Are helmets next?

[Glaxrdaddy]

I have to add my agreement to EmptyStick and NHLaxDad about the recent tendency of some refs to whistle, and even worse, to card body-to-body contact. It's making the game seem silly at times. Feel free to disagree, but does anyone else have the feeling that the majority of refs calling every bump a violation, have never actually played the sport themselves? And I'm not saying you have to have played the game to be a good ref, because there are many great refs who haven't actually played, I'm just saying. Body contact is part of every sport not involving a bowling ball or a birdie. Sometimes I think we have to tone down the "but our girls might get hurt" thinking.

And don't even mention the cradling-in-the-sphere issue, I've been on that ad nauseum for years.

[WLAXUSA]

Body contact is part of every sport not involving a bowling ball or a birdie.

Are we the only people participating in IRONMAN BOWLING and playing FULL CONTACT BADMINTON?

[Regularjesus]

does anyone else have the feeling that the majority of refs calling every bump a violation, have never actually played the sport themselves? And I'm not saying you have to have played the game to be a good ref, because there are many great refs who haven't actually played, I'm just saying.

I cannot speak for all umpires, but inside my district, 95% of the refs are also players, or used to play. The other 5% are recruited boyfriends who watched their girlfriends play before getting roped into umpiring, or fathers whos daughters play.

[NHLaxDad]

does anyone else have the feeling that the majority of refs calling every bump a violation, have never actually played the sport themselves? And I'm not saying you have to have played the game to be a good ref, because there are many great refs who haven't actually played, I'm just saying.

I cannot speak for all umpires, but inside my district, 95% of the refs are also players, or used to play. The other 5% are recruited boyfriends who watched their girlfriends play before getting roped into umpiring, or fathers whos daughters play.

I would say the worst offenders in terms of calling body contact a foul are the "old school" women officials. There are very few women officials under 30 in my area, and those that are seem to be much more familiar with the current game. Male officials seem a lot more comfortable allowing some contact, or at least calling a charge a charge.

[paesan34]

don't pick on the supposed old school gals, everyone is trying to keep the game safe and what they all need to focus on is the tendency to cradle in the sphere, among coaches today, it is the way to control the ball, go to goal and not be checked, because you can't check a stick that is cradled in front of a face ... everyone wants to stop aggressive play yet no one is willing to stop offensive players from illegal cradles. there is a beginning and and end here, it is just that someone has to call it, and all of us who have played recently know the deal. Its very star wars, but we can control the outcome, if we choose to

[Glaxrdaddy]

Thank-you.

[LadyLaker]

...you stand on the helmet issue, everyone will agree this clip is college women's sports at its worst. The player got banned from playing for the short term. Until when? Their season is over. Can she return for spring ball? Ridiculous, but hey that's my $20 (with all the government spending my 2 cents jumped to $20). I think she should be forced to put her hair in a ponytail and every opponent she faces will be allowed one Fred Flintstone take down per game.



LL

[Turtles Lax]

...you stand on the helmet issue, everyone will agree this clip is college women's sports at its worst. The player got banned from playing for the short term. Until when? Their season is over. Can she return for spring ball? Ridiculous, but hey that's my $20 (with all the government spending my 2 cents jumped to $20). I think she should be forced to put her hair in a ponytail and every opponent she faces will be allowed one Fred Flintstone take down per game.



LL

The conduct of the University of New Mexico player is so egregious it becomes almost cartoonish. 'Course the players she attacked surely don't see it that way.

Three things stand out in my mind regarding this game. Why was the player NOT ejected early on? Why didn't her coach yank her? (Pun intended.)

Lastly, the refs who worked this game should be suspended...no, FIRED!

Peace, out.

[Turtles Lax]

...you stand on the helmet issue, everyone will agree this clip is college women's sports at its worst. The player got banned from playing for the short term. Until when? Their season is over. Can she return for spring ball? Ridiculous, but hey that's my $20 (with all the government spending my 2 cents jumped to $20). I think she should be forced to put her hair in a ponytail and every opponent she faces will be allowed one Fred Flintstone take down per game.



LL

The conduct of the University of New Mexico player is so egregious it becomes almost cartoonish. 'Course the players she attacked surely don't see it that way.

Three things stand out in my mind regarding this game. Why was the player NOT ejected early on? Why didn't her coach yank her? (Pun intended.)

Lastly, the refs who worked this game should be suspended...no, FIRED!

Peace, out.

TL just found this clip:
Kudos to Ms Payne who handled the situation very, very well.

Her restraint and that of her teammates likely saved this game from a tragic ending. Kudos to the BYU coach who should be very proud.

Peace, out.

TL

[WLAXUSA]

The conduct of the UM player is so egregious it becomes almost cartoonish.

Clarification, the offending defender in question plays for NEW MEXICO ... if there is any justice, this should soon read she PLAYED for New Mexico.

[hws196]

I agree the player from NM should have been pulled from the game by her coach. It would be interesting to see what her coach said about her behavior. Hard to believe she just plays like this during a game and not practice. Sadly, I am sure she will become a new media sensation. David Letterman probably already has her booked. Though, I have to admit I have watched this several times, it is amazing she got a way with what she did until she pulled the girls pony tail.

[Turtles Lax]

The conduct of the UM player is so egregious it becomes almost cartoonish.

Clarification, the offending defender in question plays for NEW MEXICO ... if there is any justice, this should soon read she PLAYED for New Mexico.

Thank you, thank you! TL fixed it.

Peace, out.

[LadyLaker]

I do believe Ms. Lambert was named ESPN's NCAA Enemy of the Week. Now THERE is something she can put on her resume!

A very bad PR day for the NM's women's soccer program and the Lobos in general. Kudos to the BYU team who demonstrated continued class when their opponents were not derserving of same.

LL

[NHLaxDad]

Sadly, this is the sort of thing you see in boys and girls soccer all the times these days. The coaches and league officials (not refs) have allowed the game to degenerate to this level. Game officials know that if they call the game as it should be, they will not be invited back to officiate. This type of play is described as "playing with emotion," or "playing with passion." I call it playing without discipline and without honor.

Our immediate concern should be to not allow women's lacrosse to become the springtime equivalent of women's soccer. We all need to support the umpire who calls a game closely-especially with regard to illegal checks. The phrase "just let them play" should never be heard, unless we want the next few ESPN clips to be of lacrosse players.

[spiffy]

Where were the refs?

[Glaxrdaddy]

Now, if Shumway, #21 for BYU, had only had her ponytail safely tucked inside her soccer helmet, this never would have happened.

[google]

Now, if Shumway, #21 for BYU, had only had her ponytail safely tucked inside her soccer helmet, this never would have happened.

LOL!

[relax'd]

NHlaxdad is right, that is not the direction girls lax wants to go and 2 things, the new mexico player should be BANNED from the game, that's it, your career is over. And for those of us whose girls played both, thank god for lax.

[topcat225]

The coach and the refs should be fired also.

[living4lax]

i was watching the today show this morning and lo and behold, the aforementioned clip was featured. they had a statement from elizabeth lambert and she said was sorry and felt badly/was embarrassed, and deserved whatever punishment they felt necessary. matt lauer announced that she was suspended indefinitely as released by her school and the head coach.