1. Rule Changes and Clarifications
2009 Boys Lacrosse
Rule Changes and Clarifications

2. Table-Top Description 1-7-4
The crosse shall be relatively straight from the butt end to the end of the head. A “relatively straight” crosse shall be defined as one that may be laid flat on a tabletop on the side opposite the netting so that a substantial portion of the crosse rests on the table and such that there is a distance from the tabletop to the bottom edge of the head that at no point exceeds 2¾ inches.
Process for measuring; give sight test first

3. Table-Top Description 1-7-4
Table Top Measurement Procedure: Rule 1 previously included a diagram of the “table top” measurement. This text was added to provide further explanation of the “table top” measurement procedure and requirements.

4. Tooth and Mouth Protector 1-9-1 Note
The tooth and mouth protector shall be of any readily visible color other than white or clear and must cover all of either the upper or lower teeth with adequate thickness.
Color – non white or clear

5. Tooth and Mouth Protector 1-9-1 Note
Tooth and Mouth Protector: In the Point of Emphasis from the 2008 rule book, a statement was included to clarify that a mouth guard which covers either the upper or lower teeth with adequate thickness is legal. This text was added in the rule to more adequately state that a tooth and mouth protector which covers either the upper or lower teeth with adequate thickness is legal

6. Helmet Eye Shield 1-9-2d
A player may wear a clear, molded and non-rigid helmet eye shield. A player may wear eye glasses, either tinted or clear. A player may not wear both a clear, molded and non-rigid helmet eye shield and tinted eye glasses.
Part of rule – no need for principal approval.

7. Helmet Eye Shield 1-9-2d
Helmet Eye Shield: This statement was added to more clearly define that an eye shield is an item which is attached to the helmet and to clarify that eye glasses, either tinted or clear are allowed unless a player is also wearing a clear, molded and non-rigid helmet eye shield.

8. Time-out Horn a
Wait until a goal is scored, a time-serving penalty is reported, a time-out is called or the timekeeper sounds the horn after a sideline out of bounds, indicating to the officials that a substitution is desired.

9. Time-out Horn a
Time-out Horn: Officials typically assume that teams will substitute after a goal, time-serving penalty or time-out, and few coaches believe they need to call for a horn in these situations, although that is what the previous wording required. Occasionally, newer officials penalized teams for illegal substitutions after a goal or penalty because the coaches did not request a horn first. This statement was added to stipulate that a horn is not necessary in these situations.
Clarification of rule.

10. Regular Substitution Prohibitions 4-23-3
Regular substitutions many not take place after play has been suspended for non-time serving violations or inadvertent whistles.

11. Regular Substitution Prohibitions 4-23-3
Regular Substitution after Non-Time-Serving Violations: This statement was added to clarify that, even though the horn is sounded after non-time-serving violations and inadvertent whistles, regular substitutions are not allowed. Previously, this was somewhat confusing since the horn is sounded in these situations and that substitution is allowed for time-serving violations.
Clarification.

12. Special Substitution Procedures 4-24-2f
Delete f – Special substitution may take place while play is suspended, except when equipment violations occur.
Page 37,

13. Special Substitution Procedures 4-24-2f
Special Substitution: It does not disrupt the flow of the game to allow special substitutions (subbing on the fly with no horn) when play is stopped for a player to buckle his chin strap, etc. Thus, this clarification was added to stipulate that this is allowed except when equipment violations occur.
Page 37 – rationale for this clarification.

14. Glove Specifications 5-5
The fingers/palms of a player’s hands must be completely covered by his gloves and the gloves may not be altered in a way that compromises their protective features.

15. Glove Specifications 5-5
Palmless Gloves: The previous wording of the rule did not specifically prohibit a player from wearing gloves manufactured without a palm. This revised wording clarifies that the gloves must cover the fingers and palms to minimize risk for players.
Clarification and manufacturer clarified.

16. Restart After Suspension of Play 7-3
If the ball was in the goal area when play was suspended, play shall be restarted laterally outside the goal area nearest to the spot of the ball at the time of the whistle.  

17. Restart After Suspension of Play 7-3
Re-start Location Following Suspension of Play with the Ball in the Goal Area: Too much of an advantage is gained by the team in possession on the restart if it is located at the “top of the box.” Lacrosse tradition has always brought the ball to the alley for the restart in this situation. This statement was added to clarify that the ball is to be re-started laterally outside the goal area nearest to the spot of the ball at the time of the whistle instead of at the “top of the box.”
Rationale – in rules book page 1 under major rules changes 7-3 ; language is incorrect; replace word penalty for time out.

18. Face-Off After Simultaneous Fouls 7-6-4
If neither team has possession at the time of the fouls, the ball shall be awarded according to the alternate possession rule or when a faceoff is pending in this situation, a faceoff will be held.

19. Face-Off After Simultaneous Fouls 7-6-4
Faceoff Following Simultaneous Fouls: Alternate possession should be used to determine possession when there is no other way to award the ball. However, when there are simultaneous fouls and a face-off is pending, with either no penalty time or equal penalty time to be served, it is logical to hold the scheduled faceoff. 

20. Editorial Changes Not Offside Rule 4-11
A team is not considered offside when a player, seeing that he is going to be offside before he can stop, instead runs out of bounds. No penalty shall result from the failure of that player’s team to have the required number of players in either end of the field as long as the player returns immediately to the field.

21. Editorial Changes Official’s Suspension of Play Rule 4-27-5 and 6
Play shall be suspended immediately if an official deems an injury to a player is severe or if the injured player is located in the scrimmage area.
Play shall be suspended immediately if any player, in a legal way, loses any mandatory equipment in the scrimmage area. If there is possession of the ball, the team in possession will maintain possession on the restart. If the ball is loose outside the crease, the ball will be awarded using the alternate-possession rule. If the ball is loose inside the crease, award the ball to the defensive team outside the goal area. If A1 loses mandatory equipment in a legal way and no other players are in the immediate vicinity, then the play may continue until A1 enters the scrimmage area or until the play is completed. A loss of equipment during the play of the game triggers an official’s time-out and should not be confused with a player entering the game without some item(s) of mandatory equipment which is a personal foul.
New items added for clarity. #5 and #6 of 4-27

22. Editorial Changes Restarts Following a Time-out 4-29
Restarts following a time-out shall be nearest the spot where the ball was at the time the whistle was blown. A ball in the goal area shall be restarted closest to the spot, outside the goal area. A ball that has crossed the end line shall be restarted at that spot.

23. Editorial Changes Illegal Equipment 4-30-1
Any player is subject to having his equipment inspected by an official upon request. Once the game has commenced, a head coach may request the inspection of the equipment of any player on the opposing team one time without incurring a penalty (i.e., a “free” check). A second or subsequent equipment check request by the same team may carry a penalty if the request does not involve a violation. All requests must take place during a dead ball situation and must refer to a specific player on the opposing team.
a. Only one player’s equipment may be inspected per team in a particular dead-ball situation. All aspects of the equipment construction and dimensions will be inspected.
b. If a head coach makes a second or subsequent equipment check request during a different dead-ball situation and all equipment is found to be legal, that head coach’s team will be penalized by a loss of a time-out if any remain or with a time-serving penalty if no time-outs remain as stated in Rule 6-5-2o, assuming no violations were found in a previous request.
Clean up language; specificity. If no TO left then a technical foul is to be called (see slide 25).

24. Editorial Changes Illegal Equipment 4-30-2d
The official shall inspect all of the player’s equipment.

25. Editorial Changes Penalty for Multiple Unsuccessful Stick Check Requests 6-5-2o
If a head coach makes two or more requests in which no violations are found for either counting of long crosses or inspecting any opponents’ equipment, a time-out will be charged. If no time-outs remain for that half or overtime period, a technical foul will be called.

26. Editorial Changes Stalling 6-10-2 and 3
A team in possession of the ball in its goal area may be warned to “keep it in.” This warning shall be made when it is obvious that a team is keeping the ball from play. The stalling warning remains in effect until a goal is scored, the defensive team gains possession of the ball or the period ends resulting in a faceoff. After the team has been warned, stalling shall be called if the ball leaves the goal area in any manner other than as a result of a shot on goal or a touch by the defensive team.
During the last two minutes of regulation play, stalling rules are in effect for the team that is ahead. When the score is tied, neither team is forced to keep the ball in the goal area unless warned to “keep it in.”

27. Points of Emphasis
Stalling: Officials should be alert to and call stalling warnings during the game if it is apparent that the offensive team is not attempting to attack the goal and score.
See pages for complete statements about these points of emphasis.

28. Points of Emphasis
Glasses and Helmet Eye Shields: Helmet eye shields are allowed provided they are clear, molded and non-rigid. Eye glasses are not helmet eye shields and are not restricted by these provisions. Thus, glasses (either tinted or clear) are allowed to be worn during play. The only exception to this provision is that tinted glasses cannot be worn with a helmet eye shield. A player can wear clear glasses with a clear helmet eye shield but not tinted glasses with a clear helmet eye shield.

29. Points of Emphasis
Uniforms and Equipment: Officials are reminded that a revised jersey rule took effect with the 2008 season. The jersey must be a single, solid color with only limited trim in a contrasting color allowed. These trim requirements are included in Rule 1-9 in this rules book. If a team has jerseys or other uniform violations, these must be identified by the officials prior to the beginning of the contest and penalized accordingly. Following the contest, the officials must notify the state association of the school’s illegal uniforms so that it can address the situation with the school. Realize that equipment violations are handled differently as stipulated in the rules.

30. NFHS Jersey Rule 1-9-1g
Jerseys shall be of a single, solid color with the following trim specifications permitted:
1. Collar, cuffs and waistband may be of contrasting colors, but not more than 2 inches wide.
2. Side inserts (armpit to waistband) may be of contrasting color(s), but no more than 3 inches wide.
3. Numbers shall be centered vertically and horizontally and at least 8 inches tall on the front and at least 12 inches tall on the back.
4. Numbers may contain contrasting color trim(s) not to exceed 2 inches (the number shall contrast with the body of the jersey).

31. NFHS Jersey Rule Illegal Jersey
This jersey is illegal because of the contrasting blue shoulders, the white piping below the blue yoke and the fact that the red side trim goes beyond the arm pit. We are assuming that the collar trim is less than 2 inches wide.

32. NFHS Jersey Rule Illegal Jersey
This jersey is illegal only because of the white trim on the yoke of the jersey. If that piping is removed or changed to black (the same color as the body of the jersey), it would be legal.

33. Questions?
First, contact your state association for interpretations. If your state association does not administer lacrosse, contact the NFHS office.
Kent Summers, NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Editor