NFHS Stick Checks

[pboyd]

The Convention made it clear that NCAA officials will be conducting a minimum of 6 stick checks at random times (e.g., immediately after a goal is scored, during a team TO, prior to FO, etc) throughout the game - checks are sticks only and should be accomplished (as a target goal) in the first 3 quarters and definitely not in last 2-mins of play unless a head coach requests an equipment inspection.
I'm interested in how members of this forum think this new emphasis to get rid of dirty sticks will translate to HS games under NFHS Rules - should we do more than one random inspection each half? If we conduct a minimum of one "equipment" inspection each half - do the Rules allow us to conduct additional "stick-only" checks similar to NCAA? In your response identify yourself as an official or coach or both.

[laxfan25]

Official-
Under NCAA Rules, Rule 4.28.b says that officials will conduct at LEAST one stick check per half - so we've always had the right to conduct more if we so choose. The MECHANIC that was adopted was the 1st and 3rd quarter checks. The new MECHANIC is to do at least 6 per team per game.
Under NFHS Rules, Rule 4.28 Art 2 also says AT LEAST one per team, per half. So we really are free to adopt a new MECHANIC for NFHS games to do more checks, under the existing rules.
Based on how the checks go during the earlier college games (time it takes - disruption to the flow - how many bad sticks are being found, etc.) will likely determine if I will do this in HS games. Honestly, I don't think it would be a bad thing at all, and I would like to see it adopted. I think kids have more tendency to try things than the college guys.

[LaxRef]

I agree with LF25 that the rules allow us to adopt this mechanic. However, I woudn't do it without making the coaches aware that it's coming!

I believe the SOC Mechanics Committee is going to make a recommendation to keep the mechanics between COC and SOC as similar as possible except where rule differences mandate a difference (e.g., flag down). Of course, it will ultimately be up to each individual area to decide what they're doing, but the whole point of mechanics is to encourage consistency.

And if you think about it, why have we done our two stick checks at the end of the first and third periods in NFHS? Because that's what the NCAA mechanic was! Let's not try to create more NFHS-NCAA differences when the ball is in our court.

[laxkid891]

wait, so now there is gonna be 6 random checks in the high school game this season as well?

[laxfan25]

wait, so now there is gonna be 6 random checks in the high school game this season as well?
Only for you!

[LaxRef]

I think I figured this out! We can and should change the mechanic at all levels to make the equipment checks occur at random times, as in the COC mechanic (not at the end of the first and third period). The number of checks could then be open for debate, since it says at least one per half per team, but we could make a recommendation and allow each area to determine what the number would be.

This gets rid of any obvious differences in mechanics while allowing for some flexibility. What do you think?

[pboyd]

Sounds good - I think that we have to change it to crosse-only unless Head Coach requests equipment check - then we do the full monte.

[LaxRef]

Sounds good - I think that we have to change it to crosse-only unless Head Coach requests equipment check - then we do the full monte.

No! By rule, under NFHS rules we check all equipment on every equipment check, even the random ones. Under NCAA rules, we check only the crosse on our "random" checks and all equipment if the coach requests.

These are rules, not mechanics, so we can't change them.

[Woodenstick]

When you check other equipment besides the crosse, exactly what do you do? In particular, do you ask the player to show specific pieces of equipment such as palms?

[st.joslax10]

well its not like they ever check a pole. If anybody has let me know because I have never seen that before.

[LaxRef]

When you check other equipment besides the crosse, exactly what do you do? In particular, do you ask the player to show specific pieces of equipment such as palms?

I ask to see the palms and the cleats, tap the shoulders to check for pads, look to see there are arm guards, ask to see the mouth guard (visually) and look for the NOCSAE seal on the helmet. It takes about 15 seconds, then you check the crosse.

[LaxRef]

well its not like they ever check a pole. If anybody has let me know because I have never seen that before.

I have done it and seen it done many times, and it will happen more and more with the new mechanics.

[spenny]

well its not like they ever check a pole. If anybody has let me know because I have never seen that before.

i saw more poles checked this season than i had in the previous 25 seasons combined. we are going to have to get used to it.

[massref]

I feel that more stick checks, as with the NCAA mechanics, will help keep the game more fair. Many defensemen feel immune to stick checks; it's time to "include" them in the process on a more consistent basis. We should push our local areas for more stick/equipment checks in high school.