1. 2017-18 Boys Lacrosse Rules Meeting Presentation
Tom Rashid
Associate Director
Cole Malatinsky
Administrative Assistant
Hello colleagues. I’m Tom Rashid the MHSAA administrator for boys lacrosse. Joining us today for a portion of our presentation is Cole Malatinsky who assists in the administration of boys lacrosse. Welcome to the next portion of our meeting. Please feel free to contact us whenever you have a question or concern. Our address is easy to remember and on this slide.
THREE IMPORTANT POINTS BEFORE WE BEGIN: 1) To pause this presentation at any time, hit the pause button in the lower left corner 2) Be sure to print a certificate that shows you completed this meeting and 3) Along the way there will be a few simple quiz questions which you must complete correctly to proceed. Again, welcome, we hope you have a great season.

2. 2018 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rule Revisions
Now for our rules review of boys lacrosse . In this presentation we will cover the following:
The Major Rules Changes
Updated Situations and Rulings,
Points of Emphasis and
a couple corrections to the printed version of the 2018 NFHS Rule Book. For efficiency purposes, revised situations and rulings and points of emphasis will be incorporated into the presentation on the rule changes. So lets get right to our small number of Major Rule Changes for 2018.
Major Rules Changes
Situations and Rulings
Points of Emphasis
Corrections

3. Crosse Dimensions Check Your Players Sticks
Crosse Dimensions Check Your Players Sticks! Last years sticks may be illegal
Beginning in 2018, minimum stick specifications shall be as follows:
This was announced three years ago for implementation in Rule defines crosse dimensions and specifications at different locations to address issues with the ball being stuck in the crosse. Beginning this season, players may not use the old crosse specifications. To simplify, use the stick specifications that are NCAA certified. The slide you are now viewing and the notes that accompany this presentation have the specifications. A non conforming cross results in a three minute non-releasable penalty. Coaches NOW is the time to remind your players.
The measurements for the crosse shall include the following:
Measurement from throat (inches) Minimum distance between narrowest point of head (inches)
(all measurements)
(all measurements)
to 4 on front; 3.5 on back
Widest point 6 (all measurements)
From the 1.25-inch measurement to the top of the crosse, the distance between the sidewalls of the crosse must be at least 3 inches. .

4. face-offs 4-3-3d Page 33
The official shall make certain that the reverse surfaces of the crosses match evenly in that the top of one head lines up with the throat of the other and are perpendicular to the ground.
This phrase underlined was added to Rule 4-3-3D to clarify stick alignments during a face off: “the top of one head lines up with the throat of the other.”
This is a point of emphasis in 2018 but is generally how officials have handled this for years.

5. FACE-OFF CROSSE CONTRASTING COLOR 4-3-3n Page 34
n. A contrasting color between the head and the top glove must be visible on the shaft at faceoffs. The circumference of the shaft shall not exceed 3.5 inches.
Note: This can be accomplished with any of the below:
Original shaft color
Paint
A single wrap of tape or
Other material
The revision to 4-3-3N simply gives added flexibility in color contrasting between shaft, glove and head for face offs to adhere to the rule. A contrasting color between the head and the top glove must be visible on the shaft at face-offs. Note: this can be accomplished with: the original shaft color, paint, a single wrap of tape or other material –the emphasis is the contrast in color. This rule also states that “The circumference of the shaft shall not exceed 3.5 inches.”

6. Point of Emphasis Face-offs
Face off players are allowed to make contact first however only legal contact is allowed on players taking a faceoff.  Don’t Drive your head into the opponent
Legal body contact includes checking a player who has no other part of the body touching the ground except the feet.
Body checks must be made below the neck, above the waist and to the front or side of an opponent.
Illegal body checks, including spearing with the head, shall be strictly enforced.
Face offs – and legal contact - are a significant national point of emphasis this year so lets review:
a. Face off players are allowed to make contact first however only legal contact is allowed on players taking a faceoff.  Faceoff players must be playing the ball. Legal body contact includes checking a player who has no other part of the body touching the ground except the feet. Body checks must be made below the neck, above the waist and to the front or side of an opponent. Illegal body checks, including spearing with the head, shall be strictly enforced. b.     As mentioned earlier, faceoff players must have a visible contrasting color between the head and top glove on the shaft. The material – tape or otherwise - is not the issue. The point is a contrast in color that can be seen. c.     Officials should continue to enforce the face off procedure that players reverse surfaces of the crosse match evenly so that the top of one head aligns with the throat of the throat of their opponent. Additionally both heads shall be perpendicular to the ground.

7. FACE-OFF SITUATION 4.3.3 Situation c Page 35
A1 comes to center to take a faceoff with:
(a) no contrasting color on the shaft, or
(b) has tape on the plastic throat of the shaft.
RULING: In both cases, technical foul on Team A for delay of game. Award the ball to Team B in offensive end.
NOTE: A1 does not serve penalty time and his crosse is legal for play other than faceoffs.
Here is a situation from page 35 regarding two sticks illegal for face-offs.
A1 comes to center to take a faceoff with:
(a) no contrasting color on the shaft, or
(b) has tape on the plastic throat of the shaft.
RULING: In both cases, technical foul on Team A for delay of game. Award the ball to Team B in offensive end.
A1 does not serve penalty time and his crosse is legal for play other than face-offs.

8. 4-9-2 a & o Page 41 Shots at end of a period
A goal shall be disallowed:
A. If a shot is released after the game horn sounds to indicate the end of a period.
A goal shall be allowed:
O. A goal will be allowed if the shot is released prior to the end of the period.
NOTE: Goal is not counted if offense deflects the shot Goal counts if defense deflects a shot and it enters goal.
Think basketball. Having working horns important for ALL levels
This is just like basketball and allows for an easier determination if a goal was scored. This makes it more important than ever that a working horn and a backup is present for all levels of play.
A goal shall be disallowed if a shot is released after the game horn sounds to indicate the end of a period.
A goal shall be allowed if the shot is released prior to the end of the period. Remember coaches –working horns.
NOTE: A goal is not counted if the offense deflects the shot. Goal counts if the defense deflects a shot and it enters the goal.

9. Player IN CREASE acting as goalie 4-18-4 Penalty Page 47
PENALTY: Conduct foul on the defensive player. A second violation by the player team will be enforced as releasable unsportsmanlike conduct, served by the offending player.
Note: CORECTION: On Page 49 at Situation Replace the reference to “B2” in the beginning of the 2nd and 3rd paragraphs with “the team’”,
Last year was the first year of this rule that penalized a non-goalie defensive player who entered the crease with the perceived intent of blocking a shot with a 30 second conduct foul. This is a small change that a second violation by any member of that same team – and not necessarily the same player, would result in a one minute releasable conduct foul served by the most recently offending player. This is of course a safety rule that only properly equipped players serve as goalies. Coaches please be sure that you coach this safety point with your team. We also call your attention to a printing correction on Page 49 at situation that should shows the new enforcement is applied to the same team, not just the same player.

10. PROPERLY WEARING A MOUTHGUARD 6-5-2x Page 71
ART. 2… The following are examples of illegal procedure:
x. Failure to wear a required mouthpiece properly (unless it comes out during play).
The new and operative word here is properly. Having a mouthpiece in the mouth is not sufficient to avoid an illegal procedure penalty – it must be worn properly –not a fish hook – partly in and partly out of the mouth. This is also a point of emphasis by the NFHS Rules Committee so we will emphasize this now and on the next slide. “Champions pay attention to details” and coaches - don’t ignore this safety detail with your players. Coaches remember that a clear mouthguard, even a custom one provided by a dentist is not legal. Lets not complicate this – mouth guards must be A COLOR visible to officials.

11. Points of Emphasis Mouthpieces
In 2017 the foul for a mouth guard violation was changed from a personal foul to technical foul to encourage penalty enforcement for those who violate the rule. Coaches should encourage players to wear mouth guards properly (i.e. No Fish hooking) and legally, officials are expected to call the foul.
In 2017 the foul for a mouth guard violation was changed from a personal foul to technical foul to encourage penalty enforcement for those who violate the rule. Coaches should encourage players to wear mouth guards properly (i.e. No Fish hooking) and legally, officials are expected to call the foul.

12. NO MOUTHPIECE WON’T COST GOAL 1.9.1 SITUATION E Page 20
SECTION 9: PLAYER EQUIPMENT A1 scores a goal. Before the next faceoff, it is noticed that (a) A1 is not wearing a legal uniform; (b) A1 is not wearing one or more mandatory pieces of protective equipment other than a mouthpiece; (c) has no mouthpiece. RULING: (a) Goal counts technical violation; no time served. (b) Goal counts and A1 serves a 1-minute non-releasable penalty for illegal equipment; (c) Goal counts, technical violation, no time served. In all cases the game restarts with the ball awarded to team B on its offensive half of the field at the Center.
Here is a situation that covers player protective equipment excluding a mouthpiece. Should a goal be scored by player without a properly worn mouthpiece, the goal counts and the ball is awarded to the other team on its offensive half of the field at the Center. It should be noted that not wearing protective equipment other than a mouthpiece - such as shoulder pads or a helmet, results in a 1 minute non-releasable penalty. Lets take a minute to read this situation.
A1 scores a goal.  Before the next faceoff, it is noticed that
(a) A1 is not wearing a legal uniform;
(b) A1 is not wearing one or more mandatory pieces of protective equipment other than a mouthpiece;
(c) has no mouthpiece. 
RULING: (a) Goal counts technical violation; no time served.
(b) Goal counts and A1 serves a 1-minute non-releasable penalty for illegal equipment;
(c) Goal counts, technical violation, no time served.
In all cases the game restarts with the ball awarded to team B on its offensive half of the field at the Center.
Up Next lets take a few quiz questions.

13. STALL WARNING ENDS WHEN…. 6-10-2 Page 75
The stall warning remains in effect until:
A goal is scored
A shot that hits the goal pipes
A shot that hits the goalie or hits his equipment
The defensive team gains possession
The period ends resulting in a faceoff
This list of five points tells us when a stall warning ends: What's new to the list is the 2nd and 3rd bullets. A stall warning ends when a shot hits the goal pipes or a shot hits the goalie or hits his equipment. Makes sense.

14. STALL WARNING ENDS - RESUMES 6.10.2 situation f page 76
Team A has been warned to “keep it in.” After recovering a shot:
that hit the goal, goalkeeper, or his equipment, or
Team B deflects pass or causes ground ball to leave defensive area. Does Team A get new :10 count “get it in”?
RULING: (a) Stall warning has ended
(b) Yes, stall warning continued with full :10
Situation F on Page 76 reminds us that the stall warning ends if a shot hits the goal, goalkeeper or his equipment. If the defense causes the ball to leave the goal area then the stall warning continues with a new full 10 second count.

15. resuming play after penalty 7-3 CORRECTION page 81
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 nearest to the spot of the ball at the time of the whistle, 20 yards laterally outside the goal area.
This corrects a misprint in last years book and clarifies the ball placement after a foul. “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 nearest to the spot of the ball at the time of the whistle, 20 yards laterally outside the goal area.

16. Flag Down Slow Whistle Page 86 Stall warning MAY STILL impact
When there is a flag down during a slow whistle situation. The attacking team is no longer required to keep the ball in the goal area. * Unless required by rule or officials STALLING NOTE: Team A must still meet requirement for advancing the ball into the goal area.
Our next thee slides deal with the flag down - slow whistle technique on page 86. One of the points from last year’s rule book was deleted. This year, when there is a flag down during a slow whistle situation, the attacking team is no longer required to keep the ball in the goal area or attack box. However, a normal stalling situation can still be applied by officials if needed and the offensive team may still be required to keep it in the attack area.

17. Flag down – slow whistle 7-8-2 d & j Page 86
D. A shot is taken that does not result in a goal, unless the shot is caught in the air by a teammate.
J. A second defensive foul is committed during the final two minutes of regulation play with the team that is ahead possessing the ball, unless a scoring play is imminent.
Rule on Page 86 lists 10 situations where the official shall drop the flag and withhold the whistle if a defending player commits a foul against an attacking player who has possession. Point D says that the whistle would be blown when a shot is taken that does not result in a goal, unless the shot is caught in the air by a teammate (then continue to delay the whistle). Point J clarifies that in a flag down situation in the final two minutes of play, if the team ahead has possession and a second defensive foul is committed – blow the whistle and administer the penalty unless the offense has an imminent scoring play.

18. FLAG DOWN SLOW WHISTLE ENDS 7-8-3 page 86
A shot remains a shot until (underlined new)
The ball comes to rest on the field
The ball hits the ground and goes past the goal
Possession is gained by any member of the defensive team; or
After hitting the goalkeeper, goalkeeper equipment, goal posts or crossbar, the ball is touched by any player of the either team other than the defending goalkeeper, or an official
This again is a clarification of when the flag down – slow whistle ENDs. The list makes more specific when, as last years rule book stated: “It is obvious that a goal will not be scored.”
The previous slide covered that the slow whistle ends and we blow the whistle when a shot is taken that does not end up caught in the air by a team-mate. This slide reminds us that “a shot remains a shot until” The ball comes to rest on the field - The ball hits the ground and goes past the goal. These underlined points are new this year. What is not new is the language that “Possession is gained by any member of the defensive team; or - After hitting the goalkeeper, goalkeeper equipment, goal posts or crossbar, the ball is touched by any player of either team other than the defending goalkeeper, or an official.
Now lets remind all of some of the NFHS and MHSAA points of emphasis for 2018.

19. Points Of Emphasis Points of Emphasis – Page 93 Mouthpieces Face-offs
Slow Whistle
Shots at the end of Periods
Crosse Change in 2018
Player Safety –Contact to the Head & Neck
There are Five NFHS Points of Emphasis in (See page 93) from the NFHS this year that we have already included in the rule meeting presentation thus far that include: Properly worn Mouthpieces, Face-offs, Slow Whistle, Shots at the end of Periods and Crosse Change in So you do not fall asleep during this rules meeting, we will not repeat these but we want to add to this list something we cannot say enough about – player safety and contact to the head and neck.

20. PLAYER SAFETY HEAD & NECK CONTACT
Page 59 – – Around for over Eight Years
A player shall not initiate contact to an opponents head or neck with a cross check or with any part of his body. Any follow through that contacts the head or neck shall also be considered a violation
A player shall not initiate an excessive, violent or uncontrolled slash to the head/neck
A player, including an offensive player in possession of the ball shall not block an opponent with the head or initiate contact with the head (known as spearing).
Efforts to get hits to the head and neck out of lacrosse are nearly 10 years old. Most significant is this separate section on page 59 of the 2018 NFHS rule book which we include in this rules meeting as a point of emphasis. The Penalty is a two or three minute non releasable foul at the officials discretion. An excessively violent violation of this rule may result in an ejection. Officials often consult among each other to make this call. Coaches must coach players away from any contact with the head or neck – safety first. Officials, don’t think so much – when in doubt throw the flag out.