June 3, 2009
Simultaneous situation
by Paul Quill/
Hello, lax fans! The local high school lacrosse season is in full swing, and I have had the pleasure of officiating some outstanding games. I recently had a double-overtime barn-burner between two very talented teams with sole possesion of first place in the conference on the line. While I was officiating this great game I ran into a situation that I thought you might find very interesting: simultaneous fouls. Here we go!
The second half begins with Team B leading by a goal. Team A wins the faceoff and carries the ball into the offensive zone. Team B has made a defensive adjustment during the half to shut off Team A’s top middie, A1. While the ball is being passed around the box, A1 is working vigorously to shake his new shadow, we’ll call him B1. As the ball moves behind the cage to ‘X,’ A1 breaks hard to the goal, looking for a pass. B1 steps in his way and prevents A1 from moving forward. B1 also gives A1 a little shove. Team A coach screams, “That’s interference!!!” I absolutely agree. “Flag down!”
NCAA Rule 6, Section 8 — Interference: A player may not interfere in any manner with the free movement of an opponent, except when that opponent has possession of the ball, the ball is in flight and within five yards of the players, or both players are within five yards of a loose ball.
Before my flag hits the ground, A1 lets his frustration get the best of him, and he cross-checks B1 in the chest. I blow my whistle and throw another flag. I jog to the table area to report the fouls. “We have simultaneous fouls. B1, interference, 30 seconds. A1, cross check, 1 minute.”
NCAA Rule 7 Section 6 — Simultaneous fouls are fouls called on players of opposing teams during (1) a live ball; or (2) a dead ball when sequence can not be determined.
I explain to the table that B1’s entire 30-second penalty is locked in, and the first 30 seconds of A1’s one-minute penalty also is locked in. Team A’s coach asks for an explanation on the releasability of his player’s penalty. Here you go, coach:
NCAA Rule 7, Section 2d — Penalty time: For the purpose of determining when a player or players may be released from a penalty, for all time-serving penalties called on players of opposing teams from the time the flag is dropped until the sounding of the whistle resuming play, the longest common penalty time between players of opposing teams is nonreleasable.
After we get the releasability of the penalties staightend out, I inform both coaches that Team B will start with the ball 20 yards lateral from the goal. Team A’s coach needs to know why, when his team had possession of the ball, does Team B get the ball? Here you go, coach:
NCAA Rule 7, Section 6c1 — Award the ball: When penalty time is assessed and one team incurs less total penalty time than its opponent, that team shall be awarded the ball.
Team A coach is satisfied with my explanations. (No, I didn’t quote the rules word for word, but whatever I said got the job done!) So, of course, Team B’s coach wants to know why his team gets the ball 20 yards lateral from the goal and not at midfield. Here you go, coach:
NCAA Rule 7, Section 3 — Exceptions: For simultaneous fouls for which time is to be served by each team, the ball will be put in play at the spot where the ball was when the whistle blew or 20 yards laterally from the goal.
If A1 had just kept his composure, his team would have had a 30-second man-up situation. Instead, his team lost the ball and was in a man-down situation for 30 seconds.
What’s the moral of the story, players? Don’t lose your cool! You’ll make life easier for your team — and, of course, the officials!
Paul Quill is a youth and high school referee in Eastern Massachusetts. Contact him with your comments, questions or story suggestions at feedback@ laxjournal.com.
