Texas High School Lacrosse League
North District News
Posted on January 21, 2013
Attached is the recent slide show presented at the NCAA rules clinic in Philadelphia, which helps to explain and interpret this year's new rules and points of emphasis. It basically follows the rule book and modifies what is in the book. The book has been removed from distribution because there were several errors in it. This attachment corrects a lot of the errors but we suspect there will be more. The book will ultimately be put on line so it can be downloaded.
The Rule Book, plus this presentation, make up the rules that the NCAA, and THSLL will follow.
Several highlights that may not be immediately apparent after reading everything are as follows:
1. A face off middie who illegally touches the ball will receive a one minute NR penalty. This counts toward the number of face off violations in a half that can lead to a team being penalized. If a team already has incurred two violations and their face off middie gets called for an illegal touch, they will be down two players: one for the illegal touch (1 min NR), and the in-home for the 3rd violation in a half (30 sec tech foul).
2. Pre-whistle and post-whistle violations count toward the number allowed in a half. If the face off middie plunges down on the ball and it becomes stuck in his crosse, it is a violation. If someone clamps and holds his opponent that is a violation. Anything at the spot of the face off will count. Wing line pushing and shoving would not.
3. The new rules have the requirment that any player doing face offs must have a piece of contrasting colored tape near the head of the stick. This will make it eaiser for officials to see if the player is grasping the plastic. If a player comes out without the tape, that counts as a violation. He can stay in the game but the ball is awarded to the opposing team without a face off occurring.
4. When a flag down occurs the slow whistle technique is used. In the past, if a team went into the box and came out, the whistle blew to stop play and assess the penalty. Now, we act as if the box doesn't exist. This means a team can go in and come out of the box without the whistle being blown. Also, if a flag is down, they come out and the ball hits the ground for any reason, play will continue. This will occur even if a second penalty created the loose ball. The whistle will be blown if the ball goes out of bounds, a goal is scored, the offensive team commits any penalty, an injury occurs or the end of the period. This has changed because of the new stalling and timer on rules. If a team does not attack the goal in a flag down situation a timer on call will be made and they have 30 seconds to get a shot off. At that point the penalties will be assessed.
5. There will be quick restarts all over the field. If the clearing team gains posession in their defensive zone they do not have to restart in the alley. This includes crease violations. The goalie can pick the ball up immediately and throw a clearing pass. The riding attackman must be careful since he has the responsibility of getting back five yards before he can attempt to play the ball.
The link below is the NCAA Rules video for your reviewing. It covers a lot of what is mentioned in the slide show presentation. It does have one error. In the cross check portion it mentions that a cross check will get a one minute NR penalty. That is not true. It could happen though if the cross check goes to the head and neck.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/ncaa/web_video/lacrosse/2013/MLAX_1212.html
There are a lot of changes this year so please be patient. Officials are learning these rules as well and are being trained to handle them. Mistakes will occur. If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact your local district Chief Referee.
The Rule Book, plus this presentation, make up the rules that the NCAA, and THSLL will follow.
Several highlights that may not be immediately apparent after reading everything are as follows:
1. A face off middie who illegally touches the ball will receive a one minute NR penalty. This counts toward the number of face off violations in a half that can lead to a team being penalized. If a team already has incurred two violations and their face off middie gets called for an illegal touch, they will be down two players: one for the illegal touch (1 min NR), and the in-home for the 3rd violation in a half (30 sec tech foul).
2. Pre-whistle and post-whistle violations count toward the number allowed in a half. If the face off middie plunges down on the ball and it becomes stuck in his crosse, it is a violation. If someone clamps and holds his opponent that is a violation. Anything at the spot of the face off will count. Wing line pushing and shoving would not.
3. The new rules have the requirment that any player doing face offs must have a piece of contrasting colored tape near the head of the stick. This will make it eaiser for officials to see if the player is grasping the plastic. If a player comes out without the tape, that counts as a violation. He can stay in the game but the ball is awarded to the opposing team without a face off occurring.
4. When a flag down occurs the slow whistle technique is used. In the past, if a team went into the box and came out, the whistle blew to stop play and assess the penalty. Now, we act as if the box doesn't exist. This means a team can go in and come out of the box without the whistle being blown. Also, if a flag is down, they come out and the ball hits the ground for any reason, play will continue. This will occur even if a second penalty created the loose ball. The whistle will be blown if the ball goes out of bounds, a goal is scored, the offensive team commits any penalty, an injury occurs or the end of the period. This has changed because of the new stalling and timer on rules. If a team does not attack the goal in a flag down situation a timer on call will be made and they have 30 seconds to get a shot off. At that point the penalties will be assessed.
5. There will be quick restarts all over the field. If the clearing team gains posession in their defensive zone they do not have to restart in the alley. This includes crease violations. The goalie can pick the ball up immediately and throw a clearing pass. The riding attackman must be careful since he has the responsibility of getting back five yards before he can attempt to play the ball.
The link below is the NCAA Rules video for your reviewing. It covers a lot of what is mentioned in the slide show presentation. It does have one error. In the cross check portion it mentions that a cross check will get a one minute NR penalty. That is not true. It could happen though if the cross check goes to the head and neck.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/ncaa/web_video/lacrosse/2013/MLAX_1212.html
There are a lot of changes this year so please be patient. Officials are learning these rules as well and are being trained to handle them. Mistakes will occur. If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact your local district Chief Referee.
Article File Attachments:
2013 NCAA Rules and Mechanic Changes.pptx NCAA Slide Show
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