Getting a good understanding of lacrosse faceoff rules is just as important for becoming a better lacrosse player. It should answer your questions and give you a quick overview of Lacrosse Face off Rules.
Face-offs In Lacrosse: Know The Rules
You need to first apply contrasting tape near the throat of the head if you are a lacrosse face off guy. Make the tape close, but not too close, to the head; otherwise, it will touch the head.
It is also recommended that your shaft’s tape extends 6 inches below the throat. A shaft can’t be modified with anything else than tape or a covering intended for grip and color.
Lacrosse faceoff rules have recently been revised by US Lacrosse to help ensure fairness. For refs, minimizing cheating and illegal tactics is a major priority.
Must Read: Lacrosse Attack Position
Positioning for faceoffs
At center field, the players line up with their backs turned to the defense and goalkeeper. Before the face off, the players must hold their sticks with their hands and feet left of the head.
It is therefore impossible to face off left-handed. Avoid touching your stick with your feet, as well as your center line.
Additionally, neither your stick nor any other part of your body can intrude upon your opponent’s territory. The centerline can be crossed by players even though it is legal.
Lacrosse sticks should be parallel to the midline when setting up, and scoops should be aligned with opposing ball stops.
It is essential to wrap all your fingers around your shaft before the faceoff and they should not rest on the ground or touch any strings. Lacrosse starts with a referee saying “down”, “set” and blowing their whistle.
Procedure for lacrosse face-offs
Players move to a position on the midline when the ref says “down.” Once the ref says “down,” the players face off and remain motionless until the whistle blows. It is a violation of the rules to move after “set” in any way before the whistle.
It is sometimes the referee’s role to help you adjust your position before “set” or to just move you himself. You won’t get a face-off violation too often if this happens often.
In the two minutes immediately following the score of a goal, referees face off. If the rules of positioning are violated during a faceoff, the game can be delayed.
Violations of lacrosse face-offs
The ball will be lost if a violation occurs during a face off. To keep winning, you should be aware of several violations you can commit. In addition, if a team commits three or more face-off violations in one half, a player will receive a technical foul.
That being said, it is important to always work on proper procedures and positioning to avoid being placed in the penalty box.
- After the whistle has been blown by the referee, the players facing off are not allowed to move.
- If you try to make your opponent jump with noise during a face-off, you could be penalized.
- There is no way to clamp on top of the opponent’s stick and prevent them from playing the ball during a faceoff.
- The crosse of an opponent cannot be touched intentionally by a face off guy.
- Hands and fingers cannot be used to touch the ball.
- The stick of your opponent cannot be kicked.
- Furthermore, a player cannot hold the ball for several seconds without assistance from a teammate.
- You have one step to get the ball out to yourself or a teammate if the player who won the face-off has the ball stuck on the back of his stick.
- However, facing off between goalies is illegal.
