We took a trip to Richmond (Midlothian), Virginia, for the Thanksgiving Field Hockey Tournament. This was a repeat for me from 2023. I went alone then. I was hoping for a nice trip, but it was too cold.
I will say that none of the problems were really due to the tournament management. They always do a nice job. It was just a cold and creepy trip.
Game personnel includes, teams, coaches, administrators, captains, officials, scorers, and timers. A full team consists of twelve players, one of which may be a goalkeeper. For a player to be “in goal” while the opposing team possesses the ball, that player must be a fully dressed and equipped goalkeeper.
The head coach is responsible for the conduct of all persons connected with the team. On request of the officials, the head coach will effectively control the conduct of his or her team’s spectators. The head coach attends the coaches/captains meeting before the game and verifies that her or his team’s uniforms and equipment are in accordance with the rules.
BY RULE ONLY THE HEAD COACH OR FIELD CAPTAIN(S) MAY COMMUNICATE WITH THE OFFICIALS DURING THE GAME.
Captains by rule are the only players on the field who may speak to an official and request a clarification of a call. Most officials will allow any player on the field to ask a quick question that will only require a brief answer.
Each game shall have a game administrator/manager, who by default is the host head coach if no other person is assigned. The game administrator makes certain that the game is properly staffed and assists the officials with spectator control.
The Umpires
No one comes to a game to watch the officials (Umpires). An Umpire’s goal is to become invisible and to let the players determine the outcome of the game.
In the area served by the Kentucky Lacrosse Umpires Board a spectator may on rare occasions see one Umpire at a middle school game. Usually at the middle school level two Umpires are assigned. Most high school games will have two-person crews. At high-level and many high school post-season games you will see a three-person crew. A fourth “Table” Umpire is sometimes added to the crew to control the penalty area and benches.
Two Umpires per game is the norm, so let us concentrate on that arrangement. With two Umpires in a game Girls Lacrosse has a very high player-to-Umpire ratio – twelve to one. This situation is made easier with the Restraining Lines that make the game around each goal a seven-on-eight game.
Each Umpire functions as both the “Lead” and the “Trail” at different times. An Umpire is the “Lead” when the ball is moving toward the goal to his or her right; and “Trail” when the ball is moving toward the goal to his or her left. Another way to divide “Lead” responsibilities is as shown in the image below.
The “Lead Umpire” focuses “on-ball.” The “Lead” is always working to be able to see between the ball carrier and the player guarding her. The “Lead” mentally draws a line between the ball carrier and the defender and tries to position himself or herself at a perpendicular angle to that line. We call this the tangent.
Next, the “Lead” will divide his or her Critical Scoring Area into quadrants that come together at the goal. An Umpire will seek to be in the quadrant adjacent to where the ball is while also maintaining the tangent.
Most coaches, players, and spectators do not understand what the “Trail Umpire” is watching. If the “Lead Umpire” is watching on-ball, the “Trail Umpire” is watching everything else.
The “Trail Umpire” is particularly watchful of Three-Seconds and Shooting Space. He or she is watching for off-sides by counting “forward” in order not to lose awareness of play in the CSA.
The “Trail Umpire” is aware of the ball, but not watching play around the ball. He or she may, however, pick up on-ball play if there is a particular need based on the location of the ball.
The Scorer and Timer
The Official Scorer will be from the home team and may sit at the table between the benches at the center line. If the Scorer does not sit at the table between the benches, but in a scorer’s box separated from the field, there must be radio contact between the Scorer and the person at the table between the benches. The Scorer records warnings, cards, suspensions, and ejections; and assists in timing the carded penalties.
The Official Scorer communicates frequently with the table-side Umpire. The Scorer notifies the Umpire immediately when a second yellow card is given to the same player and when a team receives its fourth card.
The Official Scorer also controls the Alternate Possession indicator. After the coin toss the Scorer will be informed by the Umpires which team has the first Alternate Possession and makes certain that the indicator is changed when appropriate.
If the Scorer is not seated at field level, the home team is responsible for ensuring that the scorer’s table has someone present, and that this person has communication to the scorer and timer.
The Official Timer will be from the home team and will sit at the table between the benches at the center line. The Timer will review clock functions and timing considerations and signals with the Umpires prior to the game.
The rules now allow a coach to request a time-out through the Timer. If you work as the Timer, make certain you understand and are comfortable with doing so. If not, the coaches will need to be told.
Before the game begins the Timer and the Umpires will decide who will time a time out – an Umpire or the Timer at the table. It is not unusual, especially at the high school level and below, for the officials to handle the times out.
The Timer may sound the horn to indicate a time out request by the team in possession of the ball. The head coach or any player on the field may request a time out.
The Timer should be aware of how substitutions are made and advise the Umpires if there are any issues regarding substitutions. Substitutes must always enter the game through the Substitution Area, whether during play, during a time out, or after a goal. A player who is substituting “on the fly” must be an “imminent substitute” and remain in the team substitution area until the player she is replacing has entered the team substitution area. Substitutes may enter the game during a team time out after a goal provided there is no delay of game. During a time out to issue a card, during an injury time out or a dead ball possession time out, no substitutes will be allowed. No substitutions are allowed during the time for switching of ends in overtime play.
The Official Timer will inform coaches and players when penalty time is completed. Either Table Official should notify the Umpires of an early re-entry on a penalty, by sounding a horn at the first stoppage of play.
The following documents are posted for information:
Rule 2 Equipment and Uniforms
Rule 2 addresses game equipment and uniforms for players. In Girls Lacrosse, the ball must be either yellow, lime green, or bright orange and have the appropriate markings. It may seem a bit pharisaic, but the game may not be played without a legal ball.
The crosses used in Girls Lacrosse are either a field crosse or a goalkeeper crosse. There are certain specifications for each type of crosse. Field crosses must measure in length between 35.5 and 43,25 inches. The strings of the head or net must allow for a portion of the ball to be seen above the railings of the head.
The goalkeeper crosse must measure between 35.5 and 52 inches. The head of the goalkeeper’s cross is larger and looser than the head of the field crosse. A goalkeeper crosse may not be used to score a goal or perform a draw.
Officials inspect crosses before every game. The procedures for inspecting crosses are made in order for there to be uniformity throughout the sport. A crosse may fail an inspection prior to the game or during play. A crosse that cannot be fixed before the beginning of the game must remain at the table during the first half of the game and then re-inspected at halftime.
Coaches may request limited inspections of an opponents’ crosses during dead balls during play. An illegal crosse may not score a goal.
Players, including goalkeepers, must wear eye protection and tooth/mouth protection that is approved by rule. Field players have the option of wearing helmets and gloves.
Goalkeepers must wear an unadorned helmet with a face mask and chinstrap, a separate throat protector, padded gloves, mouthguard, chest protector, and thigh protection with integrated padding (new in 2024). All equipment must be approved by rule and legally worn. Goalkeepers at the high school level are not required to wear shin protection, but they are required at the Middle School (Youth) level.
Proper uniforms assist in the conduct of the game in quickly identifying teams and individuals. Coaches should be aware of the appropriate and legal equipment and uniforms. Head coaches verify to officials before the game that their respective teams are legally and properly equipped according to rule.
IF YOU WANT TO UMPIRE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS LACROSSE IN KENTUCKY YOU WILL NEED TO BE LICENSED WITH THE KHSAA. NO EXCEPTIONS. USAL CERTIFICATION DOES NOT COUNT FOR THE KENTUCKY HIGH SCHOOL SEASON ANY MORE. This is important for several reasons, but especially INSURANCE!!!! Everyone must register as a Girls Lacrosse Umpire. Go to KHSAA. If you need help, contact John Slider. There is a discount for college students and persons who are licensed in other sports.
REGION 8
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association has established Girls Lacrosse Regionals for 2025. The regions are as follows:
REGION 1
REGION 2
REGION 3
REGION 4
REGION 5
REGION 6
REGION 7
REGION 8
The Critical Scoring Area (CSA)
The Critical Scoring Area (CSA) has already been mentioned in relation to the field. The CSA is defined as the area inside the 12m fan and extending to the end line.
The CSA includes the area defined by the 12m fan as well as the area defined by an imaginary line drawn from where the 12m fan intersects the Goal Line Extended to the End Line.
Sometimes the entire CSA needs to be considered for play, and sometimes there is a need to differentiate between play above and play below the GLE but in the CSA. Here are the two areas of the CSA – above and below:
There are two dots located in the CSA below the GLE that are used for penalty administration. These dots are five yards below the GLE from the 8m mark on the GLE.
The 8m Arc
Included in the CSA but also an area in itself (sometimes) is the area defined by the 8m Arc. The 8m Arc has five hash marks on it for penalty administration.
Moving out of the 8m Arc, but staying within the CSA, you will notice an area on both sides of each goal that is shaped like a slice of pie. The unofficial term for this is “The Pie.” Within “The Pie” is another hash mark called “The Hanging Hash.”
Penalties may not be administered (set-up) closer that 8m from the goal. Penalties within “The Pie” are set-up on this hanging hash.
The Goal Circle
Finally, there is the goal circle. There are different rules at different levels that control play in and around the goal circle.
The Goal itself is a simple 6x6 foot square. The line on the ground is supposed to be two inches wide, which is the approximate width of the pipes that make up the frame of the goal. The front of the goal pipes should be on the front edge of the goal line. A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line – either in the air or on the ground. It is possible for a goalkeeper inadvertently to score a goal on herself by carrying the ball across the goal line in her crosse.
Add to the field markings for Soccer, Field Hockey, Football, and Boys Lacrosse and you will understand some of the challenges for players, coaches, and umpires. Indoor facilities can get even more confusing. Everyone on the field seems to be able to function, however, with a lot of understanding and cooperation.
A paramount principle of USA Lacrosse is ensuring that all athletes and participants are provided with the opportunity for safe and fun lacrosse. USA Lacrosse's commitment to providing a positive environment that is free of misconduct and abuse is exemplified in the Athlete Protection and Safety Program, a part of the USA Lacrosse Center for Sports Science & Safety.
The following program sets forth standards and responsibilities which apply to and should be followed by all USA Lacrosse members as well as the broader lacrosse community. The program is not intended to and does not take precedent over the Protecting Youth Victims from Sexual Abuse and SafeSport Authorization Act of 2017, any applicable employment policies, or federal or state law. This program also does not cover on-field conduct that is governed by the rules of play.
All USA Lacrosse members are responsible for familiarizing themselves with this policy and conducting themselves in a manner that is representative of USA Lacrosse’s mission and values. As a condition of becoming a member, or renewing USAL membership, members agree to abide by this Athlete Protection and Safety Policy and the processes found in the following download: Download USAL Athlete Protection and Safety
The Center Circle
There are several “areas” on the Girls Lacrosse field that shape play and penalty administration. First, there is the Center Circle. The Draw occurs in this area. Once the Draw takes place this area “disappears into the Field.
The Field
Once the Draw is completed, the Field is the next area to be considered. The Field may be understood as all playing areas outside of the two Critical Scoring Areas.
Restraining Lines
The Restraining Lines themselves are not really areas, but in a sense, boundary lines that define an area on the field for the purposes of limiting play in a team’s goal area to seven-on-seven (plus a goalie).
