Face off Question

[Laxdude]

At one of my games, our guy taking the face got called because his fingers on his left hand were extended- not holding the stick tightly. Is this a real rule, or was it just the good ole' homer ref acting up again?

[CoachRob]

At one of my games, our guy taking the face got called because his fingers on his left hand were extended- not holding the stick tightly. Is this a real rule, or was it just the good ole' homer ref acting up again?

See the following rule:
Rule 4-3, ART. 4 . . . The official shall make certain that the reverse surfaces of the crosses match evenly, and each player shall have both hands on the handle of his own crosse, touching the ground but not touching any strings of the crosse. The player’s feet may not touch his crosse. Both hands and both feet of each player shall be to the left of the throat of his crosse. The handle may touch the center line but not cross it completely. The feet shall be behind the line and not touching it. No portion of either crosse may touch, and each player shall be positioned so that his entire body is to the left of the throat of his crosse. It is legal to lean over the center line.

I think the following case directly addresses your issue:
4.3 SITUATION I: On a face-off, A1 has his thumb around the handle of his crosse and his fingertips resting on the ground. RULING: Illegal face-off position. All fingers of both hands must be gloved and wrapped around the crosse and must be resting on the ground. Award ball to Team B.

So it was not a "homer". It was an illegal face off position.

[Laxdude]

Well, he still was a homer, but he got at least one call right

[LaxRef]

Well, he still was a homer, but he got at least one call right

If you can pass a comprehensive test on the rules and mechanics, then maybe we'll believe your evaluation of the officials. If you can't, well, we'll just figure that it's sour grapes.

[3rdPersonPlural]

In my experience refs err on the side of the visiting team. For a ref, being called a 'Homer' is as bad as....as...........as.......as an African American being called a *****. Better be damn sure before launching that accusation.

I agree with LaxRef. Sour Grapes. Makes great Sauvignon Blanc but poor Lacrosse.