Memorandum

To: NFHS Boys Lacrosse Contacts

From: Kent Summers, NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Editor
Ned Sparks, NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Committee Chair

Subject: 2009 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Clarifications

Date: January 22, 2009
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At the NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Interpretation Meetings in Baltimore last week, five items were identified that need correction/clarification. Those items follow:

1. On page 2 of the 2009 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Book (the page titled "2009 NFHS Lacrosse Rules Changes") item 7-3 should read:

7-3 Clarifies that, should a penalty occur when the ball is in the goal area, play must be re-started laterally outside the goal area, nearest to the spot of the ball at the time of the whistle instead of at the "top of the box."


2. There was some confusion regarding procedure if it is determined that a stick has two ball stops. As a result, Situation 1.6.2 should read:

1.6.2 SITUATION: During an equipment inspection, the following situations are discovered: (a) the crosse has two ball stops, (b) the crosse has a ball stop from another manufacturer, (c) the crosse has no ball stop. RULING: (a) Illegal. Assess a three-minute, non-releasable penalty. In (a), the intent of the player was to make it more difficult for the defender to check the ball free. As a result, the three-minute penalty is assessed and the stick may not be used again for the remainder of the game. (b) No foul. (c) No foul. It is not a requirement for a crosse to have a ball stop.

In addition, the exception listed under Rule 5-4, Illegal Crosse, on page 52 of the rule book must be deleted as the crosse is not to be used again in the game. Thus, the exception is no longer needed.


3. There was also some confusion regarding procedure when a foul occurs while a pass from one player to another is in flight. Thus, situation 4.5 should read:

4.5 SITUATION: During normal play, A1 makes a pass to teammate A2. While the ball is in flight, B1 commits (a) a technical foul or (b) a personal foul. RULING: In (a) the official calls out "play on" and if the pass is completed, the "play-on" is over. In (b), flag down, slow whistle.


4. Due to the revision made to rule 7-3, Resuming Play After a Penalty, Rule 4-29 on page 39 should read as follows:

Restarts following a time-out shall be nearest the spot where the ball was at the time the whistle was blown. A ball in the goal area shall be restarted laterally outside the goal area nearest to the spot of the ball at the time of the whistle. A ball that has crossed the end line shall be restarted at that spot.


5. Conflicting information was discovered between 6-5-2o and 4-30-1b. As a result, Rule 4-30-1b should read as follows:

If a head coach makes a second or subsequent equipment check during a different dead-ball situation and all equipment is found to be legal, that head coach's team will be penalized by a loss of a time-out if any remain or with a technical foul if no time-outs remain as stated in Rule 6-5-2o, assuming no violations were found in a previous request.

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I hope this information helps to clarify these items. If you have questions, contact either your state rules interpreter or, if you are the state rules interpreter, contact the NFHS office directly. Thanks and have a great 2009 Boy's Lacrosse season!

Kent Summers
Assistant Director
National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
P O Box 690
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206
Phone: 317-972-6900
Fax: 317-822-5700
www.nfhs.org