Quick Question

[staples]

Sorry if this was posted already but I didn't find anything...

Can your stick be checked for an illegal pocket more than once in a game?

sorry for titling it wrong.

[CoachRob]

Yes, it can be checked more than once. The official may randomly select it, or the opposing coach may request that it be checked.

[LaxRef]

At least in NCAA, they've removed the word "random" regarding stick checks. There is nothing random about the stick check, since we're supposed to pick people we think might have illegal equipment or people who are handling the ball and/or scoring a lot.

Usually, if we check the same guy twice during our "officials" checks, it's a mistake, but the coach can have the same guy checked 25 times in the same game if he wants to. Of course, he'd better be finding a lot of illegal sticks or his team will be losing timeouts/possessions or will be playing man-down a lot.

BTW, the entire crosse is checked, not just the pocket. In NFHS, all equipment checks cover the crosse and all other required gear. In NCAA, only a coach request covers additional gear.

[staples]

Wait so if a coach requests a stick check on the opposing team and the stick is NOT illegal it's a penalty and that team is man down?

[LaxRef]

Wait so if a coach requests a stick check on the opposing team and the stick is NOT illegal it's a penalty and that team is man down?

The first time the coach calls for an equipment check and it turns up no violations, no penalty of any kind is assessed (the "free" check).

The next time the coach calls for an equipment check and it turns up no violations, the team loses a timeout. If no timeouts remain, they're assessed a technical foul (loss of possession if they had possession or if no team was due possession, like before a faceoff; a 30-second penalty if the other team had possession).