Steps to Keeping Lacrosse Statistics

Breaking down keeping the scorebook one stat at a time: take the Must-Have stats and add the Nice-To-Have stats

You’ve claimed the best seat at the lacrosse game. And we all know the cost of that ticket. Priceless. The truth is; it does have a price, measured in blood, sweat, tears, tongue-biting and intense focus. Not to mention the hours of studying the game.

Let’s scratch those hours and examine what happens when it’s your FIRST time at the table. You are not the color-guy/gal on ESPN, you are a volunteer parent. Do not sweat this. Let’s break the Must-Dos and Nice-to-Haves so you too can enjoy the game and your new duty!

Setting the Table

In context, the scorekeeper’s role varies depending who’s hosting the Game. If you’re the Home team, you’re the host team. And as scorekeeper you are the “chief” at the table, charged with the official record of the game. Your Home table team includes the timekeeper, spotter and scorekeeper, and you’re keeping the official book.

In addition to personnel, you must have a scorebook, a working timing device, NOCSAE balls and horn. If your head coach keeps the book between games, ensure he brings it to the game. You’re also responsible for checking in with the officials and the trainer. It’s a given that you won’t record the book with pin-pricked fingers, so writing instruments and a current rules book are also helpful.

When you’re not hosting, you can travel light – scorebook and writing instruments! When you have that overnight bag, you’re also NOT the official book for the game. Questionable calls relative to stats may ensure. The record of the game, including the scoring, is at the discretion of the Home team. This doesn’t exclude a “what did you see?” moment or two. Do your best and always show good sportsmanship.

Recordkeeping 101 | Score, Time Outs, Penalties

Home Scorekeepers must record the game stats accurately and consistently for BOTH teams: The Score, Time Outs and Penalties. That’s the cake. I guarantee you, if this is all you record, something will happen – you will be bored out of your skull, you will chit chat with others at the table, you will miss something. Lacrosse games can easily create distractions. You’re sitting between both coaches’ boxes and the excitement on the sideline heightens from time to time.

Stay focused and start in a forgiving manner, record the score. The Player who scored and the assist (optional), time of the goal and quarter/period.

Time out called. Two timeouts per team per half. One per team in overtime periods. Record the time and quarter.

Records penalties called by the officials. No guessing. The official will present the team, player number, infraction, and duration of the penalty at the midline. If it is not clear, you may request a repeat. If the official doesn’t make it to the midline, request a recall. You’re a team with all the field officials.

Statistics 201 | Shots, Saves, Faceoffs, Ground Balls, Clears

When recording the mandatory numbers seems straightforward and you’re ready for more, take small steps. In fact, you already have if you recorded the player who scored and the assist (optional). Believe it or not, lacrosse stats become very logical like Newton’s 2.5 Law – for every action, there’s a reaction – not necessarily equal, but many times opposite.

The first logical intermediate stat to keep is Shots. Watch the shot, is it On-Goal or Wide/Outside/Blocked? Shots on-goal result in a GOAL (your team) or a SAVE (opponent’s team).

A shot that hits the pipe is a blocked shot. Only a goaltender makes a save.

At the end of the game, Shots On-Goal (SOG) totals will equal Goals + Saves. Either the ball goes into the goal or it doesn’t, an offensive or defensive stat. Did you just have an ‘oh-yeah’ moment?

Next, delve into Faceoffs (FOs). They provide an opportunity for you to easily track groundballs (GBs). Faceoffs determine possession. If the ball remains in the field of play, a GB is awarded to the player who gains possession. FO wins also result in a FO loss. Action to reaction.

Groundball – obtainment of possession of a loose ball: an interception, a ball on the ground, a goalie catch with a shot. Ball must be contested.

Track the GBs to the players for your team, while keeping the GB totals for the opposing team. Over time, you’ll move quickly across the books, recording GBs by player for both teams.

Track Clears at the team level, not the player. Did the team move the ball from its defensive area to its offensive area. Box to box. Successful clears set up overall efficiency and productivity stats, but that’s a 400-series blog. Stay tuned.

Statistics 301 | Turnovers & Extra Man

While there’s no place on the scorebook to track TurnOvers (TOs): Caused (CTs) or Unforced (UT), it’s an important stat. CTs demonstrate the effectiveness of your defense while an UT might disclose skill deficiency. So, where do they land on the book. Find a way to write them in, as a player stat and then total by quarter and game.

And finally, the elusive Extra Man Opportunity (EMO) stat that counts for offensive efficiency. This stat can be tracked real-time or at intermission. For real-time, at the end of the penalty served, no goal, no EMO. If a goal scored during a penalty, EMO success. If your pencil flies around the book fast and furiously, catch the EMO success/fail at an intermission or end of game. Check goal score times against the penalties served and mark your book accordingly.

Final marks

Like everything we do, it’s a learning process. And the more you do it, the more you will learn. Just do your best and commit to being a continuous learner. Learn to stand before you run. And keep your pen to the paper.

Need the overview, checkout the lacrosse scorekeeping guide, PAGE 69.