Stick Question

[LaxRef]

That makes it sound like if B1 did move the crosse out of the way to get to the ball you'd have an issue with it.

I maintain my belief that there is a difference between trying to dislodge the ball out of the head of the crosse on the ground (trying to play/secure the ball) and flicking the opponent's fallen crosse across the field. It's one of those 'grey' areas that we the officials get paid the big bucks to decide on game day.

I took "move the crosse out of the way" to mean "move the crosse out of the way to get to the ball," not "flick it across the field." Obviously, if he intentionally flings the crosse away to keep the player from getting to it easily, that's a different story.

[Matt_Gardiner]

I have gotten into the habit of asking for an equipment check almost every single game. I have yet to actually call for check on a stick that is illegal. Some coaches and players get very upset when I do this, some do not. Sometimes I will purposely check a stick I know has already been checked to try and avoid upsetting the opponents too much.

Normally the coaches are more upset that I am using the equipment check to artificially slow the game down and get my team a breather than I am adding scrutiny to their team's equipment.

On a different note with stick checks though, I have always wondered how this is handled. If I see that B1 has just broken his head or crosse, can I call for a stick check immediately and get the official to check the stick that just broke? I would not do this though, then I would definitely be a pariah.

[LaxRef]

I have gotten into the habit of asking for an equipment check almost every single game. I have yet to actually call for check on a stick that is illegal. Some coaches and players get very upset when I do this, some do not. Sometimes I will purposely check a stick I know has already been checked to try and avoid upsetting the opponents too much.

Normally the coaches are more upset that I am using the equipment check to artificially slow the game down and get my team a breather than I am adding scrutiny to their team's equipment.

On a different note with stick checks though, I have always wondered how this is handled. If I see that B1 has just broken his head or crosse, can I call for a stick check immediately and get the official to check the stick that just broke? I would not do this though, then I would definitely be a pariah.

Well, you have to wait for a dead ball to call for an equipment check, and it is patently not illegal to have a broken crosse (i.e., it is not a 3:00 NR penalty). However, it is illegal procedure to play with a broken (or no) crosse. Thus, even if you did call for an equipment check and the crosse turned out to be broken, the best you could get is 30 seconds (or possession) if the officials realized the player had been playing with the broken crosse.

BTW, in my experience, the coach who starts calling for equipment checks often ends up getting burned, because the other coach retaliates and gets more man-up minutes out of it.