Subject: 2010 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Clarifications
Date: February 16, 2010

Following the NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Interpretation Meeting in Baltimore on January 16th, four items have been identified that need clarification. Those items follow:

1. On page 25 of the 2010 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Book, rule 4-3-1, Exception 1, first sentence should read:
In the event of an extra-man situation or a flag down creating an extra-man situation at the conclusion of any period, the next period shall be commenced by awarding possession of the ball in the same relative position on the field to the team that had possession of the ball (or is entitled to possession by a play-on) at the conclusion of the prior period.
The phrase “creating an extra-man” was inadvertently omitted from the rules book at the time of printing.

2. At the rules interpretation meeting, there was some discussion regarding the revision to rule 4-9-2k. Since the time of the meeting, the following clarification has been determined:
Officials may decide to do an equipment check on both teams directly after a goal. This check may or may not include the goal scorer. If, when approaching the goal scorer to check his stick, the goal scorer pulls his strings, then 4-9-2k goes into effect. Obviously, some common sense is needed here. Officials are not trying to trap someone. This is for the situation where the goal scorer sees the official coming and then pulls his strings because he thinks he does or may have a deep pocket. Good preventative officiating would have the official loudly and directly warn the goal scorer immediately after the goal: "Please don't touch your stick, I need to check it." If, after asking the goal scorer for his stick, the goal scorer adjusts his stick in any way, then 4-9-2k goes into effect. The goal comes off the board. The goal scorer is assessed a 1-minute unsportsmanlike conduct. The equipment check continues and the worst of any infractions is added to the 1-minute unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. This could be an additional 1 minute or an additional 3 minutes...for a grand total of either 2 or 4 minutes non-releasable penalty time.

The language of 4-9-2k is "...scoring player adjusts the strings before the official requests it..." It does not say, “adjusts the strings after a goal and the opposing coach sees it and points it out to the official and demands that the goal not count..." "Before the official requests it" strongly implies that a request is coming from the official. Also, after a goal, a scorer may jam his head, twist his head, and bend his shaft: anything he wants to that stick except "adjust the strings before the official requests it" or "adjust the stick in ANY way AFTER the official requests it."

3. In the 2010 rules book, the second sentence of rule 1-7-3 states:
A metal handle that does not have a cap-plug on the end shall be considered illegal; at the next whistle, it shall be removed from the game until corrected. The word “not” was inadvertently omitted from that statement. The rule should state:
A metal handle that does not have a cap-plug on the end shall not be considered illegal; at the next whistle, it shall be removed from the game until corrected. Even though the stick must be removed from the game, there is no penalty assessed. Thus, the handle is not considered illegal.

4. Butt ends which are more than 3½ inches in circumference (i.e. tape rings) do not draw a penalty other than to be removed from the game and fixed before re-entering the game.

If you have questions, contact either your state rules interpreter or, if you are the state rules interpreter, contact the NFHS office directly.