RULE 4
PLAY OF THE GAME
THE OFFICIALS
Six key places
to go:
Here are the six key
places you can’t go
wrong on the field with
two-man mechanics.
When you are the Trail and you don’t know where to position
yourself on offense:
1) If the ball is in possession, go to the corner of the restraining box.
2) If the ball is loose, go to the junction of the midfield line and the
sideline.
When you are the Lead and you don’t know where to position
yourself on offense:
3) If the ball is loose or in possession of the offense, go to the goal
line extended.
4) If there is a shot, go to the end line.
Six key places
to go: (continued)
When the ball is being cleared and you don’t know where to
position yourself:
5) If you are the new Trail, stay even with the ball, whether it is
loose or in possession of the clearing team.
6) If you are the new Lead, stay at least one full zone ahead of
the ball (so if the ball is in Zone 1, you are at midfield; if it’s in
Zone 2, you are at the top of the box, and if the ball is in
Zone 3, you are on the goal line extended).
Face Off
Visually checks that both players have:
- Their hands around their shafts.
- All fingers touching the ground.
- Their hands off the head of the stick.
- Their sticks parallel to center line.
- The heads of their sticks vertical.
- Their sticks up to but not touching the ball (NFHS).
-Their sticks up to but not touching the 4-inch-wide
center line (NCAA).
The lead official:
• Sounds his whistle immediately upon realizing the entire ball
has passed beyond the goal line.
• Runs to the edge of the crease off the near pipe, turns to face
“action” in front of the goal, and gives the goal signal while
stationary (2–3 seconds).
• Retrieves the ball from the goal (don’t allow goalie tantrums!).
• Tosses the ball to his partner at the center of the defensive
area line.
• Takes a position at the end of the wing line on the correct side
of the field (always go to the left side of the field as you face
midfield.
• Notes the number of the player scoring the goal on the
scorecard.
• Conducts face-off duties as detailed in Mechanic 6.
The trail official:
• Waits for the goal signal by the Lead (don’t sound your whistle
unless the Lead has missed the goal).
• Watches the crease for fouls.
• Moves toward the high crease.
• Goes to retrieve the ball from his partner and watch action in front
of the crease (in the “hole”).
• Secures the ball from his partner and runs to the center of the field.
• Steps over midfield and turns around to face his partner (and the
end of the field where the goal was just scored).
• Places the ball on the ground and straddles it while he writes the
number of the player scoring the goal on his scorecard.
• Conducts face-off duties as per Mechanic 6.
The Lead official:
• Has the goal as his primary responsibility.
• Should try not to move off the goal line extended unless there is a
contested play near the end line or unless he must move to get a better
angle on the play.
• Should be as close to the crease as possible without interfering with
play and without allowing players to get behind him.
• Should position himself relative to the ball and strive to be in good
position to call a close play in the crease.
• Has end line responsibility on any shot (chase shots to the end line!).
The Trail official:
• Doesn’t signal the goal unless
absolutely necessary.
• Watches crease area for
violations.
• Helps with crease violations on
a tight play.
• Is responsible for watching for
late hits after the shot.
SCORE CARD
TEAM COLORS
CAPTAINS
IN-HOME
NUMBER OF
PLAYER
SCORING BY
QUARTER
TIME OUTS