Discussing Rule Revisions

As the 2008 season gets underway, let's take a look at some rule revisions that will be in effect across our high school lacrosse fields. No "earth shattering" changes by any means but a couple small nuances in hopes to make the game better and safer for all our players. Often times, revisions are added to help clarify any gray area in the interpretation of the existing rules. This year is no different. I managed to track down Tom Sutton who presently heads-up the post of rules interpreter for the Niagara Frontier Lacrosse Officials Association (NFLOA). He gave me a couple minutes of his time to talk about some of the changes.
1-6-1 Clarifies that the designated goalkeeper’s crosse must be used by the goalkeeper and that a properly equipped goalkeeper must be on the field at all times.
Just a point of clarification of a rule they have always enforced relating that every team must have a properly equipped goalie on the field at all times.
1-6-2 Eliminates the requirement for a ball stop.
The rationale is that a ball stop is almost irrelevant in today's sticks. Not having a ball stop does not necessarily give a player any distinct advantage over another player. Most of the ball stops used in newer heads are extremely thin and don't provide direct ball stopping capability.
1-9-1g Stipulates that the jersey covers the shoulder pads completely
In the interest of safety, jerseys should cover shoulder pad area to help keep the pads from popping up and exposing the shoulder to possible injury. While not present around section 6, some teams in the past have used pinnies as uniform tops. This rule clarifies a definition of a game jersey.
1-9-1h Specifies that all players on the team wear shorts of the same dominant color.
Again, an important clarification as to game shorts. Hoping to help eliminate confusion of players on the field.
2-1-1 Stipulates that a team must have at least 10 players to begin the game or it forfeits the game. As to the safety of high school level players. If a team has less than 10 players, the game cannot be played. However, if a team has 10 players and then loses 1 or more to injury or expulsion, they can play man down for the remainder of the game clock.
4-6-3-c Clarifies that, for the purpose of determining which player is nearest to the ball on an unsuccessful shot that goes out-of-bounds, the ball is determined to be out-of-bounds when it crosses the plane of the endline or the sideline.
4-6-3-c Specifies that the stick is not considered a part of the player’s body when making the determination regarding which player is closed to the point at which the ball was declared out-of-bounds following an unsuccessful shot.
Points of clarification of a recent rule change. In a situation where a ball might go out towards the corner of the end line, a defender may be closer to the ball than an attack positioned at X. The angle of the referee would be of prime importance in such a case. The second rule clarifies that when judging which player is closest off an errant shot going out of bounds, it is NOT the stick of the player but the closest part of his body that determines possession.
6-5-3 Specifies that uniform violations are different than illegal equipment violations and that illegal uniforms must be determined and dealt with by the officials prior to the beginning of the contest.
Recently, the design of uniforms have come under scrutiny. No longer can teams have shoulder panels of different colors. I was discussing this topic with a vendor down at a Philadelphia lacrosse convention and he even said that piping through that area of the uniform would not be allowed. If a team does violate the uniform rule, simply the opening faceoff would be surrendered to the opposing team. However, any equipment violations would result in an infraction and the player forced to make necessary changes before re-entering play.
6-10-2a The revision clarifies the situation that would cause a stall warning to be lifted.
Long story short, defines the scenerios when a stall warning would be lifted. A stall warning that is not in the last two minutes of the contest, can only be lifted after a goal or a change of possession to the defensive team. Timeouts or the finish of a penalty will not change the stall warning.
The referees will be paying close attention to players not wearing mouthpieces properly. What many players fail to realize is that a mouthpiece, while protecting your teeth, also helps in the reduction of concussive forces on the jaw. Again, safety of players is the ultimate focus.
Tom feels that one of the most difficult calls for the referees to see is the the cross-check hold that defenders so often seem to get away with. However, the referees are making a point to be in a better position to make those calls. We also discussed what I feel can be the most maddening experience of watching a Section 6 lacrosse game; the whistle in after a re-start. Personally, I feel that the game of lacrosse is meant to be played in an uptempo style. The ball changes possession, the player picks up the ball, and it seems like an eternity before the referees whistle the play back in. By then, the defense has placed their players and any advantage gained has been quickly lost. As I watch college action or even high school games in other parts of NYS, rarely do I see a crew of referees slow a game down as much as we see here. In fact, good coaches train their players to pick up the ball and get it back in play as soon as possible. It opens up the field a bit and leads to fast break opportunities. Tom agrees, but also notes that often times the referees are busy positioning themselves. Play resumes first and foremost when they are properly in position to officiate the game.
Just a couple things to chew on so you don't make a fool of yourself yelling at the refs this spring(as I often do). They work hard to help keep the high school fields safe for all the kids. That's not to say that I might not ask them the occasional question!