Big news has come out of the lacrosse world today, with the NCAA Rules Committee proposing several ground breaking rule changes for lacrosse.
The biggest proposed rule change was a thirty second shot clock for teams after a stall warning has been issued. After a team gets a stall warning, they have just thirty seconds to shoot or they lose possession.
If this rule is approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel in a conference call in September, then that rule and some others will be effective in 2013.
If there is this thirty second shot clock, there will not be a physical clock seen on the field, but it will be kept by the on field referee. From Inside Lacrosse:
The protocol referees will follow is below:
1. Officials signal a stall warning and start the 20-second timer.
2. At the end of the 20-second timer, a 10-second hand count is administered by the official closest to the ball. This official has responsibility for the count until a shot is taken or the time expires.
3. During the 30-second period, situations where a shot goes out of bounds and the offensive team maintains possession will be handled in this manner:
- With more than 10 seconds remaining in the count, the timer continues to run and the procedure continues.
- If the timer expires before the restart, a 10-second count will be administered beginning on the restart.
- With less than 10 seconds remaining, the official shall hold the hand count when the whistle blows and continue the count on the restart. For example, if the ball goes out of bounds with eight seconds remaining on the count, that count continues on the restart. The official shall communicate the amount of time remaining on the restart.
4. A shot that hits the goal cage or is saved by the goalkeeper and then possessed by the offensive team nullifies the stall warning and the game continues.
5. In a flag down situation, the shot count will continue until it expires or a shot is taken.
6. Stalling will not be called during a man advantage.
7. If a shot hits a defensive team player other than the goalkeeper, it will not be considered a shot on goal.
The committee also clarified that it is the responsibility of the team in possession to try to create a scoring opportunity. There are exceptions to this requirement: If the offensive team has the ball in the attack area and the defensive team is not playing the ball, a stall warning will not be issued until either (1) the defensive team attempts to play the ball or (2) the offensive team brings the ball outside the attack area.
However, a stall warning may be issued when the offensive team has the ball outside the attack area or below the goal line extended regardless of whether the defensive team is playing the ball.
The committee has several lengthy discussions regarding pace of play, which included adding a shot clock.
“We did put in some components of counting, but did not feel a mandated count on each possession was in the best interest of the college game,†said Jon Hind, chair of the committee and athletics director at Hamilton. “By creating this procedure, it puts a timing component into the game, but only when it is necessary.â€
Another proposal from the committee has to do with equipment.
The committee also is proposing changes to the stick specifications that states any additional strings or laces (e.g., shooting strings) must be located within 3½ inches from the top of the crosse. Also, no more than one sidewall string on each side of the crosse will be allowed.
Another proposed rule change has to do with faceoffs, where players are no longer allowed to use a motercycle grip in the faceoff circle. Tape may not be added to the stick of a player taking a faceoff, and After two pre whistle violations in one half from a team, there will now be a thirty second penalty.
Other recommendations
- Most substitutions will now be made on the fly. The horn signaling substitutions will no longer exist in the game. Additionally, the committee voted to expand the substitution box from 10 to 20 yards. The dimension of the team bench area remains the same.
- A minimum of six balls and a maximum of 10 balls must be available at each end line and sideline. The number of balls in each area is to be equal in each area. On the bench side, balls should be placed at the scorer’s table and outside each bench area. These balls shall be replenished by the home team and game management staff. This will assist with the pace of play and faster restarts.
- If the ball returns to the defensive half of the field and the offensive team regains possession, officials shall start the 30-second shot procedure.
- Points of emphasis focused on unsportsmanlike conduct/sideline behavior; the cross-check hold; and faceoff players touching the crosse with their hands.
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