Becoming an Official
Officiating lacrosse is a great way to stay in shape, earn some money, and develop new friendships with other officials. MOWLOA offers comprehensive training that results in OHSAA and USA Lacrosse certification for persons wishing to start their career in officiating.
With its exciting combination of speed and finesse, lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing team sports in the country. There is a steady demand for new officials to help ensure that lacrosse games remain safe, fair, and fun at all levels. Do you think you have what it takes?
What Can I Expect?
What Steps Do I Take?
MOWLOA utilizes a proven curriculum designed with you in mind. The certification steps meet requirements for USA Lacrosse and OHSAA certification. The training offered incorporates video, interactive activities, feedback, and assessments to ensure you readiness on the field. Click on the link below to access a checklist to get started.
How Do I Register?
Are you ready to take the first step in officiating?
Once you have read the requirements, you’ll need to register for an upcoming classroom session. Fortunately, our online registration process makes this process fast and easy for you. Use the link below to sign up for a class today.
What Can I Expect?
Getting started as a MOWLOA official will require time, dedication, and an eagerness to learn. As a first year official you will need to dedicate yourself to learning to the rules, honing your on-field presence, and collaborating with other officials.
How do I get games?
Games are assigned by a certified OHSAA assignor. Upon completion of your certification process, your name will be added to Dragonfly. Dragonfly is the tool used to assign games to certified women’s lacrosse officials.
How much can I expect this to cost?As a new official, you can expect to pay approximately $100.00 to $200.00 your first year as listed below:
- OHSAA Certification Class: $70.00 (includes $60 OSHAA dues)
- Local MOWLOA Meeting Requirement: (full MOWLOA membership benefits for the 1st year)
- Uniform & Equipment: approximately $100 (see approved uniform listed in the USL Policies & Procedures Manual or on OSHAA)
- USA Lacrosse Membership (recommended): $60.00 (expires annually on anniversary date)
2024 Rates for Officials: Middle School ($65/game), JV/V ($75/$92), Youth rates vary.
In subsequent years, registration expenses are limited to MOWLOA, OHSAA, and USA Lacrosse annual dues.
What is the overall committment?
In addition to the time actually spent working the games, you’ll need to attend local association meetings, take time to study rules and mechanics, and observe games. We encourage you to talk to experienced officials and ask questions. Most officials enjoy sharing their knowledge and will welcome your interest!
When assigned a game, plan to arrive at the field no less than 30 minutes prior to the start the start time. Review your pre-game check list. Most games average betweeen 1 to 1 1/2 hours depending on weather, injury, or other related issues.
You will also be required to attend an annual mandatory preseason rules interpretation meeting through OSHAA. There may also be additional mid-season meetings that can be scheduled.
Each year, per OSHAA guidelines, veteran officials must attend at least four (4) local clinics. Credits for clinics may also be earned through service activities such as rating/observing officials, serving as a mentor to newer officials, and helping with training activities.
The OSHAA girls lacrosse regular season runs from mid-March through mid-May. Youth and Middle School programs start at the end of March and may run into June. There are also opportunities to officiate in other lacrosse tournaments during the summer and fall seasons. To officiate most summer tournaments, you are required to be a USA Lacrosse certified official.
What Steps Do I Take?
MOWLOA highly recommends that new officials complete both the OHSAA and the USA Lacrosse Certification. The dual certification enables you to officiate at youth, middle school and high school levels throughout the year, without restriction. Please contact the MOWLOA Secretary, Bill Andrews, if you have questions regarding the difference between the two certification processes.
1
Register for an officials certification class approved by the OHSAA.
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Register by Feb. 11 for an OHSAA Officials Certification Course HERE.
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Register for a profile on myOHSAA if you do not already have one or login to your active myOHSAA account.
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Select “Find a Class”>Search “Lacrosse-Girls”>Select “MOWLOA 2024 Girls Lacrosse Course” offered by William Andrews.
2
Become a member of USA Lacrosse and register with USA Lacrosse as a women’s official.
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Visit USA LACROSSE MEMBERSHIP here to register. Membership in USAL is encouraged due to added insurance benefits provided.
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If you are currently a member of USA Lacrosse and registered as a coach, player or parent, you can add Official under your account. Be sure to add the “Affiliation” Mid-Ohio Women’s Lacrosse Officials Association.
- Contact USA Lacrosse Membership Department at (410) 235-6882 Ext.102 or email membership@usalacrosse.org if you need assistance.
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Please be sure to register with the email address you intend to use for your assigning. If you currently use Dragonfly, they MUST be identical.
3
Access and complete the USA Lacrosse online learning course.
- The course is only accessible to current members of USA Lacrosse. The class should take between 3-5 hours depending on your familiarity with the sport.
- To access the course please visit the eLearning platform from your USA Lacrosse Account Profile.
4
Complete a concussion awareness course or hold an active Pupil Activity Permit.
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Ohio House Bill 143 requires all officials to hold a non-expired concussion awareness certificate.
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In order to obtain the certificate it is necessary to review a brief concussion awareness presentation via NFHS or CDC.
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If you are an active Pupil Activity Permit holder this will suffice in meeting this requirement.
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Upload your certification number on myOSHAA.
5
Attend classroom and on-field training.
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To enhance the online course instruction, MOWLOA offers on-field and in-class training sessions.
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During your training sessions you will be provided with training materials and valuable feedback so that you will be prepared for your first contest.
- During the season, you must attend at least one local MOWLOA meeting.
6
Pass the written test with a score of 80% or greater.
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Visit the eLearning Platform from your USA Lacrosse account Profile for access to the online rules test.
7
Set up a Dragonfly officiating account.
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You must have completed Steps 1 – 7 above before you will receive an invitation to set up an Dragonfly officiating account.
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After receiving an invitation and welcome from Dragonfly:
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Check your Profile page to make sure your personal information is complete and accurate including your full address and zip code, and a head shot photo.
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Block dates going to the “Blocks” tab and select the dates when you are not available.
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Click“Assignments” and then the “Create Block” icon to create blocks for days that you cannot officiate.
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8
Earn and subsequently maintain a USA Lacrosse rating.
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During your classroom training you will be provided a date for an in-season evaluation.
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This evaluation is an event in which officials are given verbal and written feedback for their rating.
Contact MOWLOA
Connect
Bill Andrews
Phone: 614-600-7025
Email: osubucks79@yahoo.com
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