Central Pennsylvania Lacrosse Central Pennsylvania Lacrosse Officials AssociationOfficials Association

(CPLOA)(CPLOA)

Officials Training

Rule 4

RULE 4: PLAY OF THE GAMERULE 4: PLAY OF THE GAME

• Coin Toss– 5 minutes prior to game time (earlier if national

anthem/announcements) bring team captains together at center of field, home team faces benches. Visiting team calls toss.

– Winner of coin toss chooses either:• A) First alternate possession.• B) Choice of goals.• C) Losing team gets the option not selected by the winning

team.

• Address coaches and captains prior to game about expectations of good sportsmanship.

• Line Up: Prior to face off, line both teams up at center of field facing each other, with left shoulder towards goal they defending. Use this to explain any special ground rules.

RULE 4: PLAY OF THE GAMERULE 4: PLAY OF THE GAME• Line Up - Prior to face off, line both teams up at center of field facing each other, with left shoulder

towards goal they defending. Use this to explain any special ground rules– Explain 5-yard rule (have teams 5 yards apart)– Goalies meet, shake, go to goal– Everyone else meet, shake, go to face-off positions

FACING OFFFACING OFF

FACING OFFFACING OFF• Used at start of game, start of periods, and after goals.• Exceptions:

– During man-up/down situations, and any player has possession at the end of a period, the team with possession maintains possession at the mirrored location at the start of the new period.

– When there is a flag down at the end of a period and neither team is in possession the offended team is awarded possession, the offended team starts with possession at the mirrored location at the start of the new period.

– When a foul or violation is committed during the interval after the last whistle but prior to the face-off.

• Face off ends when a team gains possession OR ball crosses goal-area line OR ball goes out of bounds.

• Performed by opposing players at the center of the field.

FACING OFFFACING OFF• Position of other players:

– Normal Situation, 10 players per side:• Face-Off player in center.• 1 player in each wing area, not touching line.• Defensive side: Goalie and 3 other players behind goal-area line.• Offensive side: 3 behind goal-area line.

– One Man-Up/Down situation:• Face-Off player in center.• If desired, may bring have 1 player in each wing area by bringing

up a player from either it’s offensive or defensive half of field. • Team must still observe all offsides rules!

– Two+ men-down on one side:• Face-Off player in center.• If desired, team may bring player(s) from offensive or defensive

half of field to wing area.• Team still must observe all offsides rules.

Facing Off - ProcedureFacing Off - Procedure• Off official check number and position of other players

• On official waits for partner’s ready signal.

• Call both players in together (‘down’). Players shall assume their respective positions at the same time.

• Players may not back out and reset their positions once the official has initiated the face-off positioning.

• Make sure players are positioned properly.

• Get yourself to where you need to be.

• Say ‘set’. From the time you say ‘set’ until the time you blow your whistle, neither YOU nor either of the face-off players may move!!!!!!!!!

• Whistle to start play – no longer than 1 -2 seconds from set to whistle. • When possession is gained call out ‘possession’ and wind arm.

• If ball crosses either restraining line call out ‘released’ and wind arm.

Face Off - PositioningFace Off - Positioning• Crosses on ground parallel to and touching (but not over) the center

line, with ends pointing to opposite sides of the field.

• Crosse heads evenly matched, facing away from and not touching the ball.

• Each player shall have both hands and fingers wrapped around the handle of his own crosse, touching the ground but not touching any strings of the crosse. The right hand MAY NOT MAY NOT touch any part of the head of the crosse.

• Players feet may not touch the crosse, nor touch the center line.

• Both players shall be positioned so that their entire body is to the left of the throat of his crosse.

• It is legal to lean over the center line.

Face Off - ViolationsFace Off - Violations• Player moving after ‘set and prior to the whistle – stop play

immediately and award ball to offended team. Trail always has this restart, and QUICKLY!!!!!

• It is illegal to kick or step on the crosse of the opposing player.

• Watch for holds with stick, and with free arm.

• Watch for pushes and tripping. Watch for illegal body checking of face-off men.

• Face-off official is responsible for watching the 2 face-off players. Off official is responsible for wing players actions.

• Both officials need to hustle to get into position once possession is gained.

More on Facing OffMore on Facing Off

• Ball must be refaced it:– Whistle is blown by mistake after face-off but prior to

possession.– Ball goes out of bounds (in center of field) and official

can’t determine who was responsible.– Players from both teams commit simultaneous technical

fouls.

• Players may freely move when:– Official signals possession.– Ball passes over the defensive clearing line.– A time-serving penalty is assessed.– Ball goes out of bounds (other than directly off face-off).

Play of the Ball – Section 5Play of the Ball – Section 5• Free Play – when a player has been awarded the ball for any reason, 5 yard

buffer before restarts.

• Player Possession – a player who can perform any of the normal functions of control with the ball.

• Team Possession – when a player of that team is in possession of the ball.

• Loose Ball – a ball not in possession.

• Pass – a ball thrown or bounced to a teammate.

• Completed Pass – when a pass is caught be a teammate.

• Ball in Flight – a ball in flight is from one teammate to another is a ball in possession if the ball is caught by a teammate.

– Exception – A pass in flight at the end of the period during an extra-man situation is not considered a ball in possession.

• Clear – when a team is attempting to move the ball out of its defensive half of the field.

Out of Bounds – Section 6Out of Bounds – Section 6• Player in Possession – when a player in possession of the ball

steps on, or beyond, or any part of his body or crosse touches on, or beyond, any boundary line the ball is out of bounds. Award ball to opposing team at the spot ball went out of bounds.

• Loose Ball – when a loose ball touches the boundary line, or beyond, or touches anything on or beyond the boundary line then the ball is out of bounds. – Not a shot – award ball to the team not touching the ball last at a

point where the ball went out of bounds.– Shot – award ball to the team whose inbounds player was nearest

the ball when it became an out-of-bounds ball.

“THE WHEN AND WHERE RULE”

• Always give the goalie 5-seconds to reenter the crease on ANY restart.

Ball caught in Crosse or EquipmentBall caught in Crosse or Equipment

• If at any point the ball becomes stuck in the front or back of the crosse, there shall be an immediate whistle and the ball awarded to the opposing team.

• Ball caught in players uniform or equipment – stop play and award according to alternate possession rule. – Exception – special rules apply to when ball is caught in

goalkeepers uniform or equipment when the designated goalkeeper is within his goal-crease area at the time the ball becomes stuck. Award ball to a defensive player lateral to the crease, outside the goal area.

Section 8 – Goal ScoredSection 8 – Goal Scored

• A goal is scored when a LOOSELOOSE ball passes from the front, completely through the imaginary plane formed by the REARREAR edges of the GOAL LINEGOAL LINE, the goal posts and the crossbar of the goal, regardless of who supplied the impetus.

• Any action after this point is considered after the play.

Section 9 - Goal Not CountedSection 9 - Goal Not CountedA goal will be disallowed when: Game horn sounds or period has ended, regardless of whether

the official’s whistle may have sounded. An attacking player is in the crease before goal scored.

Know how he got there (was he pushed legally, illegally?) Attacking team has too many players on the field, is offsides, or

player on the attacking team left the box early from a penalty. An official has blown his/her whistle for any reason. If the head comes off of a stick. Flag down or play on against the scoring team. Scoring player’s stick is illegal stick, or adjusts it after request. Player in the act of shooting touches the goalkeeper in the crease

or touches any part of the goal or netting. Official recognizes a request for a timeout from team in

possession or a foul by that team before the ball breaks the plane of the goal, regardless of whether the official has had time to blow the whistle.

An offensive player deliberatelydeliberately leaves his feet leaves his feet by diving or jumping and his own momentum carries him into the crease and the shot goes into the goal, the goal is disallowed (regardless of when he lands).

Section 10 - OffsideSection 10 - Offside

• When a team has fewer than 3 players in its offensiveoffensive half of the field, or fewer than 4 players in its defensivedefensive half of the field.

• Being on the line ison the line is being over the line.over the line.

• Mechanical Points:– On a fast break, offside is a minor call. Watch

the play!– Count forward, so a team should have no

more than 7 players on defense and 6 players on offense.

OffsideOffside• Player may run out of bounds to avoid being offside.

– He must return to the field legally and immediately.• Player legally checked offside is offside.• Player illegally checked offside

– whistle to end play and award ball or flag down as needed.

• Player using his crosse to avoid offside…legal– not offside unless some part of the players body

touches on or over the line.• Player may only be offside once:

– Example: A defensive player goes offside and you throw the flag, player then returns to proper side of the field, then goes offside again to play defense.

• This is only one offside.

Section 12 – Offside EnforcementSection 12 – Offside Enforcement

• If only one team offside, technical foul– Ball to other team, or 30-second penalty

• If both teams offside:– One team has possession of the ball. Whistle, put

players back onside and resume play with team in possession retaining possession.

– No possession. Whistle and award ball using AP.

• If team in possession is offside, award to offended team in its offensive half of the field at the center faceoff X.

• If team not in possession is offside, flag down, technical foul, 30 second penalty, regular penalty enforcement.

Section 13 - Offside, Goal ScoredSection 13 - Offside, Goal Scored

• Attacking team is offside:– No goal (see rule 4, section 9), award

ball to offended team in its offensive half of the field at the center “X”

• Defensive team is offside:– Goal counts, flag down, technical foul

waived off by the goal.

• Both teams offside:– Goal not counted, award using AP.

Offsides QuestionOffsides Question

• Player slides and is offsides because of mud, crappy field?– Offsides is offsides

• Be sure you know how he got there– i.e., did he get pushed (legally or illegally)

• Goal is scored and attacking team has 7 players across mid field?– No goal…award ball to opposing team

Advancing BallAdvancing Ball

• Upon gaining teamteam possession– 20 seconds to clear across mid field

(plane)• Turnover if unsuccessful

– Ball awarded at spot (outside of goal area)

• In attack half of field– 10 seconds to get into the attack box

• Ball or player touchestouches inside box (or line)

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CheckingChecking

• Body Check– Legal

• Front, side, above waist, below neck• Within 5-yards of a loose ball• On player with ball

– No long runs at a player

» Unnecessary roughness

• Checking on opponents crosse– Legal

• Opponent has ball• Within 5 yards of a loose ball

ScreeningScreening

• Screens– Similar to basketball– Screener must be

• Motionless• Stationary

– Moving screens are illegal

Goal Crease PrivilegesGoal Crease Privileges

• Goalie may stop, block ball in any manner– Hand is okay (inside the crease)

• May not catch the ball

• Goalie may receive a pass while in the crease– Any player may receive a pass in the crease

• Opposing team may not touch goalie inside the crease– Body or crosse

• Attacking team may reach in the crease to play ball

– Goalie’s crosse may be checked if outsideoutside the crease• Unless goalie has possession (and he is in the crease)

Goal Crease ProhibitionsGoal Crease Prohibitions

Dive rule– Deliberately leaving feet– Technical foul

• No attack in goal– Unless goal has been scored

• How did he get there?– Pushed (legally or illegally)

• Defense can enter crease– Cannot carry ball into crease

• Possession in crease– Must exit within 4 second

• Ball mired or stuck– Award to defense

SubstitutionSubstitution• Regular substitution

– At dead ball (Horn)• Not allowed when ball goes out on end line• Not allowed during violations (non-time serving)

• Special substitution– On the fly– One at a time– May not enter box until sub imminent– Exiting player off first– Okay during other stoppages

• Except equipment violations

• Subs must be ready to play– Chin strap buckled, mouth piece in, gloves on, etc.

• Restarts within 5 seconds

Change goalsChange goals

• Goal change– Teams change goals after each quarter– Different for overtime

• New coin toss• Two minute intermission• Four minute periods

– Begin with face off– Sudden victory– Change goals if no one scores– Gain 1 additional time out per period

Official’s Time-OutsOfficial’s Time-Outs• You may suspend play at any time at your discretion.

– Loss of equipment in scrimmage area• Stop immediately• Serious injury• Player with blood

– Not in scrimmage area• Play may continue until:

– ball becomes loose– Attacking team’s scoring play is over

• MUST substitute for injured player if play stopped for him.• May substitute for any player.• Coach may not enter field without officials permission.• Teams may go to sideline for informal coaching session• Restart

– Loose Ball – Award using AP.– Possession – team in possession remains in possession.

BleedingBleeding

• For blood situation only:– A team may take a time-out to keep player in

the game.

Times outsTimes outs• Teams may call time out

– 2 team time outs per half• 2 minutes• 1 min 40 sec

– No carryover

• Time out called– Dead ball– Ball in possession– Head coach, player on field

• Know your restart location– Location of ball when time out called/awarded– Outside goal area

Unconscious PlayerUnconscious Player

• Rule 4, Section 28, Article 7– ……….. An apparently unconscious

player is determined by the game officials. The player may NOT return to play in the game without WRITTEN authorization from a physician (M.D./D.O.)………..

Player InspectionsPlayer Inspections

• Request by coach– One free request– Specific player

• During dead ball• All equipment inspected, including stick

– Subsequent requests• Legal, charged a time out• Illegal, no time out charged

• One per half (automatic)– During a deal ball– Any player (even not currently on field)

• Illegal equipment, crosse penalized

Long CrossesLong Crosses

• Illegal number– More than 4– Coach can request count– One free request

Alternate PossessionAlternate Possession

Whose ball is it?• I don’t know

•Well, then, AP

EndEnd