Category Archives: Mechanics

Mechanics Update

Dead Ball Officiating: “When the ball is dead, be alive!”

Posted on May 8, 2013 by | Leave a comment

TOOne of the biggest mistakes newer official make is to assume that once the play is over,their job is done. Almost all of our training is geared towards identifying fouls and positioning on the field during play.  However, what truly separates the  rookies from the veterans is the attention and focus during a dead ball.  Here are some tips for making yourself a better dead ball official: be aware where you are in the game, keep the game moving, anticipate what needs to be done and stay focused! Continue reading →

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Posted in Improvement, Mechanics, NFHS Rules, Training, US Lacrosse

Three Man Mechanics: A Primer

Posted on May 1, 2013 by | Leave a comment

2012-20-GHSA-Lacrosse-state-wh_250wAs the high school regular season comes to an end and the playoffs begin, many of you will need to brush up on your three-man mechanics.  The shift can be challenging, even for experienced  officials who do not work three-man games regularly.

Here are a few resources to help you master the mechanics.  Remember, a three-man game  is really a two-man game with help. Continue reading →

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Posted in GHSA, Mechanics, Training, US Lacrosse

Effectivey Using A Scorecard

Posted on April 2, 2013 by | Leave a comment

scorefrontThe score card is a key piece of equipment which enables an official to record a number of key facts: team captains, the in-home for each team, keep track of alternate possession, the number of stick checks, time outs each team has used, and of course, the score. There are a number of other bits of information that can and should also be recorded: your partner’s name, the goal that each team is defending in the 1rst and 3rd quarters.   Writing on your scorecard may seem like a simple task that is not worthy of a post, but it is a skill that officials often struggle to master. Continue reading →

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Posted in Equipment Review, Mechanics, NFHS Rules, Training, US Lacrosse

Who’s Got the Count. Gotta Have that Count (owww)

Posted on March 28, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Counts DiagramSome of the most difficult NFHS rules and mechanics for newer officials to master are the three counts involved in advancing the ball:  the four second goalie count (Rule 4-19 and 20 Art. 5, the 20-second clearing count  (Rules 4-14)  and the 10 second count (Rule 4-15).  While the basic requirements and mechanics for each are fairly straightforward, the challenge emerges when an official is tasked in game situations with BOTH recognizing  and communicating when each count begins and ends. You gotta have the count!

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Posted in Mechanics, New Officials, NFHS Rules, Rules Interpretation, Training, US Lacrosse, Youth Rules

Practice the Full Sequence: End Line and Sideline Out of Bounds

Posted on March 25, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Being an effective communicator is one ingredient that all good officials possess.  Your ability to manage a game is directly related to your ability to make sure all parties know where they are supposed to be and what they are supposed to do. There are a number of mechanics sequences that routinely occur in a game.  By mechanics sequences I mean a series of signals that an official must give to let his partner, the players and coaches know what has occurred.   The two most common are the Sideline and the End Line Out of Bounds sequences.  By practicing these sequences you will communicate more effectively and be able to better manage your game. Continue reading →

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Posted in Mechanics, NFHS Rules, Training, US Lacrosse

Tips for New Officials

Posted on February 7, 2013 by | 1 Comment

You’ve completed all the requirements: been through the Level 1 training class,  taken the online course, done your field work , taken the rules test, watched the rules video, registered with US Lacrosse as an official and received your patch.  So now what? The class you took taught you a lot about the rules of the mechanics of  officiating, but there are probably still  many questions you might have about being a referee. Here are some helpful tips and advice for you as a begin your career.  Continue reading →

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Posted in General, Mechanics, New Officials, Training

2012 Lovett High School Lacrosse Videos

Posted on February 6, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Watching these videos of the 2012 The Lovett School Lacrosse Team in Atlanta, GA are a great way to improve your mechanics and familiarize yourself with the game. The quality is great.  Note that some dead ball situations are edited out.  Remember, the best way to learn these mechanics is to attend a game.

Please feel free to contact me with questions, comments or suggestions!

Play On!

Greg Hite

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Posted in GHSA, Mechanics, New Officials, NFHS Rules, Training

Trail’s Responsibility: Watching the Shooter

Posted on February 5, 2013 by | Leave a comment

shooterOne of the most common mistakes newer officials make is ball watching. It is imperative that each official know their responsibilities (Lead or Trail) and focus on their area (On or Off) at all times.  One situation in particular is especially important to cover: watching the shooter after he has taken a shot. A similar situation involves hits on a player, especially the goal keeper, after they have thrown a  pass. These incidents can have a huge impact on your game: everyone sees them but you can’t make the call because you did not see the whole play (or you only heard the hit)!  And if you are not focusing on your responsibilities you will only catch the retaliation.

Check out the video below for a great example of why this mechanic is so important! What would you call in this situation?

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Posted in Mechanics, New Officials, NFHS Rules, Point of Emphasis, Training, US Lacrosse

Learning to Speak Lacrosse

Posted on January 31, 2013 by | Leave a comment

dolphin cartoonThat the game and the rules have their own lingo is not unique to the sport of lacrosse.  In football, while fans, players, coaches and announcers use the terms fumble and muff interchangeably, the terms have radically different meanings and can have major impacts on how you rule on a play. Being a fan or an announcer is not the same as being an official.  For folks new to the game and to those who have been playing lacrosse for some time, becoming an official requires that you learn how to talk about the game. One needs to learn what particular terms mean and how to describe situations, leaving out superfluous information and focusing on key relevant facts. One must essentially learn how speak lacrosse.

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Posted in General, Mechanics, NCAA Rules, NFHS Rules, Rules Interpretation, Testing, Training

Peter Lasagna and Terry Foy discuss NCAA Rules Changes

Posted on December 6, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Listen to IL columnist and Bates head coach Peter Lasagna joins IL’s Terry Foy to discuss how rule changes, specifically the 2010 stick specification rule changes and last summer’s pace of play rule changes in this podcast.

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Posted in Mechanics, Media, NCAA Rules, Point of Emphasis, Rules Interpretation