1. Central Pennsylvania Lacrosse Officials Association (CPLOA) Officials Training Rules 1, 2 and 3

2. 2017 CPLOA - Coverage AREA 15 Schools in Mid Penn
4 Schools in District 4
13 Youth Programs
58 Officials 19 2 9 9 2 3 1 1 2 1

3. CPLOA Where can you work?

4. Lacrosse’s Seven Rules & Common Sense
The game, field and equipment
Game personnel
Time factors and scoring
Play of the game
Personal and expulsion fouls
Technical fouls
Penalty enforcement
Rule 8: In the event of a situation not specifically covered by the official rules of the game, it is the officials duty and responsibility – and within his authority – to make a decision based on common sense, subject to the overriding concerns of safety and fair play.

5. Respect his authority!!!!!
DON’T Get TOO FULL of YOURSELF!

6. Rule 1, Section 1
Lacrosse played by 2 teams,10 players each (9v9 + goalies)
Purpose: score goals, prevent opponent from scoring goals.
Ball is played by being carried, thrown or batted with the crosse.
Or rolled or kicked in any direction.
A kick toward the goal is a SHOT!!

7. The Lacrosse Field
Lead
Trail
Lead
Trail

8. Rule 1, Section 2 – The Field
Bench area and coaches area define authorized space for players and coaches.

9. Bench Areas Coaches Area Coaches Area Player Area Player Area
10yds | 10yds

10. Rule 1, Section 2 – The Field
Bench area and coaches area define authorized space for players and coaches.
Table (penalty) area used to control substitution and penalties. (Gate / Substitution Box)

11. Substitution Box or Table Area
10yds | 10yds

12. Rule 1, Section 2 – The Field
Bench area and coaches area define authorized space for players and coaches.
Table (penalty) area used to control substitution and penalties. (Gate / Substitution Box)
Limit Lines restrict non-game related persons.

13. Spectator LIMIT Lines FREE OF SPECTATORS FREE OF SPECTATORS
10yds | 10yds

14. Rule 1, Section 2 – The Field
Bench area and coaches area define authorized space for players and coaches.
Table (penalty) area used to control substitution and penalties. (Gate / Substitution Box)
Limit Lines restrict non-game related persons.
Cones/Pylons must be in designated spots.

15. Sideline and Endline Cones
10yds | 10yds

16. Rule 1, Section 2 – The Field
Bench area and coaches area define authorized space for players and coaches.
Table (penalty) area used to control substitution and penalties. (Gate / Substitution Box)
Limit Lines restrict non-game related persons.
Cones/Pylons must be in designated spots
Goal and Crease dimensions.

17. Crease and Goal Areas
10yds | 10yds

18. Rule 1, Section 2 – The Field
Bench area and coaches area define authorized space for players and coaches.
Table (penalty) area used to control substitution and penalties. (Gate / Substitution Box)
Limit Lines restrict non-game related persons.
Cones/Pylons must be in designated spots
Goal and Crease dimensions
“Attack Box”,
Attack Box is 35 yards from end line to the top restraining line and bordered by 10 yard alleys.

19. The Attack Box
Attack Box
10yds | 10yds

20. The Field Lines must be visible and distinctive May be 2” – 4” wide
Exceptions: goal line 2” and center line 4”
If other sports use same field, use different colors
What if field does not meet specs?????
Tell home coach to make corrections
If corrections cannot be made, play game and then notify assignor.
If away team refuses to play on field (safety, etc.) cancel game and report to assignor.

21. Field From Hell X Protruding metal stakes on field Steel Grate
Water pooling on field or it’s excessively muddy
Multiple Lines for other events (Soccer, Field Hockey, etc.)
Soccer nets on end line
Lightening or Thunder
Goal crease not marked
Holes in Net
Field is only 100 Yards Long
No Goal Line
Nets not attached or staked down
No Wing Lines
Only One Official
No Game Check Available
Telephone or Light Poles Close to Sideline
No cones in the corners & midlines

22. Goals and Nets Goals are 6 feet square and are to be painted orange.
Net should be tightly strung
No ball pass through
No holes in net
Home team is responsible for having legal goals.
Reasonable length of time to fix goals
If goals cannot be fixed assess a 3-minute NR
Goal Line designates the plane of the goal.
The net is considered part of the goal

23. Goals and Nets

24. Game Balls White balls with NFHS or NCAA stamp.
All game balls provided by HOME TEAM
YELLOW and ORANGE or GREEN (NEW 2013) balls may be used
May be switched with mutual consent of both coaches.
No PINK lacrosse balls.
Home team must supply balls on both end lines
Four (4) balls minimum to begin each quarter
OR have properly equipped ball retrievers
MUST wear a helmet, different colored jersey

25. Crosse Dimensions 2” long (NEW 2013)
Length, measured from tip of head to end of handle:
40 ≥ 42 inches (short crosse)
52 ≥ 72 inches (long crosse)
40 ≥ 72 incnes (Goalkeepers crosse)
Width of head, measured on the inside, widest point:
6 ≥ 10 inches (NEW 2018)
Goalies Crosse 10 ≥ 12 inches
Walls of the head ≤ 2 inches high
Strings hanging from crosse head no more than
2” long (NEW 2013)
Goalies crosse head ≤ 16 1/2 inches long
Crosse head construction
May be wood, laminated wood or synthetic material.
Crosse netting
Gut, rawhide, linen or synthetic material
Must be attached to the frame of the stop below the stop.
Color of the netting is up to the player
May not be designed to deceive (can’t paint a picture of a ball on the net)

26. Rule 1-6-1 Crosse Dimensions
Long Crosse
Goalkeeper’s Crosse
Short Crosse
52” to 72”
40” to 72”
40” to 42”
3.5”
3.5”
3.5”

27. Rule 1-6-1 Crosse Dimensions
Short & Long Crosse
6” to 10”
Goalie Crosse
10” to 12”
Goalie
Walls 2”

28. Rule 1-6-2 Crosse Dimensions
Short & Long Crosse
10”
Goalie Crosse
16½” max

29. Crosse Dimensions Metal/Hollow handles may be used
MUST HAVE an end cap rubber or plastic to prevent injury! AS of 2012
All handles must be relatively straight.
Any crosse in which the net is woven to the head in such a manner that a lip or hook is formed that might ensnare the ball is illegal.
Table top test – when a stick is laid down on a table, face down, the height of the stick shall be no more than 2 ¾ inches.

30. Bottle Cap Rule
Some players are using bottle caps as end caps (beer bottle cap) then taping
This is an altered crosse.
Rule 1, Section 7, Article 3: All hollow crosses handles made of metal or synthetic material shall have a rubber or plastic cap on the end to prevent injury.  A metal handle that does not have a cap-plug on the end shall not be considered illegal; at the next whistle, it shall be removed from the game until corrected.
Rule 1, Section 8, second to last sentence: Handles that have been altered in any fashion other than taping or adding another covering designed to improve grip are illegal.

31. Crosse Prohibitions
Deep pocket – when the top surface of the ball, when placed in the stick, is below the bottom edge of the sidewall.
A crosse or handle altered to give an advantage is illegal. (think microwave, warped, pinched)
Hanging strings/leathers must be ≤ 2 inches.
No adjustable length handles.
A broken crosse is considered no crosse.

32. Doing a Stick Check

33. Required Equipment Helmet w/facemask (NOCSAE approved) Mouthpiece
Gloves
Shoulder Pads (optional for goalie)
Shoes
Jersey
Arm Pads (optional for goalie)
Goalkeepers MUST Wear:
Throat Protector
Chest Protector
Goalkeeper MAY wear:
Shin Pads
Football pants with or without pads
A STICK is also a required piece of equipment!!!!
A player may not participate without a crosse

34. Head Gear Must have 4-point chin strap, with all 4 points buckled.
Facemask must have a center bar.
May only have TEAM ISSUED decals and external markings.
Helmets MUST be of the same color (HS only).
Mouthpiece must be worn, readily visible and must cover all teeth. Must be of a readily visible color (not completely white or completely clear).

35. Rule 1-9-1 Player Equipment
Mouth Guard (NFHS Only)
Helmet with Face Mask
Shoulder Pads (Optional for Goalies)
Chest Protector
Gloves
Shoes/Cleats

36. Other Player Equipment
Other items: Under-Jerseys, compression shorts and sweatpants. Solid color and all players on the same team must have the same color, with under-jerseys tucked in.
Suspend play if a player loses any required equipment in a scrimmage area, or use delayed whistle if not in scrimmage area and the player is not attempting to play.

37. Rule 1-9-1-g Jerseys Jersey’s must meet the following requirements:
Have different numbers assigned for each participant.
Numbers must be at least 6-inch and centered on the front and 8-inch and centered on the back.
Long enough to reach belt of the pants and tucked into the pants if they reach below the beltline.
Be different in colors so officials can determine home (light) and away teams (dark). (New 2022)
Note: Youth leagues may use duplicative numbers as long as the scorer knows how to differentiate between the players.

38. Prohibited Equipment No hard casts No jewelry
religious/medical must be taped and under the uniform
No ice hockey goalkeepers gloves
No football pads or helmets
No duplicate numbers (except youth)
No electronic communications with players
Eye shield must be clear, molded, and non-rigid
No equipment that in the opinion of the official endangers that individual or other players on the field.

39. More on Equipment
Each team’s head coach must certify all equipment before every game
PIAA Sportsmanship Message
Legal protection for you and warning to all players
Make yourself available to check equipment prior to game without penalty. This does not protect a player though during the game

40. Game Administration Home team required to provide Working horn
To be used at table to signify the end of periods
Failure to provide a horn is illegal procedure
School bands or other organized groups that use artificial means to create noise
Shall be situated in the stands on their respective team’s half of the field.

41. Rule 2 – Game Personnel

42. Game Personnel 10 players per team required at start of game
Four classifications of players
Goalkeeper (identified by crosse) - Required
Defense (may have long crosse)
Midfield
Attack
There must be a goalie on the field (New 2008)
Lineup in scorebook must be complete and accurate at the start of the game
a player not listed in the scorebook at the beginning of the game may not play in the game (New 2006)
Now we’re ready to FACE OFF … sort of…

43. X
Rule 2.1 Players M M A A D D D D M G G M A A D D A A M M

44. Captains and In-Home Captain(s) On-field representative of team
Duties – to covey messages from officials to team and from team to officials
Not allowed to argue calls, but may politely request a clarification
In-Home
Purpose is to serve penalties
For coaches/bench personnel
For unidentified players.
First attack listed on the official roster
Must be a starter

45. Coaches BOTH TEAMS One coach is designated as Head Coach
This is the coach certifying his players
Responsible for players actions and conduct
On request of officials, controls spectators
HOME TEAM
Responsible for field
Provides timekeepers, scorers and equipment
Provides ball retrievers and/or balls on endline
(minimum 4 balls at start of each quarter)

46. Game Officials Two officials per game (Varsity 3 Officials)
Referee and Umpire (Field Judge)
Some youth games may only have 1
(U9 and U11 in scheduling emergency)
Equal in overall responsibility
Jurisdiction: From the moment you step on the field (minimum of 20 minutes prior to game time)
to the moment you exit the field
Major Job – Control the game for safety
Minor Job – Enforcing rules and recording score
Keep Score and CERTIFY score with table at end of each quarter.

47. Timekeeper Home team provides Timekeeper Required equipment Horn
Game Clock
Penalty Clock(s)
Score Book
Keep an accurate account of game time
Keep an accurate account of penalty time and inform penalized player(s) when penalty time has expired
Sound horn when appropriate

48. Rule 1-12 Game Administration
The home team is required to provide a working air horn to be used at the table to signify substitutions and end of periods. Failing to provide such a horn is penalized by illegal procedure.
Note: Officials should bring an extra whistle just in case the table doesn’t have an air horn.

49. Scorer Provided by the home team
Required equipment: Score book, rosters of both teams.
Maintain an accurate record of goals, assists, saves and time outs.
Maintains a record of penalties; including player number, infraction and time
Must notify officials when a player receives 5 MINUTES of personal foul time.
Helps out time keeper

50. Ball Retreivers
MUST wear a helmet
Have different colored jersey

51. Rule 3 – Time Factors

52. Length of the Game Each game shall consist of 4 quarters Game times:
Varsity min stop time quarters
Junior Varsity 10 min stop time quarters
Senior (7 + 8 grade) 10 min stop time quarters
Junior (5 + 6 grade) 10 min stop time quarters
Lightning (3 + 4 grade) 12 min running time quarters
Bantam (1 + 2 grade) 12 min running time quarters
2 min between Qs
10 min between 2nd and 3rd Qs (halftime)

53. Game Time Mercy Rule – ONLY after the first half
≥ 12 goals
Clock switches to running time
Clock stops for Injury, Goals, Official Stoppage
If  12 goals, resume normal timing
Penalty time is running time
Mercy Rule for YOUTH divisions
4 goal lead
losing team may take the ball at the midfield in lieu of a face-off

54. More on Timing
Section 3 – Final 2 minutes of regulation play: Stalling rules in effect
Team that is ahead by >4 Goals will be verbally warned to “Keep it in” once the ball has been brought into the attack box.
DELAY (Technical Foul) if ball is carried or passed outside the attack box.
A SHOT is not a pass.
NOTE: If neither team is ahead then no need to call the stalling rule.

55. Even More on Timing Section 4 – Sudden-Victory Overtime
Coin toss to determine field position
AP remains as it was at the end of regulation
4 Minute Periods
2 Minute interval between Periods
Game ends when the first goal is scored
1 timeout per team per Overtime Period

56. Even More Timing Stuff Interruption of the game:
If the game is interrupted it shall be resumed from the point of interruption unless the league deems otherwise.
Mutual agreement of both coaches and consent of the official, the game may be terminated
Lightning:
If the official sees lightning or hears thunder the game will be suspended until no lightning is seen or thunder heard for a period of 30 minutes.
Forfeit:
if offended team is ahead then score stands, if offended team is behind or tied then official score shall be offended team 1, opponent 0

57. Play-On Technique LOOSE BALL ONLY Technical Fouls
If offended team is disadvantaged during play
Hold whistle (allow play to continue)
Verbally call “Play On”!
Visually give “Play On” signal – Hand in the Air
Play-on is over if
Offended team gains possession
Offended team commits violation
Verbally call “Play” or “Play On Off”!
Drop Hand
Default should be “Play On”
You can never un-blow your whistle

58. Slow Whistle Technique ”Flag Down”
Technical Fouls against Team WITH Possession
Any Personal Fouls with or without Possession
Toss flag HIGH in the Air
Verbally call “FLAG DOWN”!
Partner should vocalize as well
Hold whistle (i.e., DON”T blow your whistle yet)
Allow play to continue UNTIL…
ONLY Blow your whistle when…
Attacking teams scoring opportunity ends
Ball hits the ground (except a bounced shot)
Goal scored
Defense get possession
Ball goes out of bounds
Shot is no good
Player carries ball out of goal area
Player loses equipment in scrimmage area
Loose ball occurs
Team in Possession commits Personal or Technical Foul
Team in Possession fails to ADVANCE
20 second clear or 10 second into Attack Box
Enforcement will be covered LATER in Rule 7

59. End Of Rules 1, 2 and 3 Ready for the Quiz ??? Rule 4 is Lacrosse!
Next class is ___January 12, 2012___
We will start to cover Rule 4.
Rule 4 is Lacrosse!
Ready for the Quiz ???