Florida Lacrosse Officials Association

Become a lacrosse official

Officiating pays, it fits around a job, and you do not need to have played. FLOA serves boys lacrosse programs at public and independent schools across Central Florida, with work in every season of the year.
A lacrosse official watches play near the goal during a night game
Who
FLOA members must be out of high school to officiate high school games. Members still in school work youth games only.
What
Boys lacrosse at public and independent schools across Central Florida, plus youth, club and travel games.
When
Year round. High school runs in spring; summer tournaments, fall ball and winter ball fill the rest.
Pay
Varsity: $93 up to 50 miles, $103 for 50–74 miles, $113 for 75+ miles. JV: $79 up to 50 miles, $89 for 50–74 miles, $99 for 75+ miles.
Travel
More travel opens more assignments. Limiting travel may limit the games available to you.
Cost
$70 FHSAA registration, $60 USA Lacrosse membership, a county-priced background screening, a uniform, and $93 annual FLOA dues deducted from your first paycheck.
Experience
None. FLOA trains you, and certification comes through USA Lacrosse.
Next step
Talk to us before you spend anything. David Sackman handles new officials. Send David a message →

How it works

  1. Talk to us first

    Before you spend anything. We will tell you what this season needs, in what order, and which gear you actually have to buy.

    FHSAA officials must belong to a sanctioned local association. You cannot register alone or contract directly with a school, so talk to FLOA first if we serve your program.

  2. Join USA Lacrosse and certify

    Membership with the Official participation type is $60 a year and includes the certification requirements. No prior playing experience is required.

  3. Register with the FHSAA

    $70 for your first sport, plus a Level 2 background screening priced by your county. Registration runs to 30 June whatever month you join, and the rules exam has a single winter window.

What you'll need

  • Out of high school for high school games. FLOA members who are still in school officiate youth games only.
  • Annual registration. FHSAA registration for lacrosse ends 30 June regardless of when you applied, so it renews every year.
  • Membership in a sanctioned association. FLOA assigns boys lacrosse officials to the schools listed on this site.

Registration and certification costs are charged by the FHSAA, USA Lacrosse, and your county. FLOA's annual dues equal one current varsity game fee, $93, and are deducted from your first paycheck each year.

  • FHSAA registration $70, first sport
  • USA Lacrosse membership $60 a year, certification included
  • Background screening priced by your county
  • FLOA annual dues $93, deducted from your first paycheck
  • Uniform see below, and talk to us first

Ask about becoming an official

What you'll need to buy

Talk to us before you spend. FLOA may already have what you need on the shelf.

Required

  • Shirt, $30 to $55. Black and white 1-inch stripes, Byron collar, chest pocket, FHSAA shield above the left pocket.
  • Bottoms, $25 to $40. White or black shorts, or black wind pants.
  • Belt, $10 to $20. Black.
  • Shoes, $0 to $90. Solid black with black laces. Blacking out a pair you already own is accepted practice.
  • Cap, $18 to $28. Black with white piping, only if you wear one. Boys' crews generally expect it.
  • Jacket, $50 to $90. Black, only if you wear one. Florida spring lacrosse rarely calls for it. Year two at the earliest.

What you may not wear

  • No numbers on shirts. No exceptions. Do not buy a numbered shirt because it was on sale.
  • No jewelry. Three exceptions: a wedding band, a game timing device, and a medical alert bracelet taped to the body. A fitness tracker is not one of them.
  • The FHSAA shield is for FHSAA games only. Not youth, rec, club or travel ball. If you work outside the high school season you need a second, unshielded shirt.
  • An association patch needs permission before it goes on your jacket or shoulder.
  • Any other exception needs written FHSAA approval, from the Executive Director. Not from your crew, and not from us.

What can wait

  • Whistle, $10 to $24. A Fox 40 is standard. Carry a spare.
  • Penalty flags, $9 to $32. Yellow, weighted centre. Start with one.
  • Tape measure, $5 to $10. Six foot. Checks crosse length, goals and field.
  • Coin, $2 to $8. Half-dollar size or larger.
  • Scorecard and pencil, $7 to $13.
  • Black socks, $10 to $15. Convention rather than rule. Buy them anyway.
  • Belt timer, $20 to $89. Varsity item for the clearing count. Not your first week, and often loaned.
  • Head gauge, about $9. Convenient, not required. A tape measure does the same job.
  • Long-sleeve shirt, $32 to $55. Short sleeve first. Year two in Florida.
  • Gear bag, $20 to $40. Entirely personal.
  • Not needed: there is no stick-check weight in NFHS high school lacrosse, and no State Series uniform for lacrosse.

The FHSAA names Smitty as its exclusive officials apparel manufacturer, but the lacrosse section names no vendor and has no approved-vendor purchase clause. In practice: buy a Smitty-made FHSAA-shield lacrosse shirt from whichever authorised retailer has your size.

  • Gerry Davis Sports, gerrydavis.com
  • Honig's, honigs.com
  • Purchase Officials Supplies, purchaseofficials.com
  • Smitty Official's Apparel, smittyapparel.com