NCAA Lacrosse Rules Panel Approves Shot Clock Procedure In Men’s Lacrosse

The Playing Rules Oversight Panel on Friday approved rules changes in men’s lacrosse, including the establishment of a shot clock procedure that replaces the sport’s stall warning.

In men’s lacrosse, panel members approved a proposal to adjust the stall warning procedure to include a 30-second timeframe for the offensive team to take a shot.

Membership feedback on the proposal was positive, but the Men’s Lacrosse Rules Committee and Playing Rules Oversight Panel both received questions about the use of a visible shot clock in addition to the committee’s proposed procedure, which uses the game officials to manage the count.

The panel referred this request to the rules committee for further discussion. The proposed and approved rule therefore does not allow a visible shot clock to be used.

In the new procedure, when a team is given a stall warning, a shot must be taken within 30 seconds. A valid shot is defined as an attempt to score that is on goal (for example, saved by the goalkeeper, hits the goal cage, goal scored). If the 30 seconds expires without a shot on goal, the ball will be awarded to the defensive team. The previous “get it in, keep it in” call has been removed.

Here is the protocol referees will follow:

1. Officials signal a stall warning and start the 20-second timer.
2. At the end of the 20-second timer, a 10-second hand count is administered by the official closest to the ball. This official has responsibility for the count until a shot is taken or the time expires.
3. During the 30-second period, situations where a shot goes out of bounds and the offensive team maintains possession will be handled in this manner:
-With more than 10 seconds remaining in the count, the timer continues to run and the procedure continues.
-If the timer expires before the restart, a 10-second count will be administered beginning on the restart.
-With less than 10 seconds remaining, the official shall hold the hand count when the whistle blows and continue the count on the restart. For example, if the ball goes out of bounds with eight seconds remaining on the count, that count continues on the restart. The official will communicate the amount of time remaining on the restart.
4. A shot that hits the goal cage or is saved by the goalkeeper and then possessed by the offensive team nullifies the stall warning and the game continues.
5. In a flag-down situation, the shot count will continue until it expires or a shot is taken.
6. Stalling will not be called during a man advantage.
7. If a shot hits a defensive team player other than the goalkeeper, it will not be considered a shot on goal.

The panel also approved a rule regarding shooting strings. Starting with the 2013 season, players will be allowed to have shooting strings up to but not touching four inches from the top of the crosse.

To ensure that all sticks meet these specifications the following three field tests will be performed by the officials.

- The ball will be placed in crosse (perpendicular to the ground) at the throat, then the crosse is tipped forward 90 degrees;
- The ball is placed in the crosse (horizontal to the ground) at the deepest point of the pocket, then the crosse is tipped forward 90 degrees so the ball rolls out at the tip of the head;
- The ball is placed in the back of the crosse at the deepest point of the pocket and pushed in to reverse the pocket. The crosse is inverted 180 degrees. The ball must come out of the crosse without shaking, etc.

If the stick fails any of these tests, it is an illegal crosse and a one-minute non-releasable foul will be enforced. The crosse won’t be used during play and will be kept at the scorer’s table until the conclusion of the game.

The rules committee thought players currently are able to maintain possession of the ball too easily despite being pressured by the defense.