New Rules Look to Change NCAA LACROSSE
Two changes to the NCAA rule book for 2008 will surely change the strategy of lacrosse on both offense and defense as well as the special teams game of facing off. Here are some thoughts on the new changes...10 second vilolation: "the fact that the 10-second count will start now even if the ball is loose when it comes out of the box. This may allow coaches to create more turnovers by extending the defense in those situations, because now if you can keep them from picking up the ball for 10 seconds it's failure to advance." Troy Hood
Faceoff Change: "for a pre-whistle faceoff violation, the offender will need to sub out through the sub area and a substitute will then be allowed to enter the field. Play will start as soon as the non-offending faceoff guy has the ball in his stick and has his 5 yards, so the offended team will get a short man-up while the subbing takes place.
This rule is thought to be in response to the tactic of intentionally going early against a dominant faceoff man (so if you don't get caught you might win the faceoff, and if you do get caught you get to set up your defense instead of giving up a fast break when you lose the faceoff). Face off x is roughly 30 yds from sub box. (field width varies). Say that's a 3.75 second sprint. But the distance from face off x to box is 20 yards (2.5 seconds). Player coming in will be running the hypotenuse of a triangle with a 20 yard base/30 yard side attached at a right angle. Assume that's about 35 yards (4.25 seconds).
So, you'll be man down for roughly 5.5 seconds, assuming that the offending middie doesn't leave early (i.e. before the offensive player can move). AND, you'll likely only be in a 5/4 or 6/5 situation for those 5 seconds. Wing D middes will get in to cover point attack at roughly same rate as offensive player will bring ball down - especially if the wing middie is smart and processes information rapidly." Rob Graff