1. Pre-game
In this presentation:
• Pre game procedure
• Goal of the pre game talk
• Stick check
Women's Lacrosse Recertification
video
Crew Communication
Conduct of an Official
Dealing with Confrontation
TIPS & TRICKS

2. Pre-game
Pre game procedure
• Before the game, meet fellow officials and have a pre game talk
• 30 Minutes before Draw:
• Check the field: lines, cones, goals, bench area
• Discuss questions among the crew, new rules, expectations of
the game.
• 15 Minutes before Draw: stick check
• Two umpires per team
• Both teams line up and have their gear and sticks checked
• Table checks NLB player passes, Head Umpire signs the
rosters after they’ve been checked
• See the next slides for more details on the stick check
Women's Lacrosse Recertification
video
Crew Communication
Conduct of an Official
Dealing with Confrontation
TIPS & TRICKS

3. Pre-game
Pre game procedure
• 5 Minutes before Draw: captain talk
• Note the captains’ numbers down
• Note special field circumstances (fencing, football goal posts)
• Coin toss
• Do not tell team what you are going to watch for. As an
official you are watching everything, always
• “You play, we officiate”
• “You score the goals, we make the calls”
• 2 minutes before Draw:
• Before Draw, check that the goals are still in good order
• Draw at appointed time
Women's Lacrosse Recertification
video
Crew Communication
Conduct of an Official
Dealing with Confrontation
TIPS & TRICKS

4. Pre-game
Goal of the pre game talk
• Get all the officials on the same page
• Asses the level of play and how to respond to this as officials
• Lower level of play: warn more, explain more
• Higher level of play: expect players to know the rules
• Discuss challenging game situations
• Outline the first actions (pre game) on the field, before going out
onto the field
Women's Lacrosse Recertification
video
Crew Communication
Conduct of an Official
Dealing with Confrontation
TIPS & TRICKS

5. Pre-game
Stick check
• During the stick check, umpires check the sticks:
• Hold the stick horizontally at face height to check the pocket:
• The top of the ball must be visible, remain above the
entire top edge of the sidewall
• The ball must move freely within all parts of the pocket
• This counts for the ‘open’ and ‘closed’ side of the head
• The length of the stick
• If the head is whole and attached to the shaft with a screw
• Has an end cap and/or rounded/stumped end
• Loose stringing are no longer than 4 cm
• See also WL Rulebook rules 3 and appendix G
Women's Lacrosse Recertification
video
Crew Communication
Conduct of an Official
Dealing with Confrontation
TIPS & TRICKS

6. Pre-game
Stick check
• During the stick check, umpires check the players for:
• A fitting mouthguard. NOT white, clear, or with graphics of
teeth.
• Jewelry: no jewelry is allowed, including taped off jewelry
• Only medical alert ‘jewelry’ or aids (like an insulin pump)
are allowed, if taped off
• Correct uniform
• Eye guards (goggles) are allowed if they comply with the
safety requirements
• See also WL Rulebook rule 6
Women's Lacrosse Recertification
video
Crew Communication
Conduct of an Official
Dealing with Confrontation
TIPS & TRICKS

7. Pre-game
Stick check
• The goalie:
• See former slide
• Goalies must also wear:
• A fitting helmet with facemask and throat protector
• Chest or body pad
• Goalie gloves
• The goalie’s stick:
• See two slides back
• The top half of the ball must be visible above the ball stop
• Put the ball in the pocket and hold the stick vertical to
the ground
• The ball must move freely within all parts of the head/pocket
• See also WL Rulebook rules 3 and appendix
Women's Lacrosse Recertification
video
Crew Communication
Conduct of an Official
Dealing with Confrontation
TIPS & TRICKS