LaxTV Forums | A Forum About The MCLA

Posted: **Sun Jul 22, 2007 3:22 pm**

Heyi noticed recently that on the stats section of the collegelax web page there is no reference to ground balls. Is there a reason why we dont represent this aspect of the game? I for one would love to see that represented.

Posted: **Sun Jul 22, 2007 9:44 pm**

because most stat keepers can't even accurately track assists. Try and give them the definition of a "ground ball" and keep the standard consistent across the league. There is no way it happens

Posted: **Mon Jul 23, 2007 12:23 am**

It's obviously because ground balls are the least important factor in a game.

Posted: **Mon Jul 23, 2007 7:31 am**

scooter wrote:because most stat keepers can't even accurately track assists. Try and give them the definition of a "ground ball" and keep the standard consistent across the league. There is no way it happens

Agreed. Even at the NCAA level, I read a thing last year about how the number of "face-offs won" in DI lacrosse for a season (2005, I think) was well over the total number of face-offs in the season because each team keeps and reports their own stats.

Posted: **Mon Jul 23, 2007 7:37 am**

westcoastlax wrote:It's obviously because ground balls are the least important factor in a game.

I'm not sure if you're being facetious, but I would disagree. Each ground ball is a possession, the same as a faceoff win, and everyone touts those as huge in the outcome.
It has much more to do with the difficulty of the average table team to keep track of all that stuff, and to know the guidelines for what is considered a ground ball. For instance, did you know that if you intercepted a pass in the air you should get credited with a ground ball? Also, it is only considered a ground ball if it is contested; i.e. a defender is within five yards of the ground ball.
We all know the difficulty with properly recording saves - ground balls are even tougher.

Ground ball—Any ball not in the possession of one team that comes
into the possession of the other team in live-ball play can be a ground
ball. This may occur on an intercepted pass (the ball does not have to hit
the ground) or from a ball checked loose onto the ground. Further, the
ball must be obtained under pressure (another opposing player must be
within 5 yards of the loose ball). When such a ground ball is obtained,
the player gaining the ground ball must be able to perform immediately
the normal functions of possession (shoot, pass, cradle). Should any of
these conditions not be met, a ground ball may not be awarded. A player
cannot drop the ball of his own volition, pick it up again, and be credited
with a ground ball. Ground balls should be awarded as part of the faceoff
play; however, a ground ball is not always awarded when an official
signals possession on a faceoff play, since his definition of possession
does not rise to the standard of that of a ground ball.

Posted: **Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:21 pm**

If everyone would please turn to pages 105-106 of the NCAA's 2007 Men's Lacrosse Rules. There you will from Appendix II Record Keeping, Section 1h:

h. Ground ball—Any ball not in the possession of one team that comes into the possession of the other team in live-ball play can be a ground ball. This may occur on an intercepted pass (the ball does not have to hit
the ground) or from a ball checked loose onto the ground. Further, the
ball must be obtained under pressure (another opposing player must be
within 5 yards of the loose ball). When such a ground ball is obtained,
the player gaining the ground ball must be able to perform immediately
the normal functions of possession (shoot, pass, cradle). Should any of
these conditions not be met, a ground ball may not be awarded. A player
cannot drop the ball of his own volition, pick it up again, and be credited
with a ground ball. Ground balls should be awarded as part of the faceoff
play; however, a ground ball is not always awarded when an official
signals possession on a faceoff play, since his definition of possession
does not rise to the standard of that of a ground ball.
A.R. 1. A1 passes the ball to A2, but B1 intercepts. STATISTICAL RULING: Credit
B1 with ground ball.
A.R. 2. A1 has the ball checked out of his crosse and (1) the ball stays in bounds, where
it is picked up by A2; (2) the ball stays in bounds, where it is picked up by B1; or (3) the
ball goes out of bounds without anyone else obtaining possession first. STATISTICAL
RULING: (1) Credit A2 with ground ball. (2) Credit B1 with ground ball. (3) No ground
ball credited.
A.R. 3. A1 shoots ball. B’s goalkeeper makes a save but does not control ball. A2 picks
up ball, shoots and scores. STATISTICAL RULING: Credit A2 with ground ball,
shot and goal.
A.R. 4. A1 has ball in his possession, but while switching hands on his crosse, drops ball
and picks it back up. STATISTICAL RULING: No ground ball credited.
A.R. 5. A1 chases down loose ball near midfield, but not within 5 yards of a player on
the other side of the center line. STATISTICAL RULING: Credit A1 with ground ball
since he probably prevented the ball from going offside.
A.R. 6. A1 chases down a loose ball, preventing it from going out of bounds, but not
within 5 yards of another player. STATISTICAL RULING: Credit A1 with a ground
ball.
A.R. 7. A1 is running off field under a special-substitution situation, places the ball on the
ground and leaves the field. A2 comes on field and picks up loose ball. STATISTICAL
RULING: No ground ball credited.
A.R. 8. A1 has the ball in his crosse. B1 checks the ball loose. A2 picks it up but it
is immediately checked away and B2 picks it up and controls it. STATISTICAL
RULING: Credit a ground ball to B2 only, since he was the only one to obtain the ball
and remain able to perform normal functions with the ball.

Let the debate continue...

LaxTV Forums | A Forum About The MCLA

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