Face off Mechanics – Counts April 22, 2022 World Games 2014 0 Forum Questions Is there a specific defined mechanic on which official conducts the counts (10 and/or 20) after a face off? FO or Wing? Lead or Trail? 2-man mechanics. This is obviously something that can be established in pre-game. But I often feel as if it’s not always understood, and often times I notice both of us end up counting or neither. Was just curious if there was a defined mechanic or something left to preference of the crew. Question File Add new DuBan's Answer: Visual Text Kratz's Answer: Visual Text McCarrick's Answer: Visual Text Riti's Answer: Visual Text Tyma's Answer: Visual Text In 2-man mechanics, the 20-sec count belongs to the trail, regardless of whether it is on a face-off or not. If a team gains possession on a face-off in their defensive half of the field, the official on that half of the field becomes the trail official and is therefore responsible for the 20-sec count. More than likely, it is this official who will see and declare possession; so it would be natural for this official to start a 20-sec timer at the same time. Although individual preferences may vary -- and it is best to talk this over in the pre-game -- the trail official takes the 10-sec count after the team possesses the ball in their offensive half following a face-off. (This is different from the mechanic used on non-face-off play in which the lead takes the 10-count.) The purpose of this change is to allow the lead to get to the goal line in case there is a quick shot. If the transition is slower, the lead may be able to take the 10-count as in usual play. Another topic to cover in the pre-game is what to do if both officials are doing a 10-count. A useful convention is that if both officials are counting, the trail should drop his count and let the lead handle it. Verbal communication between partners during play is encouraged: "Keith, I have the count." It is very unlikely that both officials have a 20-count going. But if you have one going and your partner's beeper goes off and you are reasonably certain that it wasn't a rogue because he failed to shut his beeper off after a previous play or time-out, shut your timer off to avoid a second beeper on the play. Answer File Question Answered Yes No
