Sports have been one of the most consistent aspects of our natio-
nal history. Sports have offered the American people reliability
through years of disequilibrium. During troubled times, sports
have always had an inexplicable ability to bring people closer
together. Looking back, even though the athletes, teams, and
stadiums have drastically changed, the rules and concepts of
sports have remained mostly unswerving—especially when
it comes to lacrosse.
Lacrosse has been sweeping the nation and participation at the youth level is at an all-
time high. Although you may not know it, lacrosse has a rich history and tradition which
began with the Native Americans. The game then consisted of a playing area which spa-
nned for miles through fields, forests, and even rivers. Usually, these games would last
days. Playing the sport would help decide conflicts between neighboring tribes—a
welcomed alternative to battle. Today, the competition is as fierce as ever with a few
adjustments to the style of play and to the rules originally implemented by the Native
Americans.
Although referred to as “the fastest game on two feet,” lacrosse at the upper levels
has begun to take on a new identity. Especially at the collegiate levels, teams are pha-
sing out of the run-and-gun approach to the game and players are being taught to
slow things down and work the ball around. Slowing the ball down can be a great stra-
tegy, but when teams are taking 3-4 minute possessions consistently, the game can get
a little boring for the fans.
With that, the NCAA Rules Committee got together two years ago and implemented
new rules to increase pace of play. Changes include modifications to sticks, a possession
timer, and wider substitution boxes to name a few. Whether or not you are a fan of the ch-
anges, the game has received a face-lift at the upper levels and a different style of play has
emerged.
This is essentially the job of a rules committee: to recognize a need for improvement in the
game and to implement changes which will make the sport more entertaining, more fair, and
(above all else) safer for the players involved.
In Mass Bay Youth Lacrosse League (MBYLL), the responsibility falls on the MBYLL Competit-
ion, Rules, and Game Administration (CRGA) Committee to ensure that the best quality of lacro-
sse is being administered to the young players of Eastern Massachusetts.
According to Bob Flynn, the Vice-President of Game Administration and the CRGA committee ch-
air, safety and enhancing the game are two of the main elements scrutinized when the committee ex-
amines making a rule modification. In a day and age where concussions and other serious injuries have
become a grave concern, MBYLL has taken many precautions to ensure that the rules properly protect
these young athletes. Although MBYLL follows the US Lacrosse Youth Guidelines, the CRGA committee
isn’t afraid to make modifications to these rules if it means making the game safer for its players.
For example, one rule that has been modified recently is the “5-yard” rule. Traditionally at the U15 and U13
levels, players are able to take a 5-yard running start before making a body check on an opposing player. Howe-
ver, the CRGA committee found this unnecessary at the youth level and have since shortened the distance to three yards for players to make body checks at the older levels. Just as the National Football League has tried to eliminate helmet-to-helmet contact, MBYLL has made it a point to eliminate unnecessary body checks.
MBYLL Dissection n. a detailed part-by-part analysis
From Concept to Code
The Evolution of a Rule Change
By Andrew O'Reilly
28 The Scoop / Winter '15
Continued on 30
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