Goalie time

[Dulax31]

In summer league last night the goalie tried to run the ball up and lost it out of bounds, the referee just blew the whisle and didnt give the goalie anytime to get back to the net, and the opposing team shot the ball from midline and scored. How long exactly does the referee need to give the goalie to get back to the net?

[onpoint]

You should get reasonable time (i.e. - job back to the crease) no matter where you are on the field as far as I always knew. If I was out that far, I might have an "equipment situation" (oops, helmet came off and the chinstrap is screwed up, one sec) to make sure I was given enough time to get back in the net. But in the MLL, I know they don't care and just start the game right away, so since it's summer, who knows?

[Chris Larson]

In summer league last night the goalie tried to run the ball up and lost it out of bounds, the referee just blew the whisle and didnt give the goalie anytime to get back to the net, and the opposing team shot the ball from midline and scored. How long exactly does the referee need to give the goalie to get back to the net?

I think it was actually an offsides sitiation on the clearing team, thus the riding team was able to take possession near the faceoff box.

From the NCAA rulebook (the basis for our summer league rules).

RULE 4-19/PLAY OF THE GAME
d. The goalkeeper shall be given up to five seconds to re-enter the crease
on any restart.

I know one of our senior officials witnessed this call and planned to go over it with that crew.

I'm glad we're able to use summer league as a resource to teach and evaluate. Hopefully this practice will strengthen and expand our pool of COC officials.

[TexOle]

The goalie does get time if he is chasing a shot. Since you are describing a situation where the goalie had possession and lost it while he was out of the crease the quick start might have been the right call. I would also have to look at the time in the game and some other factors. Sometimes with running clock the rules start to go out the window to keep the game moving. I had one where I had a penalty with 4 seconds to go in the game. Calling the penalty ends the game, but a quick start gives the team a shot. I gave them the shot and they scored to tie the game. If there is plenty of time in the game or it is stop clock let the goalie get in to the crease. This prevents a quick shot on goal with no goalie in goal. It prevents the headache of dealing with an irate coach.

[laxfan25]

I agree with Chris Larson. If the goalie has left the crease, whether chasing a shot or clearing, even if there is a technical violation turning the ball over - I'm going to count five seconds with the arm motion before whistling the restart. If the goalie is upfield he's got to hustle his butt back, but if he is like most goalies - 50 yards in 5 seconds should be a cakewalk!

[TexOle]

50 yards in 5 seconds is fast. The fastest players in the NFL run the 40 in 4.2 seconds. I agree that the goalie should get some time to get back. This also focuses on a point of emphasis where we would give the goalies time so other players would not assume the role of the goalie without the proper equipment. The last thing you want as ref is to build enimies faster than you will naturally.

[shrekjr]

By rule, the goalie gets 5 seconds to re-enter the crease. I don't have a problem with that if the goalie is chasing a shot. However, if the goalie has possession and leaves the crease, he is like every other player on the field and is not entitled to any defined special privilages. Therefore, me personal opinion would be that if the goalie is yoluntarily out of the crease (except while chasing a shot), then he has no special rights defined by rule and should not expect to be given extra time to get back into the goal.

[onpoint]

Once again, one of the biggest problems with refs in our sport. Even when the rule is clearly stated (i.e. 5 seconds on ANY restart), people take it in their own hands to enforce it however they want. 5 seconds is plenty of time from half-field to at least get close and most refs aren't going to start the game if you are running hard to get back in and not delaying the game.

[laxfan25]

50 yards in 5 seconds is fast. The fastest players in the NFL run the 40 in 4.2 seconds.

You obviously didn't notice my tongue firmly in cheek on that statement! There aren't too many goalies (OnPoint being an exception) that can come close to an NFL running back, or a tortoise for that matter.
From ShrekJr "my personal opinion would be that if the goalie is yoluntarily out of the crease (except while chasing a shot), then he has no special rights defined by rule and should not expect to be given extra time to get back into the goal."
As OnPoint noted, the rule says 5 seconds on ANY restart. It's not up to us to determine the reason the goalie is out, give him the 5 seconds.

[shrekjr]

I honestly cannot think of too many times when a restart happens in less than 5 seconds anyway. The most common might be on an offside call against the team with possession where they drop the ball and we go the other way, but even then, most of the time, from the time the player drops the ball, the other team comes over and picks it up, the officials look at each other to make sure they are ready, by that time 5 seconds has already come and gone.

I think a more appropriate question would be "when does the 5 seconds start"? Is it from the time the whistle blows ending the previous play, is it from the time the other team picks up the ball, or is it from the time the official is ready to blow the whistle to restart the play and if the goalie isn't ready, does he get 5 seconds from that time?

[Dan Wishengrad]

LOL, I always gave the goalie 5 seconds in all situations at all levels of play... except when he would stand behind the goal to argue he was closer to the out-of-bounds and should have been awarded the ball... then i was known to blow the ball back in a little quicker

[laxfan25]

I honestly cannot think of too many times when a restart happens in less than 5 seconds anyway. The most common might be on an offside call against the team with possession where they drop the ball and we go the other way, but even then, most of the time, from the time the player drops the ball, the other team comes over and picks it up, the officials look at each other to make sure they are ready, by that time 5 seconds has already come and gone.

I think a more appropriate question would be "when does the 5 seconds start"? Is it from the time the whistle blows ending the previous play, is it from the time the other team picks up the ball, or is it from the time the official is ready to blow the whistle to restart the play and if the goalie isn't ready, does he get 5 seconds from that time?

Typically I would use five seconds from when the whistle blew, which as you point out goes by quickly. About the only time this would come into play is when a coach or player is yelling for a quick whistel on a restart, I will give the goalie time to start heading back, and it...may...be...a...slow...five...second...count.
When I was playing, my philosophy was always Let me beat you fair and square, not by an unfair or cheesy advantage. I must have been destined to be a ref. Back in 1970 (Yikes!) I remember playing in a high school game, battling for a ground ball near the sideline and I tried to scoop and the ball went out. The ref gave the ball to my team, and I said "No, it went off me" He had a shocked look, but then made the right call and play resumed. Of course, in three years of HS ball we never won a game! So that sportsmanship (or maybe lack of skill) may have been part of the problem! After 36 years with this game, I still love the spring and the rebirth of hope for lacrosse every year, and most importantly the tradition of sportsmanship that the embodied over its history. I digress, but feeling a little melancholy. I found out yesterday that one of my brothers died in his yard yesterday, and it's been a sad day. He has a daughter who is getting married next Friday. Funeral Tuesday - Wedding Friday. Sheesh.

[shrekjr]

Laxfan25,

I'm sorry to hear about your family's loss. We will certainly keep you in our thoughts and prayers over the next few days as your family is put through an emotional roller coaster. I went through a similar situation a few years ago when my grandmother died 3 days before my mother remarried. Tough times, but ending with a happy event helps ease the sadness of your loss.

[LaxRef]

Once again, one of the biggest problems with refs in our sport. Even when the rule is clearly stated (i.e. 5 seconds on ANY restart), people take it in their own hands to enforce it however they want. 5 seconds is plenty of time from half-field to at least get close and most refs aren't going to start the game if you are running hard to get back in and not delaying the game.

I don't think it's fair to say this is just a problem with the refs!

Anyway, 5 seconds on ANY restart. I think it may have been worded differently in the past, but now it says what it says.

I blew this in a HS game 2 years ago and won't make the same mistake again!

[cjwilhelmi]

If the ball goes out of bounds (on the sidelines, like it seems is described here) then a personal favorite - horn