Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premiere professional outdoor lacrosse league, has announced several rule changes for the 2005 season. The primary adjustment is the use of a 60-second shot clock beginning next year, replacing the 45-second shot clock that had been used for the league’s first four seasons. The rule changes were agreed upon during the MLL’s operational meetings on October 4, 2004. This time change allows the league to continue providing high scoring, fast moving, hard-hitting action, while maintaining the competitive balance between offense and defense.

Major League Lacrosse Highlighted Rule Aspects:

• The 60-Second Shot Clock:
The shot clock is used to increase the speed of the game, promote high-scoring and to heighten the entertainment value of the game (especially for new lacrosse fans). From 2001 to 2004, the shot clock was only 45 seconds. Teams are granted a limited amount of time per possession, as reflected by the shot clock. Should a team fail to record a shot on goal before the 60-second shot clock counts down to zero, the team loses possession by virtue of a shot clock violation. During a possession, the shot clock may only be reset if a shot touches either the goalie or the goal, or if the defending team commits a penalty. In college, there is no shot clock.

• The 2-point Arc:
Like in basketball, a team has the ability to receive 2 points for a goal scored anywhere beyond the line. The arc is 16 yards from each goal, and wraps around the circumference of the goal, extending all the way to the end line. It replaces what is called the “restraining line" in the college game; a straight line that runs from side line to side line. Defensemen and attackmen must stay behind this line during face-offs. In the college game, all goals are one point.

• Only Defensemen Can Have Long-Sticks:
There is a limit of 3 long-stick defensemen/players on the field at any one time, per team. In college, 4 are allowed. The 4th is usually a wing player (long-stick midfielder) on face-offs.

• Less Prohibitive Rules on Body and Stick Contact:
Various types of checking, either physically (body-checking)or by using the stick (stick-checking), are allowed. The college game is more restrictive. For instance, pushing from behind and most slashing/hitting with the stick penalties are relaxed for the pro game.

General Rules and Equipment:

• The Object of the Game: The team scoring the most goals after 4 quarters of play wins the contest. Teams score by shooting the ball into the opponent's goal.

• The Players:
Lacrosse is a contact game played by 10 players from each team. Each team consists of 3 attackmen (regular sticks), 3 midfielders (regular sticks), 3 defensemen (long-sticks) and 1 goalie (wide crosse). Each team must have a minimum of 4 players on their defensive side of the field at all times.

• Length of Game:
Each quarter is 15 minutes long. Games will typically last 1 hour and 45 minutes to over 2 hours, depending. The game clock will stop / start depending on field and penalty action. This is determined by the referees. If their is a tie score at the end of regulation, a 15 minute overtime period will be played, with the winner being the first team to score first (sudden death overtime).

• Start of Game:
Lacrosse games begin with the face-off: The ball is placed at the middle of the field, and one player from each team must kneel down, place his stick parallel to his opponent's stick and wait for the referee to blow the whistle to start play. The object of the face-off is to gain possession of the ball. Each player has two teammates that line up at the "wing positions" that cannot move until the whistle blows. All other players on the field cannot move. The two players fight for possession, with the help of their “wing” midfielders. Once possession of the ball has been established, the referee will blow the whistle, and all players on the field are released. Face-off’s are used to start each quarter and also after each goal.

• Use of the Lacrosse Stick:
Field players must use their crosses to pass, catch and run with the ball. Only the goalkeeper can touch the ball with his hands. While running, a player will cradle the ball using his arms and wrists.

• Checking:
Body checking is permitted if the opponent has the ball or is within five yards of a loose ball. All body contact must occur from the front or side, above the waist and below the shoulders, and with both hands on the stick. An opponent’s crosse may also be stick checked if it is within five yards of a loose ball in the air.

• Out of Bounds:
If the ball or a player in possession of the ball goes out of bounds, the other team is awarded possession. If the ball goes out of bounds after and unsuccessful shot, the player nearest to the ball when/where it goes out of bounds is awarded possession.

• Goalie’s Crease:
An attacking player cannot enter the crease around the goal, but may reach in with his stick to scoop up a loose ball.

• Officiating:
A referee, umpire and field judge supervise field play. A chief bench official, timekeepers and scorers assist.

• Professional Lacrosse Sticks:
Sticks for the pro game are highly specialized. The stick consists of 2 parts. The handle and the crosse. The handle is usually made of light weight titanium, a titanium alloy or a combination of alloys and graphite. The crosse (or head) is made of light weight high-impact molded plastic. Within the crosse is the pocket. The pocket is made from leather-weaved or nylon-weaved netting and stringing. The ball sits in and is cradled within the pocket. Each player customizes the pocket based on his/her throwing and shooting styles. Some pockets are looser/tighter than others. An attackman/midfielder lacrosse stick is between 40 to 43 inches long. A long-stick defenseman uses a stick as much as 72 inches long. Occasionally, short-stick defensemen are used in certain situations, and they use 40 to 43 inch sticks.
Goaltenders use a wide crosse, which helps them make saves when opposing players are shooting the ball and trying to score. All other players use the regular sized crosse.

• Professional Lacrosse Balls:
The Major League Lacrosse Ball is made of heavy rubber. It is bright orange in color, which helps fans (including those watching on ESPN2) follow the action. MLL Balls are nicknamed "grippie" balls, since they are textured to "grip" to the nylon/leather pockets of the lacrosse stick. The textured surface also allows for a "curve ball effect" when shooting. College lacrosse uses the traditional solid white color, smooth surface balls.

• Professional Protective Gear:
Players use a combination of protective equipment based on what position they play: Attack, Midfield, Defense or Goaltender. Each player must use a plastic helmet with metal face cage, plus a combination of shoulder pads, arm pads, rib pads and gloves. Goaltenders use a special chest protector, throat guard and glove.

The Field and Field Dimensions:

• The field is divided into 2 halves. The half that is being defended (where the Pride’s goalie is) must have a minimum of 4 players on that half of the field at all times. Usually, that is the goalie and the 3 defensemen. The lines along the length of the field are the sidelines. The lines behind each goal are the end lines.

• A lacrosse field is 110 yards long and 60 yards wide (approximately 330 feet long and 180 feet wide). Goals are positioned on the long axis of the field, 45 feet from the end line. A circle with a radius of 9 feet is marked around each goal. Painted lines of 4" in width divide the halves of the field. 4" lines 60 feet away set off the center of the field from each team's "goal area." 30 feet inside each sideline and parallel to it, a 60 foot line is marked with its center on the midfield line; these lines designate the "wing area." The 2-point arc is 15 yards from each goal.

• Team benches are on the same side of the field and 18 feet back from the sidelines. A timer's table sits 18 feet off the sideline at midfield, with a 30 foot wide clear space called the "table area" in front of it. Team benches are in a space from 30 feet to 60 feet away from midfield, and the space in front of the bench is designated as the "coaches' area." Finally, a "limit line" is marked 18 feet outside each sideline.

• Teams change sides between periods. Each team is permitted 2 timeouts each half. The team winning the coin toss chooses the end of the field it wants to defend.

Personal and Technical Fouls

The MLL also announced for 2005 that all physical infractions, including holding and pushing, would result in a penalty of at least one minute. (Prior to the change, holding and pushing infractions resulted in a 30-second penalty.)

The penalty for all personal fouls (one involving the contact of two or more players) results in an automatic 1 minute suspension from play and possession to the team that was fouled. (In 2004 minor fouls were 30 seconds and more serious fouls were 1 minute). Players with five personal fouls will be ejected from the game. The penalty for a technical foul is a 30-second suspension if a team is in possession of the ball when the foul is committed.

Personal Fouls:

• Slashing: Occurs when a player’s stick viciously contacts an opponent in any area other than the stick or gloved hand on the stick.

• Tripping: Occurs when a player obstructs his opponent at or below the waist with the crosse, hands, feet or legs.

• Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Occurs when a player or coach commits an act, which is considered unsportsmanlike by an official, including taunting, arguing, or obscene language or gestures.

• Cross Checking: Occurs when a player uses the handle of his crosse between his hands to make contact with an opponent.

• Unnecessary Roughness: Occurs when player strikes an opponent with his stick or body using excessive or violent force.

• Illegal Crosse: Occurs when a player uses a crosse that does not conform to required specifications. A crosse may be found illegal if the pocket is too deep of if any other part of the crosse was altered to gain advantage.

• Illegal Body Checking: Occurs when any of the following actions takes place: (a)body checking an opponent who is not in possession of the ball or within five yards of a loose ball (b)avoidable body check of an opponent after he has passed or shot the ball (c)body checking an opponent from the rear or at or below the waist (d)body checking above the opponents shoulders.

• Illegal Gloves: Occurs when a player uses gloves the do not conform to required specifications. A glove will be found illegal if the fingers and palms are both cut out, or if the glove has been altered in a way that compromises its protective features.

Technical Fouls:

• Holding: Occurs when a player impedes the movement of an opponent or an opponent’s stick or crosse. This includes hand-grabbing of the opponent’s stick or arms.

• Interference: Occurs when a player interferes in any manner with free movement of an opponent, except when the opponent has possession of the ball, the ball is in flight and within five yards of the player, or both players are within five yards of a loose ball.

• Off-sides: Occurs when a team does not have at least four players on its defensive side of the midfield line or at least three players on its offensive side of the midfield line.
• Pushing: Occurs when a player thrusts or shoves a player from behind.

• Screening: Occurs when an offensive player moves into and makes contact with a defensive player with the purpose of blocking him from the man he is defending.

• Stalling: Occurs when a team intentionally holds the ball, without conducting normal offensive play, with the intent of running the time off the clock.

• Warding Off: Occurs when a player in possession of the ball uses his free hand or arm to hold, push or control the direction of an opponent’s stick check.

Lacrosse Skills:

• Catching: The act of receiving a passed ball with the crosse.

• Checking: The act of attempting to dislodge the ball from an opponent’s stick.

• Poke Check: A stick check in which the player pokes the head of his stick at an opponent’s stick through the top hand by pushing with the bottom hand.

• Slap Check: A stick check in which a player slaps the head of his stick against his opponent’s stick.

• Wrap Check: A one-handed check in which the defender swings his stick around his opponent’s body to dislodge the ball.

• Cradling: The coordinated motion of arms and wrists that keeps the ball secure in the pocket and ready to be passed or shot when running.

• Cutting: A movement by an offensive player without the ball, toward the opponent’s goal, in anticipation of a feed and shot.

• Feeding: Passing the ball to a teammate who is in position for a shot on goal.

• Passing: The act of throwing the ball to a teammate with the crosse.

• Scooping: The act of picking up a loose ball with the crosse.

• Screening: An offensive tactic in which a player near the crease positions himself so as to block the goalkeeper’s view of the ball.

• Shooting: The act of throwing the ball with the crosse toward the goal in an attempt to score.