off, well, you know that your contribution should be limited to running the clock. His loss.

[inblack]

If you allow the penalized player back onto his bench before his penalty time has expired: ....

1) How is the offender punished if he does not have to serve his entire penalty in the timers area and 'feel shame'.

2) The team gets an advantage they just brought thier 'star' player back into the bench to be part of a coaching discussion or a play design.

3) If the time served is long enough, say 2 or three minutes, they could sneek the penalized player back on to the field through a normal substitution (if the timer is no educated to watch for this or is not paying attnetion) or through a time out called.

I dont see this this as a 'minor' offence. to many potential advantages to the penalized team.

[3rdPersonPlural]

In Black, you're thinkin' Box. In field lacrosse, the only thing that separates the penalty box from the bench is a chalk or imaginary line. Strategy sessions are not thereby impeded.

[coaches gal]

I just want to echo what 6x6 said [funny that we work the same tables!]...

A ref that clearly and loudly tells the table who the penalty is on and for how long is worth his weight in gold! It really helps being able to hear over the coaches and players.

And I'll echo what you veterans have said - sell your calls! I hear all the wonderful grumbling of the coaches, but most won't grumple for long if you show your authority [they'll still grumble, but not as bad or for as long LOL]

[6x6]

In Black, you're thinkin' Box. In field lacrosse, the only thing that separates the penalty box from the bench is a chalk or imaginary line. Strategy sessions are not thereby impeded.

I'd guess this is probably one of the reasons for the rule of having the penalized player sitting near the bench. Although only a few yards away, it's much harder for a coach to watch the game while coaching the kid in the box too. Plus anything said strategy wise would be overheard by opposing team, which wouldn't happen if the kid is allowed to stand/kneel next to the coach and line. So, inblack has made very good points and maybe table staff should be strickly following the rules, myself included.

[3rdPersonPlural]

You're right, 6x6.

I looked up a thread we had a while back on scorer's table management.

http://www.lacrosseforums.com/showthread.php?t=78386&highlight=scorer%27s+table

Maybe we can inveigle LaxRef to provide a link to MDOC's pdf of AVO's cheat sheet?

Edit: Who can count on LR anyway? Here's the links: http://www.uslacrosse.org/mens_div/pdf/NFHS_Timer.pdf

http://www.uslacrosse.org/mens_div/pdf/Scorer.pdf

[6x6]

that's great, thanks for the info!

[gripitandripit]

Not so much an "official" duty, more of a social and personal one: form courteous relationships with the players and coaches you're officiating for! As a former player I still remember the officials that were friendly and approachable. Don't forget that everybody on the field and the sidelines loves the game and there's no reason why you can't enjoy it together. Build a reputation as a firm, fair, knowledgeable and friendly official and the players will show their appreciation by playing hard and clean.

[3rdPersonPlural]

To translate Grip's superlative advice into terms that a first year official can use, keep in mind that your relationship with the kids you ref will last several years, and your relationship with the coaches may well last longer.

Stormlax, you've probably already established good roots in the lax community, and since your area plays 'pretty competitive' lax, I trust that the coaches understand that the transition to the dark side takes some learnin' and that they can't bully you. That's a strong head start, sure, but you'll need to enure that goodwill by putting your heart into your work, and, as Grip so eloquently put it, "build a reputation as a firm, fair, knowledgeable and friendly official and the players will show their appreciation by playing hard and clean.

[Woodenstick]

One thing I've learned from experienced officials is to take your time briefing the scorer's table. Rookies at the table need some preparation, and experienced table people will (and should) ask questions that set the expectations you found to be unset here.

Particularly if it's less than 3 officials, Ask the refs what you should do if there's profanity on the bench, or sketchy substitution happening, or if a timekeeping error is made.

I can never hurt to do this. If the ref works with you at this point, he'll work with you during the game. If he blows you off, well, you know that your contribution should be limited to running the clock. His loss.

I agree, it is critical for the referee that you spend time making sure the table people know what to do. Even better, give them the handout with instructions along with the oral discussion. When they screw up, it can produce a nightmare. I remember one of my first youth games, the timekeeper didn't know that a technical foul was only 30 seconds, and the home team scored man up when the penalty should have been released. Fortunately, the home team voluntarily conceded the goal, not sure what I would have done to fix the problem otherwise. If I had made sure that the timer knew a technical foul was only 30 seconds, I would not have had this problem.

[LaxRef]

You're right, 6x6.

I looked up a thread we had a while back on scorer's table management.

http://www.lacrosseforums.com/showthread.php?t=78386&highlight=scorer%27s+table

Maybe we can inveigle LaxRef to provide a link to MDOC's pdf of AVO's cheat sheet?

Edit: Who can count on LR anyway? Here's the links: http://www.uslacrosse.org/mens_div/pdf/NFHS_Timer.pdf

http://www.uslacrosse.org/mens_div/pdf/Scorer.pdf

Um, aren't those my cheat sheets? :thinking:

This thread brings up a good point: in my experience, the penalized team has always been allowed to bring in the guy they want in the game when the penalty expires when 5 seconds remain in the penalty. It's not in the rules, it's just always been done that way in my region. Is this done elsewhere?

At one level, there is an advantage, since Team A gets A2 on the field maybe 2 seconds faster than they could have gotten A1 back on the field (if A1 was serving the penalty). However, if both teams can do this on each penalty, it's kind of a wash.

This might be one to submit to the NCAA and NFHS rules committees.

[Woodenstick]

I agree with LR. In 40 years of playing, coaching and refereeing, I have never seen a referee require a penalized player to step onto the field and then off before being substituted. Requiring a penalized player to enter and then exit the field in order to be substituted strikes me as a strained reading of the rules, and contrary to long standing practice.

If the substitute for the penalized player steps into the table area ready to play when the penalty release is imminent, it seems to me that he has met the requirements of NFHS Rule 4-24 and should be able to go directly onto the field. Technically the substitution occurs when the penalty is released, and therefore the rule against substituting a penalized player is not violated.

Technically, the penalized player is supposed to stay in the box until the penalty is up, but who cares if he leaves 5 seconds early to go sit on the bench. Any team benefit is trivial, and him leaving reduces the crowd and confusion in the table area.

[eme]

LaxRef is correct in that there is no specific language in either NCAA or NFHS rulebook about procedure(s) for the penalized player being allowed to go to his bench when 5 seconds or so remain in his penalty and his sub taking his place in the special substitution area. Perhaps it's a very loose and free reading of 4-23-b "A player may not enter the special-sub area until his substitution is imminent."

[inblack]

We use that same mechanic here, you can bring in the substitutre 5 sec before the end of the time served. We say he must take a knee up by the line, and his teammate has to remain in the timers ares until the penalty has expired.

I BELIEVE that this is detailed in the CLA rule book (I hate quoting rules, I'm terrible at quotes) and if it is then I would believe that it is in the ILF rules as well. Since we have only slightly modified those for Canada.

[6x6]

I totally agree with you experts and my inital post on this was not complaining about an imminent sub as I think it would be [edited] to complain about that while also hindering the flow of the game. Rather, the coach twice took a penalized player out of the box immediately when play resumed and switched him with another player. Each time they were 1 minute penalties.

[LaxRef]

I totally agree with you experts and my inital post on this was not complaining about an imminent sub as I think it would be [edited] to complain about that while also hindering the flow of the game. Rather, the coach twice took a penalized player out of the box immediately when play resumed and switched him with another player. Each time they were 1 minute penalties.

Sorry, I may have misread your post. You are correct: you can't sub the guy out immediately. This would make it difficult to make sure he didn't sneak back into the game. With 5 seconds left in the penalty, this is not an issue.

If this happened in a game I was officiating, I would warn once, get the player back in the box, and penalize with a USC if it happened again.

[inblack]

Depending on the age level of the game, ... we do the same thing here.
The older/'more experienced' the players/coaches the less likely we are to warn.

I know the age of the players does not mean that they or thier coaches are more experienced or smarter. But, we still have some faith that by the time they are 16 (Midget) and have been playing for a few years ......

They might know the rules.