The NFHS published the rules changes for the 2016 boys’ lacrosse season. There were four major changes and five points of emphasis.
Rule 1-6-1. Art. 1… Crosse Dimensions
Head dimensions are moving to the NCAA specifications, but this will not be enforced until the 2018 season to give players time to purchase new heads. This is a big plus in the consistency column between NCAA and NFHS rules, and once enforced, will benefit teams traveling in the regular and offseason because no matter which rule set is used the stick specifications will be the same.
Heads Up: Last year the rules committee delayed the implementation of the 4-inch shooting string rule to the 2016 season. Starting next season all players may not have strings below 4 inches from the top of the head, which eliminates the “U” or “V” shooting strings. Players should restring their sticks now to get used to this in fall ball and ask the officials to check their sticks before the game if they have any questions.
MORE AFTER THE BREAK
Rule 1-8: Crosse Prohibitions
Language was added for consistency with other rule codes to prohibit the use of pull strings to alter pocket depth. These strings have only one function: to quickly make the pocket shallow following a goal and is a clear attempt for a player to have his cake and eat it too. Players shouldn’t be allowed to have a deep pocket and a string that makes his pocket magically legal at the flick of a wrist. Also, players may only use one sidewall string.
Rule 4-3-3. Art. 3… Facing Off
One thing that players must keep in mind with these changes is they will be down in the faceoff position longer. The sequence will be:
- Official holds the ball and indicates where on the ground the players will center their sticks (typically by pointing the tip of his shoe on the line), and then says “down.”
- The players go down and get into position. At this time the official will look at both players and will verbally or physically adjust the body or stick of one or both players as needed.*
- The official will place the ball centered between the heads of both sticks. With his hand on or near the ball the official will say “set.” At this point the players may not move.
- The official will back out and blow the whistle. He does not have to be stationary when blowing the whistle and the whistle will vary.
*NOTE – If a player keeps coming down with his stick on the line or his hand on the plastic after repeated adjustments and verbal warnings by the official; the official may call a pre-whistle violation. Just because the officials may adjust players does not mean players get to come down illegal every time. The cleaner faceoff players get into position the less time they will spend crouched down being adjusted.
By far the biggest violation for faceoff players and coaches to note is:
A violation will be called if a player picks up and carries the ball on the back of his stick. It is legal to clamp the ball with the back of the stick, but it must be moved, raked or directed immediately. Immediately is defined as within one step.”
The pinch-and-pop is still legal as long as the player pops the ball out before he steps in any direction.
Rule 4-14-3: ART. 3... Over and Back
Think back-court violation in basketball. If the offensive team satisfied the 10-second advancement count by touching the ball into the attack box on their half of the field it is a violation if the ball returns to the defensive half of the field except on a shot or if the defensive team deflects the ball.
This could be an immediate whistle or a play-on. If the ball breaks the plane of the midline and the offensive team was the last to touch it and it lands at the feet of an attackman while he is surrounded by opponents then it should be an immediate whistle because he has no chance for a clean pick up. However, if the ball rolls over the midline and an attackman makes a beeline for the ball and there isn’t a defenseman within reach; the official may signal and say “play-on” to give the attackman a chance to pick up the ball and push for a quick fast break.
Every year the rules committee puts out Points of Emphasis or POEs on particular rules. The POEs for 2016 are:
1. Contact – Penalties for excessive hits to the head and neck, as well as penalties for hits to defenseless players and blindside hits.
a. This is a POE almost every year. Coaches and players are reminded that high hits and hits to defenseless players and blindside hits should not be part of the game, and officials are reminded to make these calls when they occur.
2. Helmet Fitting – Helmets shall meet current NOCSAE standards and be properly fitted for each player.
a. Officials certify coaches before every game that the equipment is legal for play and that all players know how to properly wear the equipment. Coaches are reminded to ensure that helmets (and all equipment including sticks) are legal before every game.
3. Halftime Warm-up – It is recommended that the final three minutes of intermission be used as a team warm-up period.
a. Injury statistics led to this POE. The rules committee was alerted that many injuries that could be attributed to players moving very little during halftime and then starting the second half with cold and tight muscles. This is an emphasis to coaches to have all players participate in a warm-up before the next half.
4. Helmets and Equipment During Pre-Game and Practice Time – Coaches should educate players on the need to be properly equipped at all times.
a. This is a safety emphasis and it makes sense. Players shooting hard on an empty net or walking around or through drills without helmets and other required equipment put themselves at an unnecessary risk for injury.
5. Defending the Crease – It is recommended that coaches not teach nor encourage field players to block the goal when the goalkeeper has vacated the goal crease area.
a. The goalkeeper wears very specific and required equipment (throat guard and chest protector) to reduce the risk of injury from shots. Field players do not, and that is why coaches are asked to not teach or encourage this action.
It is important to note that there is no rule against a field player diving in front of the goal to stop a shot.
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