Here's an idea

[CoachRob]

I did a 5/6 grade game yesterday. I have gotten into the routine at halftime of going over to the sideline and announcing "Hi, I'm CoachRob, your ref today, and I am here to answer any questions you have about the rules of lacrosse". After a look of shock/surprise, the parents tend to open up with lOTS of questions. If not, I start out by asking if they understand what a loose ball push is and why I blow my whistle on that play. After describing that, if there were no questions to start, there are plenty now. The parents are REALLY appreciative, and I have even been offered a tip once (which i turned down).

After the game many of the parents said I did a great job and had more questions, which took about 15 minutes, but was well worth it. I tell them I am on a mission to promote lax and fair play.

BTW, I called two players for playing without mouthguards (each had it dangling from its leash). After the second penalty, I stopped the game, called both teams together, and explained that the next player I saw w/o one was going to get 2 minutes NR (I know it's not the rule, but hey, safety first), and that my responsibility was to keep them safe above all else. The coaches both thanked me and chimed in to their players to be sure to wear it and buckle their helmets up. No more equipment penalties after that.

Perhaps others could do the same as the parents really want to understand the game but have nobody to ask. Try it and I think you'll like it. It may not work at high school and beyond, but at all the little kids games they just love it. You'd be surpsised at how interested parents are to learn the rules, as it is a foreign game to the overwhelming majority.

[laxfan25]

It's funny you mention that CoachRob. I did two 5/6 games myself last night, and as at other MS games I take a stroll by the parents side and ask if they have any questions. As you said, they are pleasantly surprised and are eager to have the arcane portions of the game and calls explained.
One that I get questions on is when Johnny delivers a body check that would be roundly applauded in HS, but gets flagged by me. I explain the "take-out check" rule (Chinese - I pick it up, Italian - you'ver got it) and that the emphasis in MS is on lacrosse skills development and player protection - when they get a little older those hits will be perfectly fine.
Parents are appreciative, and my assigner has gotten some very nice phone calls.
I join you in encouraging others to help spread the knowledge of the rules and our role, it will help all of us!

[ploaref]

Sounds like it may be a good opportunity to recruit officials too! Parents of kids that age will be coming out to games for at least 5-6 more years!

Do you have any handouts you could give them? or a business card with CPLOA information on it?? USL prints some good "explain the game" stuff.

Maybe i'll take that idea to this summer's MDOC Training Committee meeting to see if they'd consider funding some "material distribution" efforts thru our LOA network. Go to the fans at the source, so to speak...

thanks, CoachRob!

[ColtsLax]

in our rec league, we have general practices before the game, about 2 weeks in advance. While the coaches work with the players, the parents are taken aside and explained many of the rules. The refs are really good, and they use some HS players to demonstrate the various fouls. Many parents relly like it, and we have had three or four sign up for the seminar.

[roycegracie47]

After the formation of my highschool team, the coach held a parents meeting and handed out fliers he made explaning the positions and general rules of the game for those not in the know.

[BlueJaysLaxFan]

Funny you should mention this CR, because I've been doing the same thing for recent 5/6 and 7/8 games where I've been single official. The parents at the end have been telling me that I did a great job not because I am that good, but probably because they gained a better understanding of the game during our Q&A at halftime, and they see that I'm emphasizing the learning of the game and good stick handling with the players (their sons). It's also great for me because to teach the game as an official to others, I also become more confident in my knowledge of the rules and officiating mechanics.

[3rdPersonPlural]

I count myself among the halftime Q&A refs. My kid plays 5/6, so I have asked to be assigned to these games, and am becoming familiar with many of the parents. Out here in CA, few (if any) parents are familiar with the game, and they really appreciate tutorials.

In response to PLOA's comment that we might recruit refs, I've found that parents are (at least) more than willing to help with OOB and endline calls, which helps a lot in a single man mechanic. The best part is, when you hear "What was that, ref?" from the sidelines, you know that it's a respectful question and the answer will be listened to, not challenged.

Since parents are the actual consumers of our product (they write the checks), there is a HUGE advantage to having them happily engaged with the lacrosse community. FWIW, I've found that parents respond well to the fact that we officials are encouraged to call USC violations for swearing, taunting, and general ungentlemanly behavior. You can see moms mentally resolve to support Junior's pursuit of the game the moment you mention this.

I wish I got a commission......

[laxfan25]

Along with the sideline conversation, something else that I do in the game is to spend a few moments after a penalty call explaining exactly what the player did wrong, and how to correct it. I have also gone toward the benches and explained a particular foul (ie. interference with cutters - where they are blocking or checking the cutters, or moving screens) so that hopefully there are fewer instances of the call.
As otheres have stated, all of the actions discussed in this thread help to foster an atmosphere of learning, of fair play and good sportsmanship, and best of all, increased respect for the officiating fraternity!

[CoachRob]

I make it a point of explaining to younger kids what the foul was and how they can avoid it in the future. Preventive officiating I guess, but the kids always listen and seem to agree with the call when I explain it, which is an added benefit.

And I do enlist the parents help with sideline OOB in one man mechanics. It's impossible to see that at times and they do a good job helping.

[Laxrefman]

Out here in Western Maryland, our mechanics call for ALL officials to have a sideline chat with spectators during halftime. It's not only educational, but we have gotten a goodly number of recruits out of it. (It's also a good way to instill confidence in our younger officials; if you can tech it, you can do it!).

[GILax18]

I did a 5/6 grade game yesterday. I have gotten into the routine at halftime of going over to the sideline and announcing "Hi, I'm CoachRob, your ref today, and I am here to answer any questions you have about the rules of lacrosse". After a look of shock/surprise, the parents tend to open up with lOTS of questions. If not, I start out by asking if they understand what a loose ball push is and why I blow my whistle on that play. After describing that, if there were no questions to start, there are plenty now. The parents are REALLY appreciative, and I have even been offered a tip once (which i turned down).

After the game many of the parents said I did a great job and had more questions, which took about 15 minutes, but was well worth it. I tell them I am on a mission to promote lax and fair play.

BTW, I called two players for playing without mouthguards (each had it dangling from its leash). After the second penalty, I stopped the game, called both teams together, and explained that the next player I saw w/o one was going to get 2 minutes NR (I know it's not the rule, but hey, safety first), and that my responsibility was to keep them safe above all else. The coaches both thanked me and chimed in to their players to be sure to wear it and buckle their helmets up. No more equipment penalties after that.

Perhaps others could do the same as the parents really want to understand the game but have nobody to ask. Try it and I think you'll like it. It may not work at high school and beyond, but at all the little kids games they just love it. You'd be surpsised at how interested parents are to learn the rules, as it is a foreign game to the overwhelming majority.

Thats the opposite of the ref in my game today. I was standing next to a defenseman(I was playing attack, ball in the other end), and the d-man said to the ref, "he doesn't have his mouthguard in."(i don't know who he was talking about) The ref replied, "I'm not calling those, thats their problem. Its on their dental plan, not mine." The d-man said to me, "I like this guy!" I just kinda walked away.

Nice guy, eh?