Champion Officials Group
2017 LACROSSE Season Meeting/Event Schedule
(January 24, 2017)
Date / Time / Location / COMMENTS /January / NOW / At Home / Pay Dues On-Line, Complete Forms, Complete Concussion Test, Update Website /
Tuesday
February 7 / 7:00 PM / Chesapeake Arts Center / Initial COG LAX Meetingfor ALL 1st & 2nd year officials /
Thursday
February 16 / 7:00 PM / Chesapeake Arts Center / Training Meeting for ALL officials /
Wednesday
February 22nd / 6:00 PM / Navy-Marine Corp Memorial Stadium / Training Meeting MPSSAA Rules Interpretation Meeting (MANDATORY FOR ALL HIGH SCHOOL OFFICIALS) /
Tuesday
February 28th / 7:00 PM / Chesapeake Arts Center / Training Meeting for ALL officials) /
Wednesday
March 1 / XXXXX / Various Schools / High School Practices begin /
Tuesday
March 7 / 7:00 PM / Chesapeake Arts Center / Training Meeting for ALL officials /
Tuesday
March 14 / 7:00 PM / Chesapeake Arts Center / Training Meeting for ALL officials /
Tuesday
March 21 / XXXXX / Various Schools / High School Regular Season Begins /
Fri/Sat
March 18, 19 / All Day / Buc’s Field/Sunset Elementary / Buc’s Youth Pre-Season Tournament /
Tuesday
March 28 / 7:00 PM / Chesapeake Arts Society / Training Meeting for ALL officials /
Saturday
March 25 / All Day / County Fields / AA County Youth Regular Season Begins /
TBD / TBD / Bilderback Day
(Youth) /
TBD / TBD / County Youth Championships /
TBD / TBD / FREE STATE GAMES
(High School) /
TBD / TBD / FREE STATE GAMES
(High School) /
SATURDAY/SUNDAY
June 17/18 / ALL DAY / Bell Branch Park
Crofton Area, Davidsonville Park / SUMMER EXPOSURE
(MATT HOGAN)
*** Heavy Schedule ***
(Youth) /
THURSDAY/FRIDAY
June 22/23 / ALL DAY / TBD / SUMMER SHOOTOUT
(CHARLEY TOOMEY)
*** Heavy Schedule ***
(High School) /
Friday
June 30 / ALL DAY / Kent Island Area / BAY BRIDGE BRAWL
(MATT HOGAN)
*** Heavy Schedule ***
(Youth) /
Saturday/Sunday
July 29/30 / ALL DAY / Blandair Park / Maryland Showcase
(High School) /
Newsletter #1
Some important Lax information as we close the 2016 Lax season and begin preparation for the 2017 Lax season.
Rules Book/Mechanics Manual
- 2017 NFHS Rules Book have been ordered and are expected shortly. Arrangements can be made to get this book to you as soon as possible.
- Mechanics Manuals available on the website are being updated. Additional mechanics manuals will be forwarded when available.
Finances
- ALL Lax checks have been sent or will be sent shortly
- Separate checks sent for the Fall tournaments (Fall Brawl, Fall Shootout, Navy Classic) - as a reminder .50 cents is subtracted from each game to help defray the cost of end of year 1099 preparation
- 1099's for 2016 will be sent to the address listed on the W9 on file with our Treasurer (George). If in doubt send in another W9 (see attached).
- Please ensure you save/print out your 2016 pay information from the COG website. Simply go to the private portion of the website and click on (A6) My Pay Statement. THIS PAY INFORMATION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FROM THE WEBSITE AFTER DEC 31st, 2016.
- At this time I believe COG will require ALL Lax dues be paid through the COG website - (A25) Pay dues via Paypal - located on the private portion of the website. There is a COG Board Meeting next week. This will be discussed. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PAY DUES UNTIL THIS IS FINALIZED.
**** We're in the process of finalizing the 2017 Lax Roster - New Lax Officials will be provided instructions how to access the private portion of the website ****
2017 Meeting & Training Dates
- ALL COG meetings/training will be held at the Chesapeake Arts Society in Brooklyn Park (rear of the Brooklyn Park Middle School
- The initial meeting/training date for ALL 1st and 2nd year lacrosse officials will be Tuesday February 7th @ 7:00 PM
**** Meetings are conducted primarily centered around the rules & mechanics of a HS varsity lax game. 1st year officials are expected to have read the NFHS Rules Book & 2-3 mechanic manuals ****
- The initial meeting/training date for ALL COG Lax officials will be Tuesday February 14th @ 7:00 PM
- The MANDATORY MPSSAA State Rules Interpretation Meeting is Wednesday February 22nd at Old Mill High School. Meeting will begin promptly at 6:00 PM.
- ALL meeting, training, pre-season & Easter Tournament schedules, other important lax dates, etc. will be located on the private portion of the website in the Dashboard Section (Middle of the screen) of the website - COG LAX Meetings - (Currently NOT updated - will be in a few weeks).
Forms, Courses, Policies
- ALL 1st year officials are required to complete an Independent Contractor Form, A Hold Harmless Form and a W9. These documents are located on the private portion of the website in the Dashboard section. These forms are to be forwarded to the COG Secretary (Mike Morea). Instructions forthcoming.
- NFHS Concussion Course - it's anticipated that ALL Lax officials will be required to complete a 2017 NFHS Concussion Course (On-Line - a 20 minute course). Specific instructions will be provided after the 1st of the year.
Fleece Jackets & White Hats (Summer Tournaments)
- We anticipate ordering Fleece jackets (with zippers on the pockets) during early February. See attached
- We have found a source of white hats for our Summer Tournaments - white hat with black piping or the attached without piping.
COG Board Meeting
- COG is holding a Board Meeting on Wed Dec 14th. If you have ANY item that you would like to be discussed, please forward to one of your Members At Large (Chuck Robertson or Winford Tullis). Potential items could include website changes, annual awards, evaluations, feedback, etc, etc. Let your MAL know!
It is our goal to have ALL dues paid, forms completed, Concussion course completed, etc PRIOR to the initial meeting for ALL (Feb 14th). It is your responsibility to keep your availability updated on the website - (A16) Edit My Availability
This is YOUR lacrosse group. Let us know what we can do to improve your officiating career.
Happy Holidays!
Newsletter #2
As a follow up to the COG Newsletter #1 sent on Dec 8th 2016......
Firm meeting dates, training dates, events dates, etc are now posted in the COG Dashboard (located on the private portion of the website). Simply click on COG LAX meetings to review these important dates.
1st & 2nd year lax officials
MANDATORY meeting on February 7th (see time & location on website)
ALL Lax officials
Training meeting for ALL on February 14th (may be changed to February 15th)
MPSSAA Rules Clinic (Mandatory for officials doing High School)
To be held at Navy-Marine Corp Stadium on February 22nd
ALL requisite forms, dues, Concussion test, etc. must be COMPLETED prior to the meeting on February 14th. Our goal is to have these meetings devoted to training NOT discussing dues, forms, tests, etc.
OFFICIALS working with COG for the first time
Please complete and forward to the COG Secretary (Mike Morea) a Hold Harmless Agreement, Independent Contractor Form and a W9. All of these forms can be found on the Dashboard section of the website.
ALL new COG officials were provided specific instructions for accessing the private portion of the website on Dec 29th. Please login and update your Personal data. Forward the requisite forms to Mike Morea. Any questions/problems let us know.
ALL COG OFFICIALS
If your address has changed please complete a NEW W9 and forward to the COG Treasurer (George Simmons). This is your responsibility.
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY there will be a $10.00 charge for any check that has to be reissued due to an incorrect W9 on file. This charge was approved by the COG Board with the monies going into the COG account.
COG Dues
The Board approved that ALL dues will be paid on-line - simply go to A25 (Pay dues via paypal). As stated above ALL dues should be paid by Feb 14th. If you're registering with COG the dues will be $105.25. If you're registering with another group, your dues will be $70.25. Payment of dues can/should begin immediately. If there's any issues with payment via the website or any issues with pay prior to Feb 14th, contact George Simmons.
NFHS RULES BOOKS
I have these books. Please contact me if you would like a Rules Book prior to the meetings. I'll make arrangements to get a book to you.
NFHS CONCUSSION TEST
The Board discussed and approved that ALL COG officials must complete the NFHS Concussion course. For most it has been two years. This course needs to be completed prior to the Feb 14th meeting. Mike Morea is in the process of putting this link on the Dashboard section of the website. You will be notified when this course/link is available.
TRAINING AGENDA
Let us know what items you would like to be covered/discussed at our training meetings. If you would like to be a participant in these meetings let us know. We welcome all the expertise out there.
UNIFORM & ACCESSORIES
Check your uniform and accessories now. Order what you need. There is a link to Honigs on the public page of the website. I believe if you call the North Carolina office of Honigs and mention COG, you'll receive a 10% discount. For those needing numbers I would suggest HONIGS. They supply a placard with a two or three digit number. Some suppliers offer individual numbers which you need to sew together.
Bob Falatach Lax Award
The Board voted on an annual Lax award in honor of Bob Falatach. Each season there will be an official receiving this award. Your Member- At- Large (Chuck Robertson) is preparing the criteria for this Award.
FLEECE
Anyone interested in a COG fleece jacket - let me know.
Fitness Membership
A special offer from SPRFC – see letter in the dashboard section
Let us hear from you - what you need - what additional training can we offer. This is your group, help us help you!
Newsletter #3
A quick follow-up to a couple of items:
W9 Accuracy:
COG is close to finalizing 1099 information - ALL COG officials who received checks from COG during 2016 and the Total is $600.00 or greater you WILL receive a 1099. This 1099 will be sent from COG to the Accountant to the address listed on the most current W9 on file with COG NO LATER THAN Wed Jan 18th. It is your responsibility to ensure we have the correct address on file. If you need to change your address, I must receive a new W9 no later than Tues Jan 17th. Please ensure George Simmons is included with your change. If another 1099 has to be issued due to an inaccurate address there will be a $10.00 charge (same applies to checks that have to be reissued)
Lax Dues & Concussion Test:
Dues are now being collected for the 2017 lacrosse season. All payments will be done on-line (COG website via A25). COG desires that ALL dues are paid prior to the start of the lax training meetings. Any issues with dues please contact George Simmons.
ALL lacrosse officials are required to take (retake) the NFHS Concussion Course for 2017. This course is available on-line (www.nfhslearn.com). Once you complete this test please send Mike Morea a printed or photo of your course completion. Completion of this test is mandatory. Mike is in the process of putting this Concussion Course link on the dashboard section of the website.
NEW COG lax officials
You have been given instructions for obtaining access to the private portion of the website. Please ensure that your Personal Data is updated via A1 (Edit Personal Data) as soon as possible. In addition all required forms as listed in previous Newsletters must be completed and forwarded to Mike Morea AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
If you will no longer be officiating lax with COG for the 2017 season please let me know AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Fitness Memberships to SPRFC are available at a special rate to COG officials & their families. Please see the previous Newsletter.
Rules Book
As mentioned previously I have the 2017 NFHS Rules Book. Make arrangements to receive your copy prior to the meetings.
Your group - let us know what you would like to see included in our training meetings.
Previous Newsletters can be found at the bottom of COG LAX Meetings which is located in the dashboard section oft he website.
Per Jim Bateman, the following represents the COMPLETE list of clarifications and rulings
2017 FEDERATION RULE BOOK CORRECTIONS/CLARIFICATIONS FOR BOYS LACROSSE
Wording in red = correct proposed ruling
Rule 1.9.1 SITUATIONS A (p.18): B1 is not wearing shoulder pads, arm pads, mouthpiece or other mandatory protective equipment. RULING: One minute nonreleasable personal foul, even if multiple violations are found.
RULE 1.9.1 SITUATION B (p.18): A1, while driving to the goal, has no mouthpiece, the mouthpiece is hanging from his face mask or it is in his mouth but not worn properly. RULING: Stop play, technical foul, unless the official knows the mouthpiece came out as a result of play.