Questions on the rules

[theCanadian]

I posted this thread in my head yesterday, unfortunately I forgot the second half. So here is the first half.

If, on a face off, the ball rolls into my attack zone, and then gets kicked back out, do I have to wait for the ref to release me, or are we automatically released?

Ah HA! The second half. Say the two face off middies are scruming in the middle, and I'm on the wing charging to the middle. If the ball pops out past me just as I get there, if he stands up and faces me can I clock him? Of course all the conditions are present for such a hit: within 5 yds of the ball, opponent is not on his knees, I'm hitting below the shoulders and above the waist, and I'm hitting from the front or side.

[3rdPersonPlural]

If, on a face off, the ball rolls into my attack zone, and then gets kicked back out, do I have to wait for the ref to release me, or are we automatically released?

I can only speak to NFHS rules, but according to Fed 4.3.2, a face off is officially ended (as is your banishment behind the restraining line) if the ball crosses the line. Word to the wise, though: If the penetration into the defensive zone is brief and/or minor, don't assume that a ref saw it.

Ah HA! The second half. Say the two face off middies are scruming in the middle, and I'm on the wing charging to the middle. If the ball pops out past me just as I get there, if he stands up and faces me can I clock him? Of course all the conditions are present for such a hit: within 5 yds of the ball, opponent is not on his knees, I'm hitting below the shoulders and above the waist, and I'm hitting from the front or side.

The risk you'd take is 'Unnecessary Roughness'. If you take a running start and lay a gratuitous punishing hit on someone I'd flag that. Remember that lacrosse is a contact sport, not a collision sport.

[Woodenstick]

3PP's analysis is right on as always. I just wanted to add that our rules interpreter has emphasized that we should not allow gratuitious hits on the f/o middies, who are sometimes very vulnerable to blind side hits.

[inblack]

We have accepted a similar point of view in Ontario. U/R penalty. At least one minute, but very often called as two to three.
We no longer want to see wingers steaming across the line to plow anyone, an opposite side winger or a now vertical drawman.
Clean hit or not, too much risk for injury/fight.

[BlueJaysLaxFan]

3PP's analysis is right on as always. I just wanted to add that our rules interpreter has emphasized that we should not allow gratuitious hits on the f/o middies, who are sometimes very vulnerable to blind side hits.

I would extend this to calling UR on any blind side hit on another player that is going for a loose ball and instead ends up flying onto the ground. Called this during OT of a varsity game and ended up being a deciding factor in the outcome.