Difficulties w/different sets of rules...

[boxlaxman]

Here in the DC area, the publics play NFHS and the privates play NCAA. If they play each other, home field determines the rules used. In addition, some of the private conferences (we have 3 in the area) have adopted "modifications" to the NCAA rules (only quarter stick checks, TO's anywhere, etc.)

My point is that sometimes my day starts with a private school, NCAA game and then goes to a public, NFHS game. I am averaging about 1-2 mistakes a game on counts (forgetting to start counts when shots leave the box) and restart whistles (stealing the FO whistle thinking I am the trail when I am really single-side), etc...little stuff that no one really notices but me and my crew but still...trying to call it perfect each and every time.

I have been doing this for a long time but the mental adjustments are getting tougher. Just really whining and looking to see if anyone else is having the same problems....:nut:

[LaxRef]

Here in the DC area, the publics play NFHS and the privates play NCAA. If they play each other, home field determines the rules used. In addition, some of the private conferences (we have 3 in the area) have adopted "modifications" to the NCAA rules (only quarter stick checks, TO's anywhere, etc.)

My point is that sometimes my day starts with a private school, NCAA game and then goes to a public, NFHS game. I am averaging about 1-2 mistakes a game on counts (forgetting to start counts when shots leave the box) and restart whistles (stealing the FO whistle thinking I am the trail when I am really single-side), etc...little stuff that no one really notices but me and my crew but still...trying to call it perfect each and every time.

I have been doing this for a long time but the mental adjustments are getting tougher. Just really whining and looking to see if anyone else is having the same problems....:nut:

Sure. You start out with the 109 or so rule differences between NCAA and NFHS and then you add in other variations, it's hard to keep them all straight.

As an assigner, I've worked hard to keep rule variations to a minimum. Through tons of work, I got essentially all of our sub-varsity leagues to go with the same rules, with a few modifications as lower levels than JV mirroring the USL youth rules for each age group.

Sometimes, the officials association just have to put its collective foot down and say, "We won't work your league if you vary the rules in that way." We've done that a few times. Also, the key word when negotiating is consistency: "Coaches, if you want consistency in officiating, you need to keep the rules the same from game to game and league to league." That's a word they all understand.

[boxlaxman]

Thwe other aspect is we have 2-man contracts with all of the publics and 3-man contracts with all of the privates. That's where the retart issues come in...

[Woodenstick]

Only NCAA vs. NFHS? Add in 2 youth leagues, each with different rules at every level of play.....penalties v. fast breaks, one handed checks yes or no, timers, no timers....

[laxcomm]

To make HS All American in swimming, all swimmers must swim under NFHS Rules. To make HS All Ameican in lacrosse, the group that is in charge of those awards can do the same thing.

[LaxRef]

Only NCAA vs. NFHS? Add in 2 youth leagues, each with different rules at every level of play.....penalties v. fast breaks, one handed checks yes or no, timers, no timers....

And, of course, there are officials who can't or won't even keep the big rule differences straight. I see a lot of frustrated HS face-off men who ask at the beginning of the game if we'll be saying "set" today or not.

[CardinalPuff]

And, of course, there are officials who can't or won't even keep the big rule differences straight. I see a lot of frustrated HS face-off men who ask at the beginning of the game if we'll be saying "set" today or not.

guilty as charged :banghead: ....the problem is i don't recall not saying "set" until the face off man reminds me the next time....very embarrassing.

[LaxRef]

guilty as charged :banghead: ....the problem is i don't recall not saying "set" until the face off man reminds me the next time....very embarrassing.

For the first couple face-offs of each game, I tell them, "Guys, it's going to be down, set, whistle" (or "down, whistle" for college), more for me than for them.

[boxlaxman]

guilty as charged :banghead: ....the problem is i don't recall not saying "set" until the face off man reminds me the next time....very embarrassing.

It is so tough...yesterday I did private NCAA at 4pm and public NFHS at 7pm..:WTF:

On a serious note, I ALWAYS reface if I give the wrong cadence...it's embarrasing BUT it's the right thing to do. Only happened 2x during the first week....

[CardinalPuff]

On a serious note, I ALWAYS reface if I give the wrong cadence...it's embarrasing BUT it's the right thing to do. Only happened 2x during the first week....
it isn't chronic...in fact, i can recall it happening once this season during my first HS game and i didn't realize i hadn't given a "set" until the next face off (far too late to correct)...

however, on Sundays (post graduate men's league) i've forgotten more than once and the players don't even notice or haven't said anything (unlikely)...

i guess i'm just a 'down-whistle' kind of official.

[pboyd]

We had two "illegal procedure" calls on the FO official last night for similar problem - came from NCAA Rules to Federation Rules game and kept forgetting the "Set" - Illegal Procegal on official - reface.

[boxlaxman]

We had two "illegal procedure" calls on the FO official last night for similar problem - came from NCAA Rules to Federation Rules game and kept forgetting the "Set" - Illegal Procedure on official - reface.
Did you have to officiate by yourself for 30 seconds?:rofl: OR

Did he just "turnover" his whistle to you?? :rolling: