Notes for Our Observers

Notes for our Observers
Communication

- All Out of Bounds Calls – The official must first raise his arm straight in the air and blow his whistle, then point in the direction of possession. The Arm is the visual signal that the ball went out and the whistle is the sound signal at the same time. On a windy day, the table or clock operator may not hear the whistle.

- Hand signals are our main communication between officials, coaches and the table
- Face scorer’s table / Go to open space to be seen / Relay to Trail when necessary
- Don’t rush (especially on time serving fouls) / Make sure partner knows what your call
- Look at clock after reporting a time serving penalty and relay to partner release time.
- For Junior High games, Hands held high for all sideline calls / If no horn, blow it in after a few seconds
- Preventive officiating is encouraged, but do not coach.

Ex.1; In a Scrum for the ball, tell players, “stay off his back” or “control your sticks”. Ex. 2; Player chases clearing middie about to cross midfield, “control your swing”. But in a JV or Varsity game, never say, “Play the ball”.

Hopefully, it will limit penalties and keep the players safe.

End-Line Calls

- Make every effort to get to the End-Line for all shots, missed passes toward out-of-bounds, or attackman being covered right along end-line. Don’t just stand at Goal-Line extended, while two players are fighting for a ground ball by your end line. Position is the name of the game!
- On a Shot, DO NOT POINT AT THE PLAYER CLOSEST TO THE ENDLINE, this confuses the players and the benches. They get a mixed signal as to which way the ball is going. Use the normal Out of Bounds Signal mechanic above. ARM UP /WHISLTE / POINT.

- You don’t need to justify a call to a coach if you are in the right position.
Example: Hofstra vs UNC game; Scrum by the crease just behind goal-line extended, a UNC attackman fell close to the crease obscuring the officials view. Single side had no shot to see the infraction. As lead official, the official ran up to the play and slightly behind the goal and saw that the player had touched inside the crease.
Great play-on and great positioning.

Bench Side Officiating

- Try to keep the box clear. Speak to coaches and box assistant coach during dead ball situations to help out in this regard.
- Keep players off sidelines. By rule, Players should be 6 yards of the side-lines. Ask the coaches to help keep them back where possible.
- Communicate to home team coach that he must keep up with balls on the end-lines, especially if no netting is around the field.

Anticipation

- As Trail, be ready on a loose ball in the defensive half that may turn into a Fast Break in the other direction. You now become the Lead and have the Goal-line and End-line calls.
- As Trail on clears, anticipate late hits against the goalie as he passes the ball up field.
Don’t ball watch and miss an illegal body or stick check behind the play.
- As the Trail putting the ball in play from end-line, side-line or quick restart, try to stay ahead of ball, unless the ball is being played with strong pressure or double teamed. Then stay even with ball carrier.

Appearance

- Always stand tall when you report to the table / Good signals / (color / number / penalty / time)
- Stick checks at quarters, come together with partner and look official at the X
- SAME UNIFORMS - MANDITORY
- No Short Sleeve Jerseys with Long Sleeve Black undershirts.