Junior & Senior A leagues adopt a number of NLL rules
Roger Nurse, Ontario Lacrosse Association official (Photo: OLA)
Canada’s A-level Junior & Senior leagues announced a rare alignment regarding the addition of a number of rules leading into their upcoming regular seasons, all scheduled to start later this month.
The leagues that will be adopting the new rules include: the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League (OJLL), the British Columbia Junior A Lacrosse League (BCJALL), the Rocky Mountain Junior A Lacrosse League (RMLL), Major Series Lacrosse (MSL), and the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA).
Many of the updates now match existing National Lacrosse League rules.
The OJLL, who last year announced a partnership with the pro league, utilized many of these rules during their condensed 2021 season held at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre.
During most seasons, upwards of 90% or more of the NLL’s on-floor referee roster have previously been promoted to the pros directly from these Canadian A-level leagues. Like current NLL rosters, a majority of on-floor officials come from Ontario.
Cody Jamieson, Six Nations Arrows & Chiefs (Photo: OLA)
“We are happy to see these rule changes implemented nation-wide,” OJLL Commissioner Mark Grimes said in a league statement. “I want to thank OJLL Deputy Commissioner Bob Clevely and OLA VP, Officiating Ian Garrison for their leadership on this initiative, as well as everyone at the table for making this happen, especially the Ontario representatives from around our league: OJLL players Sam LeClair and Thomas Whitty (St. Catharines), OJLL Advisor Paul Day (Peterborough), and Governors Sam Rook (Oakville), Cody Jamieson (Six Nations), Nick Rose (Orangeville), and Jeff Williamson (Kitchener-Waterloo).”
Garrison, who in addition to his VP role with the OLA, also serves as a veteran NLL official.
“The rules being implemented are completely game and player focused,” Garrison said in the same OJLL statement. “They are all about enhancing athleticism, improving player safety, and creating an exciting fast-paced brand of lacrosse providing players, coaches and officials with opportunities to elevate themselves to the next level.”
#12 Jon van der Giessen & #37 Todd Labranche (Photo: Christian Bender)
The MSL tested out similar rules during the MSL Classic last year. Commissioner Doug Luey yesterday stated, “The fans are the ones to benefit as we now have a more unified set of rules that should make the game faster and much more exciting. The fans feedback from the MSL Classic went a long way to make this long overdue process work.”
WLA Commissioner and former NLL coach Paul Dal Monte agrees. “All these changes will speed up the play of our game and increase scoring, which will boost entertainment for our fans,” Dal Monte stated in the WLA’s own announcement. “In addition, they’ll provide for consistency for everyone involved in the top levels of box lacrosse across the country. We’re thankful for the thoughtful input of players, coaches and GMs who made this happen.”
NLL player Curtis Dickson, NLL referee Todd Labranche, former NLL coach Rob Williams, as well as current NLL coaches & generals managers Derek Keenan & Ed Comeau were also mentioned in the various announcements as being involved in the nation-wide process.
The rules changes will include:
4-second count: When a team gains possession of the ball in their crease, the player in possession must vacate the crease within four (4) seconds. Previously, a five-second count applied.
8-second count: When a team gains possession in their defensive half of the floor, they must advance the ball across centre within eight (8) seconds of gaining possession. Previously, a 10-second rule applied, and only when a team was short-handed.
Face-offs & restraining lines: In addition to revised face-off procedures, which restrict stick and body contact, specifically, sticks must be eight (8) inches apart and touching the floor. The sticks must be placed so they are parallel to the centreline, four (4) inches from centre, and the players must keep their feet behind the centreline. In addition, the leagues are implementing wider positioning between the two player restraining lines; these restraining lines will now align with the hockey bluelines, which are 50’ apart and 25’ from the centre line. Previously, opposing players’ sticks would be back-to-back, with the ball clamped in between, and the respective restraining lines were 22’ apart and just 11’ from the centre line.
Over and back: Over and back will now be in effect for all possessions. Previously, the rule only applied when a team was short-handed.
Too many players: In all situations, if a team is found to have too many players on the floor, a two-minute penalty shall be imposed on the offending team. Previously, a penalty was applied only if the infraction occurred by a team without possession.
Delayed penalties: After a delayed penalty is called, the play is whistled down if/when: the defending team gains possession of the ball; if the ball goes out of bounds; an over-and-back violation occurs; a goal is scored; the shot clock or game clock expires; or an offensive player commits a penalty. The play shall continue upon a shot on goal if the offensive team regains possession on the rebound, and the shot clock is reset; and if the ball contacts the defensive player’s stick or body but the defensive team does not gain possession and control of the ball. Previously, after a delayed penalty was called, the play was whistled down when the non-offending team took a shot on goal.
Fast restarts: Upon the re-start of play, the non-offending team may gain possession of the ball at the location of the ball at any location on the playing floor. Upon stoppage of play, a player must immediately put the ball down upon loss of possession and allow for a fast restart for the opposing team. As well, an offending team player must immediately move a minimum of six (6) feet from the ball. If a player does not move 6 feet away from the ball, a 2-minute Delay of Game penalty shall be called on the offending player. Previously, the re-start position had to be at the point of the violation.
Sudden-death OT during regular season: During the Regular Season, if the game is tied at the end of regulation, the first team to score in overtime will win. The WLA will continue with its 3-on-3 overtime format for the 2022 regular season while existing rules and procedures will remain for playoff games and national championships. With the exception of the WLA, previously, overtime consisted of a 10-minute period, followed by a 20-minute sudden death period.
Penalty shot called for additional penalties on a team already 2 men short: If a team is playing with two players serving penalties in the penalty box, and a third penalty is called, this will result in a penalty shot awarded to the non-offending team. Previously, penalties would continue to be added, and players would be sent to the penalty box.
In addition, the leagues will have increased enforcement on two existing rules covering off-ball slashing and illegal picks. Off-ball slashes to the opponent’s hands, arms, legs, or any part of the body are not permitted at any location on the playing floor. An illegal offensive pick is when the offensive player uses unequal pressure and creates movement of the defensive player or displaces the defensive player from his position. Illegal picks can also be considered as illegal cross check/back check infractions.