FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Question:
I
went to get the ball from the goal after a score. I noticed the goalie
was bleeding on his leg pretty good. I told him he needed to go get it
cleaned up. As he went to sideline, it was going to take too long to
clean up, so his coach took a timeout.
So,
the question is – was he required to take a timeout in order to keep the
goalie in the game?
Answer:
A bleeding
player is considered an injured player. Therefore an injured or bleeding
player has to wait out until the next available time to sub. The coach may
not use a time out to insert the injured or bleeding player back into the
game immediately, or after the time out.
Please keep
in mind, there is no time limitations for the amount of time needed to treat
a player while on the field.
The Coach
may call a time out when the player is off the field, not to extend beyond
regular time.
Again, the
injured or bleeding player still must sit out and may reenter the game at
the next available time.
You may
refer to page 50 ( Situation 4.27.3 ) of the HS rule book, in short it
states a team may not use a time out to get an injured player back in the
game. The player still must sit out and wait to re enter the game at the
next available time.
The
following are two clarifications from our State Interpreter, Walt
Munzie.
Rulings:
1-face off
mechanic.
The official will say down, set and blow whistle. No arm pump
2-the
circumference of the shaft at the maximum is 3.5 inches.
if a player has a tape donut on there which
exceeds 3.5 inches, have him remove it, no penalty.
very similar rulings as if the shaft had no end
cap or the hanging length of the strings, just fix with no penalty.
Questions:
Two different situations that I’m getting different opinions from officials
and coaches on.
# 1.
White has ball in attack box. B slashes white, flag down slow whistle.
White scores.
Goal counts, B must serve time as it is a personal foul.
Is
it a face-off or a free clear for white?
# 2.
Stick check at end of 1st or 3rd quarter. Team A’s
stick is only 39 inches long 3 minute non releasable.
Face off or free clear for team B to start the next quarter?
Answers:
# 1:
Results in a face off.
IF the slash occurred AFTER the goal was scored, (making it a dead ball
foul), the result would be no face off, award the ball to the team who
was offended. Coaches get this screwed up all the time.
# 2: Team B
starts with the ball, one step on their offensive half of the field in the
center.
# 3.
The very sad fact is, for the most part COACHES DO NOT KNOW THE RULES J
Question:
We had a quick question about a game last night. The keeper decides to
take the ball down the field, way down the field, and the other teams gets
the ball. They go on a fast break and a defenseman gets into the cage.
The defenseman has no goalie equipment. Do we stop the game so the
defensemen doesn't take a shot somewhere that
could hurt him?
Answer:
The rulebook does not prohibit another player from saving a shot or acting
as "goalie" but the only the designated goalie gets the privileges of a
goalie as described on page 35, 46 and 47 of our rule book.
So the
answer to your question is you do not stop play if a defenseman jumps into
the goal.
Please keep
in mind, WE DO STOP PLAY if the designated goalie looses any of his required
equipment or his equipment is damaged (i.e..
stick breaks).
Question
#1: Are the
"wing guys" on the face-off allowed to take any position along the wing line
prior to the face-off? (One of the officials
in the association told his players to pick a spot and
stay, that they weren't allowed to move once they pick a spot,
please clarify)
Answer
#1:
There is no requirement for the wing players to be stationary, but they do
need to be behind the wing line.
Question
#2: Once
they pick a spot, how much "jostling" are the two opposing players allowed
to do prior to the face-off, before you call
something? And what would you call?
Answer
#2:
If the players are jostling, then it is "interference" and results in
awarding possession of the ball. As far as how much
jostling is acceptable, I would simply tell the kids who are "jostling"
to “KNOCK IT OFF” and remind them to “allow each other to move and run
freely”. If there is continued “jostling” after the
whistle blows, then it is interference. Kill the play (as the ball is likely
still loose) and award the offended team the ball.
0A
If the pre face off jostling continues to be a problem after you warn them
you could make a point by calling simultaneous technical fouls
(conduct violations) and send both players off the field.
Question:
When does the Mercy Rule start?
Does it
start after the goal or at the next whistle? I checked the book
and
it mentions that it starts after the next whistle in the context of
penalty
time. I did not see anything that said running time DOES NOT start
immediately
after
the 12th goal differential occurs in the 2nd half.
Answer:
The Mercy rule goes into effect when a team is ahead by 12 (or more)
goals
in the second half of a game. The proper way to administer this is as
follows:
The clock
starts after the face off after a team has scored the goal which makes
them
ahead by 12 goals. If there is a time serving penalty, the penalty
clock
starts
on the whistle restarting play after a penalty is assessed. The penalty
time
is also running time.
The clock
stops under the following situations:
1. We stop
play due to an injured player.
2. Either
team calls a time out
3. The
quarter ends
4. The
loosing team scores to make the differential 11 goals (or less).
Things to
consider:
If you see
the Mercy Rule is going to be in effect, we should be sensitive not
to
insult the loosing team. The recommended mechanic is to quietly remind the
clock
operator what to do.
It should
be as simple as stating "you only stop the clock under the 4
situations
noted above".
Question
1:
Time
out is called after a shot that goes out of bounds at the end
line (in the goal area). Where is the ball put in play (a) offense
gets ball, (b) defense gets ball?
Answer
1:
Same answer applies for both (a) and (b) above. When the ball goes out of
bounds on the end line and either team calls a time out, the ball is
restarted at the spot where the ball went out of bounds, even if it is in
the box. It does not matter who will be getting possession, nor does it
matter who called time out as it is a dead ball situation, either team may
call a time out. This is the ONLY situation when play is restarted inside
the box.
Question
2: Please
clarify Page 39, SECTION 29 RESTARTS FOLLOWING A TIME-OUT states:
0A
“Restarts following a time out shall be nearest the spot where the ball was
at the time the whistle was blown. A ball in the goal area shall be
restarted closest to the spot, outside the goal area. “
The
next sentence states: “A ball that has crossed the end line shall be
restarted at that spot”.
Also see AR 4.29 on page 51 and clarify.
Answer
2:
Page 39
SECTION 29 distinguishes the difference on where to start the ball when:
·
a “live ball” time out is called when a
player has possession of the ball inside the box.
If there is a “live ball” time out when a player has possession inside the
box, then the restart=2 0occurs laterally
outside the box, at the nearest point.
·
a “dead ball” time out is called after the
ball exited the box through the end line behind the goal.
If there is “dead ball” time out after the ball exits the box via the end
line behind the goal, the ball is put in play
where the ball exited the box. Again, this is the only time play is
restarted inside the box.
AR 4.29 on
page 51 clarifies if the ball goes out of bounds on the end line and either
team calls a time out and there is a violation or penalty situation,
then the ball is restarted laterally outside the box, see clarification #4
attached.
Question:
Team A has possession in the alley. Player A1 throws pass from outside the
box in the ally to his playing partner player ho is standing outside of the
top of the box, but when the ball is in the air it goes over the box to
player A2 who is outside the box between the top of the box and the midfield
line.
I had the 10 sec count on, and continued to count.
Did
I administer the 10 second count properly?
Or
does Team A get a fresh 10 second count, as the
ball traveled over the box?
Answer:
The count remains on until the ball hits the ground or a player inside the
box, or if a player carries the ball into the box. The air space over the
box is not considered for our purposes "in the box", so the count remains
on.
You handled
this properly.
Question:
Stall warning is on …The White team must keep it in the
box, The red team deflects a pass which leaves the box and goes out
of bounds. We awarded the ball to the White team (offense) as the ball
was deflected by the Red team who was playing defense.
Then we told the White team that the stall warning was still on and they
would have to keep it in, once they got it into the box.
Did
we handle this situation correctly?
Comment:
Very good question, and often miss understood topic. You handled this
situation perfectly.
Considerations:
We must remember, when the stall warning is on, the only time the stall
warning is taken off is:
1.
a change in possession
2.
if a goal is scored
3.
if the period ends resulting in a face off
Also, when
the stall warning is on and the DEFENSE kicks or deflects the ball out of
the box, OR there is a shot on goal and the ball leaves the box, it is a
free ball. If the offensive team (the team who was warned for stalling)
obtains possession first, the stall warning remains on once they get the
ball in the box.
Question: How much time do we assess for a mouth piece violation?
Answer: A mouth piece violation results in a ONE minute non releasable penalty. It is noted on page 20 of the 2009 HS rule book and explained under Situation 1.9.1
Question:
Where
should I stand when administering the face off ?
Answer:
There is no “set in stone” place to stand on the face off. The place to
stand, per our NY State Interpreter, Walt Munzie,
is where ever you feel comfortable and where you can get the job done. I
prefer to stand behind the face off player and back out after starting play.
I also feel
standing behind the players provides the best vantage point to make sure the
payers sticks are perpendicular, and they are not lining up in the “neutral
zone” . The players must have their entire body to the left of the throat of
the cross, and their hand should not be touching any part of the head of the
cross.
A good
preventive mechanic is to remind the players of this before each face off.
Example to
players: “keep your hand off the plastic and keep your head and body to the
left of the head of your stick”.
Please
remember to make sure the player is truly possessing the ball before you
“wind your arm and yell possession” to release the players behind the
restraining line. This is important as the “possession” call will start
either a 20 second count or a 10 second count, depending on who possess the
ball and where it is picked up.
Question:
Team A has the
ball in the attack box. A1 passes the ball over A2’s head and the ball
leaves the attack box. The question is when would a 10 second count begin,
upon possession for A or does a new count start
as soon as the ball leaves the box?
Answer:
The simple and short answer to your question is to start the 10 second count
UPON POSSESSION by team A , as long as team A
first possesses the ball in it’s offensive half of the field. If the ball
remains loose and crosses the mid line into team A’s defensive half of the
field then team A picks it up, you should start a 20 second count (and pump
your arm to show a 20 second count (beeper) is in effect to clear the ball
back into team A’s offensive half.
The college
rule is different, which is why there is confusion on this topic.
Now the
long answer:
If the ball
is possessed by the offense in the box, then a LOOSE ball leaves the box we
are to wait till one of the teams possesses the ball.
IF The
OFFENSE picks up the ball in it’s offensive side
of the field then you start a 10 count.
If the
DEFENSE picks up the ball in it’s defensive side
of the field you start a 20 second count (preferably with the beep
er).
The new
“trail” official in this case starts the 20 second count AND pumps his arm
over his head and down to his shoulder to show everyone the defense
possessed the ball AND the 20 second count (to clear mid line) has started.
Question:
White attackman,
inside the box, is attacking the red goal. Red defenseman slashes
White attackman, flag down. White
attackman drops the ball, official (me) blows
the whistle. Dead ball, white attackman
retaliates, and slashes the red defenseman. So it’s a live ball slash on
Red, inside the box, followed by a dead-ball slash on white. Both serve one
minute, and red gets the ball, due to sequence of fouls. The question
is – where is the restart – outside the box, parallel to where the slashes
occurred, or does red get a free clear? (We gave them a free clear).
Reply:
You
are correct, and handled it properly. Red gets a free clear. Restart play at
the center X, as these fouls were not considered simultaneous.
Dealing
with Live Simultaneous Fouls:
The only
time there is NOT a free clear on personal fouls is the few and rare
instances where we have “live simultaneous” fouls.
If there
are live ball simultaneous fouls, (fouls on both opposing teams during a
LIVE ball) the play starts where the ball was blown dead, except if in the
box, then start parallel, outside the box, at the nearest point. The team
which was first entitled possession, on the first flag down, gets the ball,
IF the penalty time is equal. If the ball was loose and you have live ball
simultaneous fouls (such as a fight or scuffle), we determine possession per
the alternating possession rule (pre game coin flip), again, if the penalty
time assessed is equal. If the penalty time is not equal the team with the
lesser time is awarded the ball, at the spot of the infraction, except if in
the box, per above.
Question:
I am
on-board with all that you have shared here but in reading this I guess it
created an additional situational question for you. If the team who has been
warned to "keep it in" loses the ball out of the box because of a legal
check by the defense, does the offensive team still retain the ability to
pick up the ball and thus retain possession without a procedure call being
made?
Reply:
No.
The
key to your question is whether or not the defenseman touches, or is the
last to touch the ball when it leaves the box area. If the defenseman checks
the ball loose AND is not the last person to touch the ball when it leaves
the box, then it would be illegal procedure,
Call
“play on” if the defense has a clear advantage after gaining possession
OR
stop play and award the ball to the defense to clear.
Question:
During the last
two minutes of game, we have the stall warning on. The team with the lead
has ball in the box and the ball goes out of the box by a bad pass and rolls
to a stop between the restraining box and midline (so still in the team that
is up offensive zone). Is this
an immediate whistle and turn the ball over to the defense or should it be a
"play on"?
Reply:
In this case it is indeed a 'play on', IF the defending team has a chance to
pick up the ball right away and continue down field with an advantage. If
there is not an immediate fast break advantage for the defense, then stop
play, verbally call “ILLEGAL PROCEEDURE” and award the ball to the defense,
then restart play as soon as possible.
It is
important to note, there are "exceptions" to "illegal procedure" when the
ball exits the box during a stall warning situation.
The
exceptions to the illegal procedure call when the stall warning is ON
(either within the last 2 minutes of the game, or when ever the crew feels
the stall warning should be on) is:
1.
if
the ball leaves the box on a shot
2.
if
the ball is deflected or last touched by the defense on a “non shot”.
In these
cases there is no play on, it is a free ball.
If the team
who was warned to keep it in the box regains possession before the defense
possesses the ball, then the offense must again, keep it in the box. We
should give the verbal “keep it in the box” call and hand signal of one arm
over your head vertically and the other arm straight out horizontally.
Another
important aspect of the stall warning is in the last 2 minutes, the stall
warning is considered “automatic”, meaning we are not required to make the
verbal call to “keep it in the box” during the last 2 minutes of the game.
The best example on this is, if the team with the
lead goes into the box and leaves the box before you get a chance to
verbally and mechanically call "keep it in the box", this would still be
illegal procedure, "by rule 6-10".
Last
important note, when the game is tied, there is no "automatic" stall warning
with in the last 2 minutes of the game.
Neither
team is required to keep the ball in the box.
Question:
Does the team which is “man down” and has possession of the ball when a
quarter expires retain possession at the start of the next quarter.
Reply:
Yes, the defensive team in the scenario above would retain possession at the
start of the next quarter or period.
Keep in
mind this applies to over time as well. The rule states either team with
possession of the ball when there is a time serving penalty retains
possession at the start of the next quarter at the same relative position on
the field. It is very important to remind your self when the quarter ends
where the “same relative” position is, to make the start of the next quarter
start smoothly. Also it is important to note a ball in flight (pass or
shot), does not count as possession.
The ball
is in flight when the quarter expires; there will be a face off to start the
next quarter.
Question on granting
time outs:
Question:
“When I’m on the bench side, twice I’ve had a coach during a loose ball say
I want a time out when I gain possession. What is the proper thing for an
official to do in this situation?”
Reply:
It is proper to wait till the player has possession AND the coach calls time
out to grant a time out.
What we
recommend in these situations is acknowledge the coach by replying, “I hear
you but you MUST tell me when he gets the ball”.
The coach
usually understands it after a few gentle reminders like that.
We do not
grant time outs simply because a coach say’s he wants a time out “the next
time he gets the ball” or if he say’s “I want a time out
‘ IF ’ he gets the ball”. Always wait till you hear “time out” and
the player has possession.
With this
said, it is important to have “time out awareness” and be anticipating times
when coaches may (and should) call a time out.
These
situations include:
At the end
of each half.
When a
player is about to loose possession, or is about to go out of bounds at a
critical time.
When the 20
second or 10 second counts are on and it doesn’t look like the ball is going
to make it either over the center line or into the box in time.
The stall
warning is on and the offensive player is about to be legally checked or
pushed out of the box.
At the
start of overtime right after possession is gained on the face off.
Question on the
crease:
Question
“Here’s the situation. A is attacking B. A1 is running in front of the
crease, takes a shot (which goes into the goal) and continues into the
crease area. He wasn’t pushed, he wasn’t diving and taking a shot, he
just continues to run into the crease. Is this a legal
goal ?
Reply:
The situation above would count as a goal, as the player who shot scored
when his foot was not in the crease when he shot. The fact the player then
continued into the crease is acceptable. The act that makes it a goal is
that he shot while he was still out of the crease and one of his feet was on
the ground.
It is NOT A
GOAL if the player leaps, (both feet off the ground) shoots while in the
air, scores, then lands in the crease.
Question on the
correct # of long sticks and stick length:
Question:
“We had 4 long sticks on the field last night. The opposing coach said
that one of the shafts was a goalie shaft (it did not have a goalie crosse)
and that it should be an illegal stick. He went on to say that a year
ago he had a kid that was banged with a 3 minute non releasable penalty
because of it. We didn’t do anything with it last night as we believed
that as long as we had no more than 4 long sticks we were fine.
We were correct, right?”
Reply:
The rule on the long sticks is you may have up to 4 sticks with the length
of 52-72 inches. This player would have an illegal length stick, if the
length was between 42-52. No sticks, other than
the goalie may be between 42-52 inches. The goalie stick may be between
40-72 inches in length.
Question on Substitutes:
Question:
“Team A is serving penalty. In last ten seconds of penalty, team A sends
another player into substitute area and when penalty releases, substitutes
that player into game for the person releasing. That is legal, isn't it?”
Reply :
The team may allow the sub to take the penalized player’s place in the
penalty area, when his penalty is expiring.
To answer
your question , it is legal.