WELCOME

Welcome to SliderLAX! SliderLAX is an unofficial website for High School Girls' Lacrosse in Kentucky. The focus is on the High School Girls' Lacrosse teams in KHSAA LAX regions 7 & 8.  These schools are located in Fayette, Scott, and Woodford counties.

If you are interested in becoming a High School Girls Lacrosse Umpire in Regions 7 & 8, please contact the assignor for the two regions - John W. Slider.

In SliderLAX you will find resources for umpires, spectators, coaches, and players.  You are invited to take some time to browse the column on the right where you will find books, videos, and links that will be of help to everyone involved in Girls Lacrosse in Kentucky.

FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN BECOMING USA LACROSSE CERTIFIED UMPIRES OR KHSAA LICENSED HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS LACROSSE UMPIRES IN KENTUCKY PLEASE SEE THE BROCHURE AT THE TOP OF THE RIGHT COLUMN.

A Glossary for Umpires

For your consideration: Here is a glossary of word pairings that will assist an umpire in understanding her or his role in a game.

ubiquitous -  \ yü-ˈbi-kwə-təs \ -  existing or being everywhere at the same time

obsequious - \ əb-ˈsē-kwē-əs \ - exhibiting an affectionate or cringing attentiveness

The ubiquitous umpire seemed to be in the right position to make every call.  The obsequious umpire adjusted his call to please the loud coach.

reflective - \ ri-ˈflek-tiv \ - marked by reflection, thought, deliberation, or introspection

reflexive - \ ri-ˈflek-siv \ - directed or turned back on self; characterized by habitual and unthinking behavior

The reflective umpire talked with her partner after the game about a call she made in order to see if she was correct.  The reflexive umpire over-reacted to the fan’s criticism of him.

proactive -  \ (ˌ)prō-ˈak-tiv \ - acting in anticipation of future problems, needs, or changes

reactive - \ rē-ˈak-tiv \ - of, relating to, or marked by reaction; responsive to a stimulus occurring as a result of stress or emotional upset

The proactive umpire warned the coach before the games that a player was wearing jewelry.  The reactive umpire responded emotionally to the stress of a critical call.

impassable -  \ (ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-bəl \ - incapable of being passed

impassible -  \ (ˌ)im-ˈpa-sə-bəl \ - incapable of suffering or of experiencing pain; inaccessible to injury; incapable of feeling

The impassable umpire stood in one place and got in the way.  The impassible umpire appeared to be fair because he made every call without emotion.

complement -  \ ˌkäm-plə-ˈmen-t(ə-)rē \ - serving to fill out or complete; mutually supplying each other's lack

compliment - \ ˌkäm-plə-ˈmen-t(ə-)rē \ - expressing praise or admiration

If two umpires have different weaknesses and strengths they complement each other.  The umpire appreciated the fan’s compliment after the game.

continual - \ kən-ˈtin-yü-əl , -yəl \ - recurring in steady usually rapid succession (many whistles sounds)

continuous -  \ kən-ˈtin-yü-əs \ - marked by uninterrupted extension in space, time, or sequence (one long whistle sound)

The umpire’s continual whistling stopped the game too often.  The continuous sound came from the horn being stuck.

affect - \ ˈa-ˌfekt \ - the conscious subjective aspect of an emotion

effect - \ i-ˈfekt , e- , ē- , ə- \ - something that inevitably follows an antecedent; an outward appearance; result

The player’s reaction was an emotional affect.  Her poor sporting conduct had an effect on her team.

responsive -  \ ri-ˈspän(t)-siv \ - quick to respond or react appropriately or sympathetically

responsible - \ ri-ˈspän(t)-sə-bəl \ - liable to legal review; able to answer for one's conduct and obligations; trustworthy; able to choose for oneself between right and wrong

The responsive umpire was open to answering questions.  The responsible umpire admitted that he had missed a call. 

irrespective (of) –  \ ˌir-i-ˈspek-tiv- \ - regardless of

disrespectful (of)  - \ ˌdis-ri-ˈspekt \ - lacking a special regard or respect

Irrespective of the coach’s disrespectful yelling, the umpire kept calm. 

precipitous - \ pri-ˈsi-pə-təs \ - brought about especially abruptly or hurried

precipitate - \ pri-ˈsi-pə-ˌtāt \ - to rain

The hasty decision of the umpire resulted in a precipitous red card.  It began to precipitate, making everything wet.

intimidate – \ in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt \ - to compel or deter by or as if by threats

intimate – \ ˈin-tə-ˌmāt \ - to make known especially publicly or formally; to communicate delicately and indirectly

The big coach tried to intimidate the umpire.  The umpire tried to intimate why she gave the yellow card, so she would not embarrass the coach in front of her players.

omit – \ ō-ˈmit , ə- \ - to leave out or leave unmentioned

emit – \ ē-ˈmit \ - to send out or to issue with authority

In a lapse of judgement the umpires thought they could omit the captains and coaches meeting.  The umpire was known to emit a strong whistle.

observe - \ əb-ˈzərv \ - to watch carefully especially with attention to details or behavior for the purpose of arriving at a judgment

look (for) - \ ˈlu̇k \ - expect or anticipate

“Observe everything; but look for nothing.” – John Slider

As umpires we must observe the whole game – let it come to us, in a sense – and not look for specific calls to make.

quick - \ ˈkwik \ - marked by speed, readiness, or promptness of physical movement or mental process

hurry - \ ˈhər-ē , ˈhə-rē \ - to carry or cause to go with haste; to impel to rash or precipitate action

“Be quick, but don’t hurry.” – John Wooden

A good umpire moves into the correct position quickly.  An umpire should not hurry to make a call when an “advantage” is allowed.

Signals 2025

Signals are an important part of a Girls Lacrosse Umpires communication with his or her partner, players, coaches, and spectators.

There are many signals that are available.  For new officials I suggest starting with three basic signals - Direction, Start/Restart Play, Time-out. Once you have these three basics, add three more.  Keep adding.

There are some short-cuts.  Most signals look like what the foul was and/or are consistent with well-known signals from other sports. You will notice that the "Illegal Procedure" signal is the same as in football and is used for about half of the Minor Fouls.

Another important part of Signals is the whistle  New Umpires should get used to blowing the whistle and talking with their whistles.

Finally, be "proud and humble" with your signals. By "Proud" I mean, stand up straight, look up, and make your signals visible. By "Humble" I mean, do not gloat over a signal; but be unemotional.

Here are a series of videos that were originally posted in 2018.

MINOR FOULS

MAJOR FOULS

VIOLATIONS

GAME MANAGEMENT

CREW COMMUNICATION

SELF-TEST: NAME THAT SIGNAL

LAX UMP FUNK

Insurance for KHSAA Officials through NFOA

As a part of registration as a Girls Lacrosse Official with the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, each official is provided with membership in the NFOA (a part of NFHS) that also provides insurance. Please download the summary of the insurance as needed: Download NFOA Insurance

 

NFHS/USAL Rule 13: Excerpt from "Girls Lacrosse for Beginners 2025"

Rule 13 Definition of Terms

Rule 13 is actually not a rule.  It is a helpful glossary of terms to assist in understanding the rules. Here is a selection of terms:

• 8 METER ARC – An area formed at both goals that begins at the Goal Circle and extends 8 meters beyond and in front of the Goal Circle.
• 12 METER FAN – A semi-circle formed at both goals, touching the GLE and extending 12 meters from the Goal Circle. The 12 Meter Fan forms the Critical Score Area above the Goal Line Extended.
• BLOCKING – Moving into the path of a player with the ball without giving that player a chance to stop or change direction causing contact.
• CHARGING – A player with the ball pushes into, shoulders, or backs into and makes bodily contact with an opponent who has already established position (though not necessarily stationary).
• CHECKING – An attempt to dislodge the ball from an opponent’s crosse by using controlled crosse-to-crosse contact.
• CRITICAL SCORING AREA (CSA) – An area formed by the 12 Meter Fan above the Goal Line Extended (GLE) and continuing below the GLE to the endline.
• CROSS[E]-CHECK – Using the shaft of the crosse to hit, push, or displace an opponent.
• DANGEROUS PLAY – Any action that is rough, threatening, and/or are without regard to player safety.
• DEPUTY – A player on the defensive goalkeeper’s team who may only enter or remain in the goal circle when the deputy’s team is in possession of the ball and the goalkeeper is out of the goal circle.
• FLAG – Recognition and advantage of a Major Foul committed by the defense in the CSA while the attack is on a scoring play.
• GOAL LINE EXTENDED (GLE) – The imaginary extension of the Goal Line that is located between both posts of a Goal. The GLE divides the CSA into areas “Above the GLE” (in front of the Goal) and “Below the GLE” (behind the Goal).
• HASH MARKS – Marks for penalty administration on the 8 Meter Arc. The “Hanging Hash Mark” is the mark located outside the Arc and along the edge of the “Pie.”
• HELD WHISTLE - Refraining from enforcing a rule when a player is fouled but maintains quality possession; and calling a foul would disadvantage the non-offending team.
• LOWER SIDE OF CROSSE – The wooden part on the head of a wooden crosse or the right side on a plastic crosse as one looks at the crosse with the pocket open to the viewer.
• PENALTY ZONE – The area formed by the 8 Meter Arc, the marks 8 meters away from the goal circle on the GLE, and the area formed by the dots below the GLE. 
• PICK – A technique in which a player without the ball, whose positioning, forces the opponent to take another route. To be legal it must be set within the visual field of the opponent allowing enough time and space to stop or change direction. A legal pick may be moving or stationery. 
• “PIE” – An unofficial reference to the pie-shaped area formed by the arms of the 8 Meter Arc, the “Hanging Hash Mark,” and the GLE.
• PLAYED – An action whereby the ball leaves the player’s crosse and is touched by another player, or crosse is checked crosse-to-crosse by an opposing player, or play is stopped due to a foul by an opponent. The ball does not have to be successfully dislodged from the crosse.
• PLAYING DISTANCE – The length of a stick and a half. 
• SCORING PLAY – A continuous effort by the attacking team to move the ball toward the goal and to complete a shot on goal. 
• SLASH – A reckless, dangerous, or uncontrolled swing of the crosse at an opponent’s crosse or body whether or not the opponent’s crosse or body is struck.
• SLOW WHISTLE – See FLAG.
• SPHERE – An imaginary area of 7 inches (average crosse width) surrounding a player’s head and excluding hair whether or not a helmet is worn.

 

NFHS/USAL Rule 12: Excerpt from "Girls Lacrosse for Beginners 2025"

Rule 12 Misconduct

 Here is what Rule 12 lists as Misconduct:

• Excessive, rough, or unsportsmanlike play
• Persistent or flagrant violation of rules
• Deliberately endangering safety
• Baiting or taunting to embarrass, ridicule, or demean
• Non-playing team member leaving bench area
• Coach leaving coaching area
• Illegal re-entry
• Repeated or persistent major fouls
• Coaching outside the coaching area
• Non-playing team member leaving the bench area
• Improper use of electronic equipment
• Any behavior in the officials’ opinion that is misconduct

The guidance given by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association regarding expectations for the behavior of fans, spectators, and assistant coaches is an excellent standard.  This guidance follows the National Federation of High School's rules for Girls Lacrosse and other sports.  It is the standard that should be followed in Kentucky High Schools.

Every Girls Lacrosse Umpire who works preseason, regular season, and postseason High School games is required to view the KHSAA online presentation that includes information on sportsmanship. Umpires, coaches, and Directors of Athletics must read the rule regarding MISCONDUCT (Rule #12) in the NFHS Girls Lacrosse Rules Book.

The Kentucky Lacrosse Umpires Board must start the process toward demanding appropriate behavior from spectators, players, coaches, and bench personnel.  This process will start with Umpires insisting on and enforcing appropriate and respectful behavior in accordance with the NFHS rules from ASSISTANT COACHES.  Spectators will often mimic the behavior of head and assistant coaches.  Strict enforcement of the rules for assistant coaches will have a ripple effect on spectators.  Here are some constructive instructions for Umpires:

• Do not accept any questions or comments from assistant coaches.  If you cannot ignore the questions or comments, then card the head coach.
• If an assistant coach misbehaves, yellow card the head coach.  For the second infraction by an assistant coach, red card the head coach.  By NFHS rule the only way to remove the misbehaving assistant is to red card the head coach, then both are removed from the game.
• If spectators are misbehaving, stop the game, and have the game manager deal with the problem.  If the problem persists, have the spectator removed.  You may pause the game or stop the game completely if spectators become unruly.
• The NFHS rules for Girls Lacrosse hold the head coach responsible for her or his spectators' behavior.  If the problem still persists, card the head coach.
• AFTER THE GAME, the only card that carries any consequences is a red card.  If there is any misconduct from spectators, players, or coaches after the game, RED CARD THE PLAYER OR THE HEAD COACH.
• Accept no personal comments about your judgement, abilities, or appearance from any source before, during, and after the game.
• Umpires follow the KHSAA in having ZERO TOLERANCE FOR RACIAL, OBSCENE, OR DEMEANING LANGUAGE directed toward any game participant - official, player, or coach.  If you observe words and identify an individual on the field using inappropriate language, the person should at a minimum receive a yellow card.  Such language from the bench need only be heard and a card issued against the head coach.
• Officials should not use racial, obscene, or demeaning language.
• OFFICIALS SHOULD NOT TOUCH A PLAYER.
• Officials must show appropriate respect to players, spectators, coaches, and their partners on specific games or on games of any sport they are watching. Conversations between officials are not to be shared with ANYONE with the exception of investigations by the rule’s interpreter of complaints about specific games or conduct.

Mature adults know what respectful behavior is.  Spectators are expected to be a part of creating a healthy, safe, and respectful environment for everyone at the game.

Umpires are more likely to ignore poor behavior and words directed at them; and are more active in stopping behavior and words that are directed at players, coaches, and other game personnel.

Umpires realize that most of the complaints about a call come from a lack of knowledge of the rules.  Any obscene, racial, or derogatory comment or action or anything that encourages dangerous play is considered misconduct by a spectator.

There is an appropriate protocol in the rules for managing spectator misconduct.  Spectator misconduct can result in the removal of the spectator or the carding of the head coach.  Head coaches are held responsible for the behavior of their spectators.

The Umpires’ responsibilities and authority does not end with the whistle. Rather, it ends when the Umpire leaves the site. Abuse of the Umpire after the game can result in a red card on the head coach, which would remove the head coach and spectator from the following game.

The state of Kentucky and most other states provide legal protection for sports officials.  In Kentucky, assault on a sports official in the performance of his/her duties is a Class A Misdemeanor. If four or more persons are involved in the assault or it is a repeat offender, then it is considered a Class D Felony (KRS 518.090). A Class A Misdemeanor carries a maximum of twelve months imprisonment (KRS 532.090) and a maximum of $500.00 fine (KRS 534.040).

 

 

NFHS/USAL Rule 11: Excerpt from "Girls Lacrosse for Beginners 2025"

Rule 11 Flag

The Flag is a held whistle that is used for Major Fouls committed by the defense in the CSA when the attacking team is on a scoring play.  The flag allows for the attacking team to complete its scoring play.

A scoring play is a continuous effort to score.  The scoring play is considered ended when:

• A shot is taken
• The attacking team loses possession of the ball
• The attacking team takes the ball below the GLE
• The attacking team stops the continuous attempt to score
• The attacking team fouls

If a shot is taken, the Flag is lowered.  If the scoring play ends by the attacking team losing the ball, taking the ball below the GLE, or stopping the continuous attempt to score, then the whistle is blown and the penalty is administered.  If the attacking team fouls, that is considered an off-setting foul.  If the defending team fouls a second time, the most recent foul is administered. The rule-of-thumb is that once the flag is up, there is either a whistle or a shot.

NFHS/USAL Rule 10: Excerpt from "Girls Lacrosse for Beginners 2025"

Rule 10 Major Fouls

There are 25 Major Fouls listed in Rule 10.  Major fouls are those fouls that are intended to protect player safety. These fouls go through occasional adjustments in the rules book in order to keep the game safe.

For example, in 2025 a Rough or Dangerous Check now includes checking an opponent’s hand. The rule change clarifies a player’s hand is part of her body and should be protected.

Given the space available it is not possible to discuss every Major Foul. Comments will be made on several Major Fouls, however.

One of the tools of Umpires is the Held Whistle or “Advantage.” The Held Whistle is used in the field area to show recognition of a foul – minor or major – but to allow play to continue so as not to disadvantage the team that was fouled.

The Held Whistle is a good, but limited, tool. Often players do not see the signal for a Held Whistle, and do not recognize the need to modify their play.

Five Major Fouls require a card and may not be “advantaged” – Check to the Head, Dangerous Contact, Dangerous Follow Through, Dangerous Propelling, and Slash.  Shooting Space does not require a card but does require an immediate whistle.

Crosse in the Sphere may look extremely dangerous to spectators and coaches, but it may be “advantaged” so as not to give a disadvantage to the team with the ball.

Dangerous Contact is ANY ACTION that thrusts or shoves any defenseless player. This action could include constant jabs to the kidneys, spleen, or hanging ribs. Dangerous Contact need not be blind side contact or take the player to the ground.

Dangerous Shot is not necessarily any shot that hits the goalkeeper. In judging a Dangerous Shot the Umpires take into consideration several criteria – distance, speed, level of play, location of the contact, and if the Goalkeeper moves into the shot. The higher the skill and experience level, the less likely a Dangerous Shot will be called. Dangerous Shot is not a mandatory card.

Dangerous Propelling or Follow Through usually occur on a shot on goal but may be simply a wild pass in the field.  The issue here is control.  Dangerous Propelling is ball, and Dangerous Follow Through is stick.  The two calls are often confused, and they have the same signal.

Shooting Space is an immediate whistle.  Shooting Space is called when the defender is between the shooter and the goal in what is called the “ice cream cone” – a triangle-shaped area with the ball at the apex and the two “legs” of the triangle touching the Goal Circle at its widest points.  A defender is not in Shooting Space when she is within a stick’s length of any attacking player.  The shooter has the responsibility to shoot safely even when the defender is in shooting space.

A Slash is a mandatory card.  It is a reckless or dangerous swing of the crosse at an opponent’s body.  The criteria is simply one of control.  There is some misunderstanding that the criteria for a Slash is that the stick contacts the ground or that the swing is one-handed.  While these actions may inform the decision to call Slash, they are not a part of the criteria.

Three Seconds is called on defenders in the eight-meter arc who are not within a stick’s length of an attacking player.  A stick’s length is the length of a stick, not a stick and an arm, and not pointing a finger at an attacking player.  Three Seconds may be called once the ball crosses the Restraining Line.

The penalty administration for Three Seconds is based on the location of the ball at the time of the infraction.  If the ball is inside the eight-meter arc, the free position is given at the nearest hash mark.  If the ball is outside the eight-meter arc and above the GLE, the free position is awarded at the nearest point on the 12-meter fan.  If the ball is below the GLE, the free position is given at the nearest dot.

Updated 2025 Season Training for Girls LAX Regions 7 and 8 (as of 31 December 2024)

The updated training schedule for the 2025 season of High School Girls Lacrosse in Region 7 and 8 appears below.  The update is current as of 31 December 2024:

• ?? January 2025 - NEW OFFICIALS ORIENTATION "Make Up Session."  Currently there are two persons who will need to attend but it is open to anyone.
• 11 or 18 January 2025 - Shooting Space "Ropes Clinic" and Penalty Administration Clinic for New Officials but open to anyone. The projected site will be Transylvania University.
• 25 January 2025 - Louisville area KLUB meeting and Rules Interpretation Clinic.  This date is an option for Lexington area officials.
• 31 January 2025 - Join KHSAA as a Girls LAX Official.  This date is not a deadline, but a guideline.
• 15 February 2025 - Complete uniforms and equipment for the 2025 season.  This date is not a deadline, but a guideline.
• 8 February 2025 - Lexington area KLUB meeting and Rules Interpretation Clinic.  Umpires should plan on a 9am to 12nn agenda which will be finalized later. The location will be Frederick Douglass High School.  This is the preferred date and site for Lexington area umpires, but the Louisville area date and site is an option.
  
• 22 February 2025 - Possible scrimmages at Henry Clay High School.  New Umpires should attend and will be given the priority of field time to shadow experienced officials and have a field experience before the season.
• 3 March 2025 - Start of Regular season and deadline for New Umpire Field Observations as well as purchase of equipment and uniforms.  NO ONE WILL BE ASSIGNED GAMES WITHOUT PROPER EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS.

NFHS/USAL Rule 9: Excerpt from "Girls Lacrosse for Beginners 2025"

Rule 9 Minor Fouls

There are eighteen minor fouls listed in Rule 9.  All of these fouls cannot be covered in this section.  You should think of a minor foul as a procedural and/or a ball handling foul.

Two Minor Fouls are most often called – Covering and Empty Stick Check.  ILLEGAL Covering occurs when a ground ball is covered in order to prevent an opponent within playing distance from playing the ball.  The ball may be legally covered when there is not an opponent with playing distance.  Goalkeepers may be called for illegally covering the ball by reaching outside the Goal Circle.

An Empty Stick Check occurs when a player checks or hits a stick that is not in contact with the ball in order to prevent or impede the opponent from gaining possession of the ball. Minor Fouls are penalized at the spot of the foul with the offending player going four meters away.

Penalties for Minor Fouls committed by the defending team within the CSA above the GLE are administered on the 12m fan. In this instance a lane, which is the width of the goal circle, is cleared and players must go 4m away – including the player who committed the foul. Play is restarted with a whistle.

New for 2025 is the elimination of the Indirect Free Position for Minor Fouls on the defense inside the CSA.  This change means that the person who is awarded the free position may shoot.

Delay of Game fouls have a specific carding progression – Green, Green/Yellow, Yellow.  The Green Card by itself is administered as a Minor Foul. The second delay is a Green/Yellow card and is administered as a Major Foul and card with the exception that the card does not add to the player or team card count.  The third delay and following is a Yellow Card as is administered as such.

Delay of Game is a Point of Emphasis for 2025. Players who do not attempt to give the required distance for a penalty (4m away or behind) or players who do not give the required distance (2m) in a boundary violation are to receive a Delay of Game card.

NFHS/USAL Rule 8: Excerpt from "Girls Lacrosse for Beginners 2025"

Rule 8 Offsides fouls

The Offsides Fouls in Rule 8 are designed to create a seven-on-seven game (not counting the Goalkeeper) around the goal and enhance player safety.  A team may be limited to less than seven players below the Restraining Line due to penalties resulting in cards.

The Trail Umpire is responsible for counting players and calling Offsides.  It should be noted that in rapid transitional play or play where possession changes quickly, the Trail Umpire does not have Offsides as a priority. The immediate safety of players is of first importance.  Offsides may be called after another foul is called.

In a stop-clock game the Umpire should call time-out before administering the Offside Foul penalty.

When the attacking team is offsides, the defender closest to the ball will be awarded the free position no closer than eight meters from the Goal. If the ball is below the Goal Line Extended and in the CSA the penalty is administered at the closest dot.  The attack player with the ball goes four meters behind the player taking the free position.  The attacking player closest to the Restraining Line will be sent back across the Restraining Line (remember, one goes behind and another goes back).  Play is restarted with a whistle.

When the defending team is offsides, the Umpire may hold the Offsides call with an open hand held above the head to allow the attack to complete a scoring play. If the ball is outside the CSA when the call is made, the attack is awarded a free position at the spot of the ball, the defender closest goes behind, and another defender goes back.

If the ball is in the CSA and above the GLE when the call is made, the attacking team is awarded a free position at the center of the 12-meter fan, the defender closest to the ball goes behind, and another defender goes back.  If the ball is the CSA and below the GLE when the call is made, the attacking team is awarded a free position at the closest dot, the defender closest to the ball goes behind, and another defender goes back.

If the defense commits a major foul within the CSA while offsides, the penalty for the major foul is administered.