1. Three Man Mechanics Updated 2/6/12

2. The Mission of our Mechanics
To put us in the best position to make the calls that allow us to keep the game safe and fair.
To use methods that are easily applied in a consistent manner by officials of various levels of ability in games of various levels of skill.

3. NCAA POINTS OF EMPHASIS 2012
Sportsmanship
Targeting the Head / Neck
Pinning the Body or Crosse on Face-Offs
Stalling
Buckled Chin Straps

4. NFHS POINTS OF EMPHASIS 2012
Players calling attention to themselves after a goal
Deliberately grabbing the ball with the hand on the faceoff
Illegal Checks
Equipment Inspections

5. Zones of the Field (NCAA/NFHS)
DEFENSIVE ZONE
ZONE 3
ZONE 4 C
Zones of the Field (NCAA/NFHS)

6. PRE-GAME

7. U R FJ Pre-Coin Toss Get to corner of box before you call forOO XX
Get to corner of box
before you call for
Captains.
Note: Crew should be available
for equipment checks.
1) Introduce Captains
to Referee
NOTE: Confirm time of coin-toss during coaches certification.
NO WHISTLES HERE… Our first whistle calls out the teams for the line-up. Prior to that, whistles belong to coaches. U R FJ
Pre-Coin Toss

8. U FJ R Coin Toss Note: Use a coin at least the
1) Home Team faces bench
2) Visiting team calls toss prior to
toss
3) Catch coin (Don’t flip)
4) Rotate players backs to goal
they are defending
5) Tap shoulder for Alternating
possession
6) Left shoulder to goal for line-up
Note: Use a coin at least the
size of a half dollar.
XX XX
OO OO U FJ
NOTE: Coin Toss winner gets choice of goal to defend or first alternating possession.
Speaking captains R
Note: Home team leaves first, and Visitor is about 5 steps behind
Note: U and FJ checks nets after
the coin toss. Check for balls.
Coin Toss

9. U R FJ Line-up Note: U and FJ should line up 5 yards apart, and have
teams line up on them
1) Teams should have their left shoulder
towards the goal they are defending
2)Don’t talk very much here as the
players just want to play.
OOOOO OOOO G U R
G XXXXX XXXX FJ
NOTE: Goalies should be in-line with their team.
Line-up

10. FACE-OFFS

11. FACE-OFF OFFICIAL
Keep free arm at your side. Keep the whistle in your mouth, or get it up there as soon as you say “down”!
Position yourself where you are safe and can see sticks.
FREEZE once players are down. Put players down together. Get whistle to mouth as players go down. Say “SET”. Vary cadence!
The pause between “Set” and Whistle should vary between ½ to a full second.
The pause between “Down” and “Set” may be longer. Be sure players are SET.
If there is a violation and you haven’t blown your whistle yet, don’t. Signal (but do not say) illegal procedure, verbalize exact violation, and award possession.
Conduct the restart after a violation.
Stay “home”. No need to rush to goal- your partners have it. Watch face- off action. Watch for “pinning” with stick or body.

12. FACE-OFF – Wing Officials
Along the wing-line as close to center as necessary (or use new optional positioning).
Don’t move between “Down” and whistle.
Move toward your goal on the whistle.
Cover restraining line, goal, end-line.

13. Left Hand Up

14. Face-Off Standard Position
HOME
VISITOR
XXXXX
OOOOO
F/O Responsibilities
- position as needed
to be safe, see sticks
- neutral zone
- stick heads
- handles of crosse
- feet position
- gloves on crosse
- most violations
- most possession calls B
F/O
SS Responsibilities
- butt end facing him
- wing line jumps
- goal line coverage
- move on whistle
- some possession calls
- line violations
- 30/20/10-second counts
B Responsibilities
- wing line violations
- goal line coverage
- move on whistle
- some possession calls
- beeper to start play
- time outs
- line violations
Teaching Tips
-Note new references for F/O- F/O, B, SS
- Face-off official position flexible
- Be still once you put the players down
- ball stays at center- stay home SS
Face-Off Standard Position

15. Face-off-1 (ball stays)
HOME
VISITOR
XXXXX
OOOOO
Bench official
- Move toward goal on whistle
- cover restraining line, goal B
F/O
Face-off official
- conduct face-off
- Say “SET”. Vary cadence.
- IF BALL STAYS, YOU STAY,
- but keep out of harm’s way
- take 90% of post-whistle F/O violations
Single-Side Official
- Move toward goal on whistle
- 30/20/10-second counts
- cover restraining line, goal
- stay until called off by Lead SS
Face-off-1 (ball stays)

16. Where’s the Ball?

17. Where’s the Ball?

18. Alternate Face-Off Position
HOME
VISITOR
XXXXX
OOOOO
F/O Responsibilities
-Whistle the F/O-STAY AND WATCH
B Responsibilities
- wing line violations
- Split vision between wings and F/O
Avoid the “I” formation B
F/O
B & FO- BREAK FOR GOALS ON POSSESSION SS
Teaching Tips
- Face-off official position flexible
- Be still once you put the players down
- ball stays at center- stay home
- AFTER POSSESSION- head to your position
MIX IT UP. DON’T BE PREDICTABLE.
SS Responsibilities
- wing line violations
- Split vision between wings and F/O
30/20/10-second counts
Alternate Face-Off Position

19. HOME VISITOR Face-off (ball away) Bench becomes Lead FO becomes Trail
XXXXX
OOOOO
Bench becomes Lead
- has goal line, endline B
FO becomes Trail
- conduct face-off
- say “SET”. Vary cadence.
- determine possession
- sweep box
- jog into play
- If FO violation, restart play quickly, follow violator to box, make sure sub is clean. FO
Single-Side Official
- don’t stop at cone!
- 30/20/10-second counts
- help on questionable goal SS
Face-off (ball away)

20. Face-off (ball towards)
HOME
VISITOR
XXXXX
OOOOO
Bench becomes Trail
- secondary offside
- substitutions
sweep box
time-outs
jog into play
- If FO violation, monitor the substitution. B FO
FO becomes Lead
- conduct face-off
- say “SET”. Vary cadence.
- stay outside of passing
lanes getting to GLE
- get to GLE
- verbally call off SS
Teaching Tips
- FO/L: Get into position as soon as you can, but stay out of
passing lanes SS
Single-Side Official
- GET TO GOAL LINE!!
- 30/20/10-second counts
- help on questionable goal
- stay until called off by Lead
Face-off (ball towards)

21. SETTLED SITUATIONS

22. Coverage during Settled Situations
HOME
VISITOR
XXXXX
OOOOO
Trail is helping on crease,
watching shooter, has sideline, and
has all substitutions.
Lead has the front of the crease,
and is off official.
Note: Single & Lead -
communicate on and off ball. T L X Ô SS
Single-Side has the ball, and is
the ON official.
Coverage during Settled Situations

23. Settled Situations-NCAA
HOME
VISITOR
XXXXX
OOOOO
Lead--be close to crease, and
keep ball in front of you. Move
in and out with ball.
Trail-- after sweeping box, jog to
5 yds. off, and 5 yds. in. T
REMEMBER “GET IT IN/KEEP IT IN” IF OFFENSE CAUSES BALL TO GO INTO THEIR DEFENSIVE HALF, THEN GAINS POSSESSION L SS
Single-Side- about 5yds off & 5 yds. up
Must move in as Lead gets pushed
off the goal line, EVEN IF THERE IS A PLAYER BEHIND HIM.
“Yo-Yo”- L and SS (and, to a lesser part, T) are “on a string”
30-SECOND TIMER IF “O” GAINS POSSESSION IN “D” HALF (w/ no “Get-it-In”)
Settled Situations-NCAA
Updated 7/6/11

24. Settled Situations- NFHS
HOME
VISITOR
XXXXX
OOOOO
Lead--be close to crease, and
keep ball in front of you. Move
in and out with ball.
Trail-- after sweeping box, jog to
5 yds. off, and 5 yds. in. T L SS
Single-Side- about 5yds off & 5 yds. up
Must move in as Lead gets pushed
off the goal line, EVEN IF THERE IS A PLAYER BEHIND HIM.
NEW SLIDE 24- UPDATE FOR NFHS!!!
Settled Situations- NFHS

25. Settled Situations – How Close?
HOME
VISITOR
XXXXX
OOOOO
Stay outside of line to “next pass” T
Next Pass X L X
w/ ball X SS
Next Pass
Settled Situations – How Close?

26. Contested Subs Later in a Possession
HOME
VISITOR
XXXXX
OOOOO XO
Trail must watch any contested subs on the fly.
Watch for any advantage gained by going early, or fouls.
Open up and let the subs go in
front of you. Close in behind. T L X O X O X O SS
Contested Subs Later in a Possession

27. HOME VISITOR T L SS Stalling
XXXXX
OOOOO
-Communicate discretely- all 3 go up at once.
-No specific time frame
“GET IT IN/
KEEP IT IN!” T L
-Give them a brief “feeling-out” period, but look to put it on early.
-Allow for on-the-fly subs, as long as they don’t “dally” SS
T- depending on your speed, move to corner of box on “Keep It In”
Stalling

28. TRANSITION

29. Goalie Save – Fast Clear
HOME
VISITOR
XXXXX
OOOOO
Lead (now Trail)- Signal for SS to
start timer on possession.
Take4 second goalie count.
Come up w/ball.
If slow clear, stay as deep as ball.
Trail (now Lead) breakout on save
look before you get to the midline,
if still coming get to goal-line
look T L L T
SS- Start timer on possession- 10-second visual count begins when timer sounds. SS
TWEAK ANIMATION SO BALL, L/T/SS MOVE TOGETHER AFTER “LOOK”
look
Single-side starts timer, breaks for
cone w/save. Take a few strides,
take a look. Straddle cone.
Check offside.
Note: new Lead should not get
beat to midfield, to top of
offensive box area, goal line or
endline.
Goalie Save – Fast Clear

30. HOME
VISITOR
XXXXX
OOOOO
Trail (old Lead) stop at 1st cone, watch subs
Lead (old Trail) stop here, watch substitution area until ball position demands that you get to the goal. T L O SS
Goalie save or clearing end-line restart
Slow Clear

31. RE-STARTS

32. HOME VISITOR T L SS Sideline out of bounds Lead has goal-line
XXXXX
OOOOO
Lead has goal-line
Trail has beeper, and
any substitutes. T L
SS- Stay in “2-man” position until T is on the field
Single-Side has whistle. Look for “GO” from L and T SS
ball
Sideline out of bounds

33. HOME VISITOR T L SS GLE Out of Bounds
XXXXX
OOOOO
T come to sideline and down to make the OOB call. T
L make sure T is on the field before giving up the call. L •
ball SS
SS covers goal
GLE Out of Bounds

34. HOME VISITOR L T SS GLE Restart
XXXXX
OOOOO L
T blows it out, move into position on restart X T
L- Blow it in, then follow ball to goal SS
3-way communication on restart- T -> SS -> L
SS MUST cover goal.
SS- Stay on goal until ball turns away from goal
GLE Restart

35. Endline out of bounds- far side
HOME
VISITOR
XXXXX
OOOOO
Lead has goal-line. T
Note: remember goalie
count if he chases. L
Communicate with Single-Side on who puts the ball back in play.
*If ball is double-teamed on endline, T must move inside box.*
Single-Side has whistle and count
Need to talk with Lead on this SS X
ball
Endline out of bounds- far side

36. Endline out of bounds- bench side
HOME
VISITOR
XXXXX
OOOOO T L
Trail has subs. X
Lead has restart. Follow ball to goal. SS
SS covers goal.
Endline out of bounds- bench side

37. HOME VISITOR T L SS Sub Area out of bounds NOTE: be sure where the
XXXXX
OOOOO
Trail brings the ball in 5 yds
has the beeper. Sweep box
after starting play. Be ready
for ball changing directions.
L and SS need to communicate.
Lead has goal. T X L
SS needs to be on the cone to watch for an offsides jump play.
Single-Side will take 30-second count.
Be ready for midline jump play.
You have offside.
NOTE: be sure where the
ball went out of bounds! SS
Sub Area out of bounds

38. HOME VISITOR L T SS Time-Out Procedures
XXXXX
OOOOO
Try to have at least 1 official where the teams are crossing. L T X
ball O
Watch the “cross” here. X X O X O O SS
After all clear, meet at center. After discussion, official w/ restart at ball, others 20 yards off benches.
Time-Out Procedures

39. PENALTY SITUATIONS

40. HOME VISITOR T L SS Flag Down
XXXXX
OOOOO
Trail move to corner of box upon “flag down”. T L SS
“Flag down”
Flag Down

41. HOME VISITOR T L SS Penalty Relay #1 NOTE: Officials not involved
XXXXX
OOOOO
Trail move toward SS in the open,
stop and take penalty. Don’t be in a
hurry. Turn to table, stop, and relay
the penalty. Put your beeper on, and
return to the play. T
Report Only:
Color, Number, Foul, Time L
NOTE: Officials not involved
in reporting penalty, be sure to
get the ball ready for play! SS
Restart far side if given a choice (offensive half)
Flag down here
NOTE 2: When play is halted with ball in box, restart FAR SIDE!
Single-Side calls out “flag down” stops
play when appropriate. Gets out to
an open area, and stops. Then signals.
Penalty Relay #1

42. HOME VISITOR T L SS Penalty Relay #2
XXXXX
OOOOO
Trail be sure to inform your
partners of the foul BEFORE
telling the table.
Trail has flag
flag down here T
come in and give call L SS
NOTE : When play is halted with ball in box, restart FAR SIDE!
Lead and Single-Side to get ball ready for play when Trail
returns.
Penalty Relay #2

43. What Stops a “Slow Whistle” in NCAA Play? “GOODIE”
Goal
Out of the box/ out of bounds
Offensive foul
Defensive possession
Injury
Expiration of the clock

44. EQUIPMENT CHECKS

45. HOME VISITOR T L R FJ U SS Equipment Check
XXXXX
OOOOO
Note: meet the players at the
wing area. Take stick,
with you to “X” T
NOTE: Watch player as you ask
him for his stick! L R FJ U SS
Single-Side get ball, bench officials get stick that comes to you. (NFHS ONLY!- Tap shoulder for pad, ask to see palms.) Meet at midfield. Hold stick for Referee to measure.
Referee to measure “both”
sticks. FJ & U face benches
on either side of midline
Equipment Check

46. Random Stick Check- Goal
HOME
VISITOR
XXXXX
OOOOO
Discuss ahead of time-
-When to grab
-Who grabs which stick
NOTE: Watch player as you ask
him for his stick! T
T- stand back and watch everything else L
GOAL! SS
Closest official- grab scorer’s stick.
Other official- signal GOAL, then grab defender’s stick. Grab ball
Make sure you communicate and get a stick from each team!
Tell scorer not to adjust his stick!
Scorer pulls strings BEFORE you ask for his stick- NO PENALTY! Goal is good.
Scorer pulls strings AFTER you ask for his stick- AT LEAST 1-MINUTE! NO GOAL!
T- Back toward your position, but not too close to benches.
Updated 1/23/08
Random Stick Check- Goal

47. HOME VISITOR T L SS Fight Procedure Note: Coaches are to assist
XXXXX
OOOOO
Note: Coaches are to assist
in freezing benches.
FREEZE BENCHES
Take #’s T L
X fight O SS
NOTE:
Be careful handling players.
Fight Procedure