Correcting mistakes

[laxfan25]

I went to a game this afternoon to watch my son's team, and ended up at the scorer's table running the horn, since the young girls were a little overwhelmed. It also gave me a chance to watch two officials that had gone through my training this past winter.
2nd quarter, Team A calls timeout, and the ball becomes loose before the whistle, and the refs correctly gave them the timeout since they had recognized the coach's request first.
After the timeout, I heard coach A going "what the?", and look up to see the OTHER team putting the ball in play in their defensive end! Long pass to a middie, drives, shoots and scores. Coach A tries to talk to the refs, they mumble something and go do the faceoff while Coach A quietly stews.
At halftime I asked my students what happened. One official says "as they were going up field I realized I had made a mistake, but I didn't want to stop the play." I patiently explained that when you realize you've made a serious error, it's OK to stop play and correct your mistake. It was only his fourth game, and he's coming over from a hockey background.
Being a parent of a player and not being at the game in any official capacity, I was reluctant to step in during the game. I must give Coach A credit for not completely losing it, but he did mention that it cost them a goal.
Let that be a lesson to all of the newer officials that may frequent this tavern - don't be afraid to recognize and correct a serious mistake!
(I did explain the double-horn procedure to Coach A later, but the restart was such a surprise he might not have even had time to call for it)

[LaxRef]

Good example, but it raises a question: could coach A have called for a double horn after the goal and gotten things sorted out? The rules say the challenge must occur before the next live ball, but you could argue that the error was the actual starting of play with the wrong team in possession, which would allow the result of the play to be challenged after the goal and before the next live ball. In other words, I don't think he needs to catch it before they blow the whistle with the wrong team in possession, since there's technically no error until play starts.

[shrekjr]

Good example, but it raises a question: could coach A have called for a double horn after the goal and gotten things sorted out? The rules say the challenge must occur before the next live ball, but you could argue that the error was the actual starting of play with the wrong team in possession, which would allow the result of the play to be challenged after the goal and before the next live ball. In other words, I don't think he needs to catch it before they blow the whistle with the wrong team in possession, since there's technically no error until play starts.
Careful there LaxRef. With that logic, you're going to allow me to put the Team B defender who committed a technical foul in box after A's stick is declared illegal. I was letting sleeping dogs lie, but now you're talking about going back and disallowing an entire play to make the correct call.

The thing is, I agree with you on this that you could probably get away with disallowing the goal when possession was awarded to the wrong team. And I am very surprised the coach was able to stay calm. I don't think I could have stayed calm in that situation if I were the coach.

[laxfan25]

That's a good point LaxRef. I wasn't really paying that close attention after the timeout to see if something had happened in the intervening time to cause the change of possession. At the half they told me they made a mistake.

[Longpole5435]

And I am very surprised the coach was able to stay calm. I don't think I could have stayed calm in that situation if I were the coach.

So many coaches I know would have gone ballistic. Thats a pretty bad mistake (obvious one too) to give the ball to the wrong team after a timeout. I mean, you have to keep track of who called the timeout, so that should tip you off.

[LaxRef]

So many coaches I know would have gone ballistic. Thats a pretty bad mistake (obvious one too) to give the ball to the wrong team after a timeout. I mean, you have to keep track of who called the timeout, so that should tip you off.

Either team may call a timeout during a dead ball.

[spenny]

i'd have blown a gasket.
what is this double horn you speak of (that could save my gasket in such a situation...)

[Snake~eyes]

i'd have blown a gasket.
what is this double horn you speak of (that could save my gasket in such a situation...)
If the officials screw up a misapplication of a rulling in YOUR opinion then you can challenge the play, just like football. Request a double horn and explain your side of it. If you're right you won't lose a timeout.

[Snake~eyes]

Careful there LaxRef. With that logic, you're going to allow me to put the Team B defender who committed a technical foul in box after A's stick is declared illegal. I was letting sleeping dogs lie, but now you're talking about going back and disallowing an entire play to make the correct call.
I don't follow?

[Snake~eyes]

Good example, but it raises a question: could coach A have called for a double horn after the goal and gotten things sorted out? The rules say the challenge must occur before the next live ball, but you could argue that the error was the actual starting of play with the wrong team in possession, which would allow the result of the play to be challenged after the goal and before the next live ball. In other words, I don't think he needs to catch it before they blow the whistle with the wrong team in possession, since there's technically no error until play starts.
I agree, by rule the Coach can call for a double horn. I'd have no problem with them wiping out the goal and awarding the ball to the correct team back on the other end. Even putting time back on if necessary.

Most important thing is to get the play right.

[LaxRef]

i'd have blown a gasket.
what is this double horn you speak of (that could save my gasket in such a situation...)

Under NFHS rules, the coach can challenge the interpretation of a rule—but not a judgment call —by calling for a double horn at the next dead ball. So, if the official says that loose-ball goalie interference is a free clear and you know it's not, you can challenge the ruling. But if he says there was possession and you thought there wasn't, you can't challenge that (well, you can challenge, but you'll lose).

If you win the challenge, the correction is made and the game goes on. If you lose, you lose a timeout (or are charged with a technical foul if no timeouts remain).

[shrekjr]

I don't follow?
Different thread about what to do with a Team B foul (FDSW) after a goal is scored, then A's stick is declared illegal.