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It is NOT illegal to play from the ground. Nor is it very effective. - If the ball hits 3 pipes on a shot, it is NOT automatically a goal. To count, the ball must pass completely through the plane formed by the back of the pipes and the back of the goal line.
- “That’s a push!” When is a push in the back a penalty? It often comes down to whether it creates a disadvantage for the ball carrier. Here’s a few examples:
- Ball carrier is facing a line (midline, sideline, crease, attack box) and crossing it will cause a turnover. He is pushed from behind, causing him to step on or over it. 30-second PENALTY. The disadvantage (crossing the line) was caused by illegal contact.
- Ball carrier is in the open field with no pressure to advance the ball and no obvious scoring opportunity. He is pushed, stumbles, but does not fall. The contact wasn’t legal, per se, but no disadvantage was caused. NO FOUL.
- The ball carrier is running toward the crease and starts his shot motion. Defender pushes him in the back and the shot goes wide. FLAG DOWN, 30 second penalty.
- Ball is rolling back toward the midline. A backfield player moves to pick it up and gets pushed offside by an opponent. Award to team of player who got pushed.
- Ball carrier is running down the sideline and opposing teammates and fans are shouting “push him out”. Defender forces him out, but contact is from behind. FLAG DOWN, 30 second penalty.
- “He’s offside!” A team is NOT offside when it only has 2 attackmen or defensemen back. Having too few men is not a penalty, just a self-inflicted disadvantage. It’s only a violation when there are too MANY men on one end or the other. In 10v10, a team can’t have more than 6 men in their offensive end, or 7 in their defensive end, and team players serving penalties count toward the total on both ends.
- When chasing a shot out of bounds, it is NOT the player closest to the end line who gets the ball, it’s the player whose body (not stick) is closest to WHERE and WHEN the ball went out, and that includes the Goalie!
- That’s a ward! When a ball carrier raises his arm because the defender has slipped his crosse underneath, it is NOT a ward. Neither is reestablishing that arm in a protective position. A warding call requires that an advantage be gained illegally. Like, for example, driving through a defender with an arm or shoulder, or pushing a defender or his stick to prevent being checked.
- All contact with a helmet is a slash. This is mostly true under recent youth rules, but not always. Lacrosse is primarily a skill game, but it can still be physical, which is why players wear helmets to begin with. But not all contact is worthy of a penalty. Some examples:
- A common situation is when a defender checks the dodger’s stick and his crosse just barely glances off the helmet. But you heard it, right? It HAS to be a slash…. Well, it is according to USL Youth rules, but NFHS rules say it must be “a definite blow or strike.” So, it will depend on the age and level of the players, but you’ll definitely see no-calls at higher levels.
- A defender’s stick is extended to the side and contacts the ball carrier’s helmet as he runs past. This happens frequently, and usually in the blink of an eye. But who caused the contact? A defender extending toward the dodger might warrant a penalty. But If the offensive player runs into a stationary crosse, you can’t penalize the defender for it.
- A ball carrier is surrounded by 3 or 4 defenders. Where will the sticks be? Straight up and down in their hands, usually. And if the dodger is bouncing around, ducking his head, trying to squeeze through a double-team, there is likely going to be contact, but not necessarily a blow, and not necessarily initiated by the defense.
- The ref is biased! It is a near certainty that at least half the people in attendance will be disappointed on every call or non-call. Keep in mind, however, that the zebras on the field don’t care one way or another who wins the game. And that’s why they’re there. Just because they made a call against your team doesn’t mean they favor the competition.
- Our team has way more fouls! Every game is a little bit different, and the way it is officiated reflects that. It depends on the composition of the crew, the level of play, each team’s skill level, history or rivalry between the teams, the mood of every individual on the field, and many other factors. But in each game, the calls a crew makes establish a “bar” or threshold to indicate what they collectively judge to be permissible for that game, and they strive to be consistent from start to finish. An imbalance in assessed fouls typically occurs because one team doesn’t adapt their play to how that game is being called. The reality is that most officials don’t keep a running count of penalties by each team, they just call them when they see them.
- Missed Calls. Do refs see everything? Heck no. They’re human. All they can do is call what they see, when they see it. Lacrosse is a complicated sport to officiate. It’s fast moving and physically demanding. The officials’ angle of view is critical for many calls, which is why positioning on the field is such an important part of their training. But even if in the right spot, there will still be times when their view is imperfect or obstructed. And there will also be times when they see the play – and judge it – differently than you.
- Refs are just in it for the money. Some are, it’s true. But they normally don’t last. The vast majority do it because they love the game. Lacrosse refs have to attend training, study, take tests, and stay fit. An average full field game is 3-4 miles of running. They endure hours of driving, thunderstorm delays, schedule changes, cold or hot or rainy weather, muddy fields, shin splints, sore knees and ankles, blisters, sunburn, and… wait for it… getting yelled at by parents and coaches. It’s a lot to go through for just a little compensation.
- “I paid for admission so I can say what I want!” Uh, no. In fact, if you cause a scene, it could earn your team a penalty or yourself an invitation to leave. There are enough challenges on the field without adding sideline drama. And consider this: there is a serious shortage of refs. It can take years to develop higher proficiency on the field. But the average time new officials stay with it is only 2 years. Know the #1 reason why they quit? Here’s a hint: It’s the same reason a lot of people won’t even start.
- In conclusion, officials know their calls will always be second guessed – it’s a given in a competitive environment. But they don’t intentionally blow calls. And publicly berating them if they miss one will only serve to undermine their confidence and desire to be on the field – for your kids. Fortunately, there is a very positive way to satisfy that desire to make your opinions known. So, we hope to see you at the next training session! Come earn your stripes!
