Six Major Rule Changes Made
December 29, 2004 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
San Jose Stealth News Release
SAN JOSE - The San Jose Stealth will undoubtedly be talking about some changes made in the league while they are at training camp this week. Heading into their first game on Jan. 7 in Calgary, Stealth players have been notified of a few major rule changes that will be implemented in the National Lacrosse League for the 2005 season and beyond. Rule changes are recommended by the league's Competition Committee, and then voted on by the league's Board of Governors for approval. Among those in the Competition Committee is Stealth General Manager and Head Coach Johnny Mouradian.
There are some significant rule changes that fans who follow the NLL game will want to be aware of. The following will explain the changes fans should know about as they watch the NLL this season.
Sudden-Death Overtime Period, Length of Period Increased to 15 Minutes
There are no ties in the NLL, and games that are tied at the end of regulation are decided in sudden-death overtime. Overtime in the NLL is one of the most exciting times in all of professional sports. In the past, the overtime periods have been five minutes in length.
Starting in 2005, the overtime periods will now be 15 minutes in length. "The change to 15 minutes should improve the flow of the game in sudden-death overtime situations," said NLL Vice President of Operations Brian Lemon. "The teams are going to play until a goal is scored, so we felt that a longer overtime period (if needed) will keep the game moving towards its conclusion, when a goal is scored." As with the previous rules, the game would move into a second overtime, if needed, and so on. The overtime format continues to be sudden-death, meaning the game ends upon the first goal scored by either team.
Eighteen Players Dress for Each Team
The league increased the number of players each team can use in a game from 17 to 18 during the 2004 season. The change is now permanent, and will be in place for the 2005 season and beyond. Each team will dress 18 players from their 23-man roster for each game. The eighteen players will consist of 16 runners (forwards, defensemen and transition players) and two goalkeepers.
No Passing to Goalkeepers in the Crease
Runners are no longer allowed to pass the ball to their own goalkeeper while the goalkeeper is in his crease. A team making such a pass will be whistled for a violation and will lose possession of the ball. The intent is to improve the excitement of the game by getting defenders more involved in the transition game. The rule change prevents a defenseman or any runner from escaping the opposition's offensive pressure by simply passing the ball to his goalkeeper in the crease.
Faceoffs-More Skills in the Center Circle
The players taking faceoffs for their teams are now given more latitude to utilize their skills to obtain possession of the ball on draws. The faceoff men will now be allowed to trap and clamp while taking the draw as long as they are not withholding play. Previously, faceoff men were only allowed to directly draw their sticks back in a straight fashion towards the boards. "The changes will allow faceoff men to use more of their skills in trying to control the ball," said Lemon. "It should make for a more entertaining battle for the ball on faceoffs."
Better Battle for the Loose Ball
In a loose ball situation where two opposing players are contesting the ball, legal physical contact between the two players is now allowed if they are within three yards of the ball. Previously it was only allowed within one yard of the ball. "The change should make for more excitement in loose ball situations, as it should lead to an increase in aggressiveness and physical contact," said Lemon.
Consistency in Penalties for Major Fouls
The league has enacted a new level of consistency with respect to issuing penalties for the major fouls of Boarding, Charging, Checking from Behind, Illegal Cross-Checking and High-Sticking. Under the new rules, each of the five major fouls will now consist of a major penalty (five minutes) for the offending player and a game misconduct (ejection from game) if the player receiving the hit is deemed injured by the game officials. "This improves the consistency of assessing appropriate penalties for these major fouls," Lemon said. Officials still have the discretion to issue only a minor penalty (two minutes) for all of the above infractions (except high-sticking) if the offending player's actions are not severe enough for a major penalty. High-Sticking is always a five-minute major penalty.
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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
