Calling personal fouls is entirely about judgement. No where is this more visibly evident than a call or no-call on a perceived slash. The exact wording of the NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rulebook states that a slash is “swinging a crosse at an opponent’s crosse or body with deliberate viciousness or reckless abandon, regardless of whether the opponent’s crosse or body is struck.” That wording has two clear specifications for a slash:

1. Deliberate viciousness
2. Reckless abandon

According to Rule 5.6 Situation B: “Contact itself does not constitute a foul. The contact shall be a definite blow or strike. Otherwise, it is considered a brush.” This situation further defines a slash as requiring a “definite blow or strike.” Therefore, a tap on the head or shoulder may not draw a slashing foul. Of course, what looks like a tap to me might look like a thunderous wallop to you. This brings us back to judgement.

Slash? Hold? No-Call?

Believe it or not, officials strive for consistent calls throughout a game. Ideally, a slash call in the fourth quarter was called the exact same way in the first quarter. Calling fouls consistently tells the coaches and players exactly what the officials’ expect, while inconsistent calls bring about frustration along the sidelines.

In every game the officials do not want to impact the outcome by calling a personal foul on a “ticky-tack,” or “barely-there” penalty. In official’s speak, we want to catch the felonies and leave the misdemeanors.

Leaving the misdemeanors tends to work out well in high-caliber games featuring quality play. These are the high school championships, rivalry games, college games, and NCAA tournament play. Also included are Mens leagues, who would rather the officials not show up with flags at all. So why do officials tolerate more stick-on-body contact at the higher levels of play compared to youth games? Because the players in those marquee tilts signed up for a competition that is expected to be somewhat painful. Youth players signed up to learn and have a good time.

To better understand the gradation of calls as players move to higher levels of play I created the following list. It is by no means ironclad, but it should give everyone a general feel for what officials expect at each level of play through high school.

• U9 - Stick hits stick only. A tap on the helmet or other part of the body will likely be considered a slash.
• U11 – Stick hits the stick or gloves only. A light tap on the head will probably get a warning, a second one will draw a foul.
• U13 – Checks find the stick or glove. A tap on the head will be a brush, but if the game gets chippy that contact may start getting flagged.
• U15 – Checks find the stick, glove, and occasionally the arm. Taps on the head are rarely considered as most players are smart enough to stay away from the head. Contact with the middle and upper arm are the main focus. Repeated whacks to the arms and shoulders will draw a flag at some point.
• U17 – These boys can lay down some lumber on checks. They and their coaches expect some leeway on calls. The strict rulebook requirement of “reckless abandon” is often used for determining a slash at this level of play.
• U19 – These players will earn their personal fouls, and expect that a slash called will be obvious and vicious.

Now take that list and forget about it because officiating is entirely about judgment in the situation. An official may let more reckless swings go in a close U13 semifinal game, and another official may start calling every ticky-tack slash he sees if a game gets wild at the college level. However, if the game is flowing properly, a good officiating crew will be as consistent as possible with their calls.

Lastly, if you are a youth coach playing a game with officials you have never seen before, I highly recommend asking for a moment of their time. Ask them what the referee considers a slash for the age level that is playing. That way you can inform your players what the two officials are expecting for the game.

Cheers,
Gordon