Lacrosse Chat

Tyler Lucas - Issaquah Lacrosse Player and More

2011-02-11T10:05:00.000-08:00

February 1, 2011 - on this day a young man lost his life in a tragic car accident. By all accounts Tyler Lucas was an excellent lacrosse player, teammate, opponent, son and human being. As a member of the lacrosse community, I had heard the name Tyler Lucas and it was always associated with positive comments. From an officials standpoint, there was never a concern when T. Lucas had the ball. Tyler was a player who honored the game.

Events like this remind us all that lacrosse is a game and the real importance lays in the relationships lacrosse affords us to form.

Additional information on Tyler Lucas and the Tyler Lucas site .

Onfield Lacrosse Officiatinng Experience

2011-02-04T14:09:00.000-08:00

By now if you are going to be officiating this upcoming Lacrosse season, you should have secured a uniform, be attending training, studying the rule book and getting in shape. While all of these are necessary to be a quality official nothing is better than game experience and feedback. So when the opportunity is there to officiate a game, grab your whistle and put your studies into practice.

For those of you in the Seattle, WA area here is a great chance to do some officiating before the season starts.

February 26
5/6 and 7/8 Boys Lacrosse Pre-Season Jamboree
Sammamish Plateau
900A-600P

Lacrosse WALOA Training Step 1:Complete. Now what?

2011-01-30T17:46:00.000-08:00

Congrats to everyone who made it out to the first mandatory WALOA training. Everyone was engaged asking good questions and seemed ready to get on the field. Before you put on your stripped shirt and blow your whistle there are a few more steps. Here are some things you should be doing between now and the start of the season.
1. If you are officiating youth games you will need to attend the regional training. Regional training will occur one night a week, each week in February. For example there will be training at Mercer Island High School Wednesday, February 2,9,16,23. Meetings will run from 6-8PM in the 200 hall. Get there. Look for a sign. More information will come out from WALOA. Be on the look out for other sessions in the Greater Seattle area.

2. If you are officiating high school games you need to attend the four training sessions at SPU, Bertona Building. Training will be held February 1,8,15,22 from 6-8PM. If you are under 18 or younger and still in HS, you can't ref HS matches.

3. Get your lacrosse uniform. You can buy a uniform on line at Zebra Wear or Honigs. Links to these web sites and an article on uniforms can be found at HarlanWorden.com in the right hand column 'Resources'

4. Learn the rules. How? Study your rule book and talk to your friends about the rules. Email WALOA with questions. Post questions to the WALOA Facebook page. Search HarlanWorden.com for helpful articles. You will find articles on how to call: offsides, illegal body check, slash, tripping, pushing, and field positioning. If you don't see an answer or have a question email WALOA or email LaxChat.

5. Get in shape.

We are off to a great start and need to keep the momentum building. If you have any questions, send an email to WALOA or post a question to Facebook.

Remember, if you have questions you gotta ask!

2011 Lacrosse Training Materials - College and High School

2011-01-27T16:36:00.000-08:00

A great thing about Lacrosse is the awesome people associated with the sport.

SideCarLax is a great site full of documents and video to help explain the game. If you are a college or high school official you need to view this site for the latest rule changes and/or to brush up on your 2-man and 3-man mechanics.

Remember if you got questions, you got to ask!

2011 WALOA Season is Starting

2011-01-23T21:48:00.000-08:00

Time to dust off the whistle, press the flags and get that uniform ready to go. January 30 marks the training start. Read below to find out what you need to know. Don't see what you need? Answers are only an email away.

We are breaking up the training this year to help focus on the levels in which you all will be officiating. If you are planning on doing both High School and youth games, you do not need to attend the January 30 traing, but will be required to attend the HS focused meetings outlined below. On to the questions:

If I am officiating youth games only, what training events do I HAVE TO attend? For those who only plan to officiate youth games, you will need to attend the January 30 meeting; it is mandatory. There will be additional regional training events that will also be required; details to follow.

How old do I have to be to officiate high school games? You have to be graduated from high school and 18 years or older.

Where is the training on January 30th? Bertona Building on the Seattle Pacific University Campus; 9-2PM, doors open at 8am.

How much is WALOA dues this year? All officials will be charged $60 in association dues. This year your dues will also include a rules book for youth officials and a training manual for high school officials.

How will I be assigned? We are moving to a new system this year. you will be added to the assigning website only after your registration is received

When is High School Training Events? February 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd. 6:30 PM at SPU (room TBD)

Do I have to attend all high school training events? Yes, and we will be having live meeting to allow our remote friends to dial into.

If I am doing both youth and high school, do I need to attend all both events? Must attend high school February events, the January 30th is optional.

What about certification? Certification will be managed in the regional training and administered live.

COC/NCAA Major Rule Changes 2011 Sseason

2010-10-27T09:59:00.000-07:00

As the seasons change each year, so do the rules for collegiate lacrosse. As we all prepare for the start of the season, here are some of the rule changes.

And remember if you got questions you got to ask.

No Cargo Shorts
Plain or pleated front shorts, inseam 5,7,9 inches depending on your height.

Targeting the Head
A player shall not deliberately initiate contact to an opponent's head or neck with a cross check, or any part of his body (head, elbow, shoulder, etc.) or stick. Any follow-through that contacts the head or neck shall also be considered a violation of this rule.

PENALTY- One, two or three-minute non-releasable foul, at the referee's discretion. Excessive violation of this rule may result in an ejection from the game.

Clarification: Some have asked if a slashing penalty that contacts the head should be included here, and the answer is no. There are other areas of the rules to cover slashing fouls. This rule is intended only to adjudicate those fouls that clearly target the head and neck area. If a slash with the stick is uncontrolled or excessive, officials have several options to penalize more severely

30-Second Count
Upon gaining possession of the ball, a team must advance the ball into the attack area within 30 seconds. The officials will enforce this rule using their 20-second timing devices, followed by a 10-second visual count.

Once a team has ended the 30-second count by getting the ball into the attack area, that team is permitted to run its offense in its offensive half of the field without additional counts unless a “Get It In” or “Keep It In” command is administered under the new portion of Rule 4 as detailed in your Bulletin.

Get It In / Keep It In
Once officials have established “Get It In” or “Keep It in”, the situation remains in effect until:

1. The defensive team gains possession of the ball.
2. A goal is scored.
3. The quarter ends, resulting in a face-off.

When a team has been warned to “Get It In”, once the ball has entered the attack area the “Keep It In” warning is issued immediately.

Example: Team A is warned to "Get It In" and brings the ball into the attack area within 10 seconds. 1) A1 takes a shot which rebounds off of the crossbar and goes into the alley outside the box, or 2) the defense deflects a pass outside the box into the alley, or 3) The defense deflects the ball outside the box and it rolls across the midfield line into Team A's defensive half of the field. May Team A recover the ball?

RULING: In all three cases, the answer is yes. As soon as Team A gains possession of the ball, renew the "Get It In/Keep It In" warning. Team A has 10 seconds to move the ball into the attack area, and then must “Keep It In”.

Remember: “Get it in/Keep it in” situations are:

1. Under two minutes remaining in the game when the game is not tied (See Rule 3-4);
2. When the ball leaves the offensive half of the field through actions of the offensive team (Rule 4-14);
3. Stalling (See Rule 6-11): At any time during the game, if in the judgment of the officials, a team is keeping the ball from play by not attacking the goal.

Mechanics note: All officials shall mirror the “get it in/keep it in” signal.

Face-Offs
With the return of the “Set” call, keep the following in mind:

Once you’ve said “Down”, if a face-off violation occurs before the face-off whistle (or if a wing-player is over the wing-area line at the time of the face-off whistle), the violating team’s face-off player must leave the field and be substituted for.

If a player at any face-off delays play by any action or maneuver such as backing out or standing up after the official says “Down”, the ball shall be awarded to the offended team.

Any movement or illegal player or stick position after the official says “Set” and prior to the whistle is a violation. Movement between “Down” and “Set” that does not create an advantage (i.e. straightening up his crosse or moving his body out of the neutral zone) is not a violation.

Once the players facing off have assumed their positions, the official shall say, "set." At this point, both players must remain motionless until the official sounds the whistle for play. The official shall vary the cadence of sounding the whistle for each faceoff.

A player may not lie on the bailor trap it with his crosse longer than necessary for him to control the ball and pick it up with one continuous motion, or withhold the ball from play in any other manner.

It is illegal for a faceoff player to kick, step on or intentionally place any other body part on his crosse or the crosse of the opponent. It is illegal for a faceoff player to use his crosse to hold or pin down the crosse of the opponent.

Faceoff Approved Rulings:
AR 1: During a faceoff, Al covers the ball to draw it back. Bl clamps on top of Al's stick and does not allow Al to play the ball. RULING: Withholding by B1. Al's ball on a quick restart, Bl does not have to leave the field.

AR 2: During a faceoff, Al clamps on the ball and looks for a teammate to direct the ball. He quickly directs the ball to A2. RULING: Legal play. The intent of this rule is to have the faceoff be a play that is in continuous motion.

AR 3: During a faceoff, Al clamps on the ball and withholds the ball from play. He does not have a teammate to direct it to and continues to clamp the ball, keeping it from B1. RULING: Withholding by Al, ball awarded to Team B.

Rule 4-13, Advancing the Ball Into the Attack Area

Upon gaining possession of the ball, a team must advance the ball into the attack area within 30 seconds. Failure to do so will result in a turnover, and the ball will be awarded to the opposing team at the spot of the violation or laterally outside the attack area. The requirement for advancing the ball into the attack area is met when the ball touches anything within that area.

The officials will enforce this rule using their 20-second timing devices, followed by a ten¬ second visual count. (Mechanics note: This will be kept by the Single-Side official.)

Once started, the 30-second count will continue until:
1.The opposing team gains possession.
2. A clearing team player in possession of the ball touches the attack-area line or is inside the attack area.
3. A loose ball touches the attack-area line or the ground inside the attack area.
4.A loose ball touches anything in contact with the ground inside the planes of the attack-area lines (such as a player, the crosse of a player who is touching the ground, an official, the goal or the net).
5. The ball is loose and there is a play-on for a foul by the opposing team, after which the attacking team regains possession (thus starting a new 30-second count). 6. The officials sound the whistle to stop play for any reason.

Rule 4-14, Ball Returning to the Defensive Half
Once the ball has been successfully advanced into the attack area, a team is provided the opportunity to run its offense on its offensive half of the field. When the ball touches anything on the defensive half of the field, and the offensive team was last in possession of the ball, the referee will signal "get it in/keep it in." The offensive team has 10 seconds to return the ball to the attack area.

Exception: A new 30-second count will be awarded in these situations:
1. A shot that leaves the offensive half of the field.
2. A loose ball that leaves the offensive half of the field and was last touched (or deflected) by the defensive team.
3. Rule 4-13/14 Approved Rulings:

A.R. 1: With possession of the ball on the offensive half of the field, Al steps into the attack area. Al attempts a pass to A2 that is not caught and the ball goes across the midline, where it touches the ground or a player. A2 gains possession. RULING: The official will signal "get it in/keep it in" when the ball touches anything on the defensive half. Team A has 10 seconds from the time the ball touches anything in the defensive zone to get the ball in the attack area and keep it in.

A.R. 2: With possession of the ball on the offensive half of the field, Al steps into the attack area. Al attempts a pass to A2 that is not caught and the ball rolls toward the midline. A3, who is standing on the defensive half, keeps the ball on the offensive half of the field without gaining possession. A2 picks up the ball. The ball never crosses the midfield line. RULING: No "get it in/keep it in" call.

A.R. 3: Al has possession of the ball on the offensive half of the field and has stepped the ball into the attack area. Bl deflects a pass by Al, which crosses the midfield line. A2 picks up the ball. RULING: Team A has 30 seconds from the time possession is gained in the defensive zone to get the ball in the attack area.

A.R. 4: Team A is leading the game. Al has the ball in the offensive half of the field and has established possession in the attack area. A loose ball is created with 2:02 remaining in the game. Al regains possession outside of the attack area on its offensive half with 1:58 remaining. RULING: The official shall signal "get it in/keep it in" at the 2:00 mark and start the 10-second count. Team A has the remaining time on the count (in this case, eight seconds) to get the ball into the attack area and must keep it in.

A.R. 5: Team A is leading the game and calls timeout on the offensive half of the field with 2:15 remaining in the game. When play is restarted, what requirements are Team A under to get the ball in the attack area? RULING: At the 2:00 mark, if Team A is outside the attack area, the official shall signal "get it in/keep it in" and start the 10-second count. If Team A is inside the attack area, the "keep it in" signal is made and administered.

A.R. 6: Team A is leading the game and Al gains possession in the defensive half with 2:10 remaining in the game. With 1:55 remaining in the game, Team A crosses the midfield line. RULING: The official shall signal "get it in/keep it in" when the ball crosses into the offensive half of the field and start the 10-second count.

A.R. 7: Team A is leading the game and Al gains possession in the defensive half with 2:15 remaining in the game. Al crosses the midfield line with 2:10 remaining in the game. The official signals "get it in/keep it in" at the 2:00 mark and starts the 10-second count. At the 1:50 mark, the official's "get it in/keep it in" count expires. RULING: In this case, Team A did not get the ball into the attack area before the "get it in/keep it in" count expired. Ball awarded to Team B.

A.R. 8: Team A is leading the game and Al gains possession in the defensive half with 2:15 remaining in the game. With 1:55 remaining, the official's timer sounds, and he begins his 10-second count. Al crosses the midfield line with 1:50 remaining. At 1:45, the official's 10-second count ends. RULING: The 30-second count supersedes the "get it in/keep it in" count. Ball awarded to Team B.

2011 Lacrosse Season: Wants you.....and your friend!!

2010-10-25T16:43:00.000-07:00

The WALOA board is beginning our efforts to prepare for the upcoming 2011 season. To make the upcoming season even better than last year for you is a pay bonus!
For high school officials there is a new recruiting bonus. Here is how it works:

- Find someone who either knows the game or wants to learn lacrosse.
- Bring them to the training events and get them linked into WALOA
- You both become members of WALOA (pay your dues)
- Your referral does 8 or more high school games (JV or V)
- You get $100 per official you recruit!!

Only one guy gets credit per new recruit, so act fast and send in your buddies name, email, phone, and background.

If you have any questions, just email the WALOA board

MobilityWod: Post a Link to MobilityWod

2010-08-28T21:10:00.000-07:00

Everyone needs mobility, whether in the classroom or field.

The school year quickly approaches; new clothes are being purchased; and you are ready to get together with the team and show-off your summer improvements. You deserve your time in the spotlight and let's make sure that time is pain free!

Every athlete encounters tight and soar muscles! The great athletes put in the time take care of tight and soar muscles! If you got ten minutes, you can take care of everything from those tight shoulders to soar ankles.

Check out: MobilityWod

And remember if you got questions, you gotta ask!

Check this out Coach--s-l-o-w motion

2010-08-11T20:40:00.000-07:00

Everyone from the players and referees are working in the off season to offer their A-game next season. What about those whistle-blowing-coaches?

Slow motion video has made it's way to the training table, helping teams get a leg-up on the state rivals. Athletic Movement is bound to help coaches help the:mselves. Heck, maybe Athletic Movement can help Officials, nay who is kidding who we are perfection. :-)

As always if you got questions, you got to ask!

Lacrosse Conditioing

2010-07-29T17:22:00.000-07:00

Your coaches asked me to pass on a message: "The season starts now. Stay in shape. Be ready to go!"

What is tougher than staying in good physical condition? Getting back to get in good physical condition. Spend the time this summer to stay in shape. Put down the Xbox, roll off the couch and do what takes. Here are a few links to help the cause. And I must admit to being a Crossfit addict.

Lacrosse Metabolic Conditioning

Lacrosse Training

As always if you got questions, you got to ask

Out of Control Players

2010-06-24T15:02:00.000-07:00

The other weekend I had the opportunity to officiate the Battle of Bothell. Great annual tournament, which this year featured top youth teams vs. the usual line up of youth and high school teams. Good level of play, but shocking sportsmanship. Two incidents come to mind

1. Where a 7/8th grade player dropped two F-bombs at me, after the game. Yes, that is correct from the mouth of babes came words I would not want my mother hearing. Although the game was over, my jurisdiction remains and players need to respect the game. I promptly tossed two flags on the player, assed two UC and the player saw himself sitting the next game.

2. Another 7/8th grade player—a keeper, different team, different game—came running 10-15 yards from the crease, after the horn sounded and delivered a cross-check to the back of a jumping player. Completely unnecessary and a flag was tossed. The keeper’s action came out of nowhere, except he was on the losing side of a 7/8th grade championship game.

Both where times for me to rememberHow to handle upset coaches, players and fans.

In both situations the players were out of control. The situations were different, as in #1 the coach did not have control of his player and could be seen supporting the player’s actions. In situation #2, the coach saw his player’s action and before I could deliver the foul said: “I saw that ref! I will take care of it right now! ‘Johnny’, get over here! What are you thinking?!” Situation #2 coach is developing a better player and young man.
As always, if you got questions, you got to ask!

To Error is Human

2010-06-04T15:38:00.000-07:00

We all make mistakes durinig a game. The goal is to limit the number of mistakes and outcome on the game.On June 2 a major league baseball umpire--Tim Joyce--made an error. This was no small error, but a biggie!

Situation: two outs in the 9th inning and the pitcher, piching a perfect game, the batter hits a ball to the first baseman requiring the pitcher to cover first base. Everyone, including the runner, knew he was out, except for Joyce calling the runner SAFE! This ended the perfect game and no hitter. The next batter was retired, ending the game.

With a perfect game being as rare as seeign a shooting star, this was a big error on Joyce's part. After the game he did the right thing, said he blew the call and apologized to the pitcher and teammates.

Point of this story is to do the right thing. You make a mistake admit it!

Remember to error is human and to forgive is divine.

I can be an idiot: Stick and equpment checks

2010-05-07T13:38:00.000-07:00

Like to considerate myself a good official. And part of being a good official is to learn from others.

The other day I had the opportunity to officiate a local high school D1 varsity match with Chris Long. To put it simply, Chris is one of the best officials in the NW and nationally. This upcoming week Chris will be traveling to Denver, Co to officiate in the The other day I had the opportunity to officiate a local high school D1 varsity match with Chris Long. To put it simply, Chris is one of the best officials in the NW and nationally. This upcoming week Chris will be traveling to Denver, Co to officiate in the MLCA National Championships.

During our match a coach requested a stick check. As the NHFS rules read, when conducting a stick check, you should inspect all of the players equipment--stick, gloves, shoes, helmet, mouth piece, uniform. The stick was legal, but the player had a whole in his glove the size of a tomato. It was huge!

My thinking was to tell the player to tape it up and get on with the game. Wrong! Chris gave the guy a 1 min non-releasable (NR), which was correct! The player was playing with illegal equipment and this was giving him an unfair advantage.

What makes you decide to penalize the player vs. telling him to tape it up? Well, a few things:
1. It the hole big or small? Do you feel the player intentionally ripped the gloves to create an advantage or is it normal wear-and-tear?

2. What is the game situation? Close game or blow-out?

If the hole is small; you feel the hole was created through normal wear-and-tear; and/or the game is not close; you will want to letg the player know he needs to tape the hole before coming back on the field.

Great thing about officiating lacrosse is you get to work with guys who are able to help you grow as an official.

Happy whistle blowing and remember if you got questions, you got to ask!

How to handle upset coaches, players and fans

2010-04-29T16:43:00.000-07:00

By the amount of time between posts it is obvious we are in the midst of lacrosse season and time for anything else has been limited. At this point we all have had the opportunity to make great calls, miss calls, receive praise and receive criticism. No matter which category fits you, you will find some helpful points.

1. Always be appreciative of having the opportunity to officiate a lacrosse match. We are providing a service and should always thank the teams for the opportunity to officiate their match.

2. Command respect. Yes, we provide a service and this does not mean we need to allow coaches, players, fans and/or parents to demean us. How much ‘crap’ do we take? That is a situational decision and you will have to make the call at that moment.

3. Practice self control. Don’t let anyone bait you into an argument. You have the most authority on the field and use it in a professional manner. Coaches, players, fans or anyone gets out of hand you can assess a conduct or personal foul on them. This action should be enough to calm the situation. Remember you are in control and the only one who can control your actions is yourself.

Example: I was involved in a match, where a coach did not see things as I saw them. Coach was not happy and let me know of his displeasure. Hey, I am human, it had been a long week and I was not in the mood for anyone’s ‘crap’ at that point. After the game, I signed the book, shook hands of players that approached and kept my mouth shut. So where did I turn? The WALOA board and so should you if you feel the need to talk about a game situation.

As always, if you got questions, you got to ask!

How to conduct a stick check

2010-03-24T14:53:00.000-07:00

This past week a couple of guys mentioned to me they were conducting a stick check and the coached grabbed the stick during the stick check! Hold on that is a big problem and something that should not happen. The guys did a good job of handling this situation and makes for a good blog post: How to conduct a stick check?

Different Levels
5/6 level only conduct a stick check if the coach requests one.
7/8 level, JV and High School conduct a stick check at the end of quarters 1 and 3.
College is complicated and not geared for this post. Email if you want the specifics.

Mechanics
1. Before the start of the game, decide with your partner who is going to check which teams stick at the end of the 1st and 3rd quarters. Does not apply to 5/6.
2. Get a players stick, as they are heading to their coaches to talk. Try and get a short stick and a player who has been influential in the half (scored some goals, picked up a lot of ground balls, etc.) Try to avoid going into a team's huddle to get a stick.
3. Take sticks to mid-field and measure the sticks. This removes the possibility of someone interfering with the stick check.
4. Penalize the stick if appropriate, otherwise lay the stick down on the team's respective side of the field by the wing line; or hand it to the player if he asks for the stick.

What to measure
1. Measure the length of the stick, from top of the head to the end cap.
2. Measure the width of the stick head at its widest point (inside-inside measurement, not outside-outside).
3. Measure the length of the stick head from the top of the head to the bottom of the head.
4. Set the ball in the pocket and hold it up to eye level. If the pocket sags and you can see over the top of the ball, to the other side, pocket is too deep.
5. With the ball the ball in the pocket, turn the stick upside down. You want to make sure the ball can freely rollout of the pocket.

Stick Measurements
1. Short stick length: 40-42 inches.
2. Long stick length: 52-72 inches.
3. Goal keep stick length: 42-72 inches.
4. Short and long stick head length: 10-12 inches.
5. Short and long stick head width:6.5-10 inches.
6. Goal keeper stick width: 10-12 inches.

Penalty
1. Stick is too short/long: 3 min NR. Stick must remain and table for the game and cannot re-enter game.
2. Stick head is too narrow/wide: 3 min NR. Stick must remain and table for during penalty and be used in game.
3. Stick head too short/long: 3 min NR. Stick must remain and table for during penalty and be used in game.
4. Deep pocket: 1 min NR. Stick must remain and table for during penalty and be used in game.

Tips
1. When asking a player for his stick, tell him not to touch his stick. We don't want him to alter his stick before he hands it to us. If he touches his stick before handing it to us. Toss a 1 min Unsportsmanlike Conduct on him. Do not do the stick check.
2. When checking to see if a ball can freely roll out of a stick, there is no need to cradle the ball. Simply turn the stick over and see if the ball will fallout. This is not a time to show your moves.
3. When conducting a stick check, also check the players other equipment.
4. Ball stop is not required.
5. If you find multiple stick violations, only penalize the most severe violation.
6. If you have problems remembering the proper stick lengths, write them down on the back of your scorecard for reference.

For more information on stick checks, look at rule 1-6 to 1-8 in the High School Federation rule book.

As always if you got questions, you got to ask!

Bellevue @ Eastlake: Stop that fighting

2010-03-17T18:13:00.000-07:00

Unsportmalike fouls are going to happen. That is why we need to know how to handle them on the field and after the game. Tuesday night I had the chance to watch Bellevue and Eastlake battle in a competitive match, up to half way through the 3rd period. An Eastlake player took a Bellevue man to the ground and gave him a good knee. Bellevue player did take kind to that and retaliated and gotta some help from a friend on his team. Well the Eastlake player didn't appreciate the other Bellevue guy jumping-in and gave some love his way.

So what did the refs do.......

Three flags hit the ground, whistles blew, players were separated and benches were frozen. The officials got together to make sure what they had and they relayed the penalties to the table. Each Bellevue player received a 1 min Unsportsmanlike Conduct (UC) and the Eastlake player received a 2 min UC--1 min for pushing Bellevue and 1 min for kneeing Bellevue. Rules call for these UC penalties to be non-releasable (NR), so the players were locked up for 1 min and 2 mins each. Play resumed with the Ball going to Bellevue, since they were supposed to get the ball, as it was out-of-bounds on Eastlake and penalty time was equal.

As always if you got questions, you gotta ask...........

Information to request games and start the season

2010-03-11T15:38:00.000-08:00

Week 1 is under our belts and everyone has had a chance to take the final test and met requirements to officiate.
Now you need to step up are request games. Requesting games is easy and straight forward.

1. Go to Sportabilty.

2. Youth games enter: BYLW (Boys Youth Lacrosse Washington). High School games enter Washington High School Boys Lacrosse.

3. Follow instructions to request games.

Simple as one, two, three!

As always if you have questions, you got to ask!

Lacrosse Goal Keeper Crease Play: Don’t Rush to Judgment

2010-02-23T22:07:00.000-08:00

Officiating play in and around the crease can be challenging for even a seasoned official. Things happen very quickly, usually in a crowd, and making the correct call requires a solid understanding of the rules, proper positioning and good coordination with your partner. In fact, in no other area of play is teamwork between officials more critical in making the right call.

Typical situation
Attackman receives a pass in front of the crease, shoots, the ball ends up in the goal and the attackman lands in the crease. What’s the call? Does the goal count? Well, that all depends. Did the attackman land in the crease as a result of his own momentum? Did he dive or jump into the crease? Was he pushed – legally or illegally – into the crease? And when did the ball cross the plane of the goal – before or after the player landed in the crease?

Lot going on and knowing the rules can make things easier.
1. Any time an attacking player is in the crease prior to the ball crossing the plane of the goal, the goal does not count, regardless of how he got there (Rule 4-20, art. 2).
2. If the attacking player dives or jumps and his own momentum carries him into the crease, the goal is disallowed; regardless if he entered the crease before or after the bal crossed the plain of the goal (Rule 4-20, art. 1).

Now let’s cover the remaining situations:

• Player is legally checked into the crease. If the ball goes into the goal prior to the player landing in the crease, goal counts. If the player lands in the crease before the ball crosses the goal plane, no goal, award the ball to the defense outside of the box laterally from the goal.

• Player is checked or pushed illegally into the crease. First and foremost, THROW YOUR FLAG! Yell FLAG DOWN! If the ball goes into the goal prior to the player landing in the crease, goal counts, if the penalty was a personal foul the offending team serves the penalty (if it’s a technical foul it is wiped out by the goal). If the player lands in the crease before the ball crosses the plane, no goal. The offending team serves the penalty and the ball is awarded to the attacking team outside of the box laterally from the goal.

Basic rule of thumb
Player enters the crease before the ball goes into the goal = no goal.
Player enters the crease after the ball goes into the goal = goal.

Again, don’t rush to judgment: check with your partner, determine the sequence of events, make the right call and clearly relay that call to the table area.

Big shout out to Joe DiChiaro for writing this post. And always remember if you have questions, you got to ask.

Rule Books and Test

2010-02-19T16:44:00.000-08:00

Everyone is doing a great job of prepping for the lacrosse season. Now that you have attended the Jan 31 orientation and one of the two training sessions-- or maybe even both training sessions-- it is time to sit for the test. Testing dates will be posted here soon and you can plan on taking the test during the last two weeks of February and the first two weeks of March.

Keep this information top of mind:

Youth Officials- Level 1 test will be offered at the beginning of the session and will take 30-45 minutes to complete. Level 1 officials will be able to leave once the test has been completed. Plan for one hour.

HS Officials- Level 2 test will be offered once the Level 1 test has been completed. It should take 30-45 minutes to complete. Plan for two hours. Varsity guys will still need to pass the NFHS on-line test.

Learning from the first time on the field, MaryMoore Mashup

2010-02-15T20:30:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday some officials took the field for the first time. Here is a recap of things that well well and room for growth. Even if you were not on the field take a look and gain from their experience.

Good
1. Great job communicating with your partner before restarting play. Keep doing this and it will really help. Remember hold your arm straight up if you are not ready and the field is not set. Hold your arm straight out to the side when you are ready and the field is set.

2. Good job of blowing your whistle when the ball went out of bounds and when a goal was scored. Remember to blow the whistle loud and often. You are in control.

3. Good slash and loose ball push calls. You did a good job of being consistent, meaning the fouls you called early in the game; you called at the end of the game.

4. Overall good positioning and hustle. Remember which goal line, end line and side line are your responsibility. Beat the ball to these lines and keep the ball between you and your partner.

Growth Areas
1. On the coin toss, catch the coin. Don’t let it hit the ground. Don’t catch it and flip it over. If you drop it, do it over.

2. If the Keeper gets the ball in the crease, count and signal the four second count.

3. Read the rules. Know the major fouls:
    a. Slashing
    b. Illegal body check
    c. Tripping
    d. Pushing
    e. Offside

4. You have to know what these fouls are and what you are going to do after you blow the whistle or toss your flag; if you send the player off the field, how long is the penalty, and how to restart play. Best way to learn this is by watching games and focusing on the refs.

Miscellaneous
1. Many of you need to get a whistle, flags, scorecard, fox 40 whistle, and hat. You can find links to places to buy these items--Zebra Wear and Honigs and a blog post on uniforms (Equipment check) at Lax Chat.

2. Attend regional training sessions. You can find a list of the training sessions at Lax Chat.

3. If you don’t have a rule book you can buy one for $6 at one of the regional training. If you joined US Lacrosse as an official, you should receive one in the mail.

4. If you don’t have your rule book, you can find information on rules at Lax Chat. Read post and ask   questions, if you have any questions.
   a. Knowing how to call Tripping
   b. Knowing how to call Pushing
   c. Knowing how to call Offside
   d. Knowing how to call an Illegal Body Check
   e. Knowing how to call a Slash
   f. Importance of field positioning

Great job out there today and keep up learning the game. Remember, got questions, just ask.

Training Time and Pre-season officiating opportunities

2010-02-07T14:25:00.000-08:00

There was a great training session on January 31 and the learning will continue before the season starts. Great training sessions will be held around the greater Seattle area in the coming weeks and all are geared to make better officials.

Training Times and Locations
East-Side (February 11 and 23) 6:00PM-7:30PM, Mercer Island High School. For more information Contact: Harlan Worden or Andy Asante.

North Sound (February 9th & 23rd) 6:00PM-7:30PM, 9654 NE 182nd Street Bothell WA 98011. For more information contact: Stan Kosick.

South Sound (February 7th and 21st) 6:00PM-7:30PM, 711 Commerce St., Suite 210 Tacoma, WA. For more information contact: Keith MacFie or Aaron Koransky.

Bellingham (February 11th & 25th) 6:30 to 8:30pm, Redpoint Structures 1264 Mt. Baker Hwy., Bellingham, WA 98228-3280. For more information contact: Bob Smith.

All sessions will cover key information to help you feel more confident, call a quality match, walk off the field and hear the coaches and fans give you a heartfelt “Thank You. You called a good match.”

Session materials
The sessions will go into much greater depth and provide you with a great opportunity to develop a better game understanding than the initial January 31 training. These sessions will be smaller in nature and geared towards addressing specifics. Here are some topics that will be covered:

1. Illegal Body Check

2. Slashing

3. Tripping

4. Pusing

5. Offside

6. Uniform

These sessions can give you tools you need to be a quality official and ready to take the field.

Chances to Officiate
After you have the knowledge it is time to put it into action. These four opportunities provide you a great chance to get experience, make mistakes and get praised, before the ‘real’ season starts.

Eastside Catholic MS February 27

Mash Up in Marymoor February 13-14

Cavalier Tournament in Bellingham March 13-14

Kateri Eastside Catholic March 12-13-14

To find out more information, email the WALOA assignor.

Looking forward to seeing you soon and as always; Got qustions? Ask and get answers.

How to keep the learning going? Follow up to the WALOA Training Meeting.

2010-01-31T21:36:00.000-08:00

Sunday, January 31, the WALOA season started. We had a great turnout from veteran and rookie officials. During the day we discussed personal & technical fouls, game management, getting paid and had a few laughs.

It was a great start in getting ready for an exciting season and we need to keep the learning going. Here are some steps you can take to be ready for your first game.

1. Read your rule book. Become familiar with the rules, how to recognize a foul, procedure for signaling the foul and how to penalize a player.

2. Read this blog. This blog covers some of the major aspects of the game and gives you a place to ask questions and get answers.

3. Attend training sessions. Before the season starts several training sessions will be held. Attend these sessions, for they will go into greater game specifics. More information will be posted here on those training sessions.

4. Review training decks. Visit the WALOA web site, download the Jan. 31 training decks and review them.

Let’s keep the momentum going. Got questions? Ask and get answers.

Fit enough? Being in shape to be in position to be able to make the correct call!

2010-01-19T22:03:00.000-08:00

Thought that picture may catch your eye! And who knows after reading this you may be fast enough to catch her…..

Besides being prepared mentally, by knowing the rules, you also need to be prepared physically. Let’s look at the basic physical requirements of an average Lacrosse match.

1. Field is 110 yards long. You will be responsible for covering roughly 75 yards of the filed (55 yards goal to midfield + 20 yards midfield to top of restraining box).

2. A game can last 40 minutes (no OT) and during that time let’s be conservative and say you cover those 75 yards 94 times. This works out to 7050 yards or roughly 4 miles.

Some may say “running 4 miles is no problem! I jog 5 miles during the week, so I am good to go. Plus these are kids! I am a man! No problem for me to keep up!” If you have had these thoughts roll through your head or off your lips, allow me to add a few other points for you to consider.

1. Correct, you are a man and for some a man past his athletic prime. Let’s be honest here, myself included.

2. Correct, these are kids and these kids are fast. Remember how long and how fast you could run as a kid?

3. It is great you can jog 5 miles, however in lacrosse most of the time you will be required to sprint, not jog.

4. Besides being able to run you have to be able to blow the whistle and announce your call. When you are gasping for breath, blowing a whistle and making a call are not on the top of things you like to do.

Spending time doing interval training is a great way to ensure you are in good physical shape to cover the field and be in position to make the call. As with starting any type of physical training, consult with your doctor before starting a training program.

Interval training can be as complex as the diet of a highly trained Olympic athlete or as simple as an elementary school kid trying to get faster. Simply put you want to focus on short periods of high intensity work, followed by short periods of low intensity work. Before you start your interval training spend 5 minutes going through a good warm up. And plan on performing a routine 3x a week, leaving you a recovery day after each workout.

Here are a few routines you can use to help ensure you are ready to cover the lacrosse field.

1. Straight a-ways: Go to a track and sprint the straight a-ways and jog the turns. Build the number of laps you complete each week. Week 1: 4 laps, Week 2: 6 laps, Week: 3 8 laps, etc.

2. Ladders: Go to a football field and perform a Ladder. One Ladder consists of a sprint from the goal line to the 10 yard line. Jog back to the goal line. Sprint from the goal line to the 20 yard line. Jog back to the goal line. Sprint to the 30 yard line. Jog back to the goal line. Sprint to the 40 yard line. Jog back to the goal line. Sprint to the 50 yard line. Jog back to the goal line. Make your longest spring 70 yards (the other 30 yard line). Week 1: 3 times, Week 2: 4 times, Week 3: 5 times, etc. Rest 3-5 minutes between Ladders.

3. FAB: These are great to increase your agility, as in Lacrosse you will be running both forwards and backwards. Go to a football field and sprint from the goal line to the 20 yard line. Run backwards to the goal line. Perform 10 times with :30 seconds of rest between FABs .

If you don’t have access to a football field or a track, no problem. Sprint for 20 seconds and jog for 10 seconds. No access to a football field, track or watch no problem. Sprint while you count to 15 and jog while you count to 8.

This high intensity training will help you increase both your aerobic and anaerobic capacity—ability to run long distances and sprint.

If you find these routines to simple, leave a comment asking for something more intense. What have you done in the past to get in shape for lacrosse season? Do you have any favorite workouts?

By the way, good luck catching her.....

Knowing how to call Tripping

2009-12-13T18:00:00.000-08:00

Tripping represents about 5% of the calls you will make during a game. Tripping is a personal foul and resultsin a 1 minute penalty. This post will examine what is tripping and the proper mechanics to make the call.

Tripping (Rule 5-7, p.53)
1. Plan language: A player uses any part of his body or crosse to hit a player below the waist causing the player to lose balance and/or fall to the ground.

2. Official language: A player may not trip an opponent with any part of his body or crosse. Tripping is obstructing an opponent at or below the waist with the crosse, hands, arms, feet or legs, by any positive primary action if the obstructing player is on his feet or by any secondary action when the obstructing player is not on his feet. When a player legally checks the crosse of an opponent and the result is to cause the opponent to trip over his own crosse, no foul is committed. Similarly if an opponent falls over a player’s corsse when that player is attempting to scoop a loose ball, no foul has been committed.

3. Tripping results in a time serving foul.

Tips for making the call
1. Look for this call when player D is chasing player O on a fast break; or when player O is chasing player D from running the ball out on a clear.

2. Word of caution: Just because two player’s feet get tangled and a player(s) fall to the ground does NOT mean a trip has occurred. Two players can have their feet get tangled due to legal play.

3. If player D is chasing player O, from behind, and their feet get tangled and player O falls to the ground consider if a trip or push occurred. While it may appear that a trip occurred, consider if a push is a more appropriate call. Did player D really trip player O or did player D make contact and push player O? Regardless if you call a trip or push, you through a flag in both cases and player D serves a penalty. The difference is a push is a :30 second penalty and a trip is a 1 minute penalty.

Steps to Call Tripping
1. Witness the trip.

2. Yell ‘flag down’ and toss your flag. Once the ball hits the ground or the fouled player looses possession, blow your whistle.

3. Say to yourself the player’s number that committed the trip. You don’ want to forget.

4. Send the player off the field and report to your partner and the table the penalty.

Be sure to check back for the other top calls you need to know and see you on the field!

Knowing how to call Pushing

2009-12-01T21:59:00.000-08:00

Pushing represents about 15% of the calls you will make during a game. Similar to offside pushing can result in either a time-serving penalty of simply a change of possession. If you are wondering what determines if a player sits or a simple change of possession, read on my brother; read on! This post will explain the difference on a loose ball push and push with possession; the benefits of calling a pushing foul; good times to call a push and the proper mechanics to make the call.

Push (Rule 6-9, p.62)
1. Plan language: It is illegal for a player to push or make contact with a player from the rear. And a player won’t push another player when a loose ball is more than 5 yards away from the player.

2. Official language: A player shall not thrust or shove an opponent from the rear. A push is exerting pressure after contact is made and is not a violent blow. Pushing is permitted from the front or side when an opponent has possession of the ball or is within 5 yards of a loose ball. In this case, pushing shall be done with either closed hand, shoulder or forearm and both hands shall be on the crosse.

3. Time serving vs. change of possession
a. If the ball is loose, meaning neither Team O nor Team D have possession, no time will be served for the push. The ball will be given to the team that was pushed. The penalty to the team that did push is they do not get possession of the ball.

b. When a loose ball push occurs, hold up your hand and yell “play-on”, wait 1-2 secs to see if the Team that was pushed gets control of the ball. If the Team that was pushed gets control of the ball, continue play. If neither the team that pushed nor neither team gets control of the ball, blow your whistle and award the ball.

The ball is loose. Team D pushes Team O. Yell "play on" and award the ball to Team O.

c. If the ball is in possession of Team O and Team D pushes Team O; Team D will serve a :30 penalty and the ball will remain in possession of Team O.

d. When a push with one team in possession of the ball occurs, toss your flag and yell “flag down”. If the team that was pushed looses the ball, blow your whistle to stop play and send the player who pushed to the penalty box to serve a :30 penalty.

Team O has possession of the ball. Team D pushes Team O. Toss your flag and yell "flag down". Team D serves a :30 penalty and award the ball to Team O.

Tips for making the call
1. When there are a group of players trying to gain possession of the ball, look ‘closely’ for someone to push a player from the back. Remember if a player touches another player from the back, you can call this a push.

Often when a group of players are in a pile and trying to get a loose ball it is a recipe for trouble. You want to prevent unnecessary injuries, from someone flying into the pile or one guy getting made and hitting someone. This is the perfect time to call a loose ball push. Note: you will have to judge a team’s skill set when making this call.

3. There will be times when a player O is standing along the sideline with his back to the field. Coaches, players and fans will yell to push player O out of bounds. Legal? No. This would be a push with possession. Word of caution: be aware if the player has the ball in his crosse when he is pushed or if he has thrown the ball. Often a player, thinking he is going to go out of bounds will throw the ball before he is pushed. In this case, you could call a loose ball push.

4. The difference between a push and an illegal body check (IBC) can be a thin line. Remember if the push is violent and/or the player ran into the opponent you have an IBC and not a push. We all know what a push looks like and we all know when someone gets hit or IBC. Establish for yourself the difference between a push an IBC and consistently make that call.

Steps to Call Pushing
1. Witness the push.

2. Yell ‘flag down’ and toss your flag or yell “play on” and blow your whistle and enforce the penalty.

3. Say to yourself the player’s number that committed the push. You don’t want to forget.

4. If the push results in a time serving penalty, send the player off the field and report to your partner and the table the penalty. Remember the penalty will be :30.

5. If the push does not result in a time serving penalty restart play as soon as possible.

Got questions? Want to confirm a rule? Leave a comment and someone will be sure to get back to you with an answer. Also, be sure to check back for the other top calls you need to know!

Knowing how to call Offside

2009-11-22T21:34:00.000-08:00

Offside represents about 15% of the calls you will make on the field. The interesting thing about offside is it can result in a time-serving penalty or simply a change of possession. You may be asking ‘what determines if it is a time-serving penalty or simply a change of possession?’ This post will answer that question along with explaining defensive & offensive offside, when to look for offside and the proper mechanics to make the call.

Offside (Rule 4-10, 4-11, 4-12 & 6-8 p.33-34, 44-45 & 62)
1. Plain language: A team must always have 4 players in their defensive half of the field; and a team must always have 3 players in their offensive half of the field. Any time a team violates one of these requirements it results in an offside penalty.

2. Official Language: A team is considered offside when it has fewer than three players in its offensive half of the field (between the center line and the end line)

3. Official Language: A team is considered offside when it has fewer than four players in its defensive half of the field (between the center line and the end line)

4. Time serving vs. change of possession
a. If no team has possession of the ball and someone goes offside, the ball will be awarded to the team that did not go offside. No penalty time shall be served.

Loose ball. Offside on Offense. Award ball to Defense.

b. If a team has possession of the ball, than there are two possible results.

i. Team D is clearing the ball up the field and Team O is trying to prevent the ball from being cleared. Team O has one of its attack men cross the mid-field line and now only has 2 players in the offensive end of the field. Offside on Team O. Yell, ‘Flag down’ and toss the flag. Once the ball hits the ground, blow your whistle and enforce penalty. Team A serves a :30 penalty.

Ball in possession of Defense. Offside on Offense. Toss flag, yell flag down. Offesnse serves :30

ii. Team D is clearing the ball up the field and Team O is trying to prevent the ball from being cleared. Team D has one of its defensive men cross the mid-field line and now only has 3 players in the defensive end of the field. Offside on Team D. Immediately blow your whistle and enforce the penalty. Award the ball to Team O on their offensive side of mid-field.

Ball in possession of Defense. Offside on Defense. Award ball to Offense

5. Offside results in either a :30 penalty or awarding of possession.

6. If Team B (defense) is clearing the ball and Team A (offense) goes offside, it will result in a ‘free clear’. Team B gets the ball at mid-field—one step on their offensive end.

7. Offside enforcement
a. When both teams are offside at the same time and one team has possession. Blow your whistle, stop play, and put players on the correct side of mid-field. The team with possession of the ball shall keep possession.
b. Both teams are offside at the same time and neither team has possession. Blow your whistle, stop play, and put players on the correct side of mid-field. Award the ball according to alternate possession.

8. A team is not considered offside, when a player seeing he is going to be offside runs out of bounds instead of going offside. The player must immediately return to the field and enter on the proper side of the field.

Tips for making the call
1. Be in position to make the call. Perfect position is to be straddling the mid-field line.

2. When you see a long-pole running up the field, there is a good chance you will have offside. A mid-field or attack man needs to drop into the defensive half of the field before the long-pole crosses mid-field.

3. When you see an attack man riding the defense hard, there is a good chance the attack man will go offside.

4. As soon as a player’s foot touches the mid-field line, he is offside.

5. If a player’s Crosse and not his body goes over the mid-field line, he is not offside.

Steps to Call Offside
1. Witness the offside.

2. Yell ‘flag down’ and toss your flag or immediately blow your whistle and enforce the penalty.

3. Say to yourself the player’s number that committed the offside. You don’ want to forget.

4. If the offside results in a time serving penalty, send the player off the field and report to your partner and the table the penalty. Remember the penalty will be :30.

5. If the offside does not result in a time serving penalty, put players on the proper side of the field and restart play.

Be sure to check back for the other top calls you need to know!

Knowing how to call an Illegal Body Check

2009-11-17T15:16:00.000-08:00

Illegal Body Checking (IBC) represents about 35% of the calls you will make on the field. In this post you will learn the difference between a legal and illegal body check; how to make the call; what to look for and the penalty associated with an illegal body check.

Illegal Body Check (Rule 5-5 p. 52)

1. Plain language: Player A hits/checks player B in any of these situations:
    a. above the shoulders

    b. at or below the waist

    c. from the backside

    d. with his helmet. This is called spearing.

    e. when player B does not have the ball or is within 5 yards of a loose ball.

    f. when any part of Player B has part of his body on the ground.

2. Official Language: Body Checking of an opponent who is not in possession of the ball or within 5 yards of a loose ball….Avoidable body check of an opponent after he has passed of shot the ball….making contact above the shoulders…any part of his body other than his feet on the ground….blocking an opponent with the head of initiating contact with the head.

3. Word of caution for calling an IBC, when player B is on the ground and player A makes contact. If the contact is not viscous and not a hit, a more appropriate call maybe a hold. It could be a hold because player A made contact with player B and “held” him from moving, even if for a brief moment. Note: holding is a technical and not a personal foul, resulting in either a: 30 sec penalty or a change of possession.

4. IBC is a personal foul and results in a 1-3 minute penalty. Majority of the calls will be a 1 minute penalty.

5. When would it be more than a 2 minute penalty? For example: Player A hits player B above the shoulders (1 min) and from behind (1 min). You could justify more than 1 minute because of the high hit and from behind. Another example is if you thought the hit was extremely viscous—if really nasty think about an unsportsmanlike conduct non releasable foul.

6. Spearing/hitting with the helmet: These types of fouls are very dangerous to both Player A and player B. Therefore IBC that are spearing are all non releasable penalties and last 1-3 minutes.

7. Note the IBC rule will be different for youth Lacrosse. You will call a closer game and need to in force the rules, such as: no take-out checks, one step and then contact.

Steps to call an IBC

1. Witness the IBC.

2. Toss your flag and yell flag down.

3. Say to yourself the player’s number that committed the IBC. You don’ want to forget.

4. As soon as the ball hits the ground or the team that committed the IBC gets the ball or maintains possession, blow your whistle and stop play.

5. Be on the lookout for retaliation from other players.

6. Report to your partner the penalty—this is HUGE. Always make sure you and your partner are on the same page.

7. Send player off the field.

8. Report to the table the penalty and restart play.

Be sure to check back for the other top calls you need to know!

Knowing how to call a Slash

2009-11-11T16:20:00.000-08:00

Previously we highlighted the 5 calls that will make up 90% of the calls you need to make.

1. Slashing, 35%

2. Illegal Body Check, 35%

3. Offside, 15%

4. Pushing, 10%

5. Tripping, 5%

This shows 70% of the calls will be either a Slashing or Illegal Body Check (IBC). Know these rules, hand signals and application, and you will have the vast majority of the game under control and look like a Superstar Official.

You may think it is cool to be involved in a fight or have to toss a flag on a coach. The number of times you do this will be very few. Plus if you have a fight or out of control coach, how did you let the game get to that point?

Today we will discuss Slashing (Rule 6, page 53). In the next four posts, we will take a look at the other common penalties.

Slashing

1. Plain language: Player A hitting Player B with his crosse.

2. Official language: Swinging a crosse at an opponent’s crosse or body with deliberate viciousness or reckless abandon, regardless if the opponent’s crosse or body is struck.

3. If the player is swinging his crosse out of control and does not make contact with a player, it can still be called a slash.

4. Slashing is a personal foul and results in a 1-3 minute penalty.

5. Official’s discretion if the penalty is 1-3 minutes.

Steps to call a Slash

1. Witness the slash.

2. Toss your flag and yell flag down.

3. Say to yourself the player’s number that committed the slash.

4. As soon as the ball hits the ground or the team that committed the slash gets the ball blow your whistle and stop play.

5. Report to your partner the penalty—this is HUGE. Always make sure you and your partner are on the same page.

6. Send player off the field.

7. Report to the tale the penalty and restart play.

Be sure to check back for the other top calls you need to know!

Importance of field positioning

2009-11-10T16:26:00.000-08:00

Being in the right position will help you make the right call and convince the coaches, players and fans you made the right call. No official will ever make 100% of the right calls and you are not expected to make the right call everytime. We are human and we make mistakes. Making the wrong call does not make a coach happy, but what really makes a coach mad is being in the wrong position and not hustling.

Today I had the opportunity to work a 7/8 grade match and my partner did a great job. Although he had limited experience, he blew his whistle, yelled out his calls, used good hand signals and tossed the flag at the right times. Despite doing these things well, the coaches still had justified complaints about positioning. It is so much easier for you and your partner to “sell” a call if you are in the right position.

Here are some basic guidelines to make sure you are in the right position.
1. Always beat the ball to the end line, goal line and midfield.

2. Know your sideline and end line and goal line of responsibility.

-Official A is responsible for the red sideline and end line and goal line.

-Official B is responsible for the green sideline and end line and goal line.

-Beat the ball to these lines and when you are there make the call.

3. Keep the ball between you and your partner.

Wrong. Ball is closer to the sideline and end line than official. Ball is not b/w officials A & B.

Right: Balls is b/w officials A and B. The officials are in position to beat the ball to the line.

Right. Ball goes below the goal line and official A drops below the GL. Official B drops near GL. Official B is watching the goal and Official A is watching the end line.

4. Hustle. Running to be in position will take you a long way and earn you points with your partner. Besides getting the appreciation of your partner, it will be tough for coaches to argue your calls, as you are in the right position.

See you on the field!

Space Needle Shootout...40 days and counting.

2009-10-25T22:23:00.000-07:00

On October 25 another Space Needle Shootout (SNS) email was sent. If you didn't get the email make sure you get on the distribution list by sending an email to waloa@msn.com or posting a comment.

The email was a good reminder on the importance of looking like an official and making sure you and your other officials are dressed the same. Before you open your mouth, blow your whistle or make a call; coaches, players and fans have already formed an opinion on your skills. Here are a few things you can do to ensure you are 'looking the part' and you are dressed to impress.

Officials unifrom

Black pin-striped cap

Black and white striped officials jersey (it's December - wear a long sleeve jersey - do not wear a short sleeve striped jersey with a long sleeve black shirt underneath)

Black undershirt

White Shorts

Black Belt

Two yellow, weighted flags

Lacrosse Score Card with pencil

Coin (for coin toss)

Whistle (Fox-40 recommended)

Small tape measure

20 second timer (for HS games)

Knee-high white socks with black tops

Solid Black Cleats.

Since the SNS will be held in December - long pants will be allowed. Officials may wear solid black pants over their shorts. It is preferred for crews to match, talk to your partners about it before the game.

Depending on the weather, you may also bring a solid black windbreaker or fleece to wear over your jersey - if the weather is rain or cold, which is very likely.

-See you on the field

Trick or Treat or Slahing or Space Needle Shootout?

2009-10-22T15:22:00.000-07:00

On October 20, the our new fearless WAOLA president--Aaron Koransky-- sent out an email to all officials with some great tips for getting ready. If you did not get the email, let me know. You want to be on Aaron's emails list, because you want to be in the loop.

Here are the key takeaways and reminders for this week. If you have any questions, add them to the blog and they will be answered quicker than you can yell "Flag down"!

Takeaways

We are now 6 ½ weeks away from the Space Needle Shoot Out!!

This year the Space Needle tournament will serve as a key component to determining which level our high school officials will be designated. At the tournament, each of you will receive at least one evaluation and valuable feedback to ensure we are developing you as an official.

Space Needle Shooout IS A REQUIRED EVENT for any OFFICIAL who intends on doing high school games this season.

Reminders as a COUNT DOWN TO SHOOTOUT!!!

Chris Long will be leading a refresher course in November.

Reminders: Pre-game Management

Arrive at the field dressed and ready to go no less than 30 minutes prior to game time

Introduce yourself and certify the coaches for each team ("Coach, is everyone legally equipped by rule?")

Gather captains #s and designated in-home # (first listed attack man in book)

Talk to both coaches about any potential ground rules and obstacles; field questions

Ensure that teams are keeping distance from center-line (avoid pre-game intimidation and altercations)

Check nets for holes

Be available for stick checks

Introduce yourself to table crew and be available for any questions (make sure the horn and game clock works)

Call captains (home team facing bench)

Flip coin (Teams with back to goal they will defend first, tap captain on should signifying 1st alternating possession

Smile and have fun

Questions or Comments? Add them to the comment section.

See you on the field!

Summer Time Fun

2009-06-06T22:08:00.000-07:00

The official lacrosse season is now complete. Once again Issaquah took the championship in a hard fought final match.

The season the officials, both rookies and vets, had a great season. We all learned a lot of valuable lessons that will serve us well next year. Before you put your whistle and long white socks away for the year, be sure to get involved in the many summertime opportunities to blow your whistle. The more you stay involved with the sport during the "off" season; the more you will excel next year when high school and middle school resume.

Here are a few known opportunities and be sure to check back here for more opportunities to put on the white socks.

June 6 Seattle Magnuson Park, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 2 fields, 9:00am -5:00 pm

June 6 Stanwood 5-6, 7-8, 3 fields, 9:00 - 4:0

June 19-20-21 Battle of Bothel

June 20-21 Washington State Challenge HS Elite,

The lads are improving

2009-05-03T22:18:00.000-07:00

This weekend I had the chance to observe two younger officials and I was impressed. They had control of the field. They made the right calls and the right time. And the best part was they communicated with one another. Sure they made mistakes, but they were minimal and non game changing.

They did have a small problem with field positioning and the best way to correct that is with more experience. Get out there and watch more games; talk more lacrosse and be exposed to difficult game situations.

I learn new things every game and the learning never stops. We all need to do a better job of making the distinction b/w a trip and push. The d/f b/w a trip and push is a thin line. If a player sticks his leg or crosse out and causes another player to go, then we got a trip. If a player is chasing someone from behind and their feet get tangled, then consider calling a push.

Know the score and game situation and then make the right call!

Have fun and toss the flag

Mid Season Check Point

2009-04-06T21:19:00.001-07:00

We are half way through the season and at this point you should have run across all the major fouls/violations: illegal body check, slashing, offsides; tripping; moving screens. Plus you should have signaled many goals and taken some heat from the coaches. If not ask yourself why not?

If you have questions, now is the time to ask a senior official because asking your buddies doesn't seem to be helping. So what questions are running through your mind before you step on the field or right now?

Talk to you soon.

Week 1--How did it go?

2009-03-11T20:24:00.000-07:00

At this point, you should have, blown your whistle, tossed your flag and shouted a few play-ons. Early feedback is everyone is doing a great job, but we need more feedback.

How was your first game?
Any calls give your problems?
How was it dealing with the coaches?
Did you throw your flag or did it stay in your pants?

Share with the group your experiences. Help educate your fellow refs.

See you on the field...........................

Snow storm

2009-02-26T20:27:00.000-08:00

Due to today's weather the Thursday night session has been cancelled. Treat today's events as a good example to always check with the school or assigning authority to see if a game is going to be held. You will have days with bad weather and on those days think ahead and see if the game is a go.

MarryMore Mash Up Experience

2009-02-21T14:01:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago many new officials came out to run with some vets and call a game. There were even a few rookie refs who were able to call a game. Regardless if you watched, ran with a vet or called a game; tremendous experienced was gained.

All the rookies who participated said they were nervous to start, which is normal. However now they feel comfortable going into the season and those are games that really count! Experience leads to comfortability and comfortability leads to confidence and confidence leads to good officials.

So how do you get 'it'? The Mash up won't be back for a while, so what do you do? Get in that rule book. Know the big rules. Know your position. Know the flow of the game. Know you know what you are doing.

Last, but not least.......have fun! :-)

Equipment check

2009-02-06T23:59:00.000-08:00

This pass Thursday we talked about the famous uniform. I know all of you are so, so anxious to put on the strips and blow that whistle.

Here are two places to check for lacrosse official uniforms. The starter package gives you what you need to get started.

http://www.zebrawear.com/gear.htm

http://www.honigs.com/browse_products.asp?Cat=1&Sub=87

Remember it is important to look the part!

Where to start?

2009-02-06T23:46:00.000-08:00

At this point you should have had the opportunity to attend the first referee's training session. That's a great start, but where do you go from here? It's time to get to know the rules and prepare for game situations.

While the rule book can seem overwhelming, don't let it scare you. While it is important to know all the rules, focus on the big rules. A great place to start is knowing these rules, their hand signals and how to apply these rules.

-Slashing
-Illegal body check
-Tripping
-Offsides
-Pushing

See you Thursday....................

Season Starts Now

2009-02-02T22:26:00.000-08:00

A few Saturdays ago a referee training session was held. Everyone received good information and a running start on the season, but there is a long way to go.

Over the next weeks, spend time in your rule book; learn the hand signals; ask questions of other officials; attend training sessions; visualize the game and have fun! This is the time to ask questions and learn how to manage a game.

As a reminder here are the upcoming trainings sessions.

North Region:Wednesdays: Feb 4, 11, 18, 25 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Stan Kosick, walaxref@hotmail.com
Bothell City Hall
Room# will be sent out by Stan

East Region:Thursdays: Feb 5, 12, 19, 26 6:30 - 8:00pm
Harlan Worden hfworden@yahoo.com
Sammamish High School
100 140th SEBellevue, WA 98005

South Region:Saturdays, Feb 7, 14, 21, 28 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Keith MacFie dalymac@harbornet.com
S. Commerce St. Suite 21098402 Tacoma WA

West Region:Sundays Feb 8, 15, 22, 1 March
Erik Smith WALOA@msn.com
Bainbridge Island Public Library

Trust

2008-11-22T23:14:00.001-08:00

How many teams are there on a lacrosse field? Two. Wrong! There are three: Home Team, Visiting Team, and Officiating Team. Just as the players on both teams trust one another, you must trust your other officials.

You can't see, nor should you, see the entire field all the time. You must watch your area of responsibility and trust your partner is watching his area of responsibility. There are times your vision will cross and you will both see the same play. What happens when you disagree on a play? Your partner those a flag and you think it was a legal play?

Depending on many factors, such as: experience level of officials, level of play, game situation and many others, you can take a few actions. Get your partners attention and have him explain what he saw and share your thoughts with him or talk with your partner between periods. Experience will let you know the best time and manner for handeling these types of situations. These types of conversations are what make all of us better officials.

Safety First

2008-11-15T18:57:00.000-08:00

While on the field your main responsibility is to ensure safety. This involves appropriately enforcing the rules and using common sense. During today's youth game the keeper made a save, but didn't use his stick, foot, chest or thighs. Instead he made the greatest sacrifice any man can make! He stopped the ball, well with his balls. Yes, he took one in the groin, the family jewels, directly below the belt. To his credit he was properly equipped and wearing a cup. Even with a cup the pain is intense. The keeper was in obvious pain and as an official it was clear play needed to be stop. The ball was loose, so possession was awarded based on alternate possession. This was a clear reason to stop play....enjoyed keeper.

As the game progressed and the sun began to set and another safety issue became a factor. Players, coaches, officials and fan's visibility. Both officials chatted before the period that visibility could be a factor in finishing the game and pointed it out to the coaches. So with 4 minutes left and the ball traveling out of bounds, both officials agreed visibility was too difficult to continue play. With the stop in play and the score lop-sided the officials notified both coaches it was time to call the game and then signaled to the players and fans the game was over.

Point to remember that it is the responsibility of the officials to control the game and make decisions, such as visibility, on to whether a game should be ended. Remember safety is the number one priority.

Show me the Money!

2008-11-08T17:05:00.000-08:00

Many people will list different reasons for officiating: love of the game, exercise, enjoy officiating, better understand the game and the list goes on. Your reason may be listed above or it may be another reason. Whichever camp you fall into, we all enjoy getting paid. You are preforming a service, properly preparing for the game and officiating the game to the best of your ability. In exchange the teams are agreeing to abide by the rules and compensate you for your service.

Negotiating financial matters can be a sensitive issue and it is best dealt with prior to game day or at the minimum before the game. Make sure both teams understand the rate you are expecting and have them commit to paying you before the game or after the game. Getting this out of the way before the game, prevents you and the other teams having to deal with this after the game. Right after the games tempers can be running high and no one really wants to deal with money at that time. If you leave the field without getting paid, the probability increases that you won't be paid.

Understand if you are officiating high school or college matches, payment rates and procedure has already been put in place and you need not be concerned.

Bottom line: Make sure all parties understand the payment process before the game. This will allow everyone--officials, coaches, players and fans to focus on their responsibilities.

Confidence: playing with the big boys!

2008-10-19T21:32:00.000-07:00

This weekend I had the opportunity to officiate a Men's league tournament. The speed and level of play really jumped from the previous week's youth and high school games. Players were bigger, faster, better skills and better understanding of the rules. Combination of these factors really pressed the level of my game.

To be completely honest, I did not call my best game. Some may say it was rust or laziness, but it my opinion it was not being completely prepared. Physically, no problem. Anticipation and mastery of the rules are where improvement was necessary. Without solid knowledge of the rules, it lowered my confidence which is a horrible thing.

Lesson to take away: No your rules and the level of play you are entering. This will help with your confidence and ability to call a great game.

Know your teams

2008-10-08T07:15:00.000-07:00

October 4, the first Saturday in October, and also the first youth lacrosse game on the Fall. Bunch of 11 & 12 year old boys, who haven't reached puberty, running up and down the field, so how much preparation is necessary? These kids are fresh back in school; tiered from the new school year and early on a Sunday morning. How ready can they be to play? Granted it is Bellevue and Mercer Island, two solid programs, but seriously how much preparation is necessary?

Answer=Lots of preparation!

Never judge a team based on previous years of play. Lacrosse is gaining in popularity. Coaches are better and players are spending more time with a Crosse in their hands. As Officials we need to treat every game as a Championship Match. You are mentally are prepared to call the game and are in top physical shape. Why? Because you respect the game; have self pride and are being paid to do a job.

And by the way.....the skill level of the game was equal to that of a JV High School match.

Rain Drops are Falling on my Head

2008-09-20T23:34:00.000-07:00

This week was week 2 of Fall Ball and the first week of lacrosse in the rain. The players were ready and so was the official. The things you need to emphasize when officiating in the rain are safety, mental preparation and communication.

We always want a safe game; everyone walks on the field and everyone walks off the field. The wet conditions make it more difficult for players to hold onto their crosse and keep their footing. Before the match starts, know how you are going to handle situations where players loose control because of the field conditions.

This leads us to mental preparation. Before every game we are visualizing different game situations. And on days with rain make sure you visualize what you will do when players slip and end up offsides, in the crease or push a guy from behind. During the game you need to stay alert, block out the cold and wet weather being ready to make the correct call at the correct moment.

Last but not least is communication and communication is the most critical part of a game. Talk to the players and coaches prior to the start. Talk about the wet conditions and how you plan on calling the game.

Good game to you

Fall Ball & Sunshine--week1

2008-09-14T19:53:00.000-07:00

After the first week of Overlake Fall Ball, two things are clear.

Players are not in playing shape
Officials/Me are not ready to make the calls.

Don' get me wrong! Game are not out of control and player safety is not in question. If the players want to win during the season, they need to put in the time now to get in shape. This doesn't mean going out and jogging 3, 5 or 10 miles, because that is not going to get you in game playing shape. This means interval work. Short, intense and explosive workouts. In a game you will not be jogging or at least should not be jogging. You will be engaged in short, intense and explosive movements.

For officials the lesson to learn is pre game preperation. Spend time visualizing the game; picturing game situations and making calls, before you step on the field. This preparation will help ensure a safe and fun time for you, players, coaches and fans!

Gear Up

2008-09-12T22:19:00.000-07:00

The first lacrosse call you make is what equipment you purchase!

Before you blow your whistle or make a call, coaches, players and fans will have formed an opinion about you based on your appearance. If you look prepared and like an official you will start the game with the respect of coaches, players and fans.

What do you need and where do you get a uniform? The basics include:

White knee lengh shorts. Thinking walking shorts
Black belt
All black tennis shoes/cleats
Officials socks (knee length, white with black at the top)
Offiicials hat (black, with white pin strip)
Whistle (Ideally a Fox 40 brand)
Two flags
Score card
Pencil or Pen

There are many places where you can find quality equipment. Check out a few of these spots; get your uniform and get ready for a great season.

ZebraWear
Officials Corner
Honigs

Big Hits

2008-09-11T23:54:00.001-07:00

Checkout some big hits!

Some legal and some not legal. Word to the wise in the upcoming season: be on the look out for unnecessary roughness--guys running across the field to hit an unprotected player.

Fall Ball is Here

2008-09-07T18:55:00.000-07:00

Leaves are changing colors; sun is setting a little earlier; the marathon baseball season is coming to a close and the pads of football players are feeling the crunch. These football pads are joined by their brethren--lacrosse pads for a 'beat down'.

Whether you are an incoming Freshman or an outgoing Senior, now is the time to get ready for the season. Dust off your pads and tighten up that sagging pocket because it is time to join your teammates at Overalke HS for Fall Ball '08.

9-13
9-20
10-4
10-11
10-18
10-25
11-1
11-8
11-15