Two and Three Man Mechanics

Check out the Power Point presentations for the proper mechanics at the links below:


Three Mam Mechanics .ppt
Two Man Mechanics .ppt

Note that there are other informative documents on Triadloa.org. Simply click the "TLOA Links" tab on the top navigation bar on Triadloa.org.

Federation Rules Revisions for 2013

The NFHS has made the following revisions for 2013:

Rule 1-2-6     

A point on the center line, equidistant from each side, shall be marked with an “X” or a 4-inch square that is a contrasting color and shall be designated as the center. 

Rule 1-5         

The ball shall be white, yellow, orange or lime green and meet the current NOCSAE lacrosse ball standard. White balls shall be used unless both coaches agree prior to or during the game to use a yellow, orange or lime green ball. Game balls shall be supplied by the home team. The ball shall include the NFHS Authenticating Mark. 

Note: Beginning in 2014, all game balls must include labeling which states “Meets NOCSAE Standard. NFHS” 

Rule 1-6-2     

A ball stop is not required. If a ball stop is used, only one may be used, and the dimensions shall be a maximum of 2 inches in length, 1 ½ inches in width and ¼ inch in thickness. 

Rule 1-8         

Any strings or leathers are limited to a hanging length of 2 inches. 

Rule 1-9-2e New 

e. A protective cup is recommended for all players. 

Rules 1-12 and 6-5-2s        

1-12 . . . At the beginning of the game, the home team is required to provide a scorebook, a timing device, a table and a working horn (hand-held or as part of the scoreboard) to be used at the table to signify substitutions and the end of periods. Failure to provide any of these items is penalized as illegal procedure. 

6-5-2s . . . Failure to provide an acceptable horn a scorebook, timing device, table and working horn. 

Rule 2-5-2     

The recommended uniform for officials shall include:  

(a) a black baseball-style cap with white piping;  

(b) a black-and-white 1-inch vertically striped long- or short-sleeved shirt with Byron collar (any undergarments, if visible, should be black);  

(c) black or white shorts (minimum 6-inch inseam) or full-length solid black pants;  

(d) a black belt (1¼ - 2 inches in width);  

(e) black stirrup socks with white over-the-calf crew socks on top or knee length one-piece white with 4-inch black top;  

(f) solid black shoes with black laces;  

(g) jacket (if worn) black-and-white 1-inch vertically striped;  

(h) gloves, if worn, shall be solid black.  

The uniform should fit properly and be clean and neat. All officials working the game are to be dressed the same.     

Rule 4-3-5     

…stating the word “set.” The official shall vary the cadence of sounding the whistle for each faceoff.  At the sound of the whistle… 

Rules 4-3-6 New and 5-10-1d New  

ART 6 . . . It is illegal for a player to deliberately use his hand or fingers to play the ball. This shall be enforced immediately as an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.  

It is illegal for a player to grab an opponent’s crosse with the open hand or fingers. This shall be enforced immediately as an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. 

Note: Inadvertent touching of the ball when the hand is grasping the stick should not be called as an unsportsmanlike conduct foul. 

5-10-1d . . . d. Deliberately use his hand or fingers to play the ball or grab an opponent’s crosse with the open hand or fingers.  

Note: Inadvertent touching of the ball when the hand is grasping the stick should not be called as an unsportsmanlike conduct foul. 

Rule 4-15-2   

ART. 2 . . . The requirement for advancing the ball into the goal area is met when the ball touches anything within that area or a player in possession of the ball touches the line or is inside the goal area. A player shall be in contact with the ground in the goal area to satisfy this requirement. An airborne player not in contact with the ground is not interpreted to be in this area.  

Rule 5-4         

ART. 1 . . . A player shall not initiate contact to an opponent’s head or neck with a cross-check or with any part of his body (head, elbow, shoulder, etc.) or stick. Any follow-through that contacts the head or neck shall also be considered a violation of this rule. 

ART. 2 . . . A player shall not initiate an excessive, violent or uncontrolled slash to the head/neck.  

ART 3 . . . A player, including an offensive player in possession of the ball, shall not block an opponent with the head or initiate contact with the head (known as spearing).  

PENALTY: One-, two- or three-minute non-releasable foul, at the official’s discretion, for violation of Article 1, 2 or 3. If the contact to the head/neck is considered deliberate or reckless, the penalty shall be a minimum two- or three-minute non-releasable foul. An excessively violent violation of this rule may result in an ejection. 

Rule 6-5-2v New     

v. When no player from the team awarded possession picks up the ball and moves to the position of the restart within five seconds of when the officials are ready to restart play. (Note: This only applies to situations in which Rule 6-5-2f does not apply.) 

6-6-3b   A coach or player may leave the bench/coaches area while play is suspended and enter the table area for the sole and distinct purpose of seeking information from the timer, score-keeper or chief official and enter the table area only (1) To exchange a crosse with a player on the field in the opposite end of the field from that team’s bench during a live ball or dead ball; or (2) To seek information from the timer or scorekeeper during a dead ball. 

Rule 7-3 Exception  

Exception: For live ball simultaneous fouls where time is to be served by each team… 

Rule 7-13       

ART 2 . . . Inadvertent Whistles – …The team with possession or entitled to possession when the whistle was blown… 

Rule 2-6-1 Note Editorial  

Revise the second sentence of the note as follows: 

State associations may intercede in the event of unusual incidents that occur before, during or after the officials’ jurisdiction has ended or in the event that a contest is terminated prior to the conclusion of regulation play. 

New Video From US Lacrosse

Check out the new rules video from US Lacrosse.

2013 TLOA Clinic Schedule

Happy holidays. It's time to get ready for the 2013 lacrosse season! Please get in shape, read the rule book and attend the clinics below.

2013 TLOA Clinic Schedule

Sunday 1/6 @ 3 – 6 PM HPU Stadium (note time change)
Monday 1/7 @ 6 – 7:30 PM Glenwood Center
Saturday 1/12 @ 7 – 9 AM High Point University Stadium
Monday 1/14 @ 6 – 7:30 PM Glenwood Center
Saturday 1/19 @ 7 – 9 AM High Point University Stadium
Tuesday 1/22 @ 6 – 7:30 PM Glenwood Center  (note date change)
Monday 1/28 @ 6 – 7:30 PM NCHSAA State Coach’s Clinic @ Glenwood Center
Monday 2/4 @ 6 – 7:30 PM Glenwood Center
Monday 2/11 @ 6 – 7:30 PM NCHSAA State Official’s Clinic @ Glenwood Center
Monday 2/11 @ 7:30 – 9 PM Glenwood Center
Monday 2/18 @ 6 – 7:30 PM Glenwood Center
Saturday 2/23 @ 8 AM Play-day @ NW Guilford
Monday 2/25 @ 6 – 7:30 PM Glenwood Center unless there is a game scheduled

Glenwood Center
2010 Coliseum Blvd.
Greensboro, N.C.

High Point University Stadium
Panther Drive
High Point, N.C.

2013 Rule change summary

Following is a summary of the remaining rules changes approved for high school boys lacrosse:  

Rule 1-5: White balls shall be used unless both coaches agree prior to or during the game to use a yellow, orange or lime green ball.  

Rule 1-6-2: If a ball stop is used, only one may be used, and the dimensions shall be a maximum of 2 inches in length, 1½ inches in width and ¼-inch in thickness. 

Rule 1-8: Any strings or leathers are limited to a hanging length of 2 inches.  

Rules 1-2 and 6-5-2s: At the beginning of the game, the home team is required to provide a scorebook, a timing device, a table and a working horn.  

Rule 2-5-2: The recommended uniform for officials now provides an option for black or white shorts. Also, all officials working the game are to be dressed the same.  

Rule 4-15-2: The requirement for advancing the ball into the goal area is met when the ball touches anything within that area or a player in possession of the ball touches the line or is inside the goal area.  

Rule 6-5-2v: Another example of illegal procedure was approved: “When no player from the team awarded possession picks up the ball and moves to the position of the restart within five seconds of when the officials are ready to restart play.” (Note: This only applies to situations in which Rule 6-5-f does not apply.) 

Rule 6-6-3b: A coach or player may leave the bench/coaches area to exchange a crosse with a player on the field in the opposite end of the field from that team’s bench during a live ball or dead ball.  

Rule 7-3 Exception: Deleted “live-ball” from the exception.  

Rule 7-13: Regarding inadvertent whistles, the team with possession or entitled to possession when the whistle was blown shall retain possession.  

Rule 2-6-1: Clarified the rule regarding state association authority as follows: State associations may intercede in the event of unusual incidents that occur before, during or after the officials’ jurisdiction has ended or in the event that a contest is terminated prior to the conclusion of regulation play.  

According to the 2010-11 NFHS Athletics Participation Survey, 2,192 schools sponsor boys lacrosse at the high school level with 95,683 participants nationwide.

Boys Lacrosse Rules Changes Focus on Sportsmanship, Risk Minimization

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (August 9, 2012) — A focus on sportsmanship and risk minimization highlighted many of the rules changes approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Boys Lacrosse Rules Committee at its July 16-18 meeting in Indianapolis. All 16 rules revisions were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

With the recent concentration on reducing head injuries in high school sports, the committee added new language to Rule 5-4 which states that “a player shall not initiate an excessive, violent or uncontrolled slash to the head/neck.” In addition, the rule now prohibits an offensive player in possession of the ball from blocking an opponent with the head or initiating contact with the head.

Kent Summers, NFHS director of performing arts and sports, said if the contact to the head/neck is considered deliberate or reckless, the penalty shall be a minimum two- or three-minute non-releasable foul.

“In light of the potentially devastating, long-term effects of head injuries, it remains a priority to eliminate or minimize the frequency and impact of violent checks and collisions,” Summers said.

The committee addressed sportsmanship issues with changes in Rules 4-3-6 and 5-10-1d. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty will be assessed if a player deliberately uses his hands or fingers to play the ball, or if a player grabs an opponent’s crosse with the open hand or fingers.

“These revisions were made in response to situations where players attempt to deceive officials by using their hands or fingers to strip the ball from an opponent’s crosse on the faceoff,” Summers said.

Summers noted that inadvertent touching of the ball when the hand is grasping the stick should not be called as an unsportsmanlike conduct foul.

In other changes, an addition was made to Rule 4-3-5 stating that “the official shall vary the cadence of sounding the whistle for each faceoff.” In another risk-minimization change, a new article was added to Rule 1-9 recommending a protective cup for all players.

The committee also provided schools another option to mark the center faceoff spot on fields. In addition to the traditional “X” at the center of the field, schools can opt for a 4-inch square that is a contrasting color. Summers said this option will enable schools to play in college facilities without making changes to the fields.

Following is a summary of the remaining rules changes approved for high school boys lacrosse:

Rule 1-5: White balls shall be used unless both coaches agree prior to or during the game to use a yellow, orange or lime green ball.

Rule 1-6-2: If a ball stop is used, only one may be used, and the dimensions shall be a maximum of 2 inches in length, 1½ inches in width and ¼-inch in thickness.

Rule 1-8: Any strings or leathers are limited to a hanging length of 2 inches.

Rules 1-2 and 6-5-2s: At the beginning of the game, the home team is required to provide a scorebook, a timing device, a table and a working horn.

Rule 2-5-2: The recommended uniform for officials now provides an option for black or white shorts. Also, all officials working the game are to be dressed the same.

Rule 4-15-2: The requirement for advancing the ball into the goal area is met when the ball touches anything within that area or a player in possession of the ball touches the line or is inside the goal area.

Rule 6-5-2v: Another example of illegal procedure was approved: “When no player from the team awarded possession picks up the ball and moves to the position of the restart within five seconds of when the officials are ready to restart play.” (Note: This only applies to situations in which Rule 6-5-f does not apply.)

Rule 6-6-3b: A coach or player may leave the bench/coaches area to exchange a crosse with a player on the field in the opposite end of the field from that team’s bench during a live ball or dead ball.

Rule 7-3 Exception: Deleted “live-ball” from the exception.

Rule 7-13: Regarding inadvertent whistles, the team with possession or entitled to possession when the whistle was blown shall retain possession.

Rule 2-6-1: Clarified the rule regarding state association authority as follows: State associations may intercede in the event of unusual incidents that occur before, during or after the officials’ jurisdiction has ended or in the event that a contest is terminated prior to the conclusion of regulation play.

According to the 2010-11 NFHS Athletics Participation Survey, 2,192 schools sponsor boys lacrosse at the high school level with 95,683 participants nationwide.
See Also: Boys Lacrosse; News;

Save the Date of May 23rd!

The first annual Hammerhead All-star Game is Wednesday night 5/23 at 7 PM.  Location is the UNCG stadium.  


After the game we will have the season ending TLOA party at Cooper's Ale House on West Market Street.  Food and drink will be provided.  Please plan to attend/support the all-star game and TLOA Party.  


Thank you for all your hard work this year.  There is still a lot of lacrosse to officiate with tournaments in the Triad and Charlotte area in June and July.