Inadvertant Flag Down

[shrekjr]

YEEHAW, IT'S LACROSSE TIME IN TEXAS!!!

We had our district meeting today, but I'm not any smarter now than I was before, just full of new information I have to figure out what to do with.

The most common thought regarding the new rules was whether or not all the rotator cuff surgeries this next off-season due to new mechanics will be covered by insurance. The big hot topic of the day didn't have anything to do with new rules, it had to do with the mechanics of handling an inadvertant flag down. Man, you talk about the fur flyin'! Here's the example.....

Team A in possesion (create your own multiple scenarios about what is happening as A approaches the attack box or goal). As you shout "Flag down" right in front of Team B's coach and the flag is returning to earth from one of your all-time highest launches, B's coach has the standard cardiac arrest as he points out all the necessary defenders on the proper side of the line, and most likely throws in a few choice words about your vision and family heritage. Saving the coaches behavior (which you incorrectly incited) for another post, now what do you do.....the play is going on and you have a flag down that isn't meant to be.

Many suggestions were made to support several possibilities. We were told that for now, we are to let the play continue as though there were a legitimate flag down and then decide who to award the ball to based on the result of the play. I heard there were 42 of us in the room so I guess we had about 42 different thoughts and opinions.

What do you guys think?

[rilax]

Here is what I would do:

Let the play go until there is an event that would stop a flag down situation. Now this would result in three possibilities: 1) A still has the ball i.e. entering and leaving the goal area; 2) The ball is on the ground; and 3) B gains position or there is a missed shot that lands in the crease. Once a flag down sit normally ends blow the whistle then eat the flag then for: 1) let A keep the ball; 2) AP; and 3) let B get the ball. Realizing that this does create some strange situations for example a shot the misses the goal and keeper by rule would kill the flag down before it goes out of bounds and in my theory would go to the A.P arrow. Basically there is a delayed inadvertent whistle (which is always about as much fun as being stuck with the bar tab).

Edit: unless A is just farting around and B is not really doing anything then just kill it

[eme]

Go the very last section of the rulebook..."Mistakes by Officials." I know how oxymoronic that sounds...but it happens every other year or so...

I am going by memory: In the case of an inadvertent whistle or an inadvertent flag, the A team that had possession at the moment of the whistle or the flag being thrown will retain possession. Unless there is a goal scored or some personal foul on the possessing team...

The questrion is what do you do while A retains possession, that flag sits there, and you know it's not supposed to be there. Do you pick it up, wave it around giving the inadvertent flag signal for the world to see and put it back in your pocket? Or do let the play run and then give the ball back to A when the dust settles?

[LaxRef]

NCAA Rule 7-12 has this to say:

A.R. 59. In the case of a play-on, an inadvertent flag or an inadvertent whistle, possession shall be awarded to the team that had possession or, if the ball was loose, by alternate possession.

Unfortunately, this doesn't tell you whether to kill the play immediately or not. If team A isn't really attacking the goal, you clearly stop the play. But what if you let the play continue and a goal is scored? Do you allow the goal? I can't think of a situation in which the defense would be less motivated to prevent a goal than usual just because a flag iis down. However, it's not entirely fair to the offense to have them take a shot believing they'll maintain possession and be man-up and then have them lose the ball.

So I guess my inclination is to kill the play. But I'm not at all sure about it.

[Laxref_36]

It would be my inclination, while eating humble pie and the flag, to let the offense continue what they are doing. Let play continue as a flag down, the offense is going to get the ball back. Do not stop the play, just because there is a flag on the ground, doesn't mean you compound the mistake by ending a scoring play. Adjudicate the game as if you were going to enforce the penalize. Should the ball go in the goal, good goal, faceoff no penalty awarded.

[ref4ee]

Adjudicate the game as if you were going to enforce the penalize. Should the ball go in the goal, good goal, faceoff no penalty awarded.

I think you have to adjudicate as if there is a flag down....remember you have a partner or two who did not see the play; they only heard you yell "flag down". They (and you) should keep it moving as if the flag was real, becasue it is real to everyone on the field except you. If you kill it early you are potentially taking advantage away from the team that has the ball. After the play is killed, then award based on possession or alternate possession if the ball was loose.

[shrekjr]

I agree with everything said so far. The problem is there is not a written answer. I can come up with scenarios that penalize both offense and/or defense depending on the situation. For all you guys who have influence, please start a year early on getting something in the book about this.

[LaxRef]

I agree with everything said so far. The problem is there is not a written answer. I can come up with scenarios that penalize both offense and/or defense depending on the situation. For all you guys who have influence, please start a year early on getting something in the book about this.

Here you go:

Inadvertent Flags and Whistles
SECTION 13. At the time of an inadvertent whistle, play must be stopped immediately. In the case of an inadvertent flag or horn, officials will stop play at the earliest opportunity that does not interfere with an imminent scoring opportunity. Possession shall be awarded as follows:

(a) A team with, or entitled to, possession at the time of the whistle shall restart play with possession.

(b) If neither team has or is entitled to possession at the time of the whistle, the ball shall be awarded by the AP rule (unless the ball is in the crease, in which case it is awarded to the defense 20 yards lateral to the goal).

(c) If play continues after an inadvertent flag or horn and: (1) A goal is scored, play will be restarted with a faceoff; (2) A shot is taken with no goal scored, the ball shall be awarded by alternate possession outside the attack area; or (3) No shot is taken, the ball is awarded to the team last in possession.

Except in the case of a faceoff, play shall be restarted at the spot the ball was when the whistle blew or outside the attack area.