I’m not sure who the rules makers believe the game is for, but they clearly are out of touch with what the players want.  I have yet to meet a college face off specialist who likes the current face off rules and they just brought that same ridiculous procedure to the high school level.  Players come down first, then the ball is placed by the referee.  Plus, as stated below, “If the official is satisfied with the position, then the ball will be placed between the crosses for the faceoff.”  I have two huge problems with this. 1 – Most of the time in order for the referee to be satisfied he touches the heads of the sticks, moves them to make them straight or whatever.  I defy you to point to any other sport played on the planet where the referee touches a players equipment and repositions it moments before he has to use it.  Can you imagine a baseball umpire adjusting a batters bat right before the pitch? Even in hockey, which has some seriously messy face offs, the referees don’t reposition the players sticks! 2 – Referees have no idea how placing the ball a quarter of an inch one way or the other gives one player a distinct advantage over the other.  Susie Knoblauch, NFHS director of performing arts and sports and liaison to the Boys Lacrosse Rules Committee says in the press release below that she thinks the new rules, “….create more consistent and fair play for everyone.”  I am going to go out on a limb and guess that Susie has never taken a face-off in a boys lacrosse game. As the various rules committees continue to screw up the face off procedures in our sport I have no idea why they don’t enlist the help of the guys who actually have to go out there and deal with this.  Down, Set, Whistle.  It’s not that hard.  Put the ball in play and let the players battle.  For the love of the game, leave these guys alone!! From the NFHS press release;

Beginning with the 2016 high school boys’ lacrosse season, officials and players will adhere to a new, more clearly defined faceoff procedure. The revision to Rule 4-3-3 was one of four major changes recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Boys Lacrosse Rules Committee at its July 13-15 meeting in Indianapolis. The committee’s recommendations were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors. Articles 3 through 6 of Rule 4-3 were condensed into a new Article 3, which clarifies the faceoff procedures and roles for officials and players. When directed, players will go to the faceoff position with their crosses properly placed. If the official is satisfied with the position, then the ball will be placed between the crosses for the faceoff. Previously, the ball was placed on the ground first. Players are still required to remain motionless in the correct position after the official says, “set” and until the whistle is blown. Rules 1-6-1 and 1-8 were also revised to address issues with the ball becoming stuck in the crosse, including the back of the crosse after a faceoff. The change to Rule 1-6-1 alters the dimensions of the crosse and will take effect beginning in 2018 to allow for phased implementation. Another change (Rule 4-14-3) defines a new “over-and-back” rule, which states that the offensive team may not carry, pass or propel the ball into its defensive half of the field once it has been advanced into the goal area. An infraction will result in a turnover or play-on. “We believe lacrosse is moving in the right direction to continue to minimize the risk to our student-athletes and improve the game experience,” said Susie Knoblauch, NFHS director of performing arts and sports and liaison to the Boys Lacrosse Rules Committee. “Our rules changes support that trend and also create more consistent and fair play for everyone.” In addition to the four major changes, the Boys Lacrosse Rules Committee approved five Points of Emphasis for the 2016 season. Points of Emphasis are developed by NFHS rules committees and should receive special focus and attention by officials, coaches, players, fans and other leaders within the high school setting. Points of Emphasis developed by the Boys Lacrosse Rules Committee for the 2016 season are as follows: 1. Contact Penalties for excessive hits to the head and neck, as well as penalties for hits to defenseless players and blindside hits. 2. Helmet Fitting Helmets shall meet current NOCSAE standards and be properly fitted for each player. 3. Halftime Warm-Up It is recommended that the final three minutes of intermission be used as a team warm-up period. 4. Helmets and Equipment During Pre-Game and Practice Time Coaches should educate players on the need to be properly equipped at all times. 5. Defending the Crease It is recommended that coaches not teach nor encourage field players to block the goal when the goalkeeper has vacated the goal crease area.