2008 Boys Lacrosse Clarifications and Reminders

1.      Lacrosse gloves manufactured without a palm are legal under NFHS rules for the 2008 season. Rule 5-5 stipulates that players may not cut the palm or fingers out of the glove. Thus, gloves with palms cut out are not allowed, but gloves manufactured without palms are allowed for the 2008 season.

2.      Re-starts after a time-out called by the defense when the goalie had the ball in the crease will re-start on the goal line extended outside the goal area (Rule 4-29).

3. Should both teams have uniform violations that cannot be corrected prior the start of the contest, possession of the ball to start the game will be determined by alternate possession (Rule 7-6 Article 4-b-2).

4. Should a time-out be called with a stall warning in effect, officials should advise both coaches as they go to the time-out that the stall warning will still be in effect when play is resumed. Upon the restart of play, the team in possession will have 10 seconds to move the ball into the goal area where they will again be warned to "keep it in" (Rule 6-10 Situation L).

5. Rule 1-9-2d states that eye shields, if worn, shall be clear, molded and non-rigid. This rule is in place so that medical personnel can look into a player's eyes should the need arise. If a player is wearing a tinted eye shield, the only way for medical personnel to see the player's eyes is to remove the helmet which is not an acceptable option. Glasses are not considered eye shields and are allowed. If a player is wearing tinted glasses, medical personnel can simply reach through the face guard and lift the glasses up enough to be able to see the eyes. It is strongly suggested that players who wear glasses wear frames made for participation in sports with sports protective lenses.

6. Rule 4-10-3 on page 33 needs the word "not" in the first sentence. "A team is not considered offside when a player, seeing that he is going to be offside before he can stop, instead runs out of bounds."

7. The last sentence of rule 4-29 on page 38 states stipulates that a shot that has crossed the end line shall be restarted at that spot. That sentence should read "A ball that has crossed the end line shall be restarted at that spot."

8. Rule 1-7-4 on page 19 states that a stick having two ball stops will be assessed a 3-minute penalty and the stick (if corrected) may return to the game. Rule 5-4 on page 52 states that a crosse that has been altered to gain an advantage will remain in the table area for the remainder of the game. Because these two statements are in contradiction, the following statement should be added to Rule 5-4:

      "A player using a crosse found illegal because it was altered to again an advantage will receive a three-minute non-releasable penalty, and the illegal crosse will remain in the table area for the remainder of the game (Exception: a crosse with a double stop – See 1-7-4 Situation).