Self Talk

[LaxRef]

When officiating, it's often good to talk to yourself to remind yourself about important things.

For example, newer officials often get caught ball-watching, and even when they're the trail official they watch the ball go into the goal. This can be a serious problem when the goal is followed by a loud, hard bodycheck on the shooter; everyone off the field sees it because they have a wider view of the action, but the official can't throw a flag because he didn't see it and doesn't know exactly what happened. After experiencing a number of these--and the relatively justified fallout from the coach of the kid that got creamed--I started to repeat to myself over and over again "Stay on the shooter" when I was the trail. I still do it, and it really works.

Another example is when you're watching for illegal substitutions (more common in a 3-man game, since in 2-man games the trail usually has to get into the play pretty quickly) to keep repeating the color of the team with the ball ("Gray has the ball, gray has the ball") so if there's an illegal sub you know whether to blow the whistle or throw a flag.

So, the reason I'm posting is to ask if anyone else has good examples of self talk for lacrosse officiating. Anyone? Anyone? Or am I just talking to myself again? :-)

[michaeldwilson]

Is the hit on the shooter a dead ball foul, or does it depend on whether the ball goes in before the shooter gets the hit?

The reason I ask, if a dead ball foul, I believe the offended team gets the ball.

Mike

[Snake~eyes]

Its a dead ball foul if the ball is dead. Did the hit occur before or after the ball crossed the goaline?

As for talking to myself, I do it all the time. I occasionally count verbally to myself. When people get hit and turn I say "turn, turn." I talk to myself when the defense is clearing ball, like they drop the ball outside the box, i tell myself they can go back in. I am thinking of other ones, I'm sure there are; if I think of any I will follow up post.

I haven't really had trouble ball watching or not shooter watching because of my experience with basketball but it is a good way to stay on shooter.

[LaxRef]

Originally posted by Snake~eyes
Its a dead ball foul if the ball is dead. Did the hit occur before or after the ball crossed the goaline?

Correct. However, it's tough to decide if the ball has crossed the plane of the goal before or after the hit if you're the trail since you're watching the shooter get nailed, then you look and see the ball is in. But how do you know whether the ball went in before or after the hit? I guess if you heard the whistle before the hit you'd know, but the hit could come after the ball went in and before the whistle.

As the lead, you're more likely to know if it's dead ball, since you see the ball go in and then look to see what's happening with the shooter, so pretty much if you throw the flag as the lead in this case it will be a dead ball foul.

It helps to use the "dead ball" hand signal when you signal in the foul so people know that's what you're calling.

In any case, missing whether it was dead ball or live ball is not a big deal as long as you get the foul called. Sure, get it right if you can, but it's not always possible.

As for talking to myself, I do it all the time. I occasionally count verbally to myself. When people get hit and turn I say "turn, turn." I talk to myself when the defense is clearing ball, like they drop the ball outside the box, i tell myself they can go back in. I am thinking of other ones, I'm sure there are; if I think of any I will follow up post.

Um, if the defense is clearing and they DROP the ball, they cannot go back in. If the ball becomes loose due to CONTACT by the riding team, then they can go back in. This was clarified via a series of e-mails to COC officials this spring.

Oh, and if the guy turns and gets hit, I make a little circle with my index finger in the air so people know that's what I'm ruling (I also have a "brush" hand signal). Be careful here, though, since if you signal brush or turn and your partner calls a foul, you or your partner look stupid (or both). I usually delay until I'm sure my partner is not making a call before I give the signal.

[Snake~eyes]

On the late hit if you're not sure go with a liveball foul.

Bah, I did not post what i say to talk about rules but if you want to sit here and nitpick what I said then fine. The intent of my post was that I talk to myself when players can and cannot go back across the dline.

[LaxRef]

Originally posted by Snake~eyes
On the late hit if you're not sure go with a liveball foul.

Bah, I did not post what i say to talk about rules but if you want to sit here and nitpick what I said then fine. The intent of my post was that I talk to myself when players can and cannot go back across the dline.

Absolutely, you call live ball foul if you're not sure.

I wasn't trying to nitpick, but I think it's important to be accurate here so people don't pick up misconceptions about the rules. Besides, the fact that they needed a bunch of e-mails to clarify this issue this spring probably means there's significant confusion about it.

[michaeldwilson]

Originally posted by LaxRef
Absolutely, you call live ball foul if you're not sure.

I wasn't trying to nitpick, but I think it's important to be accurate here so people don't pick up misconceptions about the rules. Besides, the fact that they needed a bunch of e-mails to clarify this issue this spring probably means there's significant confusion about it.

Yeah, the rules aren't exactly clear on this, but if there must be contact for a loose ball, that is helpful to know. In high school rules, it only says "if the ball is lost."

Another question about clearing from the defensive area. Team A is clearing the ball and gets hit, creating a loose ball in the defensive area (sideline to sideline). The rules say the 10 second count continues. If the two teams continue to struggle for the loose ball after the 10 second count expires, do I award the ball to Team B on a failure to advance foul?

Mike

[LaxRef]

Originally posted by michaeldwilson
Yeah, the rules aren't exactly clear on this, but if there must be contact for a loose ball, that is helpful to know. In high school rules, it only says "if the ball is lost."

And HS rules may well be different on this point.


Another question about clearing from the defensive area. Team A is clearing the ball and gets hit, creating a loose ball in the defensive area (sideline to sideline). The rules say the 10 second count continues. If the two teams continue to struggle for the loose ball after the 10 second count expires, do I award the ball to Team B on a failure to advance foul?

I'll respond to this in another thread.

[Snake~eyes]

HS rules do differ on that point.

[LaxRef]

Originally posted by Snake~eyes
HS rules do differ on that point.

Thanks for clarifying. This is just another case that demonstrates that they really need to have a definitive list of differences for NCAA vs. NFHS rules. Personally, I think some of the differences are just plain silly and lead to confusion and uneven officiating.