The Last Two Minutes
By Eric Evans
These Two Minutes ARE Different
• Different from the previous 58 (NCAA) or 46 (NFHS)
or 38 (Youth)
• Even though they have the same 120 seconds that all
other 2-min. sections of a game have
• Even though the same number of goals, penalties,
injuries, and actions can occur
• Players and Coaches think this time is different
• Which officiating moments in the past NFL season
were most discussed? When did they occur?
This Time will be most Remembered
and Discussed at Game’s End
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Emotions are higher
Focus is greater
Actions and decisions carry more consequences
Possessions are more crucial
Example: miss a TO request in the 13th minute and
you will hear about it. Miss one in the last 30
seconds and you may decide the game
• That close 50/50 end line call in the 2nd quarter may
raise an eyebrow. In the last 20 seconds of a tied
game it will raise the roof
Errors are Magnified
• Coaching errors more common because of
desperation and time running out
• Player errors more common due to fatigue or nerves
• Physicality may increase in a blow-out game because
second-stringers want to play but the losing team is
tired and resentful
• Officials errors more common because they are tired
and lose focus
• Funny how a team’s game tape is always better in the
last two minutes
Topics to be Covered
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Rules Changes
Time-out (TO) Requests
Stalling
The Close Game
The Blowout
Getting it Right
Rules Changes
• NCAA: None
• NFHS: Three
•
a) Automatic Get it in Keep it in (GIIKII) for
team that is ahead
•
b) Second Flag during play on the trailing
team playing defense in the attack goal area.
•
c) Running time with 12-goal differential
Two NFHS Rules Changes Tips
• On GIIKII: short play-ons if at all. Losing team
wants the ball quickly and cleanly.
• Running time:
a) Have you quietly alerted timer at halftime
of the rule and procedure (next restart
whistle)?
b) Take your time on restarts and faceoffs as
a running clock and no action is your ally!
TOs: Why are they Being Called?
• Retain possession when under duress (about
to lose the ball).
• Avoid initiation of a Shot Clock (NCAA)
• Change personnel. Draw up a last play: esp.
trailing team
• Keep a team under control: avoid chippy play
• Rest. Able to keep best players on the field
Time Out Requests
• Be alert for one whether live ball or dead ball
• Remember NCAA and NFHS differences
regarding location of the ball during live play
• Remember NCAA rule on team gaining
possession on the field: only they can call TO
when the play is dead
Time Out Positioning
• Get nearer to the coaches/bench area
• Visually and verbally alert the coach whose
team has possession that you are there for
their TO request
• 2-Man: far side trail come closer to midfield to
hear TO request. Sometimes far side trail has
best view of the TO signal or the best ears for
the bench farther away from the attack area
2-Man TO Positioning in Transition
Trail
Lead
Table
Time Out Positioning
• 3-man:
a) Lead swing wide toward benches as play
comes toward him
b) Trail sprint up to the benches/coach
c) Yes, Single can help because sometimes he
can see the TO signal from straight across the
field
3-Man TO Positioning in Transition
Single
Trail
Lead
Table
Stalling
• NCAA only for this discussion
• NFHS: always in effect for the leading team in
its attack area
a) NFHS: “Ten to Get it in and then Keep it
In!!” Verbal and visual once ball in possession
crosses midfield.
b) NFHS: Repeat verbal and visual after each
restart or on a change of possession going
back to the leading team.
Stalling NCAA
• What has been the pattern of play the
previous 58 minutes?
• How has it been called all game?
• Defense simply better than offense?
• Defense switched from zone to man-to-man
or reverse? This gives a new look to the
offense
Stalling NCAA
• Change in the offense. Not attacking? No
picks? Not trying to beat defender one-onone?
• Attacker chooses not to shoot. Or shoots way
high or wide with backup?
• Attacker beats his man, then turns away from
goal
• Standing in the attack goal area with defense
playing them
The Close Game
• Keep judgment calls consistent with what
players and coaches have seen to that point.
• Do not “swallow the whistle” in a misguided
attempt to “let the players decide the game”
• Not the time for Housekeeping calls: “no
advantage” calls involving table area, lines,
balls on the sideline, etc. If made, these calls
should have been made earlier in the game
The Close Game
• More timeouts. Use that time with your
partner(s) to discuss the future and what may
happen next. Referee the future, not the past
• Notify both coaches of status of timeouts and
faceoff violations (NCAA)
• Be more mindful of clock starting and
stopping
The Close Game
• 2-Man. R should be on bench side. Take all
faceoffs if needed
• 3-Man. R should be on bench side. Discuss
who should be conducting faceoffs: perhaps
the person who has had the most success in
getting them off cleanly
Close Game The Last 10 Seconds
• Faceoff: cheat toward the goal for coverage. Especially toward
the hot goal. Hot goal=goal that will tie or decide the game
• On any restart: think coverage of the hot goal. In 3-man this is
easier
• If coming out of a TO, maybe switch positions so that clock
can be seen on the last restart
• Have you prepared for horn not working at game’s end?
• NCAA shot in flight. Closest official determines if shot has left
stick before the horn. Most likely trail or single. Lead makes
eye contact with partner(s) before signalling
Last 10 Seconds One Goal Game
• 2-Man Faceoff: Cheat towards “hot” goal
Hot
FO
Lead
Table
Last 10 Seconds One Goal Game
• 3-Man Faceoff: cheat towards “hot” goal
Hot
S
Trail
Lead
Table
Lead watches near wing. Trail watches far wing. Single conducts faceoff alone.
Last 10 Seconds One Goal Game
• 3-Man faceoff: cheat towards “hot” goal
S
Hot
T
Lead
Table
Last 10 Seconds Tie Game
• 3-Man Faceoff. Let Single handle faceoff.
S
R
R
Table
Both R’s are potential Leads. Bench right has near wing line. Left has far.
Last 10 Seconds Tie Game
• 2-Man faceoff. Off official moves closer to his
goal
Off
FO
Table
Faceoff official ready to move quickly backwards to cover his goal
Last 10 Seconds One Goal Game
• 3-Man faceoff: cheat towards “hot” goal
S
Hot
T
Lead
Table
Last 10 Seconds. One Goal Game or
Tied. Restart Attacking.
• Trail in 2-man or 3-man: Ready for Turnover
Restart
Trail
Table
Last 10 Seconds. One Goal Game
Restart Clearing
• “Hot” Goal must be covered
Restart
Hot
L Lead
e
a
d
Table
The Blowout
• The result is now not in question
• Now is the time for game management so that
the players end the game safely and wit a
good taste in their mouths
• Protect the winners. Avoid the tendency to
“give a break to the losing team” and pass on
personal fouls
The Blowout
• Protect the team advancing in a tournament.
• Who is likely to foul? The team on defense
that is behind: tired and frustrated? The
winning team on defense? Try on 50-50 calls
to put the ball in the losing team’s stick. Less
likely to foul on offense.
The Blowout
• Use your voice to talk them out of fouling.
• Praise good behavior. Presence lends conviction.
• Calm players down during dead ball time.
a) “Let’s finish this with class, guys.”
b) “Let’s play smart.”
c) “Running away from goal is really going to help
this situation.”
d) “Just a few seconds more: easy, easy!”
Clock/Scoreboard Location
Clock
Lead
Trail
Bench
Bench
Getting it Right
• Extra focus on situations and what teams are
tryng to do.
• Extra anticipation. What is likely to happen?
• Extra time on penalty relays to ensure
understanding.
• Extra loud with whistles and voice on flagdown to avoid retaliation.
Getting it Right
• Referee needs to ensure correct penalty
adjudication (emotions running high)
• Referee takes all steps to avoid crew mistakes
and to correct any mistakes that do occur
Puzzlers to Anticipate
• A player takes a timeout?
• Team A takes a TO, then Team B, then Team A
requests another?
• Lead and Trail bench side point in opposite
directions?
• A1 scores winning or tying goal and Team B
requests a stick/equipment check?
• If heading to overtime, does a team have any
time-outs left?
Game Over. The Next Two Minutes
• Keep officiating and watching as you head to
your pre-determined exit spot
• Who has the jackets?
• You cannot misquote silence. Beware of
comments to your partners or to others until
you are in the locker room or the car