Lacrosse Official’s Clinic 2014 Preseason Lacrosse Official’s Clinic Important Items & 2014 NFHS Rules Changes This presentation is intended as a three-hour introduction to three-man mechanics It covers both NCAA and NFHS mechanics Depending on your audience, you may wish to delete some slides (e.g., NFHS-only slides for an NCAA group, or more basic slides for an advanced group) or you may wish to skip some slides but keep them as backup material

A Short History of Our Sport Lacrosse was played among the Iroquois Confederacy long before the coming of the Europeans to the shores of North America. It can be said that when the Europeans first came to America, Lacrosse was one of the most popular and widespread games played across the continent and with many variations. In 1636 a French missionary, father Jean Brebouf, describes “Le jeu de la crosse” as looking like a Bishop crozier; hence the name Lacrosse. Traditional lacrosse games were sometimes major events that could last several days. As many as 100 to 1,000 men from opposing villages or tribes would participate. The games were played in open plains located between the two villages, and the goals could range from 500 yards (460 m) to several miles apart. Rules for these games were decided on the day before. Generally there was no out-of-bounds, and the ball could not be touched with the hands. The goals would be selected as large rocks or trees; in later years wooden posts were used. Playing time was often from sun up until sun down. Lacrosse gained popularity among the “gentleman’s class” in Ontario, Canada, in the mid-nineteenth century. The game was quickly exported across the border into western New York State, then into the urban areas of New York, Philadelphia, and especially Baltimore and Annapolis. Today Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports in the US.

Famous Lacrosse Players • Silverheels is the nickname of the actor that played Tonto on “The Lone Ranger”. Born Harold J. Smith on the Six Nations Reservation in Canada. • The senior United States senator and former Democratic presidential candidate was a former lacrosse player. John Kerry played lacrosse and hockey at St. Paul’s School in NH and continued his hockey career at Yale, where he also played JV lacrosse. • He’s one of the best coaches in the NFL, but New England Patriots head coach also has a strong affinity for and knowledge of lacrosse. Bill Belichick was a captain his senior year at Wesleyan University in 1975.

Famous Lacrosse Players • The “Great One” wasn’t an exceptional athlete in only one sport. As a kid, Wayne Gretzky played lacrosse just like many other Canadians and ice hockey players. He wrote, “I could hardly wait to get my lacrosse stick out and start throwing the ball around. It didn’t matter how cold or rainy it would be, we’d be out firing the ball against walls and working on our moves as we played the lacrosse equivalent to road hockey.” • Jimmy Brown is the only player to be inducted into the halls of fame for the NFL, college football and lacrosse. Regarded as one of the best athletes the country has ever produced, Brown says lacrosse was his favorite sport. He played at Manhasset High School on Long Island and went on to play at Syracuse University. He was an All-American midfielder his senior year, where he scored 43 goals and had 21 assists.

LACROSSE TODAY For more than a decade, lacrosse has been one of the fastest growing team sports in the country. In 2012, more than 720,000 players participated in on organized teams, an increase of nearly 40,000 from the year before. More than half of the total players compete at the youth level (age 15 and below), but every segment of the game is showing continued growth patterns.

LACROSSE TODAY At the youth level, the US Lacrosse survey reveals nearly 390,000 players on organized teams in 2012, an increase of nearly eight percent over the previous year. The number of high school players topped 280,000 in 2012, and the sport continues to be the fastest growing sport in the NFHS. The number of collegiate players (varsity and club) was just under 35,000, growing 3.1 percent, with new varsity programs continuing to reach all corners of the country.

LACROSSE TODAY Major League Lacrosse, one of two professional lacrosse leagues, added expansion franchises in Charlotte, N.C., and Columbus, Ohio, for the 2012 season. Thousands of players continue to participate on the field at the post-collegiate, adult-club, level.

Announcements From Your (Beloved, Esteemed, Never Cranky, Always Cheerful on Rainy Days) Assignor NCHSAA Registration 2014 Clinics - Local - State Importance of Arbiter Importance of Up-To-Date Close-Outs

Dues & Fees Booking Agent (assignor): Amount: $________ Due Date: ____/_____/2014 NCHSAA: January 15, 2014 (late fee after this date) US Lacrosse: if applicable

Local Association Practices Uniforms Payment of Game Fees Assignments should be out by ____________ Turn backs Fines Black List Game Reports Ejection Reports Other

Association Clinics Triangle Area Lacrosse Local Clinics Sunday- NCSU, Room 2015 Carmichael Gym, 6PM Jan. 5, 19, 26, Feb. 9,16, 23 Leader- Rick Wooten 919-672-8500 Monday- Lillington, Harnett Co. Agricultural Center, 126 Alexander Dr., Ste. 300 6:30PM Jan. 6, 13, 20, Feb. 3, 10, 17 Leader- Tyrone Fisher O: 910-893-7580, C: 919-961-0996 Monday- Durham, Rho Building, Quadrangle Office Park at exit 270 off I-40 6PM Jan. 6, 13, 20, Feb. 3, 10, 17 Leader- Ryan Burns C: 627-7554 Monday- Cary, Rally Point Sports Grill, 1837 N. Harrison Ave, Cary, NC 6PM, Jan. 13, 20, Feb 3, 10, 17, 24 Leader- Andy Gillis C: 919-744-9808 Tuesday- North Raleigh, Ravenscroft School, 7409 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh Seminar Room next to swimming pool, across from north end of stadium 6PM, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11 Leader- Mike Ronco C: 225-7250, Bob Powell, C: 805-8918

Association Clinics Triad Lacrosse Local Clinics Regular training clinics from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM Mondays: 1/6, 1/13, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24 and Tuesday 1/21 Monday 1/27 will be the NCHSAA State Clinic for Coaches from 6 to 8 PM Monday 2/3 will be the NCHSAA State Clinic for Officials from 6 to 8 PM. All clinics will be at the Glenwood Center, 2010 Coliseum Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27403 Charlotte Area Local Clinics Sunday 1/5 - Mandatory Meeting at Queens University Marion Diehl Athletic Facility Mondays: 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/17, 2/24 Locations: north - Davidson Day School, south - Charlotte Latin School 2/10 Mandatory Meeting at Queens University Marion Diehl Athletic Facility Association Dues are to be paid at the 1/5 meeting. All meeting times are 7-9PM

NCHSAA State Clinics •Eastern NC Assoc January 25, 2014 12pm - Jacksonville High School •Triangle Assoc January 27, 2014 6pm - Cardinal Gibbons High School •Triad Assoc February 3, 2014 6pm - Glenwood Center (Greensboro) •Hickory/Asheville Assoc February 4, 2014 6:30pm - Patton High School •Charlotte Assoc February 10, 2014 6pm - Queens Univ Marion Diehl Complex

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www.arbitersports.com It is critical, repeat critical, that you keep your availability up-to-date on Arbiter!

www.nchsaa.org

Announcements From NCHSAA 2014 SEASON FAST FACTS First Practice Date:  Feb. 12 Date of First Contest:  Feb. 26 1st Round of Playoffs:  May 9 2nd Round of Playoffs:  May 13 3rd Round of Playoffs:  May 16 Regional Round Playoffs:  May 20 State Championships:  May 24 Official’s Play Off Eligibility Summary: ● Must be Class 1 or 2 (80+ points on scale) ● Score 80+ on NFHS Exam ● Points earned for: exam score, scrimmages, clinics, games, yrs exp, etc

FROM NCHSAA: OFFICIATING OFFICIALS: Each school must use only NCHSAA-registered officials in all competition. CLINICS: Head coaches are required to attend one of the NCHSAA clinics in their sport, or in conjunction with the rules sessions at the North Carolina Coaches Association Clinic held in Greensboro in July. GAME FEES: Varsity JV & 9th Grade two person crew, regular season $65 $50 three person crew, regular season $55 Playoffs (three person crew required) $70 State Championship $75 There is a $25 fee per hour (or any fraction of an hour) for officials per field for scrimmages.

FROM NCHSAA: # of OFFICIALS OFFICIALS: A two-person crew, all NCHSAA-registered, is mandatory for all varsity contests. (Note: A game should not start without two officials.) A three-person crew is to be used in the State Championship. Three-person crews can be used during the regular season and/or state playoffs with responsibility of payment to be assumed by the host school.

FROM NCHSAA: GAME TIMES GAME FORMAT: VARSITY MEN – Four 12-minute quarters JV MEN – Four 10-minute quarters; no overtime

FROM NCHSAA: SECURITY UNIFORMED POLICE OFFICER: Law enforcement officer in uniform is strongly recom­mended at varsity lacrosse matches. Furthermore, the host school management must provide an escort off the field for the officials.

FROM NCHSAA: SUSPENDED GAME SUSPENDED GAME: If a game is suspended due to bad weather, light failure, etc: If suspended in first half, even if one team is ahead, game is picked up from the point of interruption unless coaches agree to end it. If suspended at half time or beyond, the game is over. If the score is tied when the game is suspended, then the game ends in a tie. If one team is ahead when the game is suspended, then that team is the winner.

FROM NCHSAA: SCRIMMAGES PRESEASON SCRIMMAGES: Schools are allowed two preseason varsity scrimmages. These scrimmages must be conducted as events open to the public (no closed scrimmages allowed) and one scrimmage must use NCHSAA-registered officials. Officials are to work a maximum of two hours per scrimmage. Multiple team scrimmages are allowed. Junior varsity scrimmages are allowed in conjunction with varsity scrimmages at the same date and site.

FROM NCHSAA: TESTING 2013-2014 Test Dates Men's Lacrosse   February 10 - February 14 NFHS Test date is 2/10 – 2/14. We all must pass this test to work NCHSAA games. If you don’t take/pass the test, you will not receive any assignments for NCHSAA schools.

Web Based Resources Uniforms: www.theofficialscorner.com www.honigs.com US Lacrosse: www.uslacrosse.org NCHSAA: www.nchsaa.org Google: “Lacrosse Mechanics”

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Rule 1 – The Game, Field and Equipment

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Change & Commentary 1-2-7, 8, 9    The size of the scorer’s table area is increased. This larger Substitution/Table area complements the new substitution rules by allowing more space for players to get on and off the field; and also creates better sight-lines for table personnel and changes the coaches and bench areas. ”Where physically possible, the scorer’s table should be placed at least 6 yards from the sideline at the center line. Two lines shall be drawn on either side of the center line 10 yards from the center line and extending past the scorer’s table.”

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Change & Commentary 1-7-5 New  Add:  ART. 5 . .  Any crosse used in a faceoff may not have tape on the plastic throat of the head.  Rationale: Tape on the head (plastic throat area) makes it impossible to tell if a faceoff man has his glove on the plastic throat area of the head. This is a deliberate attempt to deceive and cheat. Almost every faceoff player you see has tape on the throat.   

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Change & Commentary 1-9-1 g6  6. Duplicate numbers on jerseys shall not be permitted on the same team. Legal numbers are 0-99.  Note: Beginning in the 2017-18 school year, double-zero, 01, 02, 03 etc. are not legal numbers.   Rationale: There have been some situations where teams were using both 1 and 01, 2 and 02, etc. and considering them as different numbers and other issues. This rule revision is needed to alleviate these problems and make it clear what numbers are allowed.

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Change & Commentary 1-10-1 c, 1-10-2 and 6-6-3a  ART. 1 . . . No player shall participate while wearing illegal equipment. Such equipment shall always include but is not limited to:  c.         Electronic communication equipment worn during play by any of the 10 on-field players.   ART. 2 . . . Electronic equipment may be used during play by coaches, non-playing team members, athletic trainers and/or other individuals officially connected with a team, however electronic audio equipment may not be used to communicate with the 10 on-field players.   6-6-3 Unchanged  Use artificial audio enhancement aids (i.e., electronic devices, megaphones) in communicating with players on the field.  Rationale: It is not possible for officials to regulate the use of electronic equipment on the sideline. This revision would allow the use of electronic equipment by coaches and team members on the sideline. Thus, regulation of the use of electronic equipment on the sideline becomes a coach responsibility. Rule 6-6-3a addresses this also but is unchanged to reinforce that it is illegal to use electronic equipment to communicate with any of the 10 on-field players and also to prevent the use of megaphones and other non-electronic equipment to enhance communication with the on-field players.   

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Change & Commentary 1-10-1h  New Eye shade that is not a solid stroke or includes words, numbers, logos, or other symbols is not allowed. This has been sportsmanship issue.  (NFHS catches up with NCHSAA, now same rule for public & private in NC)

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Rule 2 – Game Personnel

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Change & Commentary 2-5  ART. 1 . . . It is recommended that a minimum of three officials be used to control the game (a referee, an umpire, and a field judge). A fourth official, chief bench official (CBO), may be used.  Rationale: While the wording of this rule changes the fundamental philosophy regarding the number of officials used in a game, it does not require that three officials be used – it is only recommended. With this revision, games could still be played using two or even one official if necessary. This change in philosophy is needed to control the game and minimize and properly penalize illegal hits. 

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Change & Commentary 2-5-2e    (e) black stirrup socks with white over-the-calf crew socks on top or knee length one piece white with 4 inch black top or short black socks that cover the ankle;  The recommended official’s uniform now allows short black socks that cover the ankle. The rules were revised last year to allow black shorts and this change was adopted this year to complement that change. 

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Change & Commentary 2-6-1 Note  NOTE: The game officials maintain administrative responsibilities for the contest through the completion of any required reports or correspondence in response to any action occurring while the officials have jurisdiction. State associations may intercede in the event of unusual incidents that occur before, during or after the officials’ jurisdiction has ended or in the event that a game is interrupted, suspended or terminated prior to the conclusion of regulation play.  Rationale: This editorial revision clarifies that the officials maintain jurisdiction of interrupted and/or suspended contests.   

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Change & Commentary 2-6-1  ART. 1 . . . The officials’ authority begins when they arrive on the field and ends when they leave the immediate playing facility.  Rationale: In the rule book, the term “field of play” seems to mean the 110 yard by 60 yard playing surface (one example is Rule 6-6-1 states that coaches may not enter the field of play without permission of the official) . Officials should continue to have some jurisdiction should there be an incident after they step off the “field of play.” Officials’ authority ends when they leave the immediate playing facility. This clarifies that the official’s authority does not end when they step off of the field of play following a game. If something should occur prior to their leaving the immediate playing facility, they are still authorized to take appropriate action.  This revision is consistent with the language that gives state associations the ability to address situations that happen before, during and after the game. 

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Change & Commentary 2-6-7  ART. 7 . . . At the end of each half, the referee shall check and approve the score. When the officials leave the immediate playing facility at the end of the game, the officials’ jurisdiction has ended and the score has been approved.  Rationale: In the rule book the term “field of play” seems to mean the 110 yard by 60 yard playing surface (one example is Rule 6-6-1 states that coaches may not enter the field of play without permission of the official) . Officials should continue to have some jurisdiction should there be an incident after they step off the “field of play.” Also, the second sentence seemed somewhat redundant. This revision is consistent with the language that gives state associations the ability to address situations that happen before, during and after the game. 

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Change & Commentary 2-10-1  Article 1.  At the start of each period a minimum of four balls should be spaced equidistant from each other five yards beyond the end line and four on both sidelines. On the bench side, balls should be placed at the scorer’s table.  Rationale: In addition to the four balls placed on each end line, the home team must now also place four balls on each sideline. Putting balls on the sideline will speed up restarts and shorten overall game times.    

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Rule 3 – Time Factors (no changes) Rule 4 – Play of the Game

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Change & Commentary   4-4-3  Replace all of Article 3 with the following:    ART. 3 . . . During the faceoff in all penalty situations, there must be four players in the defensive area and three players in the offensive area. Exception: When a team has three players in the penalty area, a player may come out of its defensive area to take the faceoff but must remain onside.  Rationale:  This will provide a greater opportunity for the offended team to retain its man-advantage.  There must be four players in the defensive area and three players in the offensive area during faceoffs in penalty situations (ie no one comes up on the wing) except when a team has three players in the penalty area.  

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Change & Commentary   4-10  A team is considered offside when it has:   more than six players in its offensive half of the field (between the centerline and the end line) including players in the penalty  box, or  more than seven players in its defensive half of the field (between the centerline and the end line) including players in the penalty box.  Rationale:  The unfair advantage in an offside situation is created by too many players on one side of the field- not too few.  This change lets the foul reflect the unfair advantage; and minimizes risk by allowing officials to "count forward," keeping their attention on the active side of the field. 

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Change & Commentary   4-12  SECTION 12 OFFSIDE ENFORCEMENT  ART. 1 . . . If only one team is offside, a technical foul shall be called against the offending team.  ART. 2 . . . If both teams are offside and one of the teams has possession of the ball, the players shall be placed onside and play resumed with the team in possession of the ball retaining possession.  ART. 3 . . . If both teams are offside and neither team has possession of the ball, the players shall be placed onside, and the ball shall be awarded according to alternate-possession rule.  Rationale: This revision is needed to address some confusion with enforcement of the offside rule. Previous articles 4 and 5 were removed from the offside enforcement rule. This revision will eliminate some confusing language and clarify procedure for offside enforcement.

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Change & Commentary   4-22, 23 & 24  Section 22 Substitution Procedures ART.1 . . . Substitution may take place without the necessity of waiting for suspension of play by an official. Players may enter the field of play from the substitution area under the following conditions:  a. The player must be properly equipped. b. The player may not enter the substitution area until his substitution is imminent. c. The player leaving the field of play must exit via the substitution area. d. The substitute must wait until such player is off the field of play, and the substitute may not delay his entry onto the field. e. The substitute must always yield his position in the substitution area to any player exiting the field. f. Substitution may take place while play is suspended. Note: Any delay of the game is to be enforced strictly. See Rule 6-5-f for method of enforcement.  ART. 2 . . . Substitution may take place while play is suspended as follows:  a.    End of a period.  b.    Scoring of a goal.  c.    Injury timeout.  d.    Equipment adjustment.  e.    After a time-serving penalty.  f.     Team timeouts.  Note: Any delay of the game is to be enforced strictly. See Rule 6-5-f for method of enforcement.  Rationale: Uniformity with other rules codes. The previous substitution language in rules 4-22, 4-23 and 4-24 was deleted and replaced with a new rule called “Substitution Rules.”  This new language eliminates the use of the horn for substitution when play is suspended and will simplify substitution procedures for coaches, players and officials.

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Change & Commentary   5-3-5 New  ART. 5 . .  A body check that targets a player in a defenseless position. This includes but is not limited to: (i) body checking a player from his “blind side”; (ii) body checking a player who has his head down in an attempt to play a loose ball; and (iii) body checking a player whose head is turned away to receive a pass, even if that player turns toward the contact immediately before the body check.   PENALTY: Two- or three-minute non-releasable foul, at the official’s discretion. An excessively violent violation of this rule may result in an ejection.  Rationale: Intentional player-to-player collisions with players in a defenseless position – i.e. while focused on scooping a ground ball, clearing the crease on a loose ball situation in front of the goal, etc. – are a concern and this revision will reinforce the need to eliminate these collisions from the game. This new rule stipulates that a body check that targets a player in a defenseless position is illegal and specifies a minimum two- or three-minute non-releasable penalty for this violation. NOTE: Sports medicine research indicates that the severity of certain injuries may be reduced if a player can anticipate and prepare himself for an oncoming hit.  

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Rule 5 – Personal and Ejection Fouls

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Change & Commentary   5-4  PENALTY: Two- or three-minute non-releasable foul, at the official’s discretion. An excessively violent violation of this rule may result in an ejection.  Rationale: With this revision, the penalty for hits to the head/neck will now be a minimum of a two- to three-minute non-releasable penalty. Hits to the head/neck continue to be a concern and this increased penalty will reinforce the need to eliminate these types of hits from the game.  

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Rule 6 – Technical Fouls (no changes) Rule 7 – Penalty Enforcement

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Change & Commentary   7-2f New  f. A maximum of three players from the same team can be in the penalty area serving penalties at the same time. The penalty time of any additional player(s) shall not start until the penalty time of one of the three players in the penalty area expires. The additional penalized player(s) shall wait in the bench area immediately next to the scorer’s table but not in the table area. A team shall not be required to play with fewer than seven on-field players solely because of players serving penalties. A player’s penalty cannot be released by a goal until he is in the penalty area and the time on his penalty has started to elapse. Rationale: Minimize risk for participants and clarifies procedure for administration of penalties and substitution.  If more than three players on a team are assessed penalty time to be served concurrently, the additional penalized team member(s) must wait in the bench area until the penalty time of one of the three players in the penalty area expires. This will eliminate the possibility of a team playing with fewer than seven players because of penalties which will minimize risk for participants. In addition, this change will clarify procedure for administration of penalties and substitution. 

2014 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Revisions Change & Commentary   7-8-2k New  k. A defensive foul is committed during the final two minutes of regulation play with the team that is ahead and possessing the ball in the goal/attack area, unless a scoring play is imminent.  Rationale: This revision will simplify procedure for the final two minutes of the game and discourage the defensive team from fouling to gain possession.  This revision specifies that, during a Flag Down situation (Slow Whistle), the officials will stop play to enforce penalties should a subsequent second defensive foul occur “during the final two minutes of regulation play with the team that is ahead possessing the ball in the goal/attack area, unless a scoring play is imminent.” 

REMINDER NCHSAA: January 15, 2014 (late fee after this date) If you are not registered with NCHSAA you will not work any public school Varsity or JV games. NFHS Test date is 2/10 – 2/14. We all must pass this test to work NCHSAA games. If you don’t take/pass the test, you will not receive any assignments for NCHSAA schools.

Questions ?