2017-Meeting-Presentations

Boys Lacrosse Rules Changes - 2017

1-3-2a: If a flat-iron goal is used on a grass field, it may be attached to the ground with ground anchors.

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

4-3-3: Paint, a single wrap of tape, or other material of contrasting color to the head, gloves, and shaft may now be used on the handle of the crosse for any player taking a faceoff.

4-18-4: No defensive player, other than a properly equipped goalkeeper, can enter his own crease with the perceived intent on blocking a shot or acting as a goalie. Penalty: Conduct foul on the defensive player. A second violation by the player will be enforced as releasable unsportsmanlike conduct.

Note: Officials will stop play as soon as they notice the situation. However, if a shot is already in flight when this is noticed, the shot will be allowed to come to its normal conclusion before the whistle blows to stop play. If a goal is scored, the technical foul is waved off, but violation is recorded and counted as a player's first violation of this rule. Play is restarted with a face-off at center. If goal is not scored, ball is award to offensive team laterally outside the goal area (counts as first violation of rule). Player serves no time. If it is a player's second offense, that player serves a one minute, releasable unsportsmanlike conduct regardless of the outcome of the shot.

6-5-2: Failure to wear the required mouthpiece (unless it comes out during play) is now a technical foul.

Enforcement: Turnover (if violating team in possession of ball) or Flag down, Slow Whistle (if opposing team has possession of ball). 30 second time serving foul is served, unless a goal is scored during the Flag Down, Slow Whistle. Stop play as soon as a scoring opportunity is not imminent.

If ball is loose, award ball to non-violating team.

6-10-3: During the last two minutes of regulation play, stalling rules are in effect for the team that is ahead by four goals or less. When the score is tied or the score differential is five goals or more, neither team is forced to keep the ball in the goal area.

Points of Emphasis

Coaches and Team Area - Coaches must remain in coaches area except during halftime, to warm-up a goalkeeper, or to tend to injured player

Defenseless and Blindside Hits - continuing to protect players from injury

Mouthpieces - To be worn properly at all times - Violation is a Technical Foul in 2017

Reminder of Crosse Change in 2018 - matches NCAA regulations and dimensions

Boys Lacrosse Rules Interpretations - 2017

By NFHS on February 01, 2017

Publisher’s Note: The National Federation of State High School Associations is the only source of official high school interpretations. They do not set aside nor modify any rule. They are made and published by the NFHS in response to situations presented. Robert B. Gardner, Publisher, NFHS Publications © 2017

SITUATION 1: B1 is not wearing shoulder pads, arm pads or other mandatory protective equipment. A1, while driving to the goal, has no mouthpiece, the mouthpiece is hanging from his face mask or it is in his mouth but not worn properly. RULING: Stop play, technical violation and award ball to Team B unless the official knows the mouthpiece came out as a result of play. (1-9-1)

SITUATION 2: During the final two minutes of regulation play, stalling rules will be in effect. A team that is ahead by four goals or less will be warned to “keep it in” once the ball has been brought into its respective goal area. (3-3)

SITUATION 3: Neither situation applies to a designated goalkeeper if he is within his goal crease area at the time the ball becomes stuck. In this case, a defensive player shall be awarded the ball in the crease. (4-7-2 NOTE)

SITUATION 4: B1 (not the goalkeeper) picks up a loose ball or catches a pass while in the crease. As he is coming out of the crease, A1 checks B1’s crosse, causing the ball to enter the goal. RULING: Legal goal. Interference may be called only when the designated goalkeeper is involved. (4-18-2)

SITUATION 5: A1 takes a shot while B1 goalkeeper is away from the crease area. While the shot is in flight, the B2 non-goalkeeper-defender steps in the crease to block the shot. RULING: Play-on until the shot comes to its normal conclusion. If it is B2’s first violation of this type, (a) if the ball did not enter the goal, stop play and award ball to Team A. B2 does not serve penalty time. (b) If the ball entered the goal as a result of the shot, B2’s violation is wiped out by the goal. In either case, B2 would serve a one-minute releasable unsportsmanlike conduct foul for each subsequent violation. If it is B2’s second or any subsequent violation of this type, (a) if the ball did not enter the goal, stop play. B2 will serve a one-minute releasable unsportsmanlike conduct foul. Award the ball to Team A laterally outside of the goal area. (b) If the ball entered the goal as a result of the shot, B2 will serve a one-minute releasable unsportsmanlike conduct foul. Resume play with a faceoff. (4-18-4)

SITUATION 6: “Get It In/Keep It In” situations are: 1. Under two minutes remaining in the game when a team is ahead by four goals or less. (4-31c)

SITUATION 7: During the faceoff, but before possession is gained, A1 pushes B1 who is attempting to secure the ground ball in B’s defensive side of the field. The official awards the ball to B at the spot of the infraction. RULING: Correct procedure. The ball is moved to the offended team’s offensive side of the field only on a pre-whistle violation. (6-5-2)

SITUATION 8: During the last two minutes of regulation play, stalling rules are in effect for the team that is ahead by four goals or less. When the score is tied, or the score differential is five goals or more, neither team is forced to keep the ball in the goal area. (6-10-3)

SITUATION 9: When a penalty occurs and the ball is in the offended team’s offensive half of the field, the ball shall be put in play by the team awarded the ball, at the spot where the ball was when play was suspended. If the ball was in the goal area when play was suspended, it shall be restarted 20 yards laterally outside the goal area. If the ball had crossed the end line prior to the penalty occurring, play shall be restarted at that spot. (7-3)

SITUATION 10: After a faceoff and before possession has been declared or the ball crosses the defensive-area line, B4, who was behind the defensive-area line at the beginning of the faceoff, comes across the defensive-area line to play the loose ball. RULING: Technical foul against B. Ball awarded to Team A at the spot where the ball was when play was suspended. (7-3)

SITUATION 11: While the ball is loose in the crease, A1 interferes with goalkeeper B1. RULING: Play-on situation. If B1 fails to gain possession of the ball, the ball is awarded to Team B at the spot where the ball was at the time of the violation. (7-11-2)

PIAA Adoptions to NFHS Rules:

Modify Rule 4-27-8: Suspended/Interrupted game, restart from point of interruption for any interrupted or suspended game

Modification to Rule 4-28-7 (Concussion Rule): to clarify that “an appropriate health-care professional” is a licensed physician of

medicine or osteopathic medicine (MD or DO).