illegal procedure

[horn17]

for HS....

Can you or can you not sub on a violation at the X with no release until the restart? I have read that the midfield is allowed but not the attack and d, I thought neither (obviously the attack and d) could sub, but it seems the middies can? Seems there has been some confusion, and just want to clarify...

[LaxRef]

for HS....

Can you or can you not sub on a violation at the X with no release until the restart? I have read that the midfield is allowed but not the attack and d, I thought neither (obviously the attack and d) could sub, but it seems the middies can? Seems there has been some confusion, and just want to clarify...

There was a rules bulletin sent out on this to all MSHSL and MBSLA coaches yesterday. Well, it was at least sent to the section administrators and should have been forwarded to all coaches; some sections may not have received it yet.

The most relevant rule is

ART. 2 ... When the whistle sounds to start play, the players in the wing areas shall be released. All other players are confined to their areas until a player of either team has gained possession of the ball, the ball goes out of bounds, the ball crosses the defensive area line or a whistle stops play for a time serving foul. Players designated in the midfield area and players designated within the defensive area may not interchange positions before -possession has been called.

And the key is that possession doesn't exist after a loose-ball technical until the whistle that blows to restart play. Thus, the attackmen and defensemen are still restrained and can't sub, but the wing middies were released on the initial whistle.

One could make an argument that if there was a violation before the whistle that the wing middies were still restrained, but that does not match enforcement. And there are no rules specifically stating that those wing middies can't sub, they can. Remember, in general, playing rules tell you what you can't do (and procedural rules tell you what you can do and how the game is run).

If this call is made incorrectly in a game, it can always be challenged via rule 7-13.

Here is the full text of the bulletin sent out recently:

The following rules situations have come up in recent games:

• Rule 4-7-1 states (for players other than the goalie in his crease) “If at any point the ball becomes stuck in the front or back of the crosse, there shall be an immediate whistle and the ball awarded to the opposing team.” This applies to face-offs as well as any other live-ball situation; the 4-second count to get the ball out of the stick was eliminated several years ago.

• There is no prohibition against a player exchanging crosses with a teammate during a live ball or dead ball unless it violates another rule (e.g., a goalie may not exchange his crosse with a field player, a player may never throw his crosse). If a player wishes to exchange a crosse with a coach, it must be done at the table area or coaches’ area. Violations of these rules are rare and are technical fouls.

• If there is a technical foul or an out-of-bounds on a face-off before possession, the attackmen and defensemen are not released from behind their offensive and defensive restraining lines, so those players may not legally substitute. However, the players in the midfield area during the face-off (normally midfielders, but possibly a defenseman or attackman brought up to the wing area for the face-off) may substitute before the whistle to restart play.

• The lines on the sides of the attack area should be solid, not dashed (no penalty will be assessed for this, but it should be corrected the next time the field is lined).

• When a team is keeping the ball from play, they may be warned to keep the ball in the attack area at any time during the game. Once a team is warned, that warning stays in effect until the defense gains possession, a goal is scored, or the period ends resulting in a face-off; a stalling violation results if the ball leaves the attack area for any reason other than a shot or a deflection by the defense. The criterion used to determine when a team should be warned is that the offense must be “trying to create a scoring opportunity.”

• Leaving the bench area during an altercation is an expulsion foul.

• A player or coach may be expelled from the game after the final horn, with appropriate suspensions to be served.

• If a ball becomes stuck in the front or the back of the crosse of a non-goalkeeper at any time, there is an immediate whistle and the ball is to be awarded to the other team. This includes a ball stuck in a crosse dropped by a player.

• Though the NFHS does not offer specific guidance on the following situations, officials are calling them in accordance with the NCAA rulings (which are consistent with the NFHS rules here):

A.R. 43. A1 drops his crosse, which is not broken, and B1 (1) Accidentally steps on or kicks A1’s crosse; or (2) Intentionally steps on, kicks or otherwise moves A1’s crosse to try to keep A1 from recovering it. RULING: (1) No foul for interference because the crosse is not in possession. (2) Unsportsmanlike conduct on B1.

A.R. 44. A1, in a crowded scrimmage area, drops his crosse with the ball in it. (1) A1 tries to retrieve his crosse. (2) A2 or B1 kicks the crosse on the ground to try to gain access to the ball. (3) A2 or B1 uses his crosse to try to gain access to the ball. RULING: If the ball is stuck in the crosse, immediate whistle and award the ball to Team B. Otherwise: (1) Illegal procedure for participating in the play without equipment. (2) No foul. (3) No foul.

• Although the NCAA has eliminated the requirement, the NFHS still requires a ball stop. The correct ruling is to tell the player to get a ball stop if he does not have one; the stick is not illegal in the sense of disallowing a goal or carrying a penalty (similar to a missing end cap or hanging strings longer than 6 inches), but if the player returns without fixing it a 1:00 NR USC is assessed.

• Under NFHS rules, a crosse with two ball stops is a 3:00 NR penalty with the goal disallowed (assuming stick is inspected after the goal and before play restarts).

• If a period ends with a flag down or with either team having an extra man, a team in possession retains possession at the start of the next period in the same relative position on the field. This is not true if the teams are even, whether no one is in the penalty area or both teams have someone serving a penalty. However, in NFHS lacrosse, a flag down creating an even situation does give possession to start the next period.

• The following situation covers contact with a player in a screening position:

5.8 SITUATION A: B1 is playing A1. A1, running at full speed, cuts around A2, who had set up a screening position. B1, while playing A1, contacts A2 violently. RULING: Legal, if B1 was concentrating on A1. Illegal, if B1 deliberately ran into A2, which would be a personal foul.

[horn17]

again...thanks as always!!!

everything from Lisa S. goes imediately to the spam....

[UofMLaxGoalie11]

Im assuming that since the faceoff middie was never restrained (unless you count not being able to move before the whistle), he is free to substitute as well? All that is mentioned is the wing middies.

[LaxRef]

Im assuming that since the faceoff middie was never restrained (unless you count not being able to move before the whistle), he is free to substitute as well? All that is mentioned is the wing middies.

Correct.