North District News

NCAA Rules Interpretations:

High Hits

• Violent or hard hits above the shoulders will warrant at a minimum a 1-minute non releasable penalty.
• The word “deliberate” has been removed from the rule book meaning even incidental hits above the shoulders are subject to the NR penalization

Face-offs / Checks

• Contrasting colored tape at throat of stick head. A strip of contrasting tape just below throat on shaft. There must be clear distinction where throat meets shaft. F/O middie will be sent from field prior to F/O and possible delay of game for repeated non-compliance.
• 30-second Technical Foul (Ill. Proc.) if there are 2 or more pre/post whistle violations against same team in either half. Post whistles include only those involved directly in scrum at center x and/or wing violations. Pushing, interference, etc. not inclusive.
• The F/O middie no longer has to depart field on pre-whistle violation
• Unsportsmanlike Conduct is Point of Emphasis – particularly offensive language (F-Bombs). Automatic 1-minute non-releasable
• Cross checks – emphasis on the thrust. A mere cross check hold can be upgraded to 1 or 2 minute CC personal fall if there is obvious thrusting action

Substitution Changes

• Sub box is 20 yards long
• All live ball subs on fly
• All out of bounds clock stoppages are on the fly (no horn)
• Regular substitution may occur after a goal, timeout, or penalty enforcement (20-seconds to sub)
• Must have 6-10 end line balls at ALL times. This will be specific to new shot clock rule and the need for a readily available ball on end line shots while shot clock continues to run
• Enhanced Stick Checks
• 90-degree tilts from upright and horizontal positions. Ball must roll out freely on the tilts
• Back of stick (lower throat area). Ball cannot defy gravity when turned towards ground (stick parallel to ground)
• These particular fouls will result in 1-minute NR, stick removed from game

Man Down Face-off

• Can no longer bring a player out of restraining areas to cover a wing (3-on-2 in middle of field) .
• Only if team is three or more men down may restrained player come out for purpose of facing off

Stalling / Shot Clock

• No more “Get it in/keep it in”
• Nothing in guidelines stipulate time necessary to clear or advance
• Interpretation at this time: Stalling/shot clock can be called from ANYWHERE on field if it becomes apparent or obvious to officials that team in possession is not advancing or going to goal (this may or may not be subject to change)
• Stall warning/shot clock to be in effect automatically whenever team that has advanced ball (into box) is responsible for ball going back into D-half of field and regains possession – think back court violation, but with 30-second opportunity to play without losing possession by rule
• When stall is given, officials shall verbalize “Shot Clock”, trail official will put on 20-second timer
• When timer expires, same official will begin 10-count – visible arm movement for each count
• Shot must hit pipe or GK to be considered a shot
• If D-player in or out of crease makes save, shot clock still in effect since goalie is required to be a shot.
• Must be legitimate shot attempt: deflected pass or inadvertent contact with pipe or GK not considered a shot .
• On end line (or sideline) shot attempts awarded back to offense (that did not meet legitimate shot criteria), 20-second timer continues even while ball is dead
• Must have 6-10 balls at end line in the shot clock situation so as not to disadvantage team that has been warned for stalling
• If hand-count is in effect on end line re-award then count picks up from where ball was dead, i.e. official has counted 7 times with hand-count, three seconds remain on shot clock at restart
• Ball must be out of stick by time shot clock expires. Act of shooting does not get benefit of the doubt. Ball must be on its way!
• Shot clock restarts at “10” if offensive team calls time out – EVEN IF the 20-second timer has not exhausted itself
• Shot clock resets after a time out called by defense
• Shot clock resets in loose ball “play on” situations and the stalling team regains possession during play or by award
• Defense must play the ball to get stall warning
• Offense must advance ball into box to avoid stall
• Stall can be called if attack team is in the box and then exits the box even if D is not playing the ball
• If ball is loose and shot clock expires, a “play on” should be in effect unless offended team has no opportunity to gain possession
• Stall is waived if legitimate shot is taken (hits pipe/GK) and that team regains possession
• There is NO 2-minute automatic stall for team ahead in score. However, officials will be ready to put stall/shot clock on in quicker fashion if that team ahead does not attack goal (Defense still must play ball for legitimate stall call to be given)

Shot Clock During Flag Down / Slow Whistle (delayed calls)

• Play can continue on loose balls in the box same as last year if no shot clock in effect
• If shot clock is on, same rules except once a shot is taken that stops shot clock – but no score – then whistle will blow to stop play
• No stalls/shot clock called in EMO situations – exception: ball goes into D-half and possession is regained by attacking team
• Interpretation of stall/shot clock during FD/SW as period ends: Stall will NOT carry over as there is no stalling during EMO except for backcourt rule (This is another that I’m not 100% sure on, but the guidelines specifically state no EMO shot clock)

Restarts

• Quick restarts when awarded team is ready and outside the box
• Closest defender MAY be within 5 yards on restart BUT MUST get 5 yards or more away from player in possession after whistle blows before he can man-up, ride, or defend player in possession (30-second penalty for this defensive infraction)
• GK no longer gets 5-seconds on any restart and he is outside crease – end line shots, GK advances ball and loses possession due to offensive foul (ward, interference, screen, etc.)

Note on Quick restarts: It will be incumbent on coaches and players to know that they may be at a disadvantage on free plays awarded to the opposing team. THIS IS AN NCAA rule and the officials are to follow the guidelines that make men’s lacrosse a more up-tempo game. The Sportsmanship guideline will dictate that player or coaches who vehemently argue a legitimate quick restart by an official may be subject to conduct or unsportsmanlike conduct fouls.

The new definition of shot is only when the shot clock is on.

The panel also approved a rule regarding shooting strings. Starting with the 2013 season, players will be allowed to have shooting strings up to but not touching four inches from the top of the crosse. See attached image for example.