NFHS Dive Rule
There was been some confusion regarding the NFHS rule on dives.
Rule 4:9-2 n. I
If an attacking player, in possession of the ball and outside the crease area, dives or jumps (becomes airborne of his own volition), prior to, during, or after the release of the shot and lands in the crease, the goal shall be disallowed. An attacking player may legally score a goal and touch the crease area, provided the ball enters the goal before to the contact with the crease and his feet are grounded prior to, during and after a shot.
Clarifications from the 2016 NFHS Rules Memo
Q: A1, not in possession of the ball, is positioned near the crease. A2 takes a shot from outside the crease area and the ball rebounds into the air above the crease. A1 jumps into the air toward the crease, catches the ball in his crosse and shoots the ball while still airborne. The ball enters the goal, and then A1 lands in the crease. Is the goal allowed?
A: No, because A1 was not grounded before, during and after the shot and landed in the crease.
Q: A1 has possession of the ball outside of the crease area. A2 runs toward the crease and jumps or dives into the air toward the crease as A1 feeds the ball to him. While still airborne, A2 shoots at the goal. The ball enters the goal, and then A2 lands in the crease. Is the goal allowed?
A: No, because A2 (the shooter) was not grounded before, during and after the shot and landed in the crease.
Q: A1, not in possession of the ball, is positioned near the crease. A2 takes a shot from outside the crease area and the ball rebounds into the air above the crease. A1 leaps into the air, catches the ball in his crosse and shoots the ball while still airborne. The ball enters the goal, and then A1 lands outside of the crease. After landing outside the crease, A1’s momentum carries him into the crease. Is the goal allowed?
A: Yes. The play is considered to have ended when A1 lands outside the crease after the ball enters the goal.
NOTE: In each of the above cases, batting the ball into the goal would result in the same ruling as catching and shooting the ball.
If you have questions about the Dive Rule, please reach out to State Rules Interpreter Jeremy Redmon at [email protected].