“ What officials wish coaches knew more about ”

“What officials wish coaches knew more about” EPLCA Annual Clinic presented by Craig Burnett KLOA/PIAA official March 1, 2014 Contributions by: Dennis Runyon, Lee Stevens, Bill Twohig Kevin Schaefer and Jeff Hewlings

The number one reason why an official is on the field? SAFETY The safety of all the participants * The players * The coaches * The table personnel * The spectators * Their partners

What coaches can do to help Provide a safe playing field * Correct field markings * Correct limit lines * True surface and goals Promote safety with your players * Properly worn unaltered equipment * Proper attitude toward opponents

The other reason officials are on the field “To enforce the rules, and shall exercise authority in an impartial, firm and controlled manner” Page 112

Coaches and Officials responsibilities are clearly defined in the rule book Coaches - page 21, sections 3 & 4 Officials - page 22, sections 5 & 6

The Obvious Know the rules * The rules change every year. * Many of the officials you see must know two rulebooks (NCAA/NFHS) and the US Lacrosse Youth Guidebook Set the proper tone with your players * Teams take on the personality of their coach. * Play hard, play fair, play safe. * Accept the fact that officials are not perfect. Understand the level of commitment officials must make

Join associations ( pay dues ) * KLOA $55 per year * PIAA $40 per year ( + passing a test ) * US Lacrosse $50 per year ( optional ) Meeting requirements * Six general meetings ( minimum ) * Rules interpretation ( mandatory ) The gear * Multiple uniforms * Flags, whistles, timers, tape measure, scorecards

The not so obvious * Balancing our first job with officiating. * Balancing our personal life with officiating. * Contacting our partners prior to the game to coordinate the uniform of the day and any travel concerns. * Conducting a pre and post game meeting.

* The importance of competent table personnel. * The importance of having a plan for bad weather (lightning, etc.). * Understanding official’s mechanics (knowing which one of us to “communicate” to).

The Numbers * Our association’s assigned 5,159 games in Arbiter during 2013. (approximate) * KLOA and GPLOA have approximately 225 members. * Between the two associations we have approximately 25 college officials. * We lose a lot of them on Wednesdays and Saturdays

What that means * We all work a lot. * The assigners have a very large task to fill games with the best officials for each game. * If a coach requests a time/date change it presents a difficult challenge for our assigners.

The really important stuff Teach your players what to do if they become injured on the field. * Have them get on the ground and stay there. Abide by the “Coaches Code of Ethics”. * Page 111 of 2014 NFHS rulebook Be respectful to officials!!! * We love our sport too!

Common things coachescomplain about * Consistency * Holding * Interference * Delayed Substitution’s

Consistency * You’re right and we are working on it! * We now use game video at some of our meetings and have open discussions on what should or should not have been called. * We hold an Annual pre-season clinic to prepare for the season that includes a one mile fitness run, on field simulations and classroom sessions. * We continue to look for ways to improve.

Holding page 61 “Holding is permittedunder the following conditions: a. An opponent with possession of the ball or within 5 yards of a loose ball may be held from the front or side. b. An opponent in possession of the ball may be played with a hold check from the rear if the hold exerts no more then equal pressure. For (a) and (b), a hold check shall be done with either a closed hand, shoulder or forearm; and both hands shall be on the crosse. c. A player may hold the crosse of an opponent with his crosse when that opponent has possession of the ball. d. A player within 5 yards of a loose ball may hold the crosse of his opponent with his own crosse”.

Interference * Both offensive and defensive players can be called for interference. * If contact occurs off the ball (more then 5 yards away) interference occurred. * Problem is, who initiated the contact? It is often impossible to tell. Sometimes players simply run into each other. A no call is best if we can’t be sure.

Delayed Substitutions * Players may substitute at any time other then during face-offs. * The substituting player may not gain an advantage by delaying his entry on to the field. * It is not illegal to play, during live ball situations, with too FEW players.

Things officials complain about Assistant coaches “…Only the head coach will communicate with the officials…”“…Head coaches also shall bein control of and responsible for the actions of all non- playing members of their squad”. Page 21

I Love this slide Thanks Bill Twohig * Coaches screaming “blow the whistle” when their player, with the ball in his crosse, is standing in the box or out of bounds. * Teach your players to be “whistle ready”. * No more horns. We want quick restarts as much as anybody.

Our game is changing * The rules involving hits to the head and neck have changed for the good. * Now there is “defenseless player” language in the rulebook. * Minimum 2 minutes non-releasable.

Any questions? * Feel free to contact me if I can be of any help to you or your program. * Let’s all have the best season of our lives. You never know if it will be your last.

THANK YOU for listening KLOA website is keystonerefs.org I can be reached at burnettsan@gmail.com

“ What officials wish coaches knew more about ”