TECHNICAL FOULS

The Technical Fouls vs. The HEAVY/ VIOLENT FOULS (Personal) Fouls that present a safety issue!

The Technical Fouls; Pushing, Holding, and Interference What is the key element of these subtle fouls that make them so important? Do they create an advantage to a team or disadvantage the opposing team!Technical fouls are those of a less serious nature than Personal fouls and include all violations of the rules of the game except Personal fouls. Some Technical fouls are closely associated with Personal Fouls!

EXPLANATION: The push which isn’t readily apparent, but creates a change in possession, can determine the outcome of a game. The hold, a foul which the causal fan knows little about, can nullify a legitimate scoring opportunity. A bad call, one which rewards bad play while penalizing good lacrosse, this is the thing we should most seek to avoid. These subtleties are what separate good officials from the ordinary.

TECHINCAL FOULS NFHS RULE 6 The penalty for Technical fouls depends on whether the offended team has possession of the ball!•If the ball is loose, there should be a Play-On, and if the offended team does not gain possession, they are awarded the ball at the spot where the ball is– if inside the attack area--- then move outside attack area.•If the team that has possession commits a technical foul, there is an immediate whistle and the ball is awarded to the opposing team at the spot or outside the attack area.•If Team A has possession and Team B commits a technical foul (other than goalie interference or crease violations) the Flag down, Slow-Whistle technique is used. If Team A does not score a goal during the Flag down slow whistle situation, then the player committing the foul will serve a 30-second penalty.

•If the ball was blown dead in the offended team’s defensive half, they will be awarded ball just over midfield (Free Clear)•If blown dead in the team’s offensive half, the ball is awarded at the spot or outside the attack area closest to where the ball was•If the offended team A scores a goal during the flag down situation, then the technical foul penalty is wiped out by the goal. Wave flag overhead and re-affirm goal is good.

. Why are the fouls in Rule 5 Personal Fouls one to three minutes in length whereas those in Rule 6 Technical Fouls are either 30 seconds or loss of ball?EXPLANATION: The personal fouls all bring with them the threat of injury. Tripping, slashing, cross checking, etc., all can put a kid in the Trainer’s Room. Even an illegal crosse can create an injury because the defensive player, unable to dislodge the ball, will resort to a more violent check in frustration.

Advantage / Disadvantage

Difficult part is determining which fouls to call and which to ignore.The best idea is that you should call:•Fouls that present a Safety issue (most personal fouls) MUST BE CALLED!•Fouls that you MUST CALL to maintain PROPER BEHAVIOR (Conduct fouls & Unsportsmanlike conduct fouls)•Fouls that are abjectly obvious to everyone (line violations such as crease and off sides)•Technical fouls that disadvantage the fouled team or create an unfair advantage for the fouling teamThis last item is the most difficult to explain:Suppose A1 is running down the field clearing the ball and B1 pushes him from behind , making him stumble but not fall or loose possession of the ball. There’s no need to call a foul. However if exactly the same thing happens and the push causes A1 to go Out of bounds, Off-sides, step into the crease, move past the goal making him miss a scoring opportunity, loose possession or the push comes after A1 shoots or passes and the push was not a violent hit (IBC); Call the technical foul.

WHEN YOU ARE NOT SURE, USE THIS RULE OF THUMB.“Reward good play, penalize bad play.”Here is an example: A1 slashes B1. He is placed in the penalty box at 4:00. At 3:50, A1 maligns the referee. The clock stops at 3:40.ANSWER:The book does not cover this completely.a) A1 is placed in the box at 4:00 for a one minute foul.b) A second foul, this one for Unsportsmanlike Conduct, is called at 3:40. But what do we do with A1? Does the official assess a foul and place the In-Home in the box? Or should the foul be assessed to A1. If so, what is the proper order?EXPLANATION: A1 must serve the foul for Unsportsmanlike Conduct. Because if you have the In-Home serve the foul, A1 could return to the field and play before the In-Home leaves the box. That is not penalizing bad lacrosse. A1 cannot be rewarded, it violates common sense. So how do we adjudicate this?A1 serves an additional minute. Go to the Scorekeeper and outline the scenario. “A1 serves one minute, non releasable. That foul ends at 2:30. (One full minute.) Then A1 serves the remaining 30 seconds of his slashing foul. he returns to the field at 2:00 unless a goal is scored by Team B.”This situation is not covered in the book. But it is fair. It penalizes a bad play by A1,it allows Team B 1:30 of man up time, and the decision makes sense.

THE PLAY-ONRemember to use the PLAY-ON for all loose ball technical fouls. Raised hand and Verbal Play-on!

The main idea behind the play-on, it allows play to continue so that a team that is on the receiving end of a loose ball Technical foul can continue play with out being disadvantaged. It also adds the feature of improving the flow of the game by reducing the number of whistles.

Look for the common loose ball technical fouls : Pushing, Holding (including kicking / stepping on crosse), interference and maybe illegal touchingThings to Consider on play-ons:•Letting loose ball scrums continue too long can be hazardous where players are much more likely to get hurt or a team to get a personal foul. If you let a play-on continue to long you risk having the other team commit a personal foul and then you have simultaneous fouls and confusing over why a player has to serve time for a loose ball technical foul.•The lower the level of play the shorter the play-ons should be. Call play-on and than immediately blow the whistle since this communicates that you know the ball was loose and a technical foul was committed.•At higher levels of play, don’t let the play-on go on for more than a few seconds and even less if it’s obvious the offended team will not have an advantage and would rather have a restart.

•Examples: near sidelines, end lines, or in a large group scrum where the ball will be check out as soon as it is scooped up. Plus most EAST-WEST play-ons, that is going across the field.•North-South play-ons especially in the attack area are better to let go on.•Play-ons favoring the attacking team in their attack area are better than play-ons favoring the defensive team in their defensive end in most cases. The defensive team would rather have a nice clean re-start with un-interrupted possession of the ball than the possibility of scooping it and loosing it quickly after gaining possession.

What is the mechanic for a loose ball technical foul?MECHANIC: Blow the whistle, pause, and then point to the ground. The coaches now know this is a loose ball and there is no need for a special substitution. Indicate the direction of the ball and get the play going quickly. Announce verbally whose ball: i.e. “BLUE BALL” & Point direction of play.

Don’t Do Play-by-Play:

Choose your words carefully, eliminate excess!Nothing drives me nuts more than working with a guy who goes into "I've got a loose ball push from behind on 23 blue, we're going green! " First of all, it's too long, plus it communicates a lot of unnecessary information, has a lot of "filler," and makes it personal ("I've got . . ."). And those 10 extra words on every call add up over the course of a game.

There are times when a little extra explanation is warranted. For example, on a faceoff:Official: Illegal procedure, blue ball!On something like that, I'll usually give a short explanation: "Illegal procedure, blue ball, back hand lifted!" or went early. But I don't "got" anything.

The trend is toward even shorter explanations: we’ve should be convinced to shorten "Loose ball push, blue ball" to "Loose. . .push. . .blue ball,“ and there are those that say we should even drop the "loose" unless there could be any question about whether there had been possession. After all, if there's no flag and we're just awarding

possession, it must have been loose, right?

Coaches want to know whose ball it is and what direction immediately in order to get subs on ASAP. So when they hear the first color “Off White” and start thinking offense (White Ball) and getting subs ready, then the Official yells “Blue Ball” and now they realize his team is on defense and might have started subbing for offense. Don’t confuse everyone: Just state whose ball it is going to be only.

PUSHING NFHS Rule 6 Section 9

Illegal pushing includes pushing an opponent from the rear, pushing an opponent who is neither in possession or within 5 yards of a loose ball, pushing with anything other than a closed hand, shoulder or forearm or with a free hand not on the crosse. Pushing is legal when done from the front or side when the opponent has possession or within 5 yards of a loose ball.

Look for both hands on crosse and gloved hands together. Pushing is considered to be force applied after contact is made. If it’s a violent blow (Punching) it should be a personal foul for IBC (Illegal Body check) or UR (unnecessary roughness).

PUSHING with hands apart using the shaft is a Personal foul: Cross Check, or throwing a forearm shiver with a free arm is an IBC. Anything too violent could be an intent to injure and be unsportsmanlike and made non-releasable.

We have to get pushing from rear on sidelines trying to force an opponent OOB (out of bounds), same on end lines, pushing in rear to shove an opponent over midfield line offside or pushing into crease.If opponent gets pushed from rear and stumbles, losing ball or pushed past a good angle when shooting on the goal, throw the flag.

Also after a shooter releases a shot or pass and his defender shoves, pushes from the rear or side after the ball is greater than 5 yards away from the shooter and the shove/ push is not violent but causes the shooter to fall to ground or stumble badly: call a Play- On, loose ball push or interference if the check was from front or side and give the ball back to the shooter’s team. If the hit was real late and violent call IBC or UR.

NFHS Rule 6 Section 3 HoldingArt. 1.. A player shall not impede the movement of an opponent or his crosseArt. 2. A player may not:a. Use the portion of the handle that is between his hands to hold an opponentb. Step on the crosse of an opponent c. Hold an opponent with his crossed. Hold or pin an opponent’s crosse against the body of the opponent with his crosse.Art. 3. Holding is permitted under the following conditions:a. An opponent with possession of the ball or within 5 yards of a loose ball maybe held from the front or

sideb. An opponent with possession of the ball maybe played with a hold check from the rear if the hold exerts

no more than equal pressure. For both (a) and (b) a hold check shall be done with either 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.

A player can’t hold a player’s body with his stick, free hand or leg.

Player must be close to player in possession and have both hands on crosse using shoulder or forearm or hands held close together to apply equal pressure (not a punch which could be violent of personal foul nature). Can’t use long pole and try to go overhead to get stick and come up with head or body.

What is the difference between a cross check and a cross check hold.EXPLANATION: The cross check is a blow, one that “bends the spine.” You asses a one minute foul as this can cause injury. (See above.) The cross check hold is a maneuver which takes the “player’s move away.” The first presents a physical threat to the ball carrier. The second should not lead to injury but it will alter the outcome of the game.

SITUATIONS and RULINGS on HOLDING

A1 is within five yards of a loose ball. B1 holds A1’s crosse with his crosse, preventing A1 from participating in the play.RULING: Legal hold. A1 has the ball in his possession.a) A1 has his crosse held by B1’s crosse which prevents him from performing his normal function.RULING: Legal hold.b) B1 holds A1’s crosse against A1’s body, restraining A1’s movement.RULING: Holding by B1.c) B2, with gloved hand over end of the crosse, is exerting equal pressure from the rear against A1, thus preventing him from advancing toward goal.RULING: Legal Play.d) B1, with gloved hand over end of the crosse, is exerting pressure sure from therear against A1. B1 exerts enough pressure to force A1 to move away from goal.RULING: Technical foul against B1. Only equal pressure may be used.6. A1 takes a post position and holds his crosse in front of hima) with the head of the crosse resting on the ground. A2 cuts around A1, and B2, pursuing A2, falls over A1’s crosse. RULING: Technical foul against A1, illegal screening position.b) extended in front of him. A2 cuts around A1, and B2, pursuing A2, runs into the extended crosse and is held back by A1 ‘s crosse.RULING: Technical foul against A1, holding.

If a player attacking the goal gets pushed from behind, but not enough to get knocked down but the push puts the player at a bad angle to shoot at goal, drop flag and call push with possession.

Interference: NFHS Rule 6 Section 7A player shall NOT interfere in any manner with the free movement of an opponent, unless the opponent has possession or is within 5 yards of a loose ball.

Remember there must be contact between opposing players for interference.Examples•Defensive player bumping into a cutter.•Checking the crosse of player who is not in possession or within 5 yards of loose ball•A player who does not release---and continues to “box out”--- an opponent after his teammate gains possession of a loose ball

When should you call interference on or around the crease?

EXPLANATION: Ask yourself if the defensive maneuver had any impact on the play. In football, referees have assured me that they could call a foul on the offensive lineman 70% of the time. The key issue there is whether the violation occurs at the “point of attack.” In short, does it create an advantage?Lacrosse is no different. Is the violation one which has an impact on the flow of the game. If it does, throw the flag or blow it dead, If not, pass on the call.

Point of attack interference, where a cutters being block or held and misses out on receiving a good pass /feed in the crease area, this should be called.On Loose ball play look for interference when a player continues to check or box out an opponent even after his team mate controls possession of the loose ball.

Warding OffNFHS Rule 6 Section 11 The player in possession of the ball may not use his free hand or other part of his body to hold, push, or otherwise control the direction or movement of his opponent’s crosse or body of the player applying the check. A player in possession may protect his crosse with his hand, arm or other part of his body when his opponent makes a play to check his crosse.

Remember the player must be in possession for a ward.

What are the three key words you should consider when calling a warding offviolation?MECHANIC: “Advantage and Disadvantage.” Coaches are going to scream regardless, so you should learn how to ignore them. But if the movement gives the offensive player an advantage, then you should make the call.

If a defender puts the head of his stick under an offensive player’s arm and the offensive player lifts his arm over the defender’s stick, that does not constitute a WARD unless he subsequently uses that arm to push or direct the defender’s crosse.

Illegal Offensive Screening NFHS Rule 6 Section 4 What is an illegal screen?RULING: No offensive player shall move into and must make contact with a defensive player with the purpose of blocking a defensive player from the man he is playing, nor shall the offensive player hold his crosse rigid or extend his crosse rigid to impede the normal movements of the defensive man. If contact is made between offensive and defensive players as a result of the offensive player’s setting a screen, the offensive player shall be stationary before the contact occurs.However a player maybe called for an illegal screening position (e.g. standing with crosse extended rigid) even if no contact is made with defender.

Who should call an illegal screen in the ‘gray area’ between two referees?MECHANIC: The illegal pick occurs on a 45 degree line separating the lead and trail officials. To eliminate confusion, divide responsibility. First, determine the direction of the ball carrier. Assume that the player is running toward the lead official. That man should look for the foul. His partner is responsible for the illegal pick. It is an easy mechanic as the ball carrier is in the gray area and both of the officials will belooking in his direction for a short period of time. Note* You can use this mechanic on the back slash as well. The ball carrier is moving toward the lead official. That man will look for the fouls to the front of the body: slash, hold, trip, illegal check. The trail referee will look for the fouls behind the body: back slash and pushing.

ILLEGAL Screening ---- Unnecessary Roughness ---- Unsportsmanship conduct6. B1 is playing A1. A1, running at full speed, cuts around A2, who had set up ascreening position.a) B1, while playing A1, contacts A2 violently. B1 was concentrating on A1.RULING: Legalb) B1, while playing A1, contacts A2.RULING: B1 is guilty of a personal foul.c) B1, while playing A1, violently contacts A2. In your opinion, B1 saw the pick anddecided to “drill the kid.RULING: Unsportsmanlike conduct. *If this is bad enough, you may eject B1.

STALLING NFHS Rule 6 Section 10

Review the situations where a team should not be warned to “keep the ball in.”

When should the officials warn a team to “keep the ball in” the zone?RULING: Teams shall be warned to “keep it in” when:a) it is obvious that a team is keeping the ball from play, not going to their goal.b) During the last two minutes of regulation play, when offensive stalling rules are in effect for the team

that is ahead. When the score is tied, neither team is forced to keep the ball in the goal area.MECHANIC: You warn the team which is ahead in the final two minutes of a game. You warn a team

which you believe is stalling at any time. The mechanic is important. When coming up on the final two minutes of the game:

make eye contact with your partner and be prepared for the situation.. Then lift one arm up and point

the other arm into the attack area. The officials shall say “Keep the ball in!” It is best to repeat this a few times.

For a delay of game situations not in last 2 minutes, alert your partner that you are going to put the stall on. The signal is arms crossed in front of your body.

MECHANIC: Try to wait until the team has the ball at a point behind the goal (optimum position) or away from any of the attack area lines. Both referees signal, visually and verbally.

Review of the situations where a team can lose the ball.RULING: The team will lose the ball if they:a) Run or throw the ball out of their attack-goal area box.b) Make a pass, either complete or incomplete, where the ball leaves the boxc) The player is legally checked out of the area with possession of the ball.

STALLING Cont’d

When can the offensive team lose the ball outside the attack-goal area and retain possession?

RULING: The offensive team will retain possession of the ball if:a) They shoot the ball and it leaves the attack-goal area as a result.b) Their pass is deflected by the defensive team.c) A loose ball results and the ball is directed out of the box by the defensive team.(Note* Basketball referees should use the basic guidelines for back court violations. TIP Signal )SITUATION: Team A is leading by one goal and has a player serving a non releasable foul during

the last two minutes of the game. Is A required to “keep it in” the goal area? RULING: Yes.

What is the proper mechanic for suspending play on this kind of situation?MECHANIC: Do not penalize the defensive team. If the ball comes loose, look at the play and ask if

there is an opportunity for the defense to gain an advantage in a transition setting. Note* Allow the defense a chance to pick the ball up. If the defender does not get it clean, kill the play and award possession. If the defense is going to pick the ball up, and there is a player waiting to check the ball out of his stick, kill the play and award the ball. However, in some cases, the defensive player picks up the loose ball and carries it for a few steps. Then he is checked and the drops free. This is a loose ball. Time left plays into whether to kill quickly.

Where should the ball start on a restart after a shot on goal?

MECHANIC: If the offensive team is going to be placed at a disadvantage, which would occur if the ball were put into play at the corner of the box in the final two minutes, start the ball outside the area.

Withholding the Ball NFHS Rule 6 Section 12

When a ball is lodged in a player’s equipment, or when it is caught in his crosse, what guidelines affects the official’s decision?RULING: Consider the safety of the player. A ball caught in the crosse can be dislodged. A ball in his uniform cannot. If the ball becomes caught in a player’s crosse, the official shall blow the whistle and immediately award possession to the opposing team at that spot. If the ball is caught in a player’s uniform or equipment other than his crosse, play shall be suspended immediately, and the ball shall be awarded according to the alternate-possession rule. PLAYER SAFETY COMES FIRST!Does this situation apply to the goalkeeper?RULING: No. Neither situation applies to a designated goalkeeper if he is within his goal crease area at the time the ball becomes stuck. In this case, a defensive player shall be awarded the ball outside the goal area.Rulings: Define when this is withholding.a) A loose ball is on the ground, and the player lies on the ball.RULING: Technical foul.b) Trap the ball in his crosse longer than is necessary for him to control the ball (happens frequently on Face-Offs) and pick it up with one continuous motion.RULING: Technical foul.c) Places his thumb on the ball.RULING: Technical foul.d) A1, with possession of ball, is dodging B1, and he slides his upper glove hand above handle and onto the head of the crosse so that the thumb of the glove is touching the frame of the stop.RULING: Withholding ball from play, technical foul.11. There is a loose ball in crease anda) the goalkeeper covers it with his crosse and draws back to scoop it all in a continuous motion (tennis pickup).RULING: Legal.b) Team B goalkeeper covers ball with his crosse and makes no apparent effort to draw back and pick it up.RULING: Withholding ball from play. Ball awarded to Team A.

How do you see the with holding violation and still officiate the game?MECHANIC: Watch the player’s hand and thumb when he catches the ball. If it is on plastic, look for a violation. If it is an inch or two down, he is fine. Look to the defender and referee the game.Is there any key to seeing the violation for “placing the ball against your chest?”Note *The key is the roll dodge. The player will put the ball on his chest on the second roll. He is losing his balance and withholds for advantage.

NFHS Rule 6 Section 6 Conduct Foul Conduct only applies to objecting to Official’s decisions, (not taunting or foul language) or

Coaches leaving the coaches area or players leaving bench area (coming onto the field to argue)

How do you deal with the coach who is constantly complaining?MECHANIC: First, remember the rule “neither seek nor avoid.” Don’t go on the field looking for

trouble. Every day is a fresh start. Leave the grudges in the car. That being said, if he crosses the line, begin with the conduct foul, preferably when his team has the ball. That way he loses a possession, nothing more. Then begin to scale it up. The afternoon should not a be string of technical fouls. Remember, the other coach is playing by the rules. So start with the “T” and then go to a one minute non-releasable foul for Unsportsmanlike Conduct. The next one is for three minutes and he is ejected from the game.

The Conduct FoulThe rules do allow for a conduct foul against a player who argues, objects or gesture to calls or non-

calls. Call the conduct foul and take the ball away if the infraction is apparent but not worthy of a one

minute non-releasable foul?Escalating Steps on Conduct situations: Call1. Conduct foul while team has possession, take ball away.2. Conduct foul : time serving 30 second technical foul3. Unsportsmanlike Conduct personal foul: 1-3 minutes non-releasable.4. 2nd Unsportsmanlike Conduct foul and ejection: 3 minutes non-releasable

If the youngster acts the part of the fool, call him for a one minute non-releasable foul. But do not be baited by his subsequent actions. Let the coach get him on the bench and try to settle him down before assessing a second, and final, foul resulting in ejection.

RESTARTS

Make sure the player in possession is standing on the field, at least one yard in from sideline or 5 yards from sub box and no player including his own teammates are within 5 yards of him. If players are closer warn them to get back while starting a visual 5 second count. If players don’t move call a delay of game.

Once the referee has signaled the ball ready for play, the official shall resume play within five seconds.

Announce to Goalie where the ball is on a restart if there is penalty time: “Keeper man-down 1 minute- Ball top right”.

If the goalkeeper is out of the net and a turnover occurs which results in a whistle to stop play, he shall be given how much time to get back to his position?

RULING: The goalie should be allowed a maximum of five seconds to reenter the crease on any restart.

Compliance through cooperation beats compliance through coercion every time. Saying “Guys, I need your help here. Could you please move back a couple of feet and get behind that line. Thanks a lot, guys. I appreciate it” is a lot more effective than “Get back or I’ll flag you!!!”

Regular SubstitutionWhat two (2) situations prohibit a team from using a regular substitution for their players?RULING:a) Regular substitutions may not take place after the ball has gone out of bounds at any point along either end line.b) Regular substitutions may not take place after play has been suspended for non time serving penalties, violations or inadvertent whistles.When is a team allowed to ask for a horn and a regular substitution?RULING: When the ball goes out of bounds over the sideline.

In the event of an offensive violation (crease, illegal screen, loose ball technical fouls) with the option as to which side of field to restart deep in defensive end, always pick goalie’s left side where the New Trail will blow in restart and start beeper.

What does it mean to “count ahead” of the play?

MECHANIC: On a slow clear, the trail or single-side referee can count players as he moves up field. But once he crosses midfield, the trail and single-side official should not look backward. Too many things are happening ahead of the play. So count the offensive players (6) and then the defensive team (7) in the offensive end of the field. “Count ahead” and you will be able to referee the ball and make the call, usually Offside's, at the same time.

Note* Count the offense first. If they are offside, you kill the play before a goal is scored. The defense can be counted later, allowing you to throw the flag and allow for a delayed whistle situation.

Slow Whistle Rulings

During slow whistle A1 completes pass to A2, who shoots at goal. A3, who is cutting in front of goal, is hit on some part of his body by the ball, and the ball enters goal.

RULING: Legal goal. (No positive impetus given to ball by A3.)

During a slow whistle, A1 shoots the ball toward goal. A2 catches ball and shoots it into the goal.

RULING: Legal goal. What appeared to be a shot turned out to be a pass.RULING: If a goal is scored after a slow whistle on a technical foul, no penalty is given; if a goal is not scored, the penalty is suspension from the game for 30 seconds for each foul.A1 throws ball to teammate A2. B1 holds A2 while the ball is in mid air. A2 catches the ball. Is this a technical foul “with possession”?RULING: Yes. The pass is considered complete when A2 is able to gain possession of the ball (ball can’t hit the ground on a bounce). Use the slow whistle technique and then assess the penalty time depending on the situation. If Team A scores a goal, wipe out the penalty and face off. If the play is stopped without a goal being scored, Put B1 in the penalty box for 30 seconds and award the ball to Team A.

During a clear if you have a foul on the Riding team, throw the Flag ahead of you (instead of straight up) toward midfield. Because either the clearing team is going to clear or get a free clear. You won’t have to walk or run that far back to pick-up your flag! This would be a Delay of game technical foul.