Here are some common questions and comments I hear from coaches, players and fans.

Body ball - A body ball is when the ball bounces off of a player and that player or her team gains an advantage because of the contact with the ball.  Just because a ball hits a player it is not called a body ball unless an advantage is gained.  This is a referee digression, if the ball lands on the field and players from both teams had the opportunity to gain possession then no call should be made.  You will notice that sometimes the call is made well after the contact is made, the official is waiting to see if an advantage was gained.

Out of bounds - The boundaries in the girls game are determined before each game, lines are used as guides only.  When a ball goes out of bounds, the official determines which player was closest to the spot where the ball exited the field of play.  Unlike the boys games, the call is made for the player closest to the ball; not the sideline.  If a player is in control of the ball and fails to stay on the field, when closely guarded, then the defense should be awarded the ball.  If a player flicks the ball out of bounds  to gain an advantage then the opposing team should be awarded the ball (note some players are trying to pick up the ball and push it out of bounds they should maintain possession).  Gaining an unfair advantage drives most of the rules for the girls game.

Slash - Is a dangerous swing of the stick that is out of control and made with full extension of the arms,  it MUST be yellow or red carded.  I hear parents saying from the sideline that she never touched the player how can that be a foul?  The rule says that contact does not have to be made to call a slash.  A slash is a behavior problem, if a player made contact with another player using the lacrosse stick the result would be severe and violent contact.  A check should be ONLY directed at a stick, not a person.  A check should have two parts to it, the downward movement and the recoil in the opposite direction of the first movement.  Should look like a check mark. 

Obstruction of shooting space - A defensive player cannot put their body in the space between the shooter and the goal.  Field players do not wear pads or helmets like the goalie does, they are not protected from a shot!  A player who puts herself in a position to dare the offense to shoot through her should be called for shooting space and a free position is awarded.  The official is looking for a few things to make this call... is the player within a stick length of the shooter, if so no call should be made.  Is the girl with the ball looking to shot and has the opportunity to shoot? (i.e. double or triple teamed).  Is the player in shooting space, actively guarding an offensive player with a stick length?  The official must call this immediately to protect players from injury.  This sometimes results in a shot that went in not counting because the shot did not cross the goal line before the whistle sounded.

Crease violation - Picture the goal circle as a round pane of glass that goes from the ground to and is better than 6 feet tall.  No part of a players body or stick can break the pane of glass, including the follow through on a shot.

Yellow and Red cards - The following violations MUST be issued a yellow card (or red if the intention was flagrant or deliberate).  1. Check to the head, including the goggles, intentional or accidental.  2. Slash 3. Dangerous propel  4.  Dangerous follow through ( does not have to be on a shot).  At the officials digression they can give a card for repeated violation of the rules, misconduct, playing outside the spirit of the game, bad language, or anything else they feel is detrimental to the safety and spirit of the game.  2 yellow cards received by a player in a contest is an automatic red card and the player must exit the contest.  If the official feels that a red card is warranted, it does not have to be proceeded by a yellow card.

Major and Minor foul set up - A Major foul, typically is fouls that are dangerous in nature (i.e. dangerous check, pushing, trip, etc.)  the offending player must move 4 meters (4 sticks length) behind the ball carrier.  Minor foul, typically for gaining an advantage (empty stick check, covering the ball, etc.) the players are moved 4 meters in the direction that they came from.  All players, including teammates, must be at least 4 meters away from a free position.

Players collide - If two players are going for the ball and they collide but did not commit a foul then play should continue.  This happens when people are just walking, no one is at fault for the collision. 

Please remember that the officials on the field are responsible for watching certain areas during play.  For instance, the lead official closest to the goal is watching the ball and the players close to the ball.  The trail official is watching for off-ball play.  During a scoring play their are 15 girls, 15 sticks, 30 legs, 30 arms, etc.  Officials are moving at all times to see the game and not be blocked out by players.  Sometimes our view is focused and we may miss something outside our field of view.  I have seen players fall to the ground from something that happened.  If I don't see it, I can't call it.  There are times that I know someone got hit with a stick and I did not see it happen, who's stick was it?  Who's fault was it?  Was it a foul?  I must see it to make the correct call.  This game is difficult to officiate, complex rules, lot's of players, was an advantaged gained, etc.  I applaud those who are willing to be trained and learn the game to help it grow.