NFHS makes changes to lacrosse restart protocol

By: Greg Macafee
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 | 5:03 PM

The National Federation of State High School Associations made a few rule changes for the 2019-20 boys lacrosse season.

Restart Protocol Amended in High School Boys Lacrosse. Starting next year in high school boys lacrosse, play may be restarted with a defensive player within 5 yards of the player in possession of the ball.https://t.co/E8gvPiUjcv pic.twitter.com/0voTii6MiH

— NFHS (@NFHS_Org) August 6, 2019

One of the biggest changes came with an amendment to the restart protocol during the most recent meeting of the NFHS boys lacrosse rules committee. Starting next spring, play may be restarted with a defensive player within 5 yards of the player in possession of the ball.

Officials no longer will wait for defensive players to move more than 5 yards away from the player in possession of the ball. Although, offensive and defensive players are required to move away from the player in possession of the ball, there are exceptions for defensive players.

If a defensive player is within 5 yards of the player in possession of the ball, he or she must allow that player a direct path to the goal and not defend that player until the player is 5 yards away, or they will be subject to a delay-of-game technical foul.

“This change allows for rapid restarts to increase pace of play while making the game more engaging,” said Dr. James Weaver, NFHS director of performing arts and sports and liaison to the NFHS boys lacrosse rules committee. “Additionally, the change balances technique between offense and defense.”

The NFHS Board of Directors also approved a change to Rule 5-5, which changed the penalty for an illegal crosse from tiered penalty to a two-minute, non-releasable penalty, no matter the infraction. Eight other rule changes were also approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

Greg Macafee is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Greg by email at gmacafee@triblive.com or via Twitter .