WHSBLA Players Wear Two Uniforms During the Season
Players from across several teams in the WHSBLA serve as youth officials during the season and do a great job. There were over 1,000 youth games to be worked in 2010 - and there will be more for 2011 - get on board! Pictured is Snohomish Head Coach Chris Sherman with five players/officials from his 2010 squad. Thanks to all players out there who worked for us in 2010 - you made a difference!!!
Pictured Left to Right: Snohomish Head Coach Chris Sherman, Greg Lucas, Seth Whittington, Eric Soucy, Nathan Wirtz, Austin Tippett
A Few Thoughts About Officiating, by Steve Stenersen, President, US Lacrosse
Here is an excellent blog post by Steve Stenersen, President of US Lacrosse. A great perspective for officials, coaches, players and fans. We've copied the text here.
You may be
surprised that some of the strongest influencers of my development as a
lacrosse player were officials. It’s been a while since I played my last
game, and three knee surgeries have prevented me from taking the field as a
"masters" player, but I vividly remember the qualities of a few officials
whose effort and style contributed greatly to my lacrosse experience.
Unfortunately, officials have become convenient targets for coaches, players
and parents because the concept of personal responsibility has been all but
lost in our sports culture. It’s just too easy for everyone to blame an
official for any number of outcomes within a game, including the final
score. I think most people, when pressed, would admit they understand that
the accumulation of hundreds of decisions by coaches and players throughout
a game – both well and poorly executed – are the true determinate of a
game’s outcome. And most appreciate that officials – like coaches and
players – are bound to make mistakes from time to time. Unfortunately, the
reaction to an official’s mistake (real or imagined) is too often one of
blame. The irony of this reaction, particularly regarding parents and fans,
is that it’s often based on ignorance of the letter and spirit of the rules.
The best advice I can offer to developing officials is to build an
appropriate on-field relationship with players, coaches and fans throughout
a game. Officials have a significant responsibility to objectively enforce
the rules of play to assure a fair competition and maximize player safety.
But youth and high school officials, particularly, have the opportunity to
help teach the game and temper emotions that could lead to unsafe play. In
doing so, they have the opportunity to build greater respect from players.
In my experience, no one did this better than Scott Boyle, who died
tragically at age 55 from a heart attack while officiating a men’s game
between Navy and Georgetown in 2005.
Although Scott had become one of the best men’s lacrosse officials in the
country, he was always focused on improving his craft…whether he was
officiating a world championship, NCAA championship, high school game or
youth tournament. He was the absolute best at talking to players during the
heat of competition, reminding them that the rules prohibited certain
behavior, and telling them to take it easy when intensity flared. "Take it
easy number 36…let the man move inside…keep your checks down…" This wasn’t
meddling with the outcome of a game, it was effective game management that
allowed action to flow, reduced the number of whistles, and made a better
game experience for players and fans alike. When I saw Scott officiate youth
games, he made every call a teaching moment for players. He also took the
time and had the courtesy to appropriately engage parents with updates on
simple things like time remaining, game score and, from time to time,
quick-witted game commentary that always broke the tension of the
often-too-serious focus of parents. It’s true that Scott had a personality
and sense of confidence that helped him become a good official, but it’s
also true that he worked hard to become a great official. He believed that
officiating was much more than knowing the rules and blowing a whistle. He
engaged and connected with players, parents and coaches while he worked and,
in the process, reminded us all that officials were human after all.
2010 Notes and Resources
Youth Games: Here are the 2010 BYLW Playing Rules.
Game Times for Youth Games:
|
Division |
Game Time Description |
|
3/4 Regular Season Ref |
2x20 min running halves (~50 min) |
|
5/6 & 7/8 Ref |
4x10 min stop clock Qtr's (~75 min) |
|
7/8 Ref Elite GELL |
4x10 min stop clock Qtr's High School Rules |
|
Tournament "Jambo" |
2x22 min running halves (~55 min) |
|
"Half Jambo's" |
2x15 min Running Halves (~35 min) |
Youth Games Rules Focus
Be clear about the rules for each level you are officiating, and use the
rules for that level.
3-4 grade - instructional. Keep the game moving, but allow for a
degree of instruction. ONE coach is allowed on the field. Players are sent
off for time-serving fouls, but NO time is served - the player is replaced.
5-6 grade - No body checks allowed - Unnecessary Roughness is the
call. No one - handed checks - automatic slash call. Sticks can be 38" to
72".
7-8 grade - Body checks are allowed, but with constraint. No
big-time take-out checks. No one handed checks.
7-8 "99" - These are officiated like HS games - timers, one handed
checks, body checking - within limits. Call the slashes and UR's as you see
them - keep the game safe.
High School Games:
Please see this memorandum regarding modifications to the 2010 NFHS Rule Book.
Game Times for High School Games:
|
Division |
Game Time Description |
|
Varsity |
4x12 min stop time quarters |
|
Non-Varsity |
4x10 min stop time quarters |
Mileage Questions: Please download the 2010 WALOA mileage worksheet, which shows the mileage reimbursement rates for HS and Youth for 2010. Use this worksheet at the end of the 2010 season to submit for mileage reimbursement. Mileage will be calculated using online maps showing the distance from your home to the field and back.
Scorecard: If you have lost your scorecard, you can print out a temporary one here.
WALOA/WHSBLA 2010 High School Officials Bonus (1st and 2nd Year Officials) - Please remember, 1st and 2nd year HS officials are eligible for bonuses, based on number of games worked. New Guys! Cover more games, get a bonus!
|
Games Worked |
Amount to Qualifying Referee |
|
8-10 |
$60.00 |
|
11-15 |
$80.00 |
|
16-20 |
$100.00 |
|
21+ |
$120.00 |
NEED LACROSSE OFFICIAL'S GEAR? GO LOCAL!
Please check out this flyer from South Athletic Supply, based here in Washington! Prices and selection are very reasonable; check them out!
LET'S ELECT A WALOA OFFICIAL TO THE WASHINGTON LACROSSE HALL OF FAME
The third annual Washington Lacrosse Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is scheduled for October 23, 2010 at the Washington Athletic Club.
The goal of the Washington Lacrosse Hall of Fame has finally been stated to "select the absolute best of the best, within the context of an individual's era of participation." At this time, the HOF committee is asking for lacrosse supporters to help shape the class by submitting nominations for qualified individuals. If you know a qualified individual that you would like to nominate, please contact that individual and ask them to complete the Questionnaire for submission. Please visit the HOF Home Page for more information.
All nominations must be received by February 28, 2010 in order to be considered for the HOF Class of 2010.
YOU MAKE THE CALL!
Check out this fun web series produced by the US Lacrosse Officials Training Program that helps to clarify some of the trickier calls in lacrosse. What would you call?
Week 1 - Push, No Call? Week 6 - Pick - Unnecessary Roughness?
Week 2 - Slash, No Call? Week 7 - Unsportsmanlike Conduct?
Week 3 - Interference? Week 8 - Withholding the Ball from Play?
Week 4 - Push or Illegal Body Check? Week 9 - Crease Violation?
Week 5 - Hold or No Call? Week 10 - Final Answer!
Visit Lacrosse Magazine for future installments of 'You Make the Call' and other news.
WASHINGTON BOYS LACROSSE NEEDS YOU!!!
The Washington Lacrosse Officials Association (WALOA) is looking for motivated and talented lacrosse players and fans to work Boys Lacrosse games in 2010. Benefits include:
Competitive game fees ($) for working a lacrosse game!
Get a greater understanding of the game - become a smarter and better player/fan!
Flexible Work Schedule - work games on Saturday mornings/afternoons!
Grow confidence and skills applicable to other areas in life!
Have FUN! As an official you have the best view of the game!
Give back to the game that has given so much to you!
DID WE MENTION GAME FEES? ($) MAKE MONEY!
Interested? email askwaloa or just approach any official on any lacrosse field in Washington!
Current WALOA Officials: Print the flyer and distribute!
Get ahold of us!
Questions, comments and feedback are welcome at askwaloa.