Face-off, "crosses match evenly"

[massref]

Both the NCAA and the NFHS rule books state that "the reverse surfaces of the crosses match evenly" on a FO, BUT nothing explains what "evenly" is. Many officials allow the FO players to place their crosses so that the ball lies between the crosse just above the ball stop/throat of the stick (see almost any NCAA officiating video). Is this the even intended? I have the players keep the reverse surfaces of the crosses match head to throat with the ball in the middle of each stick.

Shouldn't there be a diagram in the rule book so that all officials call the face-off same way?

[Longpole5435]

To further complicate this discussion, heads are different sizes.

You're welcome.

[MElaxRef]

I agree that a diagram would be helpful. I can think of 2 possible alternatives:

[1] Match up the entire length of the plastic head, basically the tip of the head of A1's crosse with the point where the shaft goes into the head of B2's crosse.

[2] Match up the pockets of the two heads, basically the tip of the head of A1's crosse with the bottom of the throat of B2's crosse.

Since the portion of the head from the bottom of the throat to the point the shaft enters the head is about 2 inches, either way should be acceptable as long as the ball is halfway between the tips of the two crosses (the centered part of the face-off position).

IMHO, the most important thing is to have the ball centered and the crosses parallel; then everything else about crosse positioning is equal for both players.

[massref]

To further complicate this discussion, heads are different sizes.

Obviously, BUT all stick have a center!!

[wolfie8914]

Most FO guys do not want the area of their stick in line with the ball to be the pinch because if the ball gets stuck, possession is awarded to the other team so I would say the area above the pinch. Thoughts? I'm probably wrong but I thought I'd throw that in there cuz I'm bored and too sick to go to class.

Yea lining up above the pinch is a good idea. I do that anyways, to avoid the ball getting stuck.

[stinisonfire]

By evenly, I take it they mean equal distance from each other, as in the heads are outside of the designated face-off box. Certain f/o guys do certain moves, like one might jump and another might clamp. F/O guys put their heads in certain spots to do these moves, and it's all preference how close they want to be to the ball.

[LaxRef]

By evenly, I take it they mean equal distance from each other, as in the heads are outside of the designated face-off box.

That is not a reasonable interpretation of the phrase "the reverse surfaces of the crosses match evenly."

[eme]

I would think that FOGO A would come down and position his head to his best advantage, as would FOGO B. Both heads straight up-and-down outside the line (NFHS) and box (NCAA). I have never heard a FOGO say to me, "You need to make sure our reverse surfaces match evenly."

[dram183]

First of all, ive always thought you want the pinched part of your stick to be closer to the ball so its a shorter distance down. Also, you cant make them match evenly if one person wants to clamp and uses the bottom of his pocket and the other guy wants to rake(or something) and wants to use the top of his head to do it.

[LaxRef]

First of all, ive always thought you want the pinched part of your stick to be closer to the ball so its a shorter distance down. Also, you cant make them match evenly if one person wants to clamp and uses the bottom of his pocket and the other guy wants to rake(or something) and wants to use the top of his head to do it.

You're missing the point: one interpretation of making the reverse surfaces of the crosses match evenly is that you should do just that. That's why weightref, er, massref wants it clarified in the rules.

[3rdPersonPlural]

I have no problem at all ensuring that heads match evenly. Just set them up 'top of scoop to bottom of pocket, which is by law the same (minimum) distance in all heads.

This is not a challenge, folks. Even I can figure this one out.

[LaxRef]

I have no problem at all ensuring that heads match evenly. Just set them up 'top of scoop to bottom of pocket, which is by law the same (minimum) distance in all heads.

This is not a challenge, folks. Even I can figure this one out.

But that's not the only interpretation of "matching evenly." They could match evenly if they were both top of scoop to, say, 3 inches from the bottom of the pocket.

[3rdPersonPlural]

But that's not the only interpretation of "matching evenly." They could match evenly if they were both top of scoop to, say, 3 inches from the bottom of the pocket.

Yup. And it could be butt to scoop, but it's not.

This is a case where the rules makers are nodding to generations of lacrosse practice and custom and only clarifying around the edges where variations to the norm might happen.

We could add the text "...scoop to ball stop location..." which would inform those refs who have never seen a face off before......

[RockStar]

I'm lucky - no such written rule of "match evenly", so I can just treat it as if it looks right and feels right, it's right.

Lucky thing too, faceoffs are boring anyway, so I'd rather not stop play unless the cheat is so blatant that even the drunks in the cheap seats couldn't blow the call! I prefer to just blow 'em in, let the men settle possession amongst themselves, and get on with the game.

[CardinalPuff]

i'm streaming in the Loyola/ND tilt and i don't know if the heads are evenly matched but there appears to be a lot of leeway regarding the neutral zone....