NCAA Stick Check Mechanics

[Rileylax]

I'm throwing this out mainly to Eric. Other COC/NCAA officials feel free to chime in.

The new NCAA stick check mechanics were briefed at the Convention but one thing I didn't hear about was the mechanic of indicating "goal scored." We had a meeting yesterday and all of our college officials who attended the Convention weren't sure either. It was confusing to our other officials as our association covers top-ranked prep schools who use NCAA rules.

At Philly they stated that the lead official immediately sweeps in and grabs the shooter/scorer's stick as he scores...BEFORE SIGNALING GOAL. Does the official grab the stick and then indicate "goal" with the stick in his hand? Quite awkward and we'll look like geeks to the fans. The center official will be grabbing the defense stick so he will not be sweeping in to signal goal. Who gets the ball?

This is one area they didn't cover. :WTF:

[laxfan25]

In the discussion, one thing they mentioned is that you don't have to stand next to the goal pipe to indicate the goal, as has been our practice. You can put your arms up as you blow the whistle, and then retrieve the stick. Others said that you can blow the whistle for the goal, grab the stick quickly, and then do the goal hand signal.
One thing to realize is that we are not checking sticks after EVERY goal, probably just a couple times a game, when you throw in face-off checks, time-out checks, etc.
The key is they want them to be random, and after an occasional goal is good. There is nothing like taking a goal off the scoreboard to get the coach's attention and get the illegal sticks out of the game.
I agree, it will be a little awkward, but I'm sure we will each find our comfort style. I think another key is to loudly call for the stick, while first telling the player "Don't touch the head - I want to check your stick!" Try to avoid the 1 min NR for touching the pocket or strings, if at all possible.

[eme]

The most important call/signal in the game is the Goal Scored Signal. Unless I hear otherwise, I am giving the Goal Signal then quickly asking for a stick, then getting a stick, then getting the ball out of the net so I can do the @#$% stick check.

[MElaxRef]

One good thing - it is easier to get the ball out of the net with a stick than without one, especially when the ball is 5-7 feet past the goal line!!

[spenny]

wow, that sounds really convoluted, but i'm glad you are doing it. weeding out the illegal sticks and the new head rules will go a long way towards stopping the calls for the shot clock

[pboyd]

At the convention - I heard the statement "The goal signal is now a secondary concern- get the stick first."
Caution: Don't use the stick for retrieving the ball from the net as MElaxRef seems to suggest - how can you call a violation on a stick if you have used it in some capacity plus you need to avoid the perception that you messed with the stick after taking it from the player...

[Woodenstick]

Who decides when to inflict a random stick check? If you are going to have the stick check before the goal signal, it would seem that the lead official will be making that call in the 1-2 seconds after the goal?

It seems easier to me to signal goal and then have the stick check, if the stick is illegal the goal comes down, just as with a stick challenge by a coach.

[LaxRef]

Who decides when to inflict a random stick check? If you are going to have the stick check before the goal signal, it would seem that the lead official will be making that call in the 1-2 seconds after the goal?

It seems easier to me to signal goal and then have the stick check, if the stick is illegal the goal comes down, just as with a stick challenge by a coach.

The ones after a goal are discussed in the pre-game (e.g., "We'll check the stick of the team that scores the second goal, then two goals later by the second team.") This should be discussed in the pre-game and reinforced during breaks in the action.

We are supposed to focus on getting the stick of the goal scorer before he has time to adjust the crosse by pulling a string. Thus the optimal sequence is blow whistle, grab stick, move to position, lean stick against your leg, signal goal, then get the ball and measure the stick.

As to using the stick to get the ball out of the goal: I have a hard time believing that any stick is so borderline that the simple act of raking the ball gently out of the goal could make it illegal, and I'd tell that to anyone who argued. However, I think the goalie will be eager to get the ball for you in this situation since the check might result in disallowing the goal!

[shrekjr]

I know the proper mechanic is to signal goal then check the stick, but it seems to me that signaling a goal, then checking the stick and finding it illegal, then waiving off the goal is sort of a waste of time. Why not grab the stick, check it, then signal goal if the stick is okay or no goal if the stick is illegal.

Another issue I have with this is perception. We all know these "random" checks will have been predetermined in pregame. But from an "average fan" standpoint, it could certainly appear that we are picking an individual player or team. We were told this weekend not to any "random" checks on the last half of the fourth quarter so as to not affect the outcome of the game. We will have to make sure the "random" checks are done equally for both teams attacking players.

[LaxRef]

I know the proper mechanic is to signal goal then check the stick, but it seems to me that signaling a goal, then checking the stick and finding it illegal, then waiving off the goal is sort of a waste of time. Why not grab the stick, check it, then signal goal if the stick is okay or no goal if the stick is illegal.

Another issue I have with this is perception. We all know these "random" checks will have been predetermined in pregame. But from an "average fan" standpoint, it could certainly appear that we are picking an individual player or team. We were told this weekend not to any "random" checks on the last half of the fourth quarter so as to not affect the outcome of the game. We will have to make sure the "random" checks are done equally for both teams attacking players.

The official line is no random checks in the last 5 minutes of Q4.

We are also to balance the checks after goals, unless we have done 1 more on team A than team B and then team B never scores again.

[Rileylax]

...and it may occur that you are checking the same player again. That works out better as before this, players knew they wouldn't be checked again. So, the stick check mechanic after a goal would be to run in, blow the whistle and signal the goal by giving the French Army greeting (both arms raised) then, do the "color, #, don't touch your stick." Either you or center official retreives ball, you both do your 20-30 secind check, and voila...the college coaches have us do their dirty work. The important thing is ensuring all of us use the same mechanics whether it's in MD, VA, MA, TX or any other state. :banghead:

[eme]

I might do one goal scorer/team/game because it's easier to grab the stick of the attackman and his defender right there in front of the goal after a goal than it is to chase the goal scorer

[massref]

Since the NFHS states a minimum of one stick check per half, I suggest that we urge scholastic officials to do at least two per half (I personally am up for three per half) and attempt to unify the NCAA and NFHS rules/mechanics on this topic.

[LaxRef]

Since the NFHS states a minimum of one stick check per half, I suggest that we urge scholastic officials to do at least two per half (I personally am up for three per half) and attempt to unify the NCAA and NFHS rules/mechanics on this topic.
I think maybe 2 per half is more appropriate since the NCAA game is 25% longer than the NFHS game.