Right call?

[JedimasterKyle]

In our last fall league game, I was accidentaly checked in the throat by a teammate. The ref called a 90 second penalty on my teammate (slashing). When my coach questioned him, he called a 30 second unsportsmanlike on him. We didn't let the other team score, but I was wondering if this was the right call. I think it isn't because you can't penalize the teammate who accidentally hit you.

[LaxRef]

In our last fall league game, I was accidentaly checked in the throat by a teammate. The ref called a 90 second penalty on my teammate (slashing). When my coach questioned him, he called a 30 second unsportsmanlike on him. We didn't let the other team score, but I was wondering if this was the rigth call. I think it isn't because you can't penalize the teammate who accidentally hit you.

Wrong call. Slashing is defined in terms of hitting an opponent. Also, it's highly unusual to call a 90 second personal foul; although a literal reading of the rules allows it, practice is for personal fouls to be 1, 2, or 3 minutes. Finally, you can't make a USC foul 30 seconds. Either it's a conduct foul for 30 seconds or a 1, 2, or 3-minute NR USC foul. This is all assuming NCAA or NFHS rules, of course.

You may just have had an inexperienced official; you have to give them time to learn what they're doing.

[laxref39]

The one thing that the official could have called depending on the circumstances is a penalty for an uncontrolled stick if the player on team a was trying to strike the player on team b and accidently hit his own man, it could in fact be a slash.

[3rdPersonPlural]

Im pretty puzzled about the 30 second USC.....where on earth do you pull a 30 second USC from?

There is a 'minor' conduct foul, (one arm out, not two) that is a technical and earns a 30 second sit.

[JedimasterKyle]

He was going for a stick poke check, and hit mme. He was on the left of the guy, I was on the right.

It was a running clock game, I never would've thougth of that LaxMiddie.

[JedimasterKyle]

The refs in the league we participate in come up with some random penalty times. its really wierd, they don't do just 30 seconds or 1 minute. It usually at least 1:30, sometimes 2. A slash usually gets you 2 minutes, and a hold gets you a minute sometimes. He may have been inexperinced because he stood in one spot the entire game.

[C.Montgomery]

Since this was a fall ball game, there a chance it was a running clock and the refs had to keep penalty time, so they decided to make some penalties 1.5 times what they normally are...or something like that. Just a guess.

Also, my reading of the penalty for a personal foul is suspension for any time between one and three minutes, not just 1,2, or 3 minutes. So, if one were so inclined, they could suspend a player for one minute and 42 seconds.

[LaxRef]

Since this was a fall ball game, there a chance it was a running clock and the refs had to keep penalty time, so they decided to make some penalties 1.5 times what they normally are...or something like that. Just a guess.

Yeah, a few people have mentioned that. However, when I'm officiating a running-time game, I still call a penalty 30 seconds or 1, 2, or 3 minutes, and I just tell the table to do the math.

Also, my reading of the penalty for a personal foul is suspension for any time between one and three minutes, not just 1,2, or 3 minutes. So, if one were so inclined, they could suspend a player for one minute and 42 seconds.

As I said, a literal reading of the rules allows you to do this, but that's not how it's done. I guarantee that the coaches will think you're an idiot if you give a 1:42 penalty, and I'll give you a dollar if you can find any evidence that any NCAA official ever gave a personal foul penalty that wasn't 1, 2, or 3 minutes. In fact, you might have a hard time finding one who's given a two-minute penalty! (eme did, but just once!)

[laxfan25]

In fact, you might have a hard time finding one who's given a two-minute penalty! (eme did, but just once!)
I have, on very rare occasions, when it was a particularly egregious foul, typically a slash, where it was apparent that the offender was looking to inflict serious damage to the player's well-being.

[Woodenstick]

I have, on very rare occasions, when it was a particularly egregious foul, typically a slash, where it was apparent that the offender was looking to inflict serious damage to the player's well-being.

Yeah, a 2 minute penalty definitely sends a message and is useful when the foul is particularly flagrant. I recall giving one last year for a UR call. Its kind of like when you offended your ---- and flowers weren't enough, so you added earrings.

[LaxRef]

I have, on very rare occasions, when it was a particularly egregious foul, typically a slash, where it was apparent that the offender was looking to inflict serious damage to the player's well-being.

Actually, I've often given multiple-minute penalties. The bad slash you describe, the cross-check to the face (very dangerous, and in a way it's both a cross check and a slash), the cheap-shot IBC all get 2 or more minutes.

Also, I've given 2- or 3-minute USC fouls for really poor conduct. A coach questioning the integrity of the officials will usually get extra time, as will a player threatening another one or taking a cheap shot behind the play when he thinks no one is looking.

But then, I'm not an NCAA official. I understand they throw around 2-minute penalties like million dollar bills.

[laxfan25]

taking a cheap shot behind the play when he thinks no one is looking.
Ah, those poor ignorant slobs on the field - they have no idea that LaxRef is all-knowing and all-seeing! "Caught ya - ya little bar-steward!"

[Lacrosse Ref LA]

Do the NCAA refs even carry flags anymore ?