Lacrosse Rules Myths

[LaxRef]

Here's a listing of common rules myths I put together a few years ago:

In lacrosse—as in any sport—there are a variety of myths about the rules that are widely circulated. It’s important to know what these myths are so that you don’t get conned during a game.

Myth: “Whoever is closest to the endline when the ball goes out on a shot gets possession.”

It’s whoever is closest to the ball when it crosses the endline or sideline, not who is closest to the endline. Note that the goalie may be the closest even if he doesn’t chase the ball.

Myth: “I was closest to the ball when it went out because I stuck my stick out farther.”

The stick has no bearing on who is closest to the ball; it’s the body of the player that counts.

Myth: “When the goalie clamps down on the ball outside the crease, that's possession and his stick can't be checked.”

If the goalie has possession of the ball and the stick is outside the crease, the stick can’t be checked. If the goalie clamps the ball with his stick inside the crease, it can’t be checked. But a clamped ball outside the crease is not possession, so the stick may be checked inthis situation.

Myth: “If the ball strikes two [or three] of the goal pipes, it’s a goal.”

The ball must completely cross the plane of the goal opening for a goal to be scored. In fact, hitting two pipes is usually good evidence that the ball did not break the plane.

Myth: “A player intending to body check a player who has thrown or shot the ball can hit that player after he has passed or shot provided he takes no more than ___ steps.”

If the ball is more than 5 yards away when the check is applied, it is technically an illegal body check. In any case, the player should be trying to hold back once the ball is gone; he does not get a “free” hit on the passer or shooter.

Myth: “It's brand new stick [or it was okay in the last game], so it has to be legal.”

Sometimes sticks come from the factory illegal, and stick dimensions change over time. Simply inspect the stick and flag it if it is illegal.

Myth: “Hockey helmets are allowed in our league.”

The NCAA and NFHS rules clearly prohibit the use of hockey helmets for field lacrosse.

Myth: “We had possession at the end of the period, so we get possession instead of a face-off at the start of the next period.”

This is true, but only if there was someone serving a penalty when the period expired (a pass thrown before the horn and caught in the air after the horn is possession).

Myth: “The official must blow his whistle to stop play immediately if a player is hurt.”

The officials should blow the whistle if there is an injured player in the scrimmage area, but if the injured player is in no immediate danger and if one team has a play (e.g., a fast break, a chance to get a shot) the officials can delay the whistle until the play comes near the injured player or the situation becomes settled.

Myth: “If a goal is scored on a flag down, the penalty is wiped out.”

There is only true if the flag is for a technical foul; if the foul is personal, it is served even if a goal is scored.

Myth: “The goalie can’t get called for a slash.”

If the goalie intentionally follows through on a pass in order to hit someone, he can be called for a slash.

Myth: “The goalie doesn't have to serve his own penalties unless it's unsportsmanlike conduct.”

There is no provision for this in the rules. If the goalie gets a penalty, he serves it.

[michaeldwilson]

Originally posted by LaxRef
Here's a listing of common rules myths I put together a few years ago:

Myth: “Whoever is closest to the endline when the ball goes out on a shot gets possession.”

It’s whoever is closest to the ball when it crosses the endline or sideline, not who is closest to the endline. Note that the goalie may be the closest even if he doesn’t chase the ball.

Good stuff. Thanks for the post.

But I read the rules to say the ball is awarded to the player closest to it when it goes out of bounds, and that the ball is not out of bounds until it touches the line or the ground past the boundaries, not when it crosses it on the fly.

Mike

[Snake~eyes]

I'll add one, this ones for coaches.

Myth: It is possible to see someone who steps in the crease from the sideline.

False, you have to be standing right on the crease to see a player step in the crease.

[smitt5168]

Originally posted by HdGLaxWarrior
What a waste of a Friday...

what a waste of a post.


laxref, that is extremely helpful. i was wondering why i was getting possesion after the shot when i stuck my long pole out in front of the guy ahead of me.

[LaxRef]

Originally posted by michaeldwilson
Good stuff. Thanks for the post.

But I read the rules to say the ball is awarded to the player closest to it when it goes out of bounds, and that the ball is not out of bounds until it touches the line or the ground past the boundaries, not when it crosses it on the fly.

Mike

When it "becomes an out of bounds ball" was the language at one point, and if you looked at the definition of the ball becoming an out of bounds ball it used to say that the ball had to touch the sideline or endline or touch something out of bounds to become out of bounds. This could have led to the following silly scenario: Player A1 shoots and hits the crossbar. The ball deflects high in the air and takes 4 seconds to come down while A2 and B1 jostle for position on the endline until the ball lands out of bounds.

But they've fixed the rules, at least in the NCAA, to say that a *shot* is out of bounds when it breaks the plane of the endline or sideline. This is the way everyone called it anyway, but now the rules refelct that. It also still allows the play where the ball is going out of bounds and you jump from in bounds, then catch the ball and throw it back in before landing out of bounds.

[cloo24]

if the stick has no brearing why in my game today was a ball awarded to the D guy funning behind me when he stuck his stick out

[LaxRef]

Originally posted by cloo24
if the stick has no brearing why in my game today was a ball awarded to the D guy funning behind me when he stuck his stick out

I can't say for sure, since I missed your game and didn't see the play, but there are a few possibilities:

1) You were closer to the endline, but your opponent was closer to the ball when it broke the plane of the endline or sideline.

2) The official didn't know that the stick doesn't count. (The rules say "body.")

3) The official had a bad angle or was out of position.

[spenny]

cloo, another thing. 9 times out of 10 you are physically too close to accurately call (see) a play you are involved in. one of the things the best refs do is always know where to stand to get the best vantage point for any play that is going on.

lastly. even when the ref is wrong, he's right... you can take that to the bank. the sooner you stop worrying about the ref's calls and start worrying about improving your game, the sooner you will be a better player.
(not a slam) calls from the ref you dont like can take your head out of a game just as effectively as can a opponent that is taunting you.

[Snake~eyes]

Totally right spenny. Standing in the rgiht place and the right time just comes with experience and a little teaching.

[cloo24]

yeah iu'm not sayingv it was a bad call cause that was my understanding of the rule just asking why i know the ref is always right

[michaeldwilson]

Originally posted by LaxRef

But they've fixed the rules, at least in the NCAA, to say that a *shot* is out of bounds when it breaks the plane of the endline or sideline. This is the way everyone called it anyway, but now the rules refelct that. It also still allows the play where the ball is going out of bounds and you jump from in bounds, then catch the ball and throw it back in before landing out of bounds.

I checked this. They fixed it for NCAA, but not for NFHS.

Another interesting difference: In NCAA rules, the winner of the coin toss gets the choice of a first alternate possession or goal to defend. In NFHS, you get both if you win the toss.

Mike

[Snake~eyes]

Originally posted by michaeldwilson
I checked this. They fixed it for NCAA, but not for NFHS.

Another interesting difference: In NCAA rules, the winner of the coin toss gets the choice of a first alternate possession or goal to defend. In NFHS, you get both if you win the toss.

Mike

Yep.

[TheKOB]

Originally posted by Snake~eyes
I'll add one, this ones for coaches.

Myth: It is possible to see someone who steps in the crease from the sideline.

False, you have to be standing right on the crease to see a player step in the crease.

I disagree...I think that I have this ability. Also, I taught it to everyone else else rooting/coaching/playing for the team I'm rooting for/coaching/playing on. :agree


Does the foot have to touch the paint/chalk, or go inside the paint/chalk? I think I know the answer, but I figured better safe than sorry...

[Snake~eyes]

lol... don't tellme you're one of those hecklers! "HE'S IN THE CREASE HE'S IN THE CREASE" when he clearly isn't.

If the foot touches the line its in the crease.

[LatinBabe]

bot wouldnt that be ON the crease and not IN the crease? :agree

i love watching games where coaches at field level think they can see the crease while the audience in the stands can clearly see they arnt actually. screaming matches ensue every so often ;) oh the pleasures of entertainment.

[TheKOB]

I don't usually take issue with it. It doesn't come up very often...I did have questions about getting pushed into the crease previously.

It really came out when the ref or refs (we're in SC so it was probably singular) didn't show so the other coach and I figured we could ref a scrimmage. I took away their first goal for the kid stepping in the crease, and got heckled from the sideline from the timekeeper/a parent. I gave him my patented "you must be outside of your mind" look and he quieted down in a hurry. At any rate, it was a very difficult thing to watch the players feet when he got close to the crease and not the stick/ball, but I figured I'd know if it went in or not a lot easier than I could tell if he stepped in the crease later on when I had to call it. It's a hard call to make, but it's definitely harder from the sidelines, especially when the field is intentionally sloped for drainage and there's a crowd of feet going on.

I usually complain about the pushes, slashes that are called by sound, and unecessary roughness every once in awhile...

[michaeldwilson]

Originally posted by TheKOB
I disagree...I think that I have this ability. Also, I taught it to everyone else else rooting/coaching/playing for the team I'm rooting for/coaching/playing on. :agree


Does the foot have to touch the paint/chalk, or go inside the paint/chalk? I think I know the answer, but I figured better safe than sorry...

Any chalk at all and I'll call it.

Mike

[michaeldwilson]

Originally posted by TheKOB


I usually complain about the pushes, slashes that are called by sound, and unecessary roughness every once in awhile...

Sound is not that useful as a way to a judge a penalty. If Team A hits the crosse of Team B near his helmet, sometimes it really sounds like a helmet slash. Or if Team A hits Team B's crosse and Team B's crosse hits his own helmet, again it really sounds like a crack to the head. You've got to see it to call it.

Mike

[TheKOB]

I know, that's why I've been known to complain, especially when the ref is behind the player who is being slashed across the front of the facemask. Such is the problem with having only 1-2 refs at a game, but I figure if the official didn't see it, it should be a no-call instead of a penalty...it's the same rule of thumb that I assume applies to problems w/substitution, offsides, etc.

[LaxRef]

I thought I'd bump this thread up since it's the beginning of a new season and I'm sure a few of the new players are laboring under these myths.

[CoachRob]

Myth: “We had possession at the end of the period, so we get possession instead of a face-off at the start of the next period.”

This is true, but only if there was someone serving a penalty when the period expired (a pass thrown before the horn and caught in the air after the horn is possession).

Only true if one team has MORE players in the penalty box. If both teams have one (or more) player(s) in the box, leaving them at even but less than full-strength, the period is started with a face-off. There must be a man-down situation for this scenario to be true.

[LaxRef]

Myth: “We had possession at the end of the period, so we get possession instead of a face-off at the start of the next period.”

This is true, but only if there was someone serving a penalty when the period expired (a pass thrown before the horn and caught in the air after the horn is possession).

Only true if one team has MORE players in the penalty box. If both teams have one (or more) player(s) in the box, leaving them at even but less than full-strength, the period is started with a face-off. There must be a man-down situation for this scenario to be true.

True, and I believe the bulletin recently said that if a flag down makes it all even to start the next period there will be a faceoff.

Also, in NCAA rules, a pass in flight is no longer in possession even if caught, but it IS possession in NFHS.

[TheKOB]

I reffed a game yesterday. SC is using a hybrid of NFHS and NCAA rules, meaning that they have 20 seconds to clear it over the midfield line. One of the coaches believed then they have 20 seconds after they cross midfield to get it in the box. I was agast, since this was the coach of the best high school team in the state, who always won the SCLL championship.

[michaeldwilson]

Hey LaxRef,

It's great to see another season start.

Mike

[zebra618]

I am having a difficult time finding the NFHS rule that is related to the statement "Myth: “We had possession at the end of the period, so we get possession instead of a face-off at the start of the next period.”

This is true, but only if there was someone serving a penalty when the period expired (a pass thrown before the horn and caught in the air after the horn is possession)."

Can someone help me with the reference?
Thanks!

[LaxRef]

I am having a difficult time finding the NFHS rule that is related to the statement "Myth: “We had possession at the end of the period, so we get possession instead of a face-off at the start of the next period.”

This is true, but only if there was someone serving a penalty when the period expired (a pass thrown before the horn and caught in the air after the horn is possession)."

Can someone help me with the reference?
Thanks!

SECTION 3. Play shall be started at the beginning of each period and after each goal by facing the ball at the center of the field. Exceptions: (1) In the event of an extra-man or flag-down that creates an extra man at the conclusion of any period, the next period shall be commenced by awarding the possession of the ball to the team that had possession of the ball at the conclusion of the prior period in the same relative position on the field. However, if the period ends with no team in possession, except in the previously mentioned flag-down situation, the ball shall be faced off with all the normal restrictions.

This same section should be in the NFHS rules. There are various A.R.s that cover the "ball in flight" situation. In NCAA now, a ball in flight is not in possession if cuaght after the horn. In NFHS, if the horn blows while the ball is in the air and it is caught by the team that threw the pass, it is considered to be in possession.

It's also been clarified (by the NCAA at least) that this only applies if there is an advantage when the period ends. That is, if the period ends with the same number of people from each team in the penalty area, possession does not matter, but if one team ends the period with more than the other then possession does matter. This is true, I believe, even if there is only one person in the penalty area but there is a flag down when the horn sounds that evens things up; in this case, the period in some sense ends all even so possession doesn't matter.

[zebra618]

Thanks! I assumed it was in the NCAA rulebook. I just found it in 4-3-1 Exceptions in NFHS 2005.