2008 NFHS Boys Rules Changes

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has released several rules updates.  Details are found in an NFHS Press Release.

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Other NFHS lacrosse rule updates can be found here:  http://www.nfhs.org/web/2006/08/boys_lacrosse.aspx

2008 Jersey Rules

The GLOA has received questions regarding the new rule for jerseys going into effect in 2008. Subject to change if the NFHS defines a penalty in the 2008 rule book when it is released, the penalty for non-conforming jerseys will be a single technical foul assessed at the beginning of the game regardless of how many jerseys are non-conforming.

If the referees don't notice the non-compliance and neither coach raises the issue before the game starts, no penalty will be assessed. Further, Jay Watts, as the GHSA representative for lacrosse has said that the rule should not be enforced on JV games for a couple of years until the new jersey style gets pushed down to the JV teams as jerseys are passed down from varsity to the JV teams.

More information on the new rules can be found here:
http://www.nfhs.org/web/2007/05/boys_lacrosse_jersey_rule_effect.aspx

Mercy Rule

Several questions have come in regarding the mercy rule. The NFHS rules for 2006 specifies a 12 goal margin for running time. Because, the GHSA rules book has not been updated to reflect this change, we are still using the 10 goal margin.

Face Offs

When setting up for a face off, the following must be done to prevent a penalty.

• Both players go down to position at the same time when the offical says "down."
• Stick head is centered on the ball.
• Stick heads vertical.
• Stick parallel to the midfield line.
• Both sets of knuckles on the ground.
• The player's entire body to the left of where the shaft meets the head of the cross.
• The players get motionless quickly.

When both players are motionless, the official will say "set." The players remain motionless until the whistle is blown.