Game Cards

[shrekjr]

When do you keep a card during the game, and when do you not do it? When you do, is it a permanent card you keep, or an erasable card you use game after game? So many things you take for granted until you work with people from other parts of the country. You just don't realize how many mechanics are not "officially" addressed.

[rjattack19]

...what r u talking about, i dont understand

[3rdPersonPlural]

I use one of those plastic eraseable cards from official's corner. I used to fill everything out, but now I just make darned sure that I record every goal by quarter and team and jersey number. I also keep track of timeouts. I have yet to eject somebody, but if I ever do there is a place to record the particular's of the ejectee in that card, too.

[LaxRef]

I'm not sure what he means, either. I give a card to each coach when I'm the referee with the names of the officials and a coach's certification. During the game, I either use a paper scorecard or a plastic one, every game, even JV or youth.

[laxfan25]

I use an eraseable plastic card, but if I had to do it over again I might use paper cards and file them away in a file card box so I can see how many games I've done over the years!
This is another "style" question - I'm sure there's no right answer, although someone may be trying to convince you there is!
I keep score on every game, except maybe a practice scrimmage.

[3rdPersonPlural]

LR, you have business cards printed up with your name and the certification text printed on it?

How clever! I wonder if USLacrosse would let me cadge their graphic for one?

[Shorelax]

I always keep an erasable card. At HS level - everyone on the field keeps a card. Collegiate Club, I always keep an erasable card - I would say two of the three usually keep it. The elder statesman of the group usually delgates this to the younger or less experienced guy(s) Post collegiate club - as the young guy, I'm always keeping the card.

[laxfan25]

LR, you have business cards printed up with your name and the certification text printed on it?

How clever! I wonder if USLacrosse would let me cadge their graphic for one?
Nah, US Lacrosse sends us a pack every spring.

[Shorelax]

I'm not sure what he means, either. I give a card to each coach when I'm the referee with the names of the officials and a coach's certification.

We too provide "crew cards", containing names etc, to the coaches during the certification process.

[3rdPersonPlural]

Nah, US Lacrosse sends us a pack every spring.

I'm gonna have to have a little CHAT with my assigner........

[laxfan25]

I'm gonna have to have a little CHAT with my assigner........
My come in the package right from US Lacrosse, with the rule book and answer sheet for the rules test.

[LaxRef]

My come in the package right from US Lacrosse, with the rule book and answer sheet for the rules test.

You still get an answer sheet? I take my tests online these days.

I know some people who've gotten cards printed with their name on them. It seems like a waste of time to me, considering you need to print everything else on the cards (teams, date, partner's names).

As to the scorecard, everyone should keep a scorecard. It makes it easier to sort out when the inevitable errors occur (the most common: Black 6 has scored 8 goals, then White 6 scores one. Guess where that one gets written down?).

[NCLAXREF]

I know someone that created a publisher file that has the NCAA crew card and certification on it. The uslax logo is fuzzy but everything is typed and looks very professional. Has teams, officials, numbers...

[shrekjr]

Okay, to clarify, I did mean "scorecards" as LaxRef called it. Here were the different opinions from the weekend.....

Use a permanant paper card for all high school and college games in case a player is ejected and must be reported, or in case of a discrepancy in the "official book" at the table. (This is my choice).

Use an erasable card for tournaments and youth games where permanant records are not important.

Don't use a card at all, especially if there is a scoreboard for all to see. Who cares about captain's numbers, who really needs them? If you need to know who the in-home is during the game, go look in the scorebook. And surely you can remember who has the next AP. (This choice from a VERY senior official).

[ploaref]

Then there's the little paper-clip technique, for Alternate Possession. Clip one to your plastic or paper scorecard, set it after the coin toss and then slide it back and forth to denote who is in possession of the current "AP". This avoids the mark and erase, mark and erase back and forth using an eraser...

Our LOA Game certification card (crew card) also has our website Coaches Evaluation link reference on it, to encourage ratings...

"Business Cards" with your name, LOA and contact info on it are great for recruiting officials...you know...those noisy dads that THINK they know all the rules...hand 'em out by the box!

[laxfan25]

You still get an answer sheet? I take my tests online these days.
They send it, but I take it on line also. It's nice to finally see how you did on the test - for years you sent in your answer sheet and never heard another word.

[laxfan25]

Don't use a card at all, especially if there is a scoreboard for all to see. Who cares about captain's numbers, who really needs them? If you need to know who the in-home is during the game, go look in the scorebook. And surely you can remember who has the next AP. (This choice from a VERY senior official).
As I approach senior status ( I now have my AARP card along with my US Lacrosse card :agree: ) I would be hesistant to trust my memory of who has A.P. I like the paperclip idea, I might try that. I would also be reluctant to cede my authority as ultimate keeper of the score to someone at the table or in the press box - I have seen both make mistakes on occasion (and I also have had instances where the cards of the officials didn't match either. One was at an indoor tournament in St. Cloud years ago - I deferred to the senior official, but I think he was wrong, and it did affect the outcome of the game).

[LaxRef]

One was at an indoor tournament in St. Cloud years ago - I deferred to the senior official, but I think he was wrong, and it did affect the outcome of the game).

Even in a 2-man game, you can dig your way out of this if the cards don't agree. You go over to the table--don't say "We have no idea what's going on!"--and ask for the numbers of the goal scorers from each team. If one official has a goal listed as being by #6 red and the other has #6 Black, the table can break the tie.

With 3 officials, you usually don't have to break a "tie."

[laxfan25]

Even in a 2-man game, you can dig your way out of this if the cards don't agree. You go over to the table--don't say "We have no idea what's going on!"--and ask for the numbers of the goal scorers from each team. If one official has a goal listed as being by #6 red and the other has #6 Black, the table can break the tie.

With 3 officials, you usually don't have to break a "tie."
That's what SHOULD have been done - and unfortunately wasn't.

[3rdPersonPlural]

That paperclip method seems like a good idea if AP is a frequent issue. Am I alone in that I've needed to assign possession according to AP but once in 2 seasons of officiating?

[laxfan25]

That paperclip method seems like a good idea if AP is a frequent issue. Am I alone in that I've needed to assign possession according to AP but once in 2 seasons of officiating?
No, you're not alone there. Count the instances on one hand most likely.

[shrekjr]

That paperclip method seems like a good idea if AP is a frequent issue. Am I alone in that I've needed to assign possession according to AP but once in 2 seasons of officiating?
Me too, maybe 3-4 times in five years.

[Snake~eyes]

That paperclip method seems like a good idea if AP is a frequent issue. Am I alone in that I've needed to assign possession according to AP but once in 2 seasons of officiating?
Well when you work with LaxRef and CoachRob you have them all the time. LaxRef likes to blow inadvert. whistles and CoachRob likes to practice his knowledge on simult. fouls. :agree: And me...well I'll let them tell that part... :chuckle: