1. Game Management, Communication and Teamwork

2. Overview Game Management Communication Teamwork = consistency Clock
Setting the Tone
Expectations
Communication
Non-verbal: comportment, whistle talk
Verbal:
Coaches – concise, professional tone, non-reactive, language of the rules, signals
Players – concise, tone
Partner: eye contact, signals
Teamwork = consistency
Pregame discussion
Postgame discussion

3. What is Game Management?
Managing the clock
Recognizing and handling fouls
Setting the tone of the game
Handling Unsportsmanlike Behavior
Responding appropriately to players, coaches and spectators
Management is a skill that can be learned

4. Game Management Managing the Clock
Make friends with the TIMER
Clearly go through expectations/duties with the timer
Define what it means for them to communicate to you if something is wrong
Knowing their name may help when you need to get their attention
Give clear TIME OUT signals
Management starts when you arrive at the game.
Hand out the Pre-game sheet. This will help with your duties prior to the game.
Handout: pre-game

5. Game Management Managing the Clock
Start the game on time
Be AWARE of the time on the clock
Have the off ball official check with the visible clock each time the clock is stopped and started
Keep a back up clock when you can
Communicate with your partner when cards are released
Know if the clock has an audible horn

6. Game Management Managing the Clock
Listen closely for coaches or players to call a TO especially in close games.
The table may call a coaches request for a timeout with 2 blasts of the horn.
Time outs are 2 min long
Sound the whistle at 1:45
Start play at 2:00
Penalize teams that are not ready
When a TO is called during live play,
make all players stand,
position players for restart,
then dismiss to benches
In addition to TO, make sure halftime is the agreed upon length and teams are on the field and ready to start on time.

7. Game Management Recognizing and Handling fouls
Know the rules
Call the fouls
Be consistent
Penalty Administration and Fouls are covered in previous lessons but it won’t hurt to reemphasis that you should know the ‘language of the rules’ and continue to enforce them consistently and fairly.

8. Game Management Recognizing and Handling fouls
Card dangerous play. Keep the game safe!
Penalty Administration and Fouls are covered in previous lessons. Ask if there are Questions
Review the cardable fouls and those that are not required cards but can be carded if excessive or repeated.

9. Game Management Setting the Tone of the Game
Be prepared for anything as soon as the game starts
Call the game tight early
Make the calls in the midfield rather than hold for advantage
Address the coaches’ questions
The first mins will ‘set the tone’.
Addressing the coaches’ questions may mean that you tell them you will answer later, not immediately. Have the ability to end  the conversation in a respectful way,"Coach, we can further discuss this at a time out, halftime or after the game,"

10. Game Management Setting the Tone of the Game
Communicate spatial expectations:
Demand 4 meters of space on foul set ups
Have all players “STAND” on 8m set ups so you can clear them properly
Move players off lines (draw) 
Address creeping early in the game
Penalize when needed – use your GREEN card
Green card – what are the steps for ‘Delay of Game’ cards.

11. Game Management Address Unsportsmanlike Behavior Immediately
USL Rulebook:
There is concern that increasing incidents of unsportsmanlike behavior on and off the field are putting the foundations of girls’ lacrosse at risk.
The beauty of this sport comes from girls working
together to achieve a skilled, strategic competition
between teams while respecting each other, the
officials, the coaches and the rules.
The committee encourages coaches, players and
officials to work together to preserve the spirit of
girls’ lacrosse. Positive and sportsmanlike conduct
by all is necessary for the integrity of the game.
Directly from USL Rulebook

12. Things to consider…. Verbal Non-verbal Officiating Tools
Communication
Things to consider….
Verbal
Non-verbal
Officiating Tools
-“Whistle talk”
- Cards
What is Whistle talk – Loud and strong for ‘big’ fouls and softer for ‘common fouls’.
No-verbal communication? Body language may give the wrong signal – ex. Disagreement with partners call. (don’t do that).
ex. Signal to your partners that you will cover this area, if they are blocked out.
Verbal communication may be a short ans. To a coach or player.

13. Communication Verbal: Communicating with Coaches
Be Calm
Be Professional
Be Confident
Listen
Use the language of the rules to answer questions
Activity : Coach Interaction
Practice and know the “language” of the rules…give an example of things you have heard that do not speak the language of the rules (‘that is not legal!)
Look up in the rule book the definition of the slash and empty stick check. Now when the coach asks, you repeat the definition.
Make sure what you say is what you are calling. A dangerous shot is a major foul against the GK, while a dangerous propel is a major foul that also has to be a yellow card.
Checking towards the head is different than check to the head. (major foul vs. cardable major foul)
Concentrate on Comportment scenarios, Umpire-Coach relations, and Communication with coaches.

14. Communication Communicating with Players
Answer questions
Diffuse volatile situations
Be clear and concise
Respect players
Emphasize safety at all times
Dos
Yell at players
Escalate negative emotions
Threaten with cards
Coach players
Don’ts
On the field, keep your verbal communication to a minimum.
Give foul called, what color & number who will get the ball, what color & number needs to move for the penalty and what direction everybody else should be moving away.
Tone of voice - ask your partner what you sound like when giving directions. Does it sound like you are yelling? Barking at the players? Are you too quiet? Are you too “wordy”?
Don’t respond to spectators during a game - resist that urge!

15. Communication Non-verbal
NON –VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Body language SPEAKS volumes!
SPEAKS LOUDLY
What are you saying without actually saying it?
Have class take turns “saying” things non-verbally
Show some subtle ones like looking at the ground, putting hands on hips, etc.

16. Communication Non-verbal
Whistle Talk
Loud and bold for BIG fouls
Short and sweet for restarts, boundaries
Cards
USE them
Big whistle to stop clock, efficient mechanics
When giving a card do not lecture.  
Demonstrate the card giving process.

17. Communication Non-verbal Comportment - What is that anyway?!
Affirmative, supportive body language Calm, pleasant demeanor Assertive, not aggressive energy Confidence & Competence Non-reactive behavior Positive Attitude Attentive
Another form of non-verbal communication is this concept of comportment – what exactly is that?
Discuss definition of comportment, (‘personal bearing or conduct; demeanor; behavior’) then roll slide

18. Game Management, Communication
and Teamwork
You are not alone …
Work with your TEAM!
Have a clear and complete pre-game discussion every game
Be supportive and encouraging and always be diplomatic. They are your only friend(s) during a game, don’t “lose” them.
Smile - What a stress reliever!

19. Teamwork Pre-Game Field Coverage [C, Lead, Trail]
Shared areas & double whistles
False starts on the 8m arc
Restraining Line: calls, set ups hand-offs
Draw responsibilities, [counting]
Warnings, clock management
New rules, unusual situations, etc., etc.
Demonstrate (using experienced officials) a pregame discussion.

20. Teamwork During the Game
Check in with partner(s) throughout the game
make eye contact, use directional signals
talk through unusual incidents
(when the clock is stopped)
Support your partner(s)!
Don’t challenge them in front
of others
Trust them to make calls
Discuss each point as they appear on the slide.

21. Teamwork Post Game Leave the field together Post game discussion
talk through unusual incidents
what could you (as a team) have done better?
what could you personally have done better?
Consistency

22. Game Management, Communication and Teamwork…one final note: