New Umpire Information as of 14 December 2024

Some basic terms:

• KHSAA - Kentucky High School Athletic Association - starting this year girls and boys LAX will be governed by the KHSAA and officials will be LICENSED by the KHSAA for HS games
• KLUB - Kentucky Lacrosse Umpires Board - this is the state-wide girls LAX umpires' association
• USAL - USA Lacrosse - this is the national governing body for girls and boys LAX. You have the option now of being certified as a Girls LAX Umpire through USAL
• NFHS - National Federation of High Schools - this entity produces the annual rules book
• RPB 10/11 - The KHSAA has split the state into Regional Policy Boards based on Basketball regions.  Our RPB is 10/11,  As assignor I report to RPB 10/11.
• Girls LAX Regions 7/8 - Girls LAX has 40 teams spread all over the state and organized into 8 regions.  Regions 7/8 are administerd by RPB 10/11 and include the teams in Fayette, Jefferson, and Woodford.  Though your KHSAA license is good for the entire state, I will be assigning you to games hosted by teams in Girls LAX Regions 7/8
• Assignor - I am the assignor for Girls LAX Regions 7/8 (your assignor). I am responsible to RPB 10/11 for recruiting, training, and assigning umpires to HS games in Girls LAX Regions 7/8.  I am "acting assignor" until I get a KHSAA contract.
• Arbiter - This is the assigning platform that I use to assign you to games and by which ADs (schools) pay you.  More about that later.

Joining KHSAA:

• I suggest that by mid January you register with the KHSAA as a Girls LAX umpire.  This is the starting point for you to work games.  I cannot move forward with training or assigning you until you register at KHSAA.org.  If you need help I can talk you through the process.

Uniforms and equipment:

• I suggest you begin to put your equipment and uniform together in January.
• We wear black slacks, shorts, or skirts for females; black socks; black shoes (2/3s black is okay); black hat.
• We must wear a black and white striped shirt with 2 inch stripes and the KHSAA logo.  I order my gear through Ump Attire and pick up golf slacks, socks, shoes, and cold/wet weather gear at Kohls usually.  CALL ME FOR ADVICE!!!!
• I am checking to see if we have to have the KHSAA logo on the hat.
• You will need a whistle (FOX 40 finger whistle is best), set of cards, yellow flag, watch, and pen.
• I go to https://www.ump-attire.com/ but you do not have to do that.  They are an online warehouse in Louisville, but I can just drive there are pick it up.
• Please call me if you are uncertain about what to order.
• I recommend golf slacks or golf shorts or tennis skirts for females.  You will need pockets.  Shorts and skirts should be professional.  I suggest that shorts and skirts should not be any higher than your finger tips when you place your hands down you side.  NO SHORT GYM SHORTS OR CUT OFF JEANS OR YOGA PANTS.  You may wear stretch/ yoga pants under a skirt (females).
• All cold or wet weather gear is black.
• AVOID LOGOS if possible.  If you have a logo of a HS or college that you will wear on the field, put black duct tape over it.
• No sagging.  No untucked shirts.

Dates to Remember:

• 31 January 2025 - complete KHSAA registration
• 9 February 2025 - Mandatory Rules Interpretation Clinic in Lexington - plan on an all morning event (9-12ish); location TBD
• 27 February 2025 - Have all equipment and uniforms.  Remember it gets cold and hot, dry and humid and wet.
• 28 February - 2 March 2025 - Mandatory Field Experience - this is the Woodford County Jamboree.  Plan on about a 3 hour block.  It is not pass/fail.
• 3 March 2025 - Season begins.

NFHS/USAL Rule 3: Excerpt from "Girls Lacrosse for Beginners 2025"

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.

 

 

Information from the Assignor for KHSAA Girls LAX Regions 7 and 8

The following documents are posted for information:

• KHSAA Girls LAX Regions 7/8 Assignor Commitment, Duties, and Responsibilities (includes Umpire Game and Travel Fees: Download 2025 R10-11 LAX Assign Commit (2)
• KHSAA Projected Girls LAX Teams by Regional Policy Boards: Download Current Girls LAX Teams 2024
• Map of 2025 KHSAA Girls LAX Regions: View this photo
  
• List of 2025 KHSAA Girls LAX Regions 7/8 schools: Follow Link
• Girls LAX Regions 7/8 2025 Rating and Observation Plan: Download RATING AND OBSERVATION
• Girls LAX Regions 7/8 2025 Recruitment and Retention Plan: Download RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
• Girls LAX Regions 7/8 2025 Training Plan: Download TRAINING
• Paths to KHSAA Licensure and USAL Certification: Download Steps Chart

USA Lacrosse Athlete Protection and Safety Policy

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

11 MAY 2024 - A BIG DAY FOR KENTUCKY GIRLS LACROSSE

A big day for Kentucky Girls High School Lacrosse has arrived.  Saturday, May 11th, is the day when the two Girls High School Lacrosse Leagues overlap with their league tournaments.

These are the last tournaments for the two independent leagues.  In 2025 the Kentucky High School Athletic Association will hold its first Girls High School state championship.

The Commonwealth League Championship and All-Star game will be held at 11:30am at the athletic field of Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky.  Lexington Sayre School is playing Bowling Green High School.  Officials for both games are Miranda Bingham, Nick Franchino, Grace Goodbarn, Ala Hassan, and Steve Ranft.

The Kentucky Scholastic Lacrosse League begins its league post-season play with the tournament quarter finals on Saturday at four locations and times.  The eight teams participating in the quarter finals are the Champions and Runners-Up of the four regions in the league.  

The teams, locations, times, and officials for 11 May are:

• South Oldham High School @ Louisville Eastern High School - 10:00am at Eastern HS; Kristen Eguren, Mary Cooksey, Gretchen Harris
• Louisville Assumption High School @ Louisville Collegiate School - 1:30pm at Collegiate; Laurel Grandinetti, Amber Lynch, Gretchen Harris
• Louisville DuPont Manual High School @ Louisville Sacred Heart Academy - 1:30pm at Sacred Heart; Matt Sallee, Hallie Bray, John Slider
• Christian Academy of Louisville @ Kentucky Country Day School - 5:30pm; Hallie Bray, Matt Sallee, Bob Holthouser

Commonwealth Lacrosse League and Kentucky Scholastic Lacrosse League Cancelled through 12 April 2020

The Commonwealth Lacrosse League and the Kentucky Scholastic Lacrosse League have cancelled all games until 12 April 2020.  These leagues follow the policies of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association and the school systems where teams are located.

Games are also cancelled for the Middle School leagues in Kentucky until 12 April 2020.

League administrators will determine at a later date when or if the season will resume.

Umpires should maintain their blocks on Arbiter.  In order to be proactive umpire assignments will be made for the remaining scheduled games.  Rescheduling of games is yet to be determined; but if the season remains, priority will be given to district games.

Umpires should do what they can to maintain their skills and conditioning.

Kentucky Country Day Repeats as KSLL Girls Lacrosse State Champions

The 2018 Kentucky Scholastic Lacrosse Leaague Girls Lacrosse State Championship Game was held on Thursday, May 17, at Assumption Green.  Kentucky Country Day School defeated Sacred Heart Academy to repeat as KSLL champions.

The season ended with the following schools as the top five ranked programs according to LAXPower RPI rankings:

1. Eastern High School, Louisville, Kentucky (KSLL) 21-4, .6776 RPI (90th nationally)
2. Kentucky Country Day School, Louisville, Kentucky (KSLL) 21-5, .6730 RPI (100th nationally)
3. Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville, Kentucky (KSLL) 23-4, .6539 RPI (164th nationally)
4. Mercy Academy, Louisville, Kentucky (KSLL)
5. Woodford County Club Team, Versailles, Kentucky (CL)
6. Notre Dame Academy, Covington, Kentucky, (KSLL)
7. duPont Manual High School, Louisville, Kentucky (KSLL)
8. Ballard High School, Louisville, Kentucky (KSLL)
9. South Oldham High School, Crestwood, Kentucky (KSLL)
10. Louisville Collegiate School, Louisville, Kentucky (KSLL)

Related articles

Final Four Set for the 2018 KSLL Championship - SliderLax

Kentucky Country Day Repeats as KSLL Girls Lacrosse State Champions - SliderLax

Team and Conference Rankings as of 30 April 2018 - SliderLax

Final Four Set for the 2018 KSLL Championship

The final four teams are set for the KSLL Championship.  The semi-finals are to be held on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at the Assumption Green Athletic Field starting at 5:30pm.  The winners of these two games will meet on Thursday, May 17, 2018, also at Assumption Green at 6pm for the championship game.

One semi-final is Mercy Academy (KSLL District 2 Runner-Up with an 8-5 record)* v. Kentucky Country Day School (District 3 Champion, 19-5). The other semi-final is Eastern High School (District 3 Runner-Up, 21-3) v. Sacred Heart Academy (District 2 Champion, 22-3).

The final four teams are also the top four teams ranked by RPI in the state.

1. Eastern High School - .6904 RPI, #62 in the nation**
2. Kentucky Country Day School - .6635 RPI, #129 in the nation
3. Sacred Heart Academy - .6500 RPI, #177 in the nation
4. Mercy Academy - .6046 RPI, #418 in the nation

Notes: * All statistics are from LAXPower. **There are 3,454 High School Girls Lacrosse teams in the nation ranked by LAXPower.

KSLL 2018 District Tournaments - May 7, 8, 9

The 2018 Kentucky Scholastic Lacrosse League District Tournaments will be played on May 7, 8, and 9.  Please contact your local coach for locations and times.

Based on current information the following are the seedings and scheduled games for the first round. The district champions and runners-up qualify for the eight-team state tournament.

District 1

Male (4) v. Presentation (5) @ Collegiate (Monday)

Collegiate (1) v. Male/Presentation @ Collegiate (Tuesday 5:30pm)

Manual (2) v. Ballard (3) @ Collegiate (Tuesday 7:00pm)

District 2

Sacred Heart (1) v. Atherton @ Mercy (Monday)

Mercy (2) v. Assumption @ Mercy (Monday)

District 3

Kentucky Country Day (1) v. ML Collins (4) @ Christian Academy (Monday)

Eastern (2) v. Christian Academy (3) @ Christian Academy (Monday)

District 4

South Oldham (1) v. North Oldham (4) @ Notre Dame (Monday)

Oldham (2) v. Notre Dame (3) @ Notre Dame (Monday)

Team and Conference Rankings as of 30 April 2018

As of 30 April 2018 the following teams are the top five of the 32 teams in Kentucky based on the LaxPower RPI:

1. Eastern High School (ranked 51st nationally)
2. Sacred Heart Academy
3. Kentucky Country Day School
4. Louisville Collegiate School
5. South Oldham High School

Teams in Kentucky are organized into two conferences or leagues, or they are independent.  These groupings are ranked by average RPI as follows:

1. Kentucky Scholastic Lacrosse League (17 teams) - average RPI of .5336
2. Independent (6 teams) - average RPI of .4483
3. Commonwealth League (9 teams) - average RPI of .4363

The KSSL teams are further organized into districts.  So the "conferences" within Kentucky are ranked as follows:

1. KSLL District 3 - average RPI of .5704 - teams in eastern Jefferson County and Shelby County
2. KSLL District 4 - average RPI of .5326 - teams in Oldham County and Kenton County
3. KSLL District 2 - average RPI of .5312 - teams in southeastern Jefferson County
4. KSLL District 1 - average RPI of .5022 - teams in central Jefferson County
5. Independent - average RPI of .4483 - some teams in and around Lexington, one team in Bowling Green, one team in Louisville
6. CL - average RPI of .4363 - some teams in and around Lexington, one team in Elizabethtown, one team in Northern Kentucky