Observation Program

The GLOA Observation program was implemented in 2013 and serves the Association in three primary ways. It improves the GLOA’s training program, ensures that all members meet the high standards set by the Association, and is as a key component of the Officials Classification Program.

Since 2013, 83 of the 129 eligible members (83%) have been observed, some multiple times for a total of 109 observations. 

Our goal in the initial phase of the program is to have all GLOA officials who have completed their second year have a scored evaluation conducted once every three years. Initially only one official was observed per game. In an effort to increase the number of officials evaluated each season, the program will now observe multiple officials each game. This practice is consistent with other programs, including other Associations e.g. Washington Area Lacrosse officials Association (WALOA), US Lacrosse’s LAREDO program and the National Intercollegiate Lacrosse Officials Association (NILOA).

Observers

The Association has 15 observers for the 2024 season. Julius Milton serves as the Observation Coordinator.

    • A. Nick Brown
    • Mike Collver
    • Peter Fleury
    • Chris Foran
    • Greg Hite
    • Landon Hunsucker
    • Patrick Joyce
    • Julius Milton
    • Herbert Phillips
    • Bill Powell
    • Jeremy Redmon
    • Tony Rouse
    • Stuart Smith
    • Don Stoppenbach
    • Trey Towery
    • Luis Diaz

Both officials on the game will receive their entire game fee and the observer will receive a $50 stipend.

Becoming an Observer

Observers must be current USA Lacrosse members and complete all USA Lacrosse Observer Program requirements.

    • Current USA Lacrosse Membership with Official Participation.
    • Register with Certified Observer program and pay the $25 one-time registration fee.
    • Initiate a background check through US Lacrosse’s background check provider NCSI.
    • Complete the USA Lacrosse Men’s Rules Online course at usalacrosse.com/myaccount.
    • Complete the USA Lacrosse Certified Observer Online Course (link provided after registering).
    • Participate in the annual Certified Observer Webinar (link provided after registering).
    • Pass the upcoming season’s rules tests (NFHS + USA Lacrosse Youth) with an 85%.
    • Complete the USA Lacrosse Cultural Competency Online Course.

Observers completing all of the requirements are automatically enrolled in the Certified Observer Recertification Program for the following season at no cost to the observer.

Recertification requirements are:

  • Maintain a USA Lacrosse Membership with Official Participation.
  • Maintain a current background check through USA Lacrosse’s background check provider NCSI.
  • Participate in the annual Certified Observer Webinar (live or recorded).
  • Pass the upcoming season’s rules tests (NFHS + USA Lacrosse Youth) with an 85%.

If you would like to become a GLOA observer, please email Julius Milton or Greg Hite if you have questions

Observations

Three different types of evaluations can occur: Periodic, Certification Advancement and Requested. The first two types of evaluations require scoring while the third does not. Both of the first two types of observations will be fully funded under the program. The third will require the official to forfeit his game fee to the observer. Officials who request observation may choose to opt out of scoring. Any of the evaluations can count as any of the others as long as scores are completed.

    • Periodic: All GLOA officials will be required to be evaluated at least once every three years with a score provided.
    • Certification Advancement: An Official must be observed with a passing score in order to advance to the next level of certification (Registered, Approved, and Certified).
    • Requested: Any Officials may request an observation. It may count towards one of the requirements above or may be solely for personal development. Scored or Unscored.

Observations consist of both qualitative and subjective assessments and take into account a number of factors including the level of play, officiating partners, and environmental conditions in order to accurately assess the official’s on field performance. Officials are observed pre-game, throughout the entire contest as well as post game. The GLOA observers utilize a standardized observation form. (see below)

A person being observed may not be observed until at least two weeks has elapsed between observations. This period of time will allow improvement, and cooling off to occur between observations. Observers will be assigned to games through the Arbiter. The observer will notify the official to be observed as well as his partner via email within 48 hours of the assignment being published that an observation has been scheduled and who is to be observed. If multiple observations are done on a single official inside a single calendar year different observers will be assigned each time.

The Process

Observers are required to attend the pre-game as well as a short post game with the observed officials. The observer should not inject himself in the officials’ pre-game unless asked specific questions. The observer will observe all officials for the entire contest. At the discretion of the official being observed as well as the referee on the game the observer may make comments at half time or not. Observers must submit the observation to their assigned observation partner for review prior to official submittal of the observation. After review a copy of the evaluation must be submitted to the Observers Coordinator as well as the official being observed within 48 hours of the observation.

2024 GLOA Officials Observation Form PDF

You will need to download Acrobat Reader to use the form.

Scoring Metric

    • 15 x 1 (poor) = 15
    • 15 x 2 (fair) = 30
    • 15 x 3 (good) = 45
    • 15 x 4 (very good)= 60
    • 15 x 5 (excellent) = 75

Score Observation Recommendation

    • 0-29 Does not meet the expectations for an official at the level of play observed.
    • 30-38 Met only the minimal requirements for the level of play and may struggle at a higher level.
    • 39-50 Met most of the expectations and should be observed again later before being considered for more challenging games.
    • 51-65 Met the expectations and should be considered for more challenging games.
    • 66-75 Exceeded expectation for the level of play; met every challenge successfully. Should strongly be considered for more challenging games.

For an official to advance to the next level of certification, they MUST receive a score of 51 or higher.

Appeals Process

Any official who felt as though they were been unfairly or incorrectly observed has the option to appeal the observation. Appeals will not be accepted for officials who admittedly perform poorly, but feel as though they could do better. Once an appeal has been completed the determination is final. The appeal should be sent directly to the Observers Coordinator and will be handled in different ways depending on the situation. The Observation Committee will make the decision on the appropriate course of action including, but not limited to the following techniques:

    • Confer with the observer
    • Discuss the game with the officials partner
    • Acquire and review game film of the game in question
    • Complete a supplemental observation of the official free of charge
    • Once an appeal has been completed the determination is final. Beyond the appeal process the official may request additional observations as outlined in this document.

Beyond the appeal process, the official may request additional observations.

Failing an Observation to Maintain Current Status

Any official who fails a GLOA observation to maintain their current status may be demoted one classification level or more up to expulsion from the Association.

The Observation Committee shall make a recommendation to the president of the Association who shall render a decision. An appeal of the decision can be made to the full Board and their decision shall be final.

Observation Committee

The Observation Committee shall consist of the OC and two board members and two at large members appointed by the board and serve a one year term beginning in Spring season.

    • Patrick Joyce, GLOA Board Member and Head Assignor
    • Clyde Allen, Board Member
    • Greg Hite, Board Member