I thought that I share this situation that happened in a game last week with everyone. The purpose is always to learn from one another in hopes of improving and making us better lacrosse officials. Situation: Flag down w/ 2 secs left in qtr, and as the horn sounds for the end of the qtr, ball rolls loose. Administer the penalty, 30sec hold. What is the correct call for beginning the 4th qtr, face off (no possession-loose ball), or team man up getting the ball in alley? My partner was positive about it being a face off, so I went w/ it.

Chris Walker, a reporter with the Daily Herald, wrote an article about the 2012 H.S. LAX season that also mentioned RVOA president, Pete Ducato.: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120514/sports/705149786/ "Official respect: Pete Ducato, the president of the Rock Valley Officials Association, has officiated more than 50 high schools games and more than a dozen collegiate contests this spring. Put it this way, if you’ve been following the sport this spring, you’ve likely seen him in action. Ducato stepped away from the high school scene to officiate the Robert Morris University vs.

Often Misunderstood: Warding Off Rule 6-11: A player in possession of the ball shall not use his free hand or arm or any other part of his body to hold, push or control the direction of the movement of the crosse or body of the player applying the check. A player in possession of the ball may protect his crosse with his hand, arm or other part of his body when his opponent makes a play to check his crosse. Most fans, coaches and players think this foul is only (and always) called when the ball carrier waves his free arm in the direction of the opponent.

This week's rules discussion looks at how to make the call if a player drops his stick. Rule 6-5-2-b.2. on page 62 simply states, "[A player shall not]...Take part in the play of the game in any manner without his crosse." Seems simple enough, huh? The trick here is to judge whether the player is "taking part in any manner". If he kicks at the ball, or boxes out his opponent, he is surely taking part, and the call should be made.

This week's rules tip examines the action of the faceoff players after the whistle. Rule references are 4-3-5 (p. 28) and 6-5-2. 4-3-5 says only that "each player may attempt to direct the course of the ball by movement of his Crosse in any manner he desires" and that he may not intentionally kick or place any other body part on his [own] Crosse or his opponent's Crosse. In addition, a faceoff player may not use his Crosse to hold or pin down the opponent's Crosse.

Illegal Screening is covered in Rule 6, Section 4 on p. 61. First: If there is no contact made, there is NO FOUL CALLED. This is only called against a team in possession, so the technical foul only results in a turnover, never time-serving. Often referred to as a "moving pick", or "moving screen", it is illegal for an offensive teammate of the ball carrier to move into or lean into a defensive player and make contact. To be legal, the offensive screener must establish a stationary position prior to the contact.

Goal-crease privileges: Any defensive player may block the ball with his Crosse or his body. In addition, the goalkeeper (only), while in the crease, may even bat the ball away with his hand as long as it is within the cylinder extending above the crease. He may not catch the ball, nor may he touch a ball with his hand outside of the crease. No opposing player can initiate contact with the goalkeeper or his Crosse within the crease. This privilege does not extend to any other player who is in the crease area. Their sticks may be legally checked.

What are the procedures and rules for sudden-victory overtime play? Rule 4, Section 32 addresses this situation. · There will be a two minute intermission. · A coin toss is performed and the winning captain only has his choice of which goal his team will defend. · Alternating possession stays with the team that held it during regulation time. · Each sudden-victory period is 4 minutes, until someone scores, which ends the game.

In an ongoing effort to train and educate all lacrosse officials here in the state of Illinois, we will be communicating RULES & TIPS that ALL officials can use in order to improve their game. These will be sent each week until the end of the spring LAX season to all of you, as well as all high school and youth organization coaches throughout the state. The main objective is to educate the rules of the game at all levels of play. Good luck to you all, and remember that safety is, and should be, our number one concern.

The IL Chapter of US Lacrosse presents the first RVOA Sponsored Round Table, moderated by U.S. Lacrosse Official's Program Manager Charlie Obermayer. Monday, March 5th 7:00pm - 9:00pm Wheaton College Science Center Auditorium College Ave. & Howard St. Wheaton, IL 60187 Admission is FREE US Lacrosse & RVOA believe the coach-referee relationship is an essential component in our program to improve officiating in the Illinois/Chicago area.