Rules forum to be closed

[LaxRef]

After extensive discussions with Mark, we have decided that we have now covered all possible topics of discussion about the NCAA and NFHS rules, so, effective at the end of today, the rules forum will be closed. No new posts will be permitted, although the forum will still be here so people can search prior posts for the answers to their questions.

We do acknowledge that there may be new topics of discussion generated each year in light of rules changes, so the rules forum will be opened for one day per year. The first such day will be exactly one year from today.

Thank you for your past participation in this forum. We realize some of you will miss the forum, but it just seemed pointless to keep answering the same questions over an over when they've all already been answered.

-LaxRef
Lacrosse Rules and Officiating Forum Moderator

[dislaxxic]

LaxRef failed to mention that he has recently agreed to become the new Executive Director of the National Federation of High School Associations Athletic Director's Intellectual Rehabilitation Foundation and will be moving back to Indianapolis in the coming weeks to assume his new duties...which will preclude his assiduous attention to this forum.

Congrats, LR!

[tjslax]

April Fools? Those of us who are new officials and new to the Forum hope so.

[CoachRob]

No, it is quite true. I as a moderator was part of the decision. We have collectively covered every topic and posted every quiz that we can think of in a written forum. We briefly discussed setting up monthly meetings for all willing participants, but due to residing in different states, we ruled that out. The SEARCH feature can be used to find most answers. You can (and should) always ask your local rules interpreter. I will be posting local interpreter phone #'s by state to assist you, but that list is not yet compiled. (I'm only a volunteer.)

It has been a grand ride, but today IS your last day until next season. Rulebooks can be purchased through the NFHS website and should be referenced for all questions you might have. NCAA rules can be downloaded for FREE in .pdf format from their website.

It just became too much for all involved, and nobody EVER really understood Simultaneous Fouls (Rule 7-6) anyway no matter HOW hard we worked at explaining it. There is, we found, a limit to written communication. LaxRef, Snake-Eyes, Mark, and I all felt the continuation of a daily forum was without merit.

Thanks for your tremendous support and loyalty, and PLAY FAIR! We'll be watching. ;=)

-CoachRob
Lacrosse Rules and Officiating Forum Co-Moderator

[stegmakk]

say it aint so...that was a great feature of these forums that kept it how do I say...interesting for all ages...it mainted a certain level of credability to the forums where there just wasn't the typical rif-raf...bah...it will be missed...but congrats on the new job LR

[Vector_Joe]

Thanks for your tremendous support and loyalty, and PLAY FAIR! We'll be watching. ;=)

-CoachRob
Lacrosse Rules and Officiating Forum Co-Moderator

I'm pretty sure that this is an April Fools Joke, but theoretically speaking, some comments:

1) April 1 is a bad day for this forum to be open. The season has already started for some/many teams. If this forum would be open for one day only, you would think that it should be open before the season starts and open for at least 3 days to allow discussion. Otherwise, why open at all. (big reason that I think this is April fools- and if not, a big reason why I think this is a bad idea!)

2) In my opinion, all topics have not been covered.

3) Is this one forum (one of the more mature forums I would think on this board) such a bandwidth drain that it couldn't be kept up.

4) Even if LaxRef and CoachRob decide that this is too much time to keep up, I know that we have a lot of members with the integrity to keep up the moderators position. (A moderator doesn't have to be the most knowledgable expert on the topic, just someone to keep an eye on the behaviour of the posters).

5) In this time where we are trying to expand the sport as much as possible and grow it in other parts of the country (away from the easter part), I think it is one of the worst things IL/TLF could do. This is probably the best interactive internet resource for refs, especially new ones. Why would you stifle discussion?

6) Not really going to comment too much about LR's new job, except to say congratulations if it is true, but I googled and yahoo'd it and it doesn't come up with anything. From what I understand, "Intellectual Rehabilitation" refers to a sort of renaissance in thinking/philosophy/understanding.

So I am convinced that this is an April fools joke, (and if it is not, then I think it is the wrong thing to do). I guess well see at midnight.
:nut:

[exile lacrosse]

i agree that the day should be earlier, maybe a week or two after new changes are announced. If this was the day it was opened, i know teams that have already had a few games and it would be better to ask questions about new rules BEFORE the game

[waxon]

Happy April Fools to you too

[stegmakk]

I thought April fool's joke at first...but then CoachRob added his 2 cents...
Damn re-reading it...I guess it is a joke and I got fooled too...damn good one guys!

[Snake~eyes]

Guys, what you have read is not an April Fools joke. It has been a lot of fun but the Officiating forum is taking up too much space and bandwidth to continue it. Hopefully you can all open up your rulebook and read it. And if you have any last questions post quickly. Finally, if after its closed, you need to know somthing just feel free to PM LaxRef or CoachRob. It was fun guys, see you in the othe forums.

[roycegracie47]

So if this isn't an April Fool's joke, shouldn't you sticky this so it will be right at the top of the page to set things straight??

[ploaref]

Well, if true, there's always the NFHS rules forum and the one at LaxPower, but they have been traditionally pretty weak and boring...for those of us sure to be Jonesin on rules subjects, check them out.

As CoachRob pointed out, it sounds like you can still come here to search archives on a specific rules question...so thankfully this will continue to be a good repositry of rules knowledge.

Maybe the SOC will pick this up? Stay tuned...

In 23 years of reffing, i see several brand new things happen in games each year, so i'd say it would be next to impossible to exhaust topics of discussion...this IS a huge amount of work though (to be so thorough, interesting and educational) so THANKS to all the moderators who make this forum what it is.

[zebra618]

If true - a real shame.

I really hope it is an April Fools.

[AZReDWiNG]

you people are gullible idiots

that is all.

[jmplax31]

you guys are bad.....:loser:

[ThePflash]

you people are gullible idiots

that is all.

Why? I don't see how it would be a very funny April Fools Joke, so why make it one. It seems kind of lame if it was one. We aren't idiots, there was nothing to fall for.
If it really is a joke then I'll be very surprised, it just doesnt seem too funny or something that they would think up to do just as a joke.

:thumbsdow Azredwing

[CoachRob]

No, it isn't true. We were just kidding. It was a joke for some fun. It's APRIL FOOLS day! Nobody ever does anything fun except try to hurt other people (putting tacks on chairs, tying shoes together, etc.) We wouldn't leave the forum and let everybody hang without some outlet for questions.

We certainly didn't want to offend anybody. It was meant to be a lighthearted joke, nothing more, nothing less. Rules can get, let's say boring, at times?!?!?

You can count on us to stick with it and keep the lacrosse rules dialog going. This is, IMHO, the best section on The Lacrosse Forums, and we certainly hope to keep it that way.

So keep posting, I'll keep giving answers, and LaxRef and others will keep correcting me and giving more complete answers than I can come up with.

Have fun. Lacrosse season is here!!! The team I coach is 1-1, so I'm happy so far. Rules have played a big part in both games, and this forum has helped me a whole bunch by forcing me to think about situations BEFORE they arise during games. And that's the point of this board.

So Pflash, don't be upset if indeed you are. If we take ourselves too seriously here, we'll all go daft over time.

[FredtheCat]

Haha, you did a good job convincing at least some of us...

[Laxref_36]

No, it isn't true. We were just kidding. It was a joke for some fun. It's APRIL FOOLS day! Nobody ever does anything fun except try to hurt other people (putting tacks on chairs, tying shoes together, etc.) We wouldn't leave the forum and let everybody hang without some outlet for questions.

We certainly didn't want to offend anybody. It was meant to be a lighthearted joke, nothing more, nothing less. Rules can get, let's say boring, at times?!?!?

You can count on us to stick with it and keep the lacrosse rules dialog going. This is, IMHO, the best section on The Lacrosse Forums, and we certainly hope to keep it that way.

So keep posting, I'll keep giving answers, and LaxRef and others will keep correcting me and giving more complete answers than I can come up with.

Have fun. Lacrosse season is here!!! The team I coach is 1-1, so I'm happy so far. Rules have played a big part in both games, and this forum has helped me a whole bunch by forcing me to think about situations BEFORE they arise during games. And that's the point of this board.

So Pflash, don't be upset if indeed you are. If we take ourselves too seriously here, we'll all go daft over time.

Coach Rob and Laxref,

That will be a one minute unreleasable Unsportmanslike Conduct foul on you both. The moderator team will be down two men for one minute non-release. Next one will be an ejection.

Laxref_36 :laugh:

[Snake~eyes]

Coach Rob and Laxref,

That will be a one minute unreleasable Unsportmanslike Conduct foul on you both. The moderator team will be down two men for one minute non-release. Next one will be an ejection.

Laxref_36 :laugh:
Hahahah... i got off, he didn't notice me.. I guess what fans say about refs being blind IS true...

[LaxRef]

Well, as you know by now, it was an April Fool's joke, and we aren't going anywhere. I was surprised when CoachRob and Snake~eyes jumped in on the joke; I didn't think it would last that long. Anyway, it's good to know so many of you feel so strongly about the rules forum.

I had thought about doing a rule-based gag, like that the "experimental rule" had now been apporived for all levels and took effect immediately, but I didn't want to have it affect any games because people bought it, so I went with this one instead.

There's actually some historical context for the premise here: someone once claimed that everything that could be invented had been invented. Well, actually, lots of people have said this--and obviously been wrong--but the one I'm thinking of was clearly unfit for his job because of it:

"Everything that can be invented has been invented."
Charles Duell, Commissioner, U.S. Patent Office, 1899

Anyway, I think we still have lots to talk about!

[AZReDWiNG]

Why? I don't see how it would be a very funny April Fools Joke, so why make it one. It seems kind of lame if it was one. We aren't idiots, there was nothing to fall for.
If it really is a joke then I'll be very surprised, it just doesnt seem too funny or something that they would think up to do just as a joke.

:thumbsdow Azredwing

be surprised :D

[exile lacrosse]

wow im feeling pretty gullible right now. that was funny, you guys really had me convinced.

[Snake~eyes]

Well, as you know by now, it was an April Fool's joke, and we aren't going anywhere. I was surprised when CoachRob and Snake~eyes jumped in on the joke; I didn't think it would last that long. Anyway, it's good to know so many of you feel so strongly about the rules forum.
What? You don't feel CoachRob and I like to have fun? :thinking: :nut:

[CoachRob]

Hey, we're fun guys too Snake. I like you, no matter *WHAT* LaxRef says about you behind your back!!

[LaxRef]

Hey, we're fun guys too Snake. I like you, no matter *WHAT* LaxRef says about you behind your back!!

Dude, sshhhhh! I told you that was between you and me. :chuckle:

[HdGLaxWarrior]

Hey, I'll miss it. Thanks for all the help.

[CoachRob]

wow im feeling pretty gullible right now. that was funny, you guys really had me convinced.

But exile, it's the mark of a good ref when he can make you THINK he is right even if he is NOT. Do you know how many times LR and Snake (I haven't reffed formally yet; I just passed my licensing exam) have goofed in games yet kept their cool and nobody noticed they made an inadvertant error? Since these guys are some of the best refs around, they have lots of practice pulling this type of stuff.

25% of the time when they call a loose ball push, it isn't because they actually SAW a loose ball push. It's only because they want the ball off the ground so the game can get going again (lax isn't meant to be played stooped over hacking at sticks fighting for loose balls, as occurs 40% of the time during our middle school games). But they blow their whistles and bark out the call so darned convincingly that nobody questions it. In all honesty, it is part of being a solid official and I as a coach appreciate that in a good ref. Hey, errors happen. It's to their credit they sell it convincingly so we can play the game versus questioning every single call. That would stink.

So, don't feel bad. It was all for fun and just silly stuff. :agree:

[Snake~eyes]

Dude, sshhhhh! I told you that was between you and me. :chuckle:
Well just wait until I talk to Mark...and no this is not an April fools joke... :loser:

But exile, it's the mark of a good ref when he can make you THINK he is right even if he is NOT. Do you know how many times LR and Snake (I haven't reffed formally yet; I just passed my licensing exam) have goofed in games yet kept their cool and nobody noticed they made an inadvertant error?
Sorry but I'm never wrong, I don't make mistakes.. now Laxref on the other hand.... :concerned