New Mexico Lacrosse Officials Association

Pre-Game Management

Time before the game starts:

48 Hours – Confirm with your Assigner and crew the details of the game including face-off time, location, and any other details.

30 Minutes – Arrive at the field in uniform to ensure everything is in order and to work with the coaches on any field issues.

20 Minutes – Certify coaches on safety requirements and rule interpretations.

15-10 Minutes – Call the captains together for introductions and for coin toss.

5 Minutes – Call the teams together for introductions and prepare to start the game.

0 Minutes – Face-Off

Post-Game Management

Observe handshakes as needed, and any post-game shenanigans which may result in additional/final Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalties or Ejections.

The Head Referee should email the NMLA Treasurer (nmlatreasurer@gmail.com) who in the crew worked a game, what type of game it was, and any travel associated with the game. For questions, please reach out to the Assigner of the game so they can work with the Treasurer on your behalf.

Lightning and Lighting Management

Lightning – Lightning is very prevalent in New Mexico and a serious safety concern. The New Mexico Lacrosse Association (NMLA) shares USA Lacrosse’s guidelines for lightning protocol.  If lightning is discovered in the area, the game shall pause for 30 minutes unless an all-clear sound is provided by an outside body (school, facility, etc.), which then the game may resume.  If 30 minutes have passed and lightning is still in the area, an additional 30 minute delay will occur unless teams choose to pause the game and resume later, if applicable.

Lighting – Should natural lighting due to the sun, or man-made lighting due to stadium lights become compromised, the following shall commence.  If the Officials working the game determine there is a safety issue from the sun setting and natural darkness occurs, they will call the game and the score shall be final for the contest.  If stadium lights or other man-made lights cease to work, teams will work with the designated host on a timely correction (10-15 minutes).  If the game cannot continue due to lighting, then it shall end.  If a team is ahead of another in score after 3 quarters when the game ends, the contest shall have the score remain final.

Concussion Management

From the USA Lacrosse Concussion Management Protocol:

“An athlete exhibiting signs and symptoms of a concussion should be removed from play immediately and evaluated by a healthcare provider with experience in concussion assessment and management. A brief standardized screening tool; assessing symptoms, cognitive and neurologic function including balance (ex. SCAT59 or child SCAT510) should be used by the healthcare provider. Any athlete who is diagnosed with a concussion shall not return to activity for the remainder of that day and be referred to a physician or qualified healthcare professional. Assessment of the athlete will be conducted at time intervals as determined by his or her healthcare provider. The athlete will not be allowed to return to activity until cleared (in writing) by an appropriate healthcare provider as defined and authorized by state legislation”.

For our part, if an Official suspects an athlete may have a concussion, they should stop play and have the coach assess the player. It is not within an Official’s ability (unless by medical trade) to determine if the player does or does not have a concussion, nor can an Official clear them. The remaining onus on safety is placed upon the coaching staff for the player.