Cradling position

[laxfan25]

I always enjoy cruising through publications, looking for things that might be called as violations. Here is a recent picture (identity changed to protect the guilty :chuckle: )

I would assume you would never let someone face off with their hand in this position, but would you let them go cradling by, working one on one on a D man? I thought one of the definitions of withholding the ball from play was cradling with your hand on the plastic? Here it looks like he's got his hand wrapped around the head. How difficult would it be to slip the thumb up over the pocket? Do you have to wait to see him actually thumb the ball to call this? As some know, in previous years I always made this call, but got tired of swimming upstream against the tide, and this is the result. Best to leave it as a "no-call"?

[shrekjr]

I can see where the player can conceivably have his hand on the back side of the plastic and not have his thumb in the way....withholding. But if I see the thumb up, I'm calling it. I think I've called it twice, which means it is difficult to see because I'm sure it happens a lot.

[laxfan25]

My point is, you don't need to have the thumb up to be in violation;
Withholding Ball from Play
SECTION 13. When a loose ball is on the ground, a player may not lie on
the ball, trap it with his crosse longer than is necessary for him to control
the ball and pick it up with one continuous motion, or withhold the ball
from play in any other manner. A player, players or team may not deliberately
withhold the ball from play. Repeated actions of this nature may be
ruled unsportsmanlike conduct. (See 5-10-d.)
Note: A player in possession of the ball who holds his crosse against any part of his
body, thus preventing the normal dislodgment of the ball, is illegally withholding the
ball from play. The glove hand cannot grasp any portion of the head of the crosse.
This is intended to cover faceoffs and a player in possession of the ball who is
“thumbing” the ball or choking up and grasping the plastic portion of the crosse.

At the NCAA Clinic a "few" years back, this was one of the points of emphasis - now it's never even called at all. One of my little irritations out there. :nono:

[laxfan25]

What team is that? For some reason, I want to say Wooster but that doesn't seem right...not enough gold.
Well, my identity change worked! If you read your latest issue of Lacrosse magazine you'll see the original picture...(Hint - pg 140)

[CTLaxer]

Army's John Walker

[Bobeo]

What team is that? For some reason, I want to say Wooster but that doesn't seem right...not enough gold.

Army maybe?

[WHEELAX2]

just to be safe, so there's not even a slight chance that someone could be 'thumbing the ball, the rule was changed so that you couldn't have your hand on the throat of the head during game play situations. this is one of the more awkward calls for officials to make. 9 times out of 10 this isn't going to get called, but if a ref notices it, or if the other team points this out, the player will receive a warning, and that's usually as far as it goes.

[LaxRef]

As LF25 has mentioned, we've more or less been told not to make this call. And, as I always do, I have to say that if we're not supposed to cal it, please take the rule out of the book.

[eme]

I am not sure we've been told not to make the call...it is just very hard to see it with all the other carnage going on.

[laxfan25]

just to be safe, so there's not even a slight chance that someone could be 'thumbing the ball, the rule was changed so that you couldn't have your hand on the throat of the head during game play situations.
That was exactly the point made at the clinic - if your hand is not on the plastic it's very difficult for the thumb to even reach up to the pocket. When they're allowed to cradle with their fingers wrapped around the plastic it's very easy to do so, especially when the stick is brought in tight to the body on a roll dodge. If this call was enforced uniformly there would be a lot fewer "miracle" dodges. :agree:

[laxfan25]

I am not sure we've been told not to make the call...it is just very hard to see it with all the other carnage going on.
I've heard that argument as well, but when you're the goal judge and the guy cradling like this is 3 feet away - it's very obvious.

[LaxRef]

I've heard that argument as well, but when you're the goal judge and the guy cradling like this is 3 feet away - it's very obvious.

Where do they define "goal judge" in the rules or mechanics manuals? :chuckle:

[laxfan25]

Where do they define "goal judge" in the rules or mechanics manuals? :chuckle:
What, you didn't get the new '06 mechanics manual? Some new terminology... :laugh: