LaxTV Forums | A Forum About The MCLA

Okay, this may be trivial but I'm a little unclear...

When a team calls for their one "free" stick check, are they then able to check any stick on the field or sideline, or are the only allowed to check the stick of someone who was on the field?

I ask because in our last game the opposing team called for a check on one of our players (who passed the check) but was on the sideline at the time of the call.

any stick can be checked, whether it is in the game or on the sidelines at the time the request is made. while it is possible, and allowed under the rules, i doubt that someone would request a stick check on a non-player's stick or a coach's stick.

A team member need NOT be on the field in order to have his equipment checked.
Check the NCAA Rulebook - Rule 4/Section 28/D.

Sonny wrote:A team member need NOT be on the field in order to have his equipment checked.
Check the NCAA Rulebook - Rule 4/Section 28/D.

True. However, the request must refer to a specific player. This makes it unclear if there's any provision for checking a stick, say, lying on the ground or one in possession of a coach.

I would argue that you shouldn't have any illegal sticks on your bench anywhere and that, if you're caught, the presumption should be that the intent was to have that stick available to slip into the game. However, the flip side is that I could then sneak over to your bench, hide an illegal crosse, and then call for an inspection on that crosse to get a 3:00 NR penalty on your team. Thus, I'll continue to officiate in a way that requires the coach to designate a specific player. Of course, if that guy is holding two sticks when I go over to the bench to check him, I'm checking both sticks.

I have been late getting to a guy to check equipment and have had to grab a guy more or less at random (usually we're trying to pick a guy that has scored a lot or handled the ball a lot). Occasionally, I've been told "But I haven't even been in the game!", to which I've replied "I don't care."

Guess I'll have to be sure not to bring the fiddle sticks out to the game.

Thanks guys.