Thank you so much for your interest in becoming a lacrosse official!

How do I become a Lacrosse Umpire?

PWLUA requires that all of our members have official’s membership with US Lacrosse. As a member of a group of working professionals we feel this is essential to stay current with the latest interpretations of rules and gives us educational resources and guidelines as well as insurance.

Apply for membership at US Lacrosse

To Renew your membership at US Lacrosse

Where do I get training?

Youth and Adult training has a variety of sessions and opportunities throughout the area.  The opportunities provide classroom instruction and on field training.  Most of the classes form in January, and on field training is on going for those who miss the classes.  No person should feel they cannot be trained for these opportunities.

For classes in your area, contact:

Roberta Butler-Eastern Suburbs-north to Allentown-bertbutz@comcast.net

Nancy Coffman- Western Suburbs- West Chester, Reading- ncoff@verizon.net/

How do I become certified to umpire in Pennsylvania?

PIAA is the governing body for HS and MS games in Pennsylvania schools.  You must obtain an application from PIAA.org.

Click here for their forms page. There is a written test which you must take. This test is given 4 times a year.  In June, October and February. At Upper Merion HS or at Belfield Rec Center in Philadelphia.  In addition the 4th opportunity is at the PIAA Officials Convention in August.  If you miss this test you will be ineligible to umpire school games in Pennsylvania this year.

You must also obtain background checks to umpire in PA.  See details on how to obtain the checks by clicking here. 

What if I only want to do youth games?

You can do this if you are trained and certified as a US Lacrosse umpire.  To do this you must attend the required meetings, playday and rating session.

What is the uniform and what equipment do I need?

PWLUA takes particular pride in the appearance of our officials.  We ask that you be dressed neatly and crisply in the required uniform. The equipment you need can be obtained from Longstreth Sporting Goods or UMP-Attire.com. 

Here is a list of what you will need to purchase:

• Whistle
• Rulebook-provided by US Lacrosse or PIAA
• Stripped shirt
• Black kilt, shorts or trousers
• Black shoes
• Yellow Flag
• Green, Yellow and Red Cards
• Watch
• Black hat or visor
• Tape measure (optional)
• Umpires manual (available on line) (optional)
• Pen or Pencil (optional)
• Coin (optional)
• Chapstick (optional)
• Sunscreen (optional)

Why do I have to attend all of these meetings?

PIAA requires that we attend 6 meetings and one interp. meeting.  Those not certified by PIAA must attend the minimum of 4 meetings and an interp. meeting.  Excellence is maintained by having all members attend meetings for current rules interpretations and explanations.  Our board pioneered the format adopted by many boards throughout the country and feel these meetings are necessary to develop the skills and techniques necessary to professionally umpire a lacrosse game.

What is a Playday/Clinic?

The playday/clinic opportunities were developed to help train and evaluate umpires on the field.  These are on field experiences where umpires can get experts to watch them and evaluate their skills as well as give feedback for growth in the game.

How do I get games?

After you have been adequately training and can manage a game, you can be assigned to games appropriate for your evaluated level of competence.  The assignor for Youth (Eastern Suburbs), all Middle school, High school and Division 2 and 3 games in this area is Roberta Butler-  bertbutz@comcast.net .  For Division 1 games you must obtain a rating of District or higher.  Contact Jen O’Donnell-  jjjkod@comcast.net .

Thursday, March 21
Meeting Clarifications

Your meeting responsiblities as members of PWLUA are:
-If you are PIAA you need to complete a MINIMUM of 6 regular meeting equivalents plus an interp.  If you are USL only, you must complete a minimum of 4 meeting equivalents.
-Our Feb. 25th meeting countes as 1 INTERP and 1 REGULAR meeting. Same for BUXMONT board.
-Your Playday will count as a meeting.
-If anyone attended an out-of-chapter Interp meeting (Lehigh valley/Lancaster/Harrisburg) you MUST get a signed note and forward it to me.
-If you attended the super clinic, it counts as 2 meetings.

What is a meeting equivalent??????
-Playday/ extra unpaid playday on separate day Attendance at College game-watching game with another official or speaking with officials on game.this is an educational experience. You cannot simply attend and watch your daughter or niece etc play. You can email me your observations if you cannot connect with game umpires. This can only count as ONE meeting.
-Rules talk at youth, Middle School , High School or parent group. ONE meeting.
-Online course
-USL convention

We have an alternate meeting form located on our website. Fill it out and send or email it to me. If you fail to complete the meeting responsibilties you will be fined $15 per missed meeting. Please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss alternatives. We can be creative. Please make every effort to attend our remaining meetings. Stay healthy and safe. Warm weather is just around the corner!