Lacrosse Officials InformationNovember 27, 2007 TIME TO REGISTER WITH FHSAA FOR LACROSSE – before December 21, 2007VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!!!! To All Lacrosse Officials, new, current, old and want to be: Welcome to the 2008 season for lacrosse in Florida. My name is Randy Smith and I am the President of FLOA, Inc. (Florida Lacrosse Officials Association, Inc.).  We are now under the umbrella of Florida High School Athletic Association, better known as FHSAA and there will be many changes in the process of becoming an official and registering, some rule changes, and many process changes. In this informational letter, I will try to outline all the steps and processes involved in becoming a Lacrosse Official with the state of Florida for the 2008 season. 

1. New FHSAA members MUST register with FHSAA electronically using the web site:
1. If you are not an existing official for some other sport, please go to the link below and register. Be prepared to pay the $34.00 fee on line at this time.

Unless you are only doing games in south Florida, you must fill in the Local Association as FLOA, Inc (Florida Lacrosse Officials Association, Inc.). https://i.fhsaa.org/officials/OfficialRegistration.aspx Deadline is December 20^th without a penalty fee.  

2. If you are an existing official (soccer, volleyball, etc.) please send me your name, your association you are registered through and your number. We have to do this manually or you will pay an extra fee because you did not (and could not) register for lacrosse when you first joined FHSAA for this season.

 Deadline is December 15^th so all can be mailed to FHSAA. 

2. You MUST become a member of FLOA. We cannot assign you to games unless you are a member of the organization. Fee is $35, checks made payable to FLOA, Inc. must be received not later than January 15, 2007.  Mail to:

  FLOA, Inc.c/o Dr. Aaron West, 10180 Vine Yard Lake Road East, Jacksonville, FL 32256 

3. You MUST be a member of US Lacrosse. Go to the USLacrosse.org and join as an official.  If you are a new women’s official, you cannot join US Lacrosse on line, but must register through your local board chair.  New officials should contact Tom Hopkins, Orlando local board chair, at Dorsaltow@aol.com for more information.

  

4. FHSAA has waived the requirement of an FHSAA test this year.  That means for this year ONLY, we will continue to have our rules interp. meetings in January and you will take the standard US Lacrosse rules exams, both for men’s and women’s officials.  After this year, you will be required to take a FHSAA rules test on-line.  More information on that as it becomes available.

  

5. Jessica Lunsford Act - The Florida Legislature has changed the wording on what now qualifies under the Jessica Lunsford Act.  Officials have been changed to now just having to clear not being on the Sexual Predator List.  However, each County may still approach this differently, so until we see something in writing it is still business as usual and we are required to get fingerprinted.  We do not know how each School County is going to handle this.  Expect to hear more on this before the season starts. Right now, we will assume it is the same as last year. If you were fingerprinted within the last two seasons, you should be covered.  The fingerprinting is usually good for at least three years.

  

6. Game Fees – thank FHSAA, as they approved the following fee structure:

 

Maximum officials fees be set at:

2007 NCAA Women's lacrosse Rules http://www.ncaa.org/library/rules/2007/2007_w_lacrosse_rules.pdf

Remember these rules are for NCAA games only.  This rule book provides a good explanation of the rules including field diagrams, hand signals, etc.  Even if you are not officiating any NCAA games you should read this book.

The following are some of the US Lacrosse rules changes for the upcoming 2007 season. These rules, along with a few other rules dealing with procedural issues, will be in effect for the season and will be covered in depth for coaches and umpires at pre-season clinics and meetings. The completely revamped US Lacrosse Official Rules for Girls and Women’s Lacrosse rule book will be available for purchase after November 1, 2006.

Rule 1 – The Playing Area and Goals

Soft/flexible cones, pylons, or flags must be used to mark the corners of the field. Previous rule said "may be used" and did not include flags as an option.

The Substitution Area has changed from 2 areas on either side of the scorer’s table to one area in front of the table. "The substitution area shall be in front of the scorer’s table and centered at the midfield line. The area will be sectioned off by two hash marks, 2m-4m in length. The hash marks will be placed perpendicular to and touching the sideline with each one placed 4.5m (5 yards) from the centerline of the field."

A recommendation is being added to the rules that all lines be painted white or a single contrasting color.

Rule 2 – Equipment and Uniforms

The ball must be smooth – no dimpled balls may be used as game balls.

At the high school level (already in place at the youth level), the goalkeeper will be required to wear padding on the shins and thighs.

The mouth piece must fully cover the upper jaw teeth. For NFHS affiliated schools, the mouth piece must be of any visible color other than clear or white.

Close-fitting cloth sweatbands may be worn.

Colors allowed for visible undergarments (top and/or bottom) have been changed. Either team may wear white, gray, or black or the team may wear a color matching their uniform color. They must still be a solid color and each player choosing to wear them must be wearing the same color. Previous rule said uniform color or white for the home team and uniform color or black for the visiting team.

Rule 3 – Game Personnel

The home team must ensure that direct two-way communication is available at all times between the press box and the scorer’s table if official scoring and/or timing functions are not handled at field level.

Rule 4 – Time Factors and Scoring

Time out must be taken anytime the draw must be re-taken.

Rule 5 – Play of the Game

There must be twelve players on the field before the start or restart of the game unless a team does not have twelve eligible players in uniform or they have accumulated more than 3 cards.

On the draw a player’s top hand may not contact any part of the sidewall or pocket or her stick.

If it cannot be determined why the draw was illegal or if both players draw illegally the umpire will call time out and a re-draw will occur. Previous rule required that a throw be administered.

Rule 7 – Penalty Administration

If a team receives three cards (yellow or red) for offenses occurring on the field of play, on the fourth and every subsequent yellow or red card the carded player must leave the field and no substitute may take her place for 3 minutes of elapsed playing time.