Boys Lacrosse Revision Addresses Misapplication of Rule

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kent Summers

INDIANAPOLIS (August 18, 2006) - Effective with the 2007 high school lacrosse season, new rules will dictate the circumstances under which a head coach may discuss a misapplication of a rule. In addition to this change, 10 other rules revisions were approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Boys Lacrosse Rules Committee at its July 16-17 meeting in Indianapolis, and then were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

"Among the changes to Rule 7-13-1, the timekeeper shall sound the double horn at the request of the head coach," said NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Committee Chairman Ron Belinko, athletic director of Baltimore (Maryland) County Schools. "The previous wording specified that the timekeeper was to sound the horn at the request of the head coach when there was no significant action. The timekeeper is normally not trained sufficiently to understand ‘when there is no significant action' and may inadvertently kill a fast break or advantage situation. The double horn makes this procedure consistent with Rule 2-8-2e. The second revision under this rule clarifies that the use of video monitoring, replaying of equipment or personal wireless communication devices by the officials is prohibited."

Rule 4-5-9 was revised to include a definition of a shot as a ball propelled toward the goal by an offensive player, either by being thrown from a crosse, kicked or otherwise physically directed. The revision also delineates under what circumstances a shot is no longer considered a shot by stating that a shot or deflected shot remains a shot until the ball comes to rest on the field of play, a player gains possession of the ball, the ball goes out of bounds or a player causes the ball to go out of bounds.

"Rule 4-5-9 now provides a clear definition of what is considered a shot and will assist in determining when a ball that is shot ceases to be considered a shot," said Kent Summers, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Committee.

In another change, Rule 1-6-2 specifies the required guard stop at the throat of the crosse must be a minimum of 10 inches from the outside edge of the head to the farthest unexposed edge of the stop. This revision standardizes lacrosse stick specifications with those of other rules codes.

Rule 4-6-3b specifies that when a ball that has not crossed the defensive-area line goes directly out of bounds on a face-off, it shall be refaced when it is not known which team caused the ball to go out of bounds and when it is not known who last touched the ball prior to going out of bounds.

Another rule change (Rule 4-29) states that restarts following a time-out must be nearest to the spot where the ball was at the time the whistle was blown. A ball in the goal area shall be restarted closest to the spot, outside the goal area. A shot that has crossed the end line shall be restarted at that spot.

"This rule was revised because previous wording of Rule 4-29 would potentially have allowed a re-start two yards in the front of the goal," Summers said.

Inadvertent whistles and flags are addressed in Rules 7-13-2 and 7-13-3. The rules now state that in the event of an inadvertent whistle, play shall be suspended immediately. The team with possession when the whistle was blown shall retain possession. If the ball was loose, possession shall be awarded by alternate possession. In the event of an inadvertent flag, play shall be suspended at the earliest opportunity that does not interfere with an imminent scoring opportunity. The team with possession when the flag was thrown shall retain possession. If the ball was loose, possession shall be awarded by alternate possession.

In addition to these rules changes, the committee approved eight major editorial changes. Among them, Rule 2-8-2e6 states only a head coach can request a time-out to check the number of long crosses in the game.

The committee also identified Points of Emphasis for the 2007 season. Among those are crosse dimensions, mouthguards, risk minimization for defensive players, flagrant misconduct, revised jersey rules, NFHS authenticating mark on game balls, stick measurement and slashing by riding attack players.

Boys lacrosse had 59,993 participants at the high school level during the 2004-05 season, according to the High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by the NFHS, and was sponsored by 1,334 schools.

2006-2007 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Changes

Major Rules Revisions

1-6-2 The required guard stop at the throat of the crosse must be a minimum of 10 inches from the outside edge of the head to the farthest unexposed edge of the stop.

Rationale: Standardizes stick specifications with other rule codes.

4-3-1 Exception 1 In the event of an extra-man or a flag-down situation at the conclusion of any period, the next period shall be commenced by awarding possession of 1 the ball to the team that had possession of the ball at the conclusion of the prior period in the same relative position on the field. However, if the period ends with no team in possession, except in the previously mentioned flag-down situation, the ball shall be faced with all the normal restrictions.

Rationale: Removes unnecessary language and clarifies procedures for starting a new period.

4-5-9 Shot - A shot is considered a ball propelled toward the goal by an offensive player, either by being thrown from a crosse, kicked or otherwise physically directed.

Note: A shot or deflected shot remains a shot until the ball comes to rest on the field of play, a player gains possession of the ball, the ball goes out of bounds or a player causes the ball to go out of bounds.

Rationale: Provides a clear definition of what is considered a shot and will assist in determining when a ball that is shot ceases to be considered a shot.

4-6-3b Should a ball that has not crossed the defensive-area line go directly out of bounds on a face-off, it shall be re-faced under the following conditions:

1. It is not known which team caused the ball to go out of bounds
2. It is not known who last touched the ball prior to going out of bounds.

Rationale: More clearly specifies the conditions that would cause the ball to be re-faced should it go out of bounds on a face-off.

4-9 -2j, l, n A goal shall be disallowed:

j. After a player from the attacking team has released early from the penalty area.

l. After a player in the act of shooting or his teammate touches the goalkeeper in the crease or touches any part of the goal or netting prior to the ball entering the goal

n: Should an attacking player deliberately leave his feet by jumping or diving and his momentum carries him into the crease area, regardless of where he lands in the crease, before or after the ball enters the goal.

Rationale: More clearly delineates the situations when a goal is disallowed

4-14 Upon gaining possession of the ball inside the defensive half of the field, a team must advance the ball beyond the midfield line within 20 seconds. Failure to do so will result in a turnover, and the ball will be awarded to the opposing team at the spot of the violation or 20 yards laterally from the goal. Once started, the 20-second count will continue until:

a. The opposing team gains possession
b. A clearing team player in possession of the ball steps on or over the midfield line
c. A loose ball breaks the plane of the midfield
d. The officials sound the whistle to stop play for any reason

Rationale: Further clarification of 20-second revision that was adopted in 2006.

4-29 Restarts following a time-out must be nearest to the spot where the ball was at the time the whistle was blown. A ball in the goal area shall be restarted closest to the spot, outside the goal area. A shot that has crossed the end line shall be restarted at that spot.

Rationale: Previous wording would have allowed a re-start 2 yards in front of the goal.

5-9-1d, e & f Add the following statement after item f:

Penalty: Items above are one- to three-minute releasable penalties in all cases.

Rationale: Adding this statement immediately following these three items more clearly stipulates the penalty.

5-11-1d Move the following note from 5-9 to below 5-11-d:

Note: The NFHS disapproves of any form of taunting which is intended or designed to embarrass, ridicule or demean others under any circumstances including on the basis of race, religion, gender or national origin.

Rationale: Locates this statement in a more appropriate location in the book and will better emphasize the expectations with regard to taunting.

7-13-1 Article 1. . . Misapplication of a rule - When a head coach believes an official (game official, bench official, timekeeper or scorer) has misapplied a rule, the head coach may approach the scorer's table to request a coach/official time-out for the purpose of discussing a possible misapplication of a rule. This request must be made prior to the next live ball. The timekeeper shall sound the double horn at the request of the head coach and the discussion shall take place in the Table Area in the presence of both coaches.
If the official has misapplied a rule, necessary adjustments will be made and an explanation given to both head coaches. No time-out will be charged and play will immediately be resumed. If there was no error in the application of the rule, the time-out will be charged to the requesting team. Should there be time remaining for the charged time-out, the head coach may utilize the amount remaining.

The head coach may not debate a judgment call. The coach/official time-out is limited to the discussion of the possible misapplication of a rule. Decisions based on the judgment of the official(s) are final and not subject to review. The use of video monitoring, replay equipment or personal wireless communication devices by the officials in making any decision relating to the game is prohibited.

Rationale: The double horn makes this procedure consistent with Rule 2-8-2.e]. The timekeeper is normally not trained sufficiently to understand "when there is no significant action" and may inadvertently kill a fast break or advantage situation. The second revision clarifies that the use of "instant replay" to change an official's call is not allowed and more strongly emphasizes that coaches may not use this provision to debate a judgment call.

7-13-2 Article 2. . . Inadvertent Whistles – In the event of an inadvertent whistle, play shall be suspended immediately. The team with possession when the whistle was blown shall retain possession. If the ball was loose, possession shall be awarded by alternate possession.

7-13-3 Article 3. . . Inadvertent Flags – In the event of an inadvertent flag, play shall be suspended at the earliest opportunity that does not interfere with an imminent scoring opportunity. The team with possession when the flag was thrown shall retain possession. If the ball was loose, possession shall be awarded by alternate possession.

Rationale: Specifies the procedure to follow for an inadvertent flag and inadvertent whistle.

Editorial Changes

1-1 Lacrosse is played by two teams of 10 players each. The purpose of each team is to score by causing the ball to enter the goal of its opponent and to prevent the other team from securing the ball and scoring. A goal counts one point. The winning team is the team that has scored the most goals during the game. The ball is kept in play by being carried, thrown or batted with the crosse, or rolled or kicked in any direction, ¬subject to the restrictions described in the following rules.

Rationale: Locates the value of a goal in a more logical place in the rule book.

1-10-2 Jewelry shall not be worn by players.

a. Medical-alert medals are not considered jewelry and must be taped to the body and the alert may be visible.
b. Religious medals are not considered jewelry and must be worn under the uniform and taped to the body.

Rationale: More clearly states the jewelry rule and delineates the provisions for religious and medical-alert medals.

2-8-2e6 The head coach requests a count of long crosses.

Rationale: Only a head coach can request a time-out to check the number of long crosses in the game.

4-3-1 Exception 2 & 3 If a player or team commits a foul before or during any face-off, the ball will be awarded to the offended team in its offensive side of the field, at the Center Face-off X.

Rationale: Consistency with last sentence of Rule 7-3 Exception.

4-27-2 Note Remove the note following the rule.

Rationale: Removes redundant language which is also in Rule 4-27-7.

6-2-1a & b

a. Any crease violation or interference with the goalkeeper of a technical nature while the ball is in possession of the defensive team outside the crease shall result in a slow-whistle, flag-down situation.
b. delete this item.

Rationale: This clarification captures the "possession" scenarios outside the crease in a. and separates the crease violation/interference while ball and goalkeeper are in the crease in b.

7-10-1 If a player commits a loose ball or line violation technical foul or crease violation and an offended player maybe disadvantaged by the immediate suspension of play, the official shall visually and verbally signal play-on and withhold the whistle until such time as the situation of advantage gained or lost has been completed.

Rationale: Prevents the potential of disadvantaging a player in a line violation technical foul situation.

NFHS Official's Signals

15. Re-entry of the Crease.
20. Illegal Body Check
29. Ejection Foul

Rationale: 15. This correction captures the 20-second clear change in 2006 and elimination of re-entry of defensive area zone. 20. This is a correction of a typographical error. 29. This revision uses the appropriate term for removal of a player from the game and is consistent with Rule 7-12 "Ejection."