Category: Officials

by WisconsinLacrosse

US Lacrosse Announces Officials Coordinators

US Lacrosse announced the creation of the Boys’ and Girls’ State Officials Coordinators.

Randy Kohn is the new Boys’ Officials State Coordinator  and Jessica Ivory is the Girls’ Officials State Coordinator.

US Lacrosse Officials Development State Coordinators will serve as the primary liaison for Wisconsin in connection with US Lacrosse. They primarily assist with gathering and providing information, expertise, advice and support to the Local Officiating Organizations, Certified Trainers, Observers and Assignors in the state throughout the year. They will work with US Lacrosse staff and the Region Coordinator directly to help identify areas of strength, need and opportunity for officiating development throughout Wisconsin.

More information can be found https://uslacrosse.org/officials/contacts/officiating-leadership-structure

To contact Randy, Jessica or anyone within the US Lacrosse Officiating Leadership structure click here https://www.uslacrosse.org/officials/contacts

If you are interested in learning more about becoming an Official or an Umpire click here Become a Lacrosse Official 

by WisconsinLacrosse

Girl’s Rule Changes

US Lacrosse announced the 2018 rule changes and points of emphasis for youth and high school girls’ lacrosse. The US Lacrosse Rules Committee worked in collaboration with the National Federation of State High School Associations to develop the rules and points of emphasis.

The points of emphasis for 2018 highlight safety and the quality of the game:

  • Illegal Defensive Positioning: Emphasize the three second and shooting space rules to ensure that offense has the ability to create safe shooting opportunities.
  • Contact in the Midfield: Deliberate illegal contact (cross-checks/pushing) made to the body on players in a defenseless position must be carded.
  • Crosse in the Sphere: Stress that it is the responsibility of the defender to keep her stick out of the sphere and throat area of the ball carrier. Violations are a major foul, and repeated violations may be carded.
  • Professionalism: The rules committee continues to encourage all coaches, players, officials and administrators to conduct themselves in a professional manner before, during and immediately following all contests.

Several changes to the rules concern the draw, including the draw setup, which will require players to keep their crosses parallel to and above the center line. Players on the draw circle and the restraining line will be allowed to have their sticks touch the ground, making the draw consistent with other elements of play. Early starts by players not taking the draw will result in the ball going to the non-offending team at the spot of the ball, not the spot of the foul. An illegal draw by a player will result in a free position at the center line with the offending player placed four meters away and illegal draws by both players will result in a redraw.

Other changes include allowing the optional use of a 120-yard unified field for both boys’ and girls’ lacrosse to allow schools the option of lining one set of shared field markings, disallowing stick checks during timeouts and allowing table personnel to use a horn to notify officials of a timeout request by a coach.

At the youth level, rule changes include requiring pelvic protection for goalies, establishing guidelines for a goalkeeper free clear, and clarifying language that allows for legal contact during play, as long as the contact does not physically force an opponent off of her position or path.

 

A complete overview of all girls’ rules is available here 

by MARK JAMIESON

Boys Officials Training

Statewide training dates for both new and returning Boys Officials are below.    Field Training dates and times are TBD.    

Youth and new officials

Click here for requirements 

Milwaukee Area 

Sunday, February 25th  1;00 – 5:00
Sunday, March 11th 1:00 –  5:00 

Waterstone Mortgage Conference Room   – 2nd floor
1133 Quail Ct, Pewaukee, WI  (Click for directions)

Madison Area 

Sunday, February 25th  12:00 – 4:00

Rocky Rococo Pizza – (Click for directions)
West 7952 Tree Lane, Madison, WI

Sunday, March 4th 1:00 –  5:00

Evco Plastics
100 W. North Street Deforest, WI 53532

Returning Officials
Click here for information on new access to the rules test

Milwaukee Area 

Tuesday, February 27th 6:00 – 9:00
Tuesday, March 6th 6:00 – 9:00

Waterstone Mortgage Conference Room   – 2nd floor
1133 Quail Ct, Pewaukee, WI  (Click for directions)

Madison Area 

Tuesday, March 6th 6:00 – 9:00
Tuesday, March 13th 6:00 – 9:00
Monday, March 19th 6:00 – 9:00

Hallman-Lindsay (Click for directions)
1717 N Bristol St Sun Prairie, WI

Wausau  Both New and Returning Officials 

Sunday March 11th.  One 6 hr session, start time TBD

Wausau West HS (Click for directions) 
1200 W Wausau Ave, Wausau, WI 54401

 

Appleton Both New and Returning Officials 

Sunday March 25th.  One 6 hr session, start time TBD

Appleton North HS (Click for directions)
5000 N Ballard Rd, Appleton, WI 54913

by WisconsinLacrosse

Girls Umpire Training

The US Lacrosse required RULES INTERPRETATION MEETING is scheduled for March 4, 2018 at 1-4pm.   at Steinhafels, W231 N1013 County Hwy F, Waukesha, WI 53186.

You must be a current US Lacrosse Member to attend, so please renew your membership if you haven’t.  Please RSVP by clicking the link below so we can plan accordingly.

NOTE: Steinhafels requests that we park in the South parking lot behind merchandise pick-up; not near the main entrance (which is reserved for customers).  After you park, please enter in the main entrance and go toward the left.  You will see a large meeting room near the bathrooms.

 RULES MEETING RSVP LINK  https://goo.gl/forms/jPX1RAZSahHL8hrx2

 

FIELD TRAINING:  Returning Officials need to complete 3 hours Continuing Education.  If you have attended a training or convention, that counts as your continuing ed. Please send us that information. If not, we have some current opportunities for you, please save the date:

•   April 7 – field training TBD at either USM OR Mukwonago

•   April 14 – field training at a Waukesha play day (Time TBA)

NEW OFFICIALS TRAINING is planned for Saturday, February 24, 2018 at the Arrowhead High School (North Campus).  New Umpire Candidates will meet in the Library Classroom.  The class runs from 9AM-4PM.  Cost is $40, which includes class, lunch, and dues for the first year of officiating.  The course will be in the classroom as well as some time in the gym.

WE NEED TO RECRUIT AS MANY OFFICIALS AS POSSIBLE THIS YEAR AND IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.  IF YOU RECRUIT A NEW OFFICIAL THAT COMPLETES ONE SEASON, WE WILL REIMBURSE YOUR DUES FOR THAT YEAR.

 

by MARK JAMIESON

Please don’t yell at the youth officials. 

I was at the Piggly Wiggly the other day and a young employee wearing a green apron, was stacking canned corn.  It was clearly his first week on the job and I could tell he was doing the best he could.  What caught my attention to this was a few adults standing about 20 feet from him, right there in aisle 5, screaming at the top of their lungs, “You’re doing it wrong! Learn how to stack cans! Go back to produce!”

Completely insane, right? Someone should call the cops.

Did this really happen?  Sort of.  But instead of a green apron and aisle 5. It was stripes and a lacrosse field.  Short of the canned corn, the story is true.

Next time you are at your son’s or daughter’s youth lacrosse game.  Take look at the young person who is officiating.   He or she, has taken the effort to learn their sport from an entirely new perspective.  They’ve passed the rules test and have spent multiple days in classrooms and field education for the right to wear the US Lacrosse patch on the sleeve of their stripes.

While most of these high schoolers only have a handful of years left to play the game, if they can master the art and science of officiating, they can stay active in lacrosse for the next 40.

Most of the young athletes who take the leap into officiating do so for lots of reasons, they can make a little money, their high school coach has encouraged them or they are looking to get a better understanding of their sport. Maybe they just want to work with younger players.

Every year we have a roomful of kids wanting to be officials and by the second season we’re lucky if a handful have returned.

So how come?

To be perfectly honest.  It’s you.  (yeah, I’m looking at you).

Think about it, the most important people in a young athlete’s life are parents, adult family, friends and of course coaches.  But when they put on the stripes it’s those very same people screaming non-constructive feedback.

Like anyone new to the job, there’s stuff to learn. Nobody’s perfect on day one. (Heck, I have yet to be perfect after day 1400)

But here’s the deal.  Lacrosse needs those kids.  Not only to officiate the youth games of today and the high school games of tomorrow.   These are the soon to be men and women who will officiate future national championship games.

Or not.

Please don’t crush them before they get started.   Instead, do something completely unexpected.

Thank them.

 

Mark Jamieson is the Communications Director for the Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation and a Certified US Lacrosse Level 3 Official.

Earlier this season he spent 2 completely miserable, cold, rainy, early Wisconsin spring days helping with the field training of the youth officials. Not once did any of the young people complain or quit early.       

 

by WisconsinLacrosse

Wisconsin Women’s Lacrosse Officials needs you!

As the wonderful sport of lacrosse grows, Wisconsin is in need of adult girls lacrosse officials.

Please consider joining the third team on the field and come to our upcoming training on Saturday, February 25th at the Arrowhead High School (North Campus). There will be a classroom session in the Junior Study Hall from 9:00 – Noon then the West Gym from 1:00 – 4:00.

SIgn up here. 

If you cannot make the training date, please still sign up. We’d love to hear from you!

by Chelsea Mueller

Lacrosse Preseason

Preseason captains’ practices started last week and I shoveled snow off my driveway this morning. With temperatures below freezing, it’s hard to imagine that green grass, months like April and May or short sleeves still exist; however, in seven short weeks the first games of the 2017 season will be played. Snow will (hopefully) be gone, fields will be lined and players will step onto fields, bundled in layers, to begin another season. Watching players in these first practices is so exciting because we get see the beginnings of a team and their potential. Walking into open gyms, beginning to pass, getting in the first rounds of wall ball for 2017, rust begins falling off of sticks that sat idle for too long in the offseason. Returning players step up and take ownership of their team – setting the tone for practices and games to come. New girls who have never touched a lacrosse stick learn the fundamentals. With every caught pass and moderately on target throw, their confidence – and by extension, the team’s confidence –  grows. To think that come May, these same girls – girls who currently can barely cradle let alone catch a pass on the fly – will be zooming up and down the field only builds anticipation for the weeks and months to come.

This is when a team begins. Of course, there are returning players and already formed relationships, but each season is full of fresh perspective and new approaches to the game. Key players graduate, leaving space for new players to show up and deliver. New plays are hashed out, skills are added to the arsenal. There are many exciting moments in a season – first goals, big upsets, deep playoff runs … the list could go on; however, preseason is one of my favorites because it is full opportunity. It’s a bit of a blank canvas and with our players we can create an incredible team and season. Best of luck to the coaches, officials, players and parents beginning the season, make it a great one.

by WisconsinLacrosse

Boys Officials’ Training Dates

Want to be a Lacrosse Official? Sign up here

Boys High School Officials classroom training will be held March 6, 13, 20.  6 – 9pm  for both Milwaukee and Madison area officials.

  • Madison training will be held at Lucky’s, 1008 Quinn Dr, Waunakee
  • Milwaukee Training will be held at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. 1215 S 45th St, West Milwaukee

Youth-Classroom

  • Madison March 5 and March 12, noon to 4, Rocky Rocco – Madison West. 7952 Tree Lane, Madison
  • Milwaukee March 12 and 19, 1-5 PM, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. 1215 S 45th St, West Milwaukee

Field Training

  • Madison March 25 and 26, Woodside Sports Complex
  • Milwaukee March 25 and 26 at TBD

To be an official in Wisconsin you must be a member of US Lacrosse.  All returning officals should have received the 2017 NFHS Rule Book,  if not contact Gordon Corsetti gcorsetti@uslacrosse.org at US Lacrosse and get your membership straightened out. It is expected that you will complete the test before the classroom sessions end.

by WisconsinLacrosse

2017 Girls’ rule changes

Effective for the 2017 girls’ high school lacrosse season, US Lacrosse has announced the following rules changes.  US Lacrosse writes the rules for high school girls’ lacrosse, and those rules are endorsed by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

“The rule changes and approved revisions are a continued effort to minimize the risk of injury in girls’ lacrosse,” said Kathy Westdorp, chair of the NFHS girls’ lacrosse rules committee and a member of the US Lacrosse Women’s Rules Subcommittee. “Several of the rule revisions will reinforce that effort.”

US Lacrosse also authors separate rules that govern youth girls’ lacrosse. Those youth rule sets, also effective January 1, 2017, will be announced in mid-September.

The approved 2017 high school rule changes include updates on eyewear and headgear equipment certifications, the allowance of some ball contact by players, and clarifications on the requirements for the Obstruction of Free Space penalty.

Arguably the most noteworthy revision involves the rule governing the draw. Beginning in 2017, players below the restraining lines on the draw may not cross the lines until possession has been established. This rule change was influenced by concerns that the number of players contesting the ball, either in the air or on the ground, following the draw often leads to a scenario where an excessive number of players were competing in close physical contact.

“By limiting the number of players attempting to put the ball in play after the draw, we trust that there will be fewer fouls and that the ball will more quickly be put into play,” said Laurette Payette, a member of the US Lacrosse Women’s Officials Subcommittee. “The focus of the officials will be on the six players (three for each team) between the restraining lines.”

A player leaving the restraining line early, before possession is established, shall be penalized.

“The rules that govern the game play an important role in both safety and growth,” said Kristen Murray, chair of the US Lacrosse Board of Directors and a girls’ high school coach. “We continue to look for opportunities to simplify the rules to make it easier for officials to make calls and to improve the flow of the game. We want lacrosse to be a safe, fun and enriching experience for everyone who plays.

“We appreciate the efforts of the volunteer officials and coaches who spearheaded the comprehensive rules review and approval process. This process included a thorough review of suggested rule changes submitted to US Lacrosse and NFHS, as well as a review of pertinent injury surveillance statistics.”

A closer look at all the rule changes approved by the US Lacrosse Women’s Game Committee is below. Rule references are from the 2016 US Lacrosse Rule Book and will change for 2017.

Rule 2, Section 9: Outlines the certification changes to eyewear protection.

Rule 2, Section 10: Outlines the ASTM certification changes to headgear.

Rule 5, Section 1: Players below the restraining lines on the draw may not cross until possession has been established.

Rule 5, Section 28: Stick checks may only be requested during a stoppage of the game clock.

Rule 5, Section 28: Stick checks may be requested immediately following regulation or overtime.

Rule 6, Section 1: Adjusted the “note” to remove ‘looking to shoot’ from the Obstruction of Free Space criteria.

Rule 6, Section 2f: Added the wording “except with a kicking action on a non-shooting attempt” to the rule that ‘players may not use their bodies to play the ball.’

Rule 7, Section2: Penalty administration for dangerous shot and illegal shot to be aligned, with the ball being given to the closest defender no closer than 8m to the goal.

In addition, secondary material has been further defined in the Manufacturers Specifications, and the alternate officials duties are now stated within the Appendix.

Suggestions for future rule changes and modifications may also be submitted hereat any time. All submissions are reviewed by the US Lacrosse Women’s Game Rules Subcommittee.