The Ball Stop

[lionslaxfan]

I know it is a rule that you have to have a ball stop in your stick, but I was wondering why? What is it for? What advantage would you have by not having one? Its just a tiny piece of foam! Is there any rule on how big it has to be?

[UofMLaxGoalie11]

I was wondering the same thing. Also, is it different for a goalie? I currently have one on my stick, but I know for a fact that a while ago I got one that didnt even have a ball stop, so I didnt play with one.

[laxfan25]

is it different for a goalie? I currently have one on my stick, but I know for a fact that a while ago I got one that didnt even have a ball stop, so I didnt play with one.

When was the last time you saw a goalie's stick get called for a stick check? Your secret's safe with us!

[UofMLaxGoalie11]

Last season. One of our goalies played with an attackmans shaft. It must have been checked 2-3 times.

[lionslaxfan]

but what the heck is the purpose of a ball stop! Somebody has to know what it does and why its a rule!

[TexOle]

Just to annoy everyone! Next question.

[Lax_Stats]

but what the heck is the purpose of a ball stop! Somebody has to know what it does and why its a rule!

To stop the ball!

[DLSLax]

goalies can play with attack shafts

[Lax_Stats]

I know it is a rule that you have to have a ball stop in your stick, but I was wondering why? What is it for? What advantage would you have by not having one? Its just a tiny piece of foam! Is there any rule on how big it has to be?

The rule book only says all crosses must have a guard stop and that a crosse without a guard stop shall not be considered illegal. The book also indicates that at the next whistle however, that the stick shall be removed from play until corrected. This can be found in the 2006 NCAA rule book on page 19 under crosse construction, note 3. This note was added to the rule book in 1996. Don't ask me why though.

[umdulax1]

There must have been too many dropped passes at the NCAA's due to the ball hitting the plastic!!!

[LaxRef]

goalies can play with attack shafts

Anyone can play with any legal shaft, so long as the overall stick length is 40-42, 52-72, or (for a goalie) 40-72 inches. However, a goalie head on a stick 40 or so inches long looks so goofy that people figure it must be illegal and call for an equipment check.

[Champ]

Is there any limitation on the size of the ball stop? Or does it only state you can't have two. Be nice to get a big foam piece in there.

[Dan Wishengrad]

The NCAA Rules do not, however, define what a ball stop IS, but rather that it must exist and be present. The Rules don't say that the ball stop MUST be a factory-equipped piece of foam. Just like end caps -- which can be the rubber sleeves which come on the stick, or special ones bought separately and replacing the original ones, or a bunch of athletic tape cover the hollow of the shaft -- they are all legal.

So, if a player wads up some tape and applies it to the plastic wouldn't this be construed as a legal "ball stop", provided the ball rests on it?

[LaxRef]

Is there any limitation on the size of the ball stop? Or does it only state you can't have two. Be nice to get a big foam piece in there.

NFHS: Having 2 ball stops is a 3:00 NR penalty. In addition, in NFHS the head opening must be at least 10 inches, inside measurement, from the top of the head to the farthest exposed edge of the ball stop. That means a thick stop is likely to make your crosse illegal.

NCAA: No mention of two stops, and in NCAA we measure to the unexposed edge of the ball stop. However, a thick stop may make your stick illegal if it keeps the ball from rolling freely from the pocket. This may happen in NFHS as well.

[Dan Wishengrad]

LaxRef:

Is there any definition to what constitutes the ball stop in the rules that I am unaware of, or any offcial interpretation handed down on this? Say a player loses his ball stop and puts a single piece of athletic tape down where the ball stop should sit, and the ball rests on this tape. Would this be considered illegal, and if so why?