Rule 4: Play of the Game

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Rule 4 Play of the Game

• Coin Toss (4-1)
• 5 Minutes before game, called by visitor
• Winner Choice of goal to defend OR alternate
  possession
• Lineup (4-2)
• Before face off left shoulder to goal team is
  defending
• Facing off (4-3)
• Exceptions
• Flag down situation (extra-man or all even)
• Play On indicates possession at end of period
  if penalty being served extra man or all even
  situation)
• Dead ball foul between periods
• Illegal procedure after set as part of faceoff
• When faceoff ends (players released)
• Player possession (Possession)
• Ball crosses the defensive-area line (Play)
• Ball is out of bounds in center-field area
• Time serving penalty

2
Mechanic 5 (face off)

• Ball on ground straddle ball until ready
• Non-FO Official Count players signal ready
• Down players go down at same time - no
  backing out
• Visually check
• Crosses parallel to each other not touching ball
• Reverse surfaces matching evenly
• Both hands on cross, touching ground, but not
  head
• Entire body to the left of the throat of the
  crosse
• Heads of crosse vertical
• Players can lean over center-line
• Stand back 3-5 take stationary position
• Give Set command - vary cadence but promptly
  blow whistle
• Back towards your side of field
• Wind arm and yell Possession
• Yell Play when ball crosses restraining line
• Note Goalie(s) can only face off if his team is
  man down

3
Mechanic 6 (face off - after goal)

• Lead Official
• Sound whistle, run to crease, turn towards bench,
  signal goal (hold stationary position 2-3 sec)
• Retrieve ball, toss to partner, and exchange
  number of player scoring
• Jog to position at corner of box and note number
  of player scoring
• Trail Official
• Watch crease for fouls, move towards goal
• Dont lose field awareness stuff happens
• Secure ball, jog to midfield, note number of
  player scoring, and once ready - start faceoff
  w/i 20 seconds

4
Rule 4 Play of the Game

• Positioning of other players (4-4)
• Goalkeeper and three other players behind
  defensive area restraining line
• Three players behind defensive area restraining
  line of their goal area
• One player in each wing area
• At whistle, wing area only is released
• If man-down, then exempt from positioning rules,
  but must maintain onsides
• If penalty expires, player can enter if wing is
  empty. Otherwise, must wait for possession

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Rule 4 Play of the Game

• Play of the ball (4-5)
• Free play (5-yards) applies to both teams
• Loose ball (no possession)
• Pass (throwing or bouncing)
• Completed pass (caught) maintains possession
• Note pass in flight during extra-man situation
  at end of period is considered a loose ball
  regardless if ball is caught after horn
• Ball in flight (possession if caught)
• Clear (move from defense to offense)
• Shot thrown, kicked or otherwise directed toward
  goal

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Rule 4 Play of the Game

• Out of Bounds (4-6)
• Player in possession steps on or beyond boundary
  line. Restart quickly (5 secs) and ensure 5 yard
  minimum free play for all players
• Loose ball on or over line
• Other than a shot or deflected shot turnover
• Shot closest to ball when and where it goes out
  of bounds receives possession (player must be
  inbounds) If tie, then alternate possession. Give
  goalie maximum of 5 secs to get back in goal

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Rule 4 Play of the Game

• Ball caught in crosse or equipment (4-7)
• Caught in crosse immediate whistle award to
  opposing team
• Caught in uniform/equipment suspend play -
  award by alternate possession
• Goalkeeper (within crease) - suspend play
  immediately - award ball to defense 20-yds
  lateral outside goal area

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Mechanic 7 (ball out of bounds)

• Stay outside of play as close as possible to
  point where ball exits field
• Sound whistle immediately one hand up
• Signal direction of play (call one color only)
• Endline 1 hand up (no subs)
• Sideline 2 hands up (allow subs)
• Restart, 5 yds 15 2-1/2 long sticks
• Sound whistle and wind clock
• Note Restarts at table area move out 5 yds

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Rule 4 Play of the Game

• Goal Scored (4-8)
• From front, loose ball, completely through plane
  formed by the rear edges of the goal line
• Goal not counted(4-9)
• After end of period horn
• After end of period regardless of whistle
• Attacking player in goal-crease area (includes
  contact with goalie or his crosse, net or goal)
• Attacking team has too many men on the field
• Attacking or both teams offsides
• After any officials whistle (even inadvertent
  whistle)
• Scoring player deliberately jumps and lands in
  crease (before or after ball enters goal)

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Rule 4 Play of the Game

• Goal not counted(4-9 continued)
• Head comes off
• Flag Down or Play On for a foul by scoring team
• Example B1 on clear is slashed (flag down) and
  passes back to goalie who misses pass and ball
  enters goal no goal
• Attack team releases early from penalty
• Adjusts strings or jams crosse upon stick check
  by player scoring
• Act of shooting touches goalie or goal/net
• Timeout requested before goal and whistle delayed

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Mechanic 8 (coverage around goal)

• On Official
• Closest to ball
• Responsible for goal
• End line responsibility run ball out get in
  postion
• Off Official
• Dont call goal
• Watch crease and cutters
• Protect shooter
• Maintain field awareness

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Rule 4 Play of the Game

• Offside (4-10)
• Fewer than 3 in goal half or fewer than 4 in
  defensive half
• Goes offside legal play (bodycheck) could be
  Play On situation
• A player can only be offside once in single play
• Not Offside (4-11)
• 4 or more in the penalty area. Must have 3 in
  attack half of field. No offside exists in
  defensive half for this situation.

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Rule 4 Play of the Game

• Offside enforcement (4-12)
• One team offside technical foul (award
  possession or 30 sec)
• Team in possession offside in offensive half
  use free clear
• Both teams offside with one in possession place
  players onside and resume play
• Both teams offside with no one in possession
  place players onside and award per alternate
  possession
• Offside, goal scored(4-13)
• Attack offside, no goal free clear
• Defense offside, goal, no penalty assessed
• Both offside, no goal, award alternate possession

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Rule 4 Play of the Game

• Advancing the ball beyond the midfield line
  (4-14)
• 20 second count use beeper
• Advance beyond midfield line NCAA touch
  midfield line
• Advancing the ball into goal area (4-15)
• 10 second visual count (1st Time Lead and 2nd
  Trail
• Once in, new 10 seconds every time ball is
  brought out, unless told to keep it in signal
  partner
• Requirement met when ball/player/crosse touches
  anything inside goal area
• Player must be in contact with ground

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Mechanic 9 (count defensive half)

• Possession by defense begin 20 sec count may
  coincide with 4 sec count
• Continue counting until
• Ball moves beyond midfield line
• Offense gains possession
• Timeout called (new 20 sec count)
• Ball goes out of bounds (new 20 sec count)
• 2-Man PositioningLead stay ahead of ball has
  initial 10-sec countTrail stay even or slightly
  ahead of ball up to midfield has 20-sec count

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Mechanic 10(count offensive half)

• Attack (in possession) moves ball into offensive
  half begin 10 sec count
• Continue counting until
• Player or ball touches in (1 foot on or in)
• Defense gains possession
• Timeout (new 10-sec count if restart is in
  offensive end and 20-sec if defensive end)
• Ball goes out of bounds (new 10-sec count)

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Rule 4 Play of the Game

• Body Checking (4-16)
• In possession or within 5 yards of loose ball
• Front or side, above waist and below neck
• Note 2-fisted thrust (not a punch) is legal
  unless its directed upward and impacts head
• Checking with crosse (4-17)
• Checking opponent's crosse is legal when in
  possession or w/i 5 yds of loose ball or ball in
  flight
• Offensive screening (4-18)
• Stationary, motionless (natural position) - cant
  lean in and contact must be made for violation to
  be called

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Rule 4 Play of the Game

• Goal-Crease Privileges (4-19)
• In crease goalie can bat the ball or block it
  with any body part (hand) no catching it
• In crease any defensive player can block ball
  (no hands)
• No contact with goalie while he is in crease
  regardless of possession. Attack can reach in
  but may not initiate contact
• Goalie crosse outside crease portion of crosse
  outside cylinder can be checked by attacking
  team if no possession
• Note 1 Suspend play immediately if goalie crosse
  broken
• Note 2 Trap is not possession watch for
  legitimate outlet pass goalie can not take
  advantage of Rules to gain free clear

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Rule 4 Play of the Game

• Goal-crease prohibitions (4-20)
• No attacking player is allowed in crease
• Goal disallowed if attacking player deliberately
  jumps or dives (leaves feet) into crease
• No defensive player may enter crease while in
  possession of the ball
• No player may remain in the crease for more than
  4 seconds with possession
• Protections only apply to designated goalie

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Rule 4 Play of the Game

• Ball out of play in goal-crease area (4-21)
• Ball in mud or ensnared in net, award to defense
  20-yds lateral outside goal area
• Regular (horn) Substitution (4-22)
• Once play has been suspended for sideline
  out-of-bounds or time-serving penalty (mechanic
  is 2-hands up)
• Must wait for horn and enter field of play
  immediately, ready to play
• May leave the field by table or bench area (dead
  ball)
• Players leaving the field have right of way

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Rule 4 Play of the Game

• Regular substitution (horn) prohibitions (4-23)
• Out of bounds on either end line
• After stoppage of play due to end line
  out-of-bounds, non time-serving
  penalties/violations or inadvertent whistles
• As the result of an equipment violation
• Special (on the fly) substitution (4-24)
• Enter table area when substitution is imminent
• During play via table area
• Substitute waits until player is off the field,
  yields way to any player, and does not delay
  entry
• Equipped and ready to play (play in progress)
• Special subs may occur when play is suspended
  except when equipment violations occur or during
  an official timeout

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Rule 4 Play of the Game

• Restarts when regular substitution (on the fly)
  is prohibited (4-25)
• Once official has signaled ready, 5 secs or less
  to start
• Violations in goal area will result in award
  20-yds lateral outside goal area
• Give goalie maximum of 5 secs to get back in
  goal
• Change of goals (4-26)
• At the conclusion of each period
• Exception first sudden victory period (new coin
  toss to determine goal to defend by winner of
  coin toss)

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Rule 4 Play of the Game

• Official time outs (4-27)
• At your discretion can delay whistle to
  complete play or until possession
• Free substitution permitted during injury timeout
• Loss of equipment or apparent injury in scrimmage
  area immediate whistle
• Suspend play immediately for goalie broken crosse
• Harsh weather conditions can call additional
  timeoutsNote ThunderLightning Guidance lt
  30-secs flash to bang suspend play, take shelter
  and wait 30 mins. Use judgment after 60-min
  delay consult with home team field supervisor to
  determine if game cancelled

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Rule 4 Play of the Game

• Team time outs (4-28)
• Dead ball, player on field or head coach may
  request
• During play and anywhere on the field - member on
  the team in possession or head coach
• Coaches remain in coaching area during timeouts
• Four nonconsecutive, two in each half, one per
  sudden-victory period two minutes in length
• If requesting team is ready sooner than 140 -
  notify their opponent and start in 20 secs
• No time out is assessed for injured player
• Cant use timeout to keep injured player in game
• If player is determined to be unconscious by
  officials, may not return to play without
  written authorization from physician (MD)

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Rule 4 Play of the Game

• Restarts Following a Time-Out (4-29)
• Start as close as possible to spot where ball was
  at whistle
• Team awarded ball following shot on endline
  (within goal area) is not disadvantaged by
  timeout.
• Otherwise move outside goal area closest point
  top or side (review Rule 7-3)
• Illegal Equipment request for inspection(4-30)
• One free check, refer to specific player, during
  dead ball
• All aspects of equipment are considered
• Second or subsequent checks, if no violations
  found - results in charged time out or technical
  (6-5-o) if no TOs left
• Note Between periods 12 and 34 officials
  perform random equipment inspection of an impact
  player. This may change stay tuned.

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Mechanic 11 (equipment check)

• Identify player by number ask for crosse
• If player adjusts strings or jams head
  automatic 1-min NR for Unsportsmanlike Conduct
  (5.4.D)
• Check equipment (mouthpiece, pads, helmet,
  shoes)(Illegal Equipment is 1-min NR - shoe
  violation is preventive)
• Check for deep pocket (Illegal 1-min NR can
  be fixed and returned to game)
• Check for free movement (3 rolls)(Illegal 3-min
  NR remove from game)Note If crosse was
  determined to have deep pocket official can use
  discretion if the deep pocket appears to be the
  root cause of lack of free movement and call
  1-min NR vice 3-min NR
• Check crosse construction and dimensions
  (Illegal 3-min NR remove from game)

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Rule 4 Play of the Game

• Illegal number of long crosses Head Coachs
  request for a count (4-31)
• Maximum of 4 (not counting goalie)
• Can be requested at any time
• Coach may request double horn at next dead ball
  to initiate
• Second request may result in charged time-out
  provided no violations were found in previous
  request

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Rule 4 Play of the Game

• Sudden victory overtime play (4-32)
• Coin toss winner selects goal to defend, AP
  carries over
• Intermission 2 minutes
• Four minute periods
• One time out per team per period
• Change goals between periods
• Alternate possession (4-33)
• Referee shall keep track of alternate possession
  (carries over to sudden victory)