Faceoff (can they do this?)

[EricL]

The first ref was repositioning my middles stick for the faceoff (he was bent over readjusting my friends stick), when the second ref blows the whistle and says that one of our middies to the side was on the line, so the opposing team got the ball.

Can they do this?

[LaxRef]

Obviously they can, but the question is whether they should. He has to be behind the line when the whistle blows to start the faceoff. He also needs to be behind it within 20 seconds of the ball being ready for play. But if he was behind it, then had a toe on the line, the faceoff should be allowed to proceed. If he's still on the line when the whistle blows, it's a play on and the opponent is awarded possession if they don't come up with the ball.

I'll usually say, "Gentlemen, watch the line" in this situation to motivate the correct behavior, but if he doesn't move back I'm calling it.