1. Girl’s Lacrosse High School and Jr High Stick Checks
What Officials should look for and
how to administer penalties….
Spring, 2016

2. Stick Check Intent
To maintain safe and fair play for all girls lacrosse participants

3. 2016 USL Stick Examinations
2016 Season: Special Point of Emphasis!
For USLax and NFHS Youth
Officials will NOT perform stick measurements, other than to determine ball-depth and stick length
2016 Season: What do officials do?
If asked for pregame stick measurement, check length of stick only
If stick check requested/done during game, check pocket depth only
Why?
Because some sticks were modified by “aftermarket” manufacturers and teams purchased the equipment prior to rule change(s). They will be allowed to use current equipment for this year.

4. Regular Season: 2017 and beyond…
Sticks will be checked to assure:
Thongs/shooting strings meet all requirements: pgs
Stringing attached to sidewalls must meet 1.5” requirement
Recessed screws must be used to attach head to shaft
Note: Important in 2016 to understand requirements, even while allowing that this season officials will limit checks to ball depth and stick length.

5. Appendix B/E: USLax & NCAA Rules
Section 2 Should Read:
For 2016 only, additional holes that have been drilled into head of crosse may be filled with substance to comply with Appendix B, section 2.
Substance may not:
Impede movement of ball
Be added as a sticky/tacky substance to the thongs
Provide any advantage to a team

6. Appendix B/E: USLax & NCAA Rules
Section 4 Should Read:
To determine crosse compliance with the linear measurement specifications in USLax Appendix B, all measurements shall be made to nearest 0.01 cm.
Due to variances in measuring tools used by officials, any measurement taken by an official should allow a total deviation of .3cm (1/8”) from the standard – previously .09 cm

7. Appendix B: USLax
Section 20, Should Read:
For the 2016 season, USLacrosse will change the interpretation to read , “ Any additional strings used for attachment of the pocket to the head of the crosse may not be tied behind the pocket above the ball stop, with the exception of the thongs knotted at the ball stop.”
Note: Thongs knotted at the ball stops are not in violation of section 20
NCAA and USL do not match here…

8. High School Stick Checks
Pocket check is the priority!
Quick visual check for overall compliance
Know the rules for general compliance. If a stick looks really wrong, check it, but officials are NOT to initiate minute examinations of players sticks at HS/Jr High level.

9. Parts of Girls Lacrosse Stick
Understand the parts
Understand the rules

10. Length of Sticks
Players: 35 ½” – 43 ¼”
Goalies: can go up to 52”

11. Heads of Sticks Know the rules…
Widest part of head/outside: cm or 7.1”
Widest part of head/inside: cm or rounded to 6. 5”
Narrowest part of head/inside: 6.7cm or rounded to 3”
Total Head/Top to bottom: 10”
What is “secondary material” used with thongs? Material attached to thongs, which in turn attaches to/through…
Scoop: .5” maximum
Ball Stop: 1.5” maximum
Know the rules…
No measuring at HS/Jr High levels unless something really looks odd/illegal… Don’t hunt for trouble

12. Head to Shaft Attachment
MUST have a screw
There it is! Move on….

13. Pocket Depth: Drop, light pressure, release, roll
Must see ball above
side wall
Looks Good! Move on…

14. Shooting Strings Illegal:
May touch in middle, cannot overlap
Less than 1.5” between inside strings/thongs
Two “loops” max between each of four to five (max) thongs
Shooting strings MUST be attached through side wall,
Both sides… 4 spots to check

15. Strings Above Ball Stop … Must be woven through holes or cut off…1
Cut off/trim 2
Illegal due to long strings above ball stop
Legal: 1) Strings cut off
2) Strings through holes

16. Knots at Ball Stop…. Legal for HS/Jr High Play
Legal for NCAA and for HS/Jr High Play
… Knots below ball stop
… String “looping” aroung ball stop is OK
Legal for HS/Jr High Play
…. Knots can tie “around” ball stop
…. Not legal for NCAA play

17. Side walls…
Strings cannot be attached more than 1 ½ “ apart on side wall: Quick glance should let you know if something looks really wrong…

18. Penalty Administration
If non-compliances are found pre game, teams have opportunity to fix issues and use the crosse if rechecked to meet regulations.
If equipment non-compliance cannot be fixed by game time, stick goes to table until half time and can then be rechecked by official. Teams may work to correct issues at the table
If equipment found to be illegal during regulation play, the stick will be removed to the table and a minor foul will be assessed.
If issue found during 2nd half, stick will go to table for duration of regulation play.