According to multiple reports, it appears as if multiple changes could be coming to men’s lacrosse next season — a majority of which happening on faceoffs.
Influential faceoff specialists Greg Gurenlian, Joe Nardella and TD Ierlan ‘s comments on social media suggest that the NCAA Rules Committee, which concluded the last of four virtual meetings Friday afternoon, has voted in favor of proposing these changes to the faceoff:
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Faceoff specialists must be in a standing position (putting one knee down will not be allowed)
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Sticks must be held in a neutral grip, as opposed to the motorcycle grip
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An increased focus will be placed on disallowing clamping for an extended period
US Lacrosse Magazine independently confirmed these details with sources who were familiar to the committee’s deliberations.
2 camps. The complainers & The Dominators. Which one are you? pic.twitter.com/ZsNHjeAma5
— Greg Gurenlian (@GregBeast32) May 29, 2020
Negatives
— Joe Nardella (@JNardss) May 29, 2020
-Harder to officiate and keep kids safe from the chaos going to ensue from non-trained kids going out there to muck it up
- All the kids and families who love the sport bc of the FO may further perpetuate participation decline
- No official release = black eye for lax
Ierlan figures to be one of the many faceoff specialists who need to adjust next season, as he frequently faces off with one knee down using the moto grip.
— TD Ierlan (@td_ierlan) May 29, 2020
Inside Lacrosse’s Terry Foy also reports that a change will be made to the dive, a rule that has already caused confusion within the sport in recent years. With the new ruling, a goal will not be allowed if a player lands in the goal-mouth area, even if he’s pushed.
The NCAA is expected to announce these changes Monday.