1. Youth Lacrosse for Boys
New Lacrosse Parent Orientation
Tim Bohdan
Secretary of the Texas Lacrosse Officials Association and certified as a training clinician by US Lacrosse

2. Field Player Gear (rib pads are optional)

3. Game Basics – Part 1
Object of the Game The object of lacrosse is to score the most points. Points are scored when a player kicks, nudges, bats with the stick, or throws with their stick the very hard tennis sized rubber ball into the opponents net. Players cannot use their hands to throw the ball into the net. Length of Play Depends on the age and game. During tournaments, a “running clock” is often used to keep the games short and on schedule. This typically means two halves of about minutes each with a small halftime. In ‘league’ games there are typically four quarters of 8-12 minutes each with a longer halftime. These games do last longer than one hour. Lacrosse Positions Attack - The attackman's responsibility is to score goals. The attackman generally restricts his play to the offensive end of the field. A good attackman demonstrates excellent stick work with both hands and has quick feet to maneuver around the goal. Each team should have three attackmen on the field during play. Midfielder (often called Middie) - The midfielder's responsibility is to cover the entire field, playing both offense and defense. The midfielder is a key to the transition game, and is often called upon to clear the ball from defense to offense. A good midfielder demonstrates good stick work including throwing, catching and scooping. Speed and stamina are essential. Each team should have three midfielders on the field. Defenseman - The defenseman's responsibility is to defend the goal. The defenseman generally restricts his play to the defensive end of the field. A good defenseman should be able to react quickly in game situations. Agility and aggressiveness are necessary, but great stick work is not essential to be effective. Each team should have three defensemen on the field. Defensemen generally use the longer defensive sticks. Goalie - The goalie's responsibility is to protect the goal and stop the opposing team from scoring. A good goalie also leads the defense by reading the situation and directing the defensemen to react. A good goalie should have excellent hand/eye coordination and a strong voice. Quickness, agility, confidence and the ability to concentrate are also essential. Each team has one goalie in the goal during play.

4. Game Basics – Part 2
Basic Play Play begins with a faceoff in the center Face-off square or circle. Two opponents face each other and try to win possession of the ball. The lacrosse faceoff is different because the two players basically start on their hands and feet with their sticks laying along the center line, and the ball between the heads of the sticks. At the officials signal each player can employ a number of different to win possession of the ball, but there is no substitute for being quick or powerful. Most often the ball will be knocked or passed to a player other than the two fighting for the ball in the faceoff. Once a player is able to pick the ball up with their stick possession occurs. Offensive players maneuver down the field toward the goal by running with or passing the ball to a team mate. Players can run the entire length of the field as long as they are not offsides by not leaving enough players in the defensive end. Offensive players cannot enter the crease area that surrounds the goal. Defensive players can enter the crease area. If an offensive player enters the crease, it is a crease violation and position goes to the opponent. Offensive layers cannot go into their own crease either unless they gain possession while in the crease they can take the ball out. Transition Timing If the goalie makes a save and gains possession of the ball he must pass or take the ball out of the crease within 4 seconds or the ball will be awarded back to the opponent. As the ball is transitioned from the defensive end toward the offensive end the offensive team has 20 seconds to cross midfield. Once they cross midfield they have 10 seconds to move into the attack area. These time restrictions help greatly to keep teams from going into a shell. They must move the ball or possession is lost. Unique Rules One of the real different rules in lacrosse is that when a player takes a shot and the ball travels out of bounds the team that is closest to the line where the ball went out of bounds has possession. Often the offense will position a player behind the goal so that when a shot is made they will be closest to the spot where the ball went out of bounds when the ball goes out of bounds. You will also see the goalie sprint toward the back line when a shot is made to try to be the closest to the line so that the defensive team will gain possession. Another rule is that after a score there is a faceoff. So the team who just scored could easily gain possession again by winning the faceoff and this leads to runs where a team may score several unanswered goals which allows a team to come back.

5. Lacrosse Terminology Who Where Situations Midfielder Defenseman
Attackman
Goalkeeper
FOGO (face-off, get off)
LSM (long stick middie)
Head Coach
The Alley
The Box (2!)
Midfield Line
Substitution Area or Table Area
The Wing
Crease
Goal Line
GLE (Goal Line Extended)
Goal or Cage. The pipe.
“X” (behind the cage)
Faceoff spot
Top Left/Right
Side Left/Right
Bottom Left/Right
Top Center
Who
Where
Offense
Defense
Clearing
Riding
Play-on!
Flag Down Slow Whistle
Advance the ball counts. “Get a touch”
“Get it in! Keep it in!”
Get to know the common terminology and abbreviations.
Situations

6. Other Common Terms
Body Check Contact with an opponent from the front or side (but not a blind side check) — between the shoulders and waist — when the opponent has the ball or is within 3 yards of a loose ball. Box An area drawn in both ends of the field surrounding the crease area. Also called the goal area or defensive area. Note: sometimes the officials will refer to the penalty table area as the box. Official while pointing to penalty area: “Player #13. Go to the box.” Clear Transitioning the ball from the defensive half to the attack box on the offensive side of the field. Crease A circle around the goal with an outside radius of 9 feet into which only defensive players may enter. The crease includes the line. EMO (extra-man offense) A man advantage resulting from an opponent's time-serving penalty – also known as "man-up.“ The other team is “man-down.” Faceoff This technique is used to put the ball in play at the start of the game, each quarter, half, or after a goal is scored. GLE Goal line extended. An imaginary line atop the goal line that extends the entire width of the field. Ride Pressure defense. The defending team will try to prevent their opponent from advancing the ball, thereby creating a turnover. Slash A poke into the ribs, chest, neck or back. A vicious uncontrolled swinging of the stick whether contact is made or not. The gloved hand on the stick may be legally checked.

7. Pre-game Line Up AAAMMMDDDG R U GDDDMMMAAA Restraining line
Midfield line
Restraining line
Alley or lane
Wing Area
faceoff spot
Goal Area (attack box, or box)
AAAMMMDDDG
Goal Area R U
GDDDMMMAAA
Referee has the game ball and stands at midfield across from the Umpire on the other side of the field.
Players line up with their left shoulder to the goal they will defend first in order of position: Goalkeeper, Defensemen, Midfielders, Attackmen.
Referee gives a few brief words and then instructs the goalkeepers to cross and shake hands, and then the same for the rest of the players.
Referee becomes the face-off official for the first face-off. The Umpire moves to the correct position as the wing official, placing one arm into the air until the field is set, and then giving the “ready” signal to the face-off official.
Note 1: The R usually runs the far side for the 1st half, this is up to the R and should be discussed in the pre-game.
Note 2: The line up is not the time to check player equipment. Make yourself available before the game for any pre-game checks. You should check that the goalkeeper you are standing next to has a mouth guard, throat guard, and chest protector.
Wing Area
Alley or lane
(Penalty Area)
Coaches Box
Table Area
Coaches Box
Bench Area
Bench Area

8. Faceoff Positions M M A D A D A R D G A D G M M D D A A U M M
Restraining Lines (at the 30-yard lines on any football field)
Faceoff Positions M M A D A D A R D G A D G M M D D A A
Once the faceoff whistle has blown, only the midfielders can compete for possession of the ball. The players behind their restraining lines cannot enter the scrimmage area until one team has gained possession of the ball. If a loose ball rolls onto or over one of the two restraining lines, then the official will yell “play” and everyone is released simultaneously everywhere. The defensemen and attackmen generally loiter near the restraining line during a faceoff scrimmage and wait patiently until possession is declared. U M M
Coaches Box
Table Area
Coaches Box
Bench Area
Bench Area
Scrimmage Area: between the restraining lines. Only the midfielders may participate on a faceoff until possession is gained by one team or until the balls exits the scrimmage area.

9. Faceoff procedure “Down” Adjust “Set”
Some items to adjust regarding position (complete description in the rule book)
Sticks parallel to the center line.
Gloves and stick may not touch the centerline.
Heads should match up and the ball should be in the center of the heads
Heads should be perpendicular to the ground
Fingers must be wrapped around the handle and touching the ground
Right hand must not touch the head of the cross
Player’s body must be to the left of the head of the cross
Players may lean over the center line
Review when to re-face and when to award via alternate possession
Review when a faceoff has ended
Some items to adjust regarding position (complete description in the rule book)
Sticks parallel to the center line.
Gloves and stick may not touch the centerline.
Heads should match up and the ball should be in the center of the heads
Heads should be perpendicular to the ground
Fingers must be wrapped around the handle and touching the ground
Right hand must not touch the head of the cross
Player’s body must be to the left of the head of the cross
Players may lean over the center line

10. Possession Carrying Cradling Passing Shooting Class Activity
Every time the word “possession” is said in class have the entire class say the four types of possession. This will reinforce the concept.

11. Shot
Ball thrown, kicked, or physically directed towards the goal by the offense.
Note: You cannot touch or bat the ball with your hand.
Shot remains a shot:
Ball comes to rest
Possession gained
Ball goes out of bounds
Player causes ball to go out of bounds
Class Question
Is it a shot if a player throws the ball towards the goal from far away and yells “I am taking a shot”? It is up to the officials to judge if a shot is a shot based on what they see.

12. Goal Loose Ball All of the ball must cross all of the goal line
Impetus is irrelevant
A loose ball completely passes through the front plane formed at the rear edge of the goal line, goal posts and crossbar
Class Question
Is it a goal if a goalkeeper with possession reaches back through the goal plane with his crosse on an outlet pass? No, since the goalkeeper has possession the ball is not loose and this cannot be a goal. If he drops the ball however, goal.
Class Question

13. until you land somewhere else.
Out of Bounds
Player with ball
Steps on or over line
Loose Ball
Touches on or over line
You are where you were…
until you land somewhere else.
Player with the ball steps on or beyond, or any part oh his body or crosse touches the boundary he loses possession.
Loose ball touching on or beyond a boundary line is awarded to the team that did not last touch it.
Class Activity
Demonstrate how to call out of bounds as this is one of the most common mechanics an official must do each game:
Whistle and dead ball signal
Point and say direction of play
Dead ball signal and whistle in or at mouth to be ready for the restart.

14. Shot Out of Bounds Closest body Where/When
Stick is not part of the body, but the hand is!
Class Question
What if two players from opposing teams reach the point where and when the ball goes out of bounds at the same time? Who gets the ball? By rule, via Alternate Possession (which will be covered shortly), for all practical purposes if you can’t tell pick a team.
The attacking team’s player who is loitering behind the goal is called “X”. The player at “X” is usually the closest inbounds player to the shot where/when it goes out of bounds, but good goalkeepers will automatically chase every shot just in case no one was playing “X”. Diving is OK; hand is part of the body; team with the closest inbounds players earns next possession of the ball.

15. Crease includes the all of the line
Does the crosse count when determining crease violations?
No. Only the player’s body matters when calling crease violations, however if the player’s gloved hand touches the line or crease area, then that would be a crease violation.
Class Question
Does the crosse count when determining crease violations? No. Only the player’s body matters when calling crease violations, however if the player’s gloved hand wrapped around the crosse touches the line or crease area that would be a crease violation.
The Line is Hot

16. Goalkeeper Can Extend Crease
Class Question
What if the goalkeeper gains possession and falls so that all of his body except his left hand is outside the crease. If his left hand is still touching the crease or crease line does he still have full crease protection if he maintains possession? Yes, so long as any part of the GK’s body touches the crease or crease line he has protection for his entire body and crosse while he possesses the ball.
When ball is possessed by goalkeeper and any part of him is touching his crease, the crease is extended. No part of the goalkeeper or his equipment “in the crease” can be touched.

17. When a ball is loose, the portion of the goalkeeper’s stick outside the crease can be checked by defenders
Loose ball outside the crease is a free ball
Attack may check the part of the crosse outside the crease
Also common is raking under the head
Class Question
Can you check the goalkeeper’s crosse while he is clamping over the ball and the ball and the head of his stick is outside the crease? Yes, this is a loose ball and the exposed part of his crosse outside the crease is fair game.

18. Diving Into the Crease is Illegal
No Diving!
College
High School
Youth
Sell the call!
Signal no goal and crease violation BIG
Leave no doubt that you are right
Class Question
Who watches the feet and the body in a 2 and 3-person crew?
2-person: the lead official has to watch everything
3-person: The official the player runs at has the feet, the official the player is running from has the body.

19. Running through the crease after the ball crosses goal line is legal
After ball crosses goal line it is legal to step in or run through, land in the crease (not on a dive) and touch GK, his crosse or net/goal.
Class Question
So the thing we need to judge is whether or not he dove or whether his momentum carried him into the crease as a result of how he moved on his shot? Correct.

20. Penalties – Two Types
Technical Fouls (less severe or technical in nature; turnover or time-serving, depending on who had possession of the ball… 30 seconds if time-serving)
Personal Fouls (more severe and can result in either disqualification or ejection; always time-serving; 1, 2, or 3 minutes at referee’s discretion)
Crease Violation
Cross-check
Goalkeeper Interference
Illegal Body Check
Holding
Illegal Crosse or Stick
Illegal Offensive Screening
Illegal Equipment (other than the stick)
Illegal Procedure
Slashing
Conduct Foul
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Interference
Unnecessary Roughness
Offside
Tripping
Pushing
Deep Pocket (on the stick)
Stalling
Delay of Game
Warding Off
Withholding Ball From Play
Illegal Touching (of the ball)
Illegal Substitution / Substitution Infraction
The most common technical fouls are for pushing or holding.
The most common personal fouls are for slashing, cross-check, and unnecessary roughness.
All fouls can be either releasable (most common) or nonreleasable (under special and somewhat rare circumstances).

21. Reporting Penalties Color Number Foul Time Blue Two Seven Slashing
1 Minute
Time
Explanation is optional, use when needed:
“Dead ball foul, Team A ball at Center X”

22. Common Referee Penalties and Signals
Lacrosse Penalties Personal fouls - Slashing, Tripping, Illegal Cross Checking, and checking from behind a player are usually given 1 minute penalties. Penalties can be increased to 2 or 3 minutes or even ejection can be assessed for major or especially sever personal fouls.
Technical fouls such as - Offsides, Crease violations, pushing from the rear, thumbing. and Warding Off constitute a loss of possession.
Cross-Checking
Illegal Body Check
Technical Foul
Tripping
Holding
Non Releasable
Personal Foul
Slashing

23. Summary of officials’ hand signals