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2013 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Rule Updates: What Goalies Need to Know

2013 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Rule Updates: What Goalies Need to Know

The new year upon us and the 2013 lacrosse season is fact approaching. With the new year comes the 2013 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Rule Updates from the NCAA rules committee. There are some pretty substantial updates to the rules in all areas of the field, and it is important for all players to understand how they will impact the game.

Note: These changes are to the men’s NCAA rule book. It is a good idea to check with your league or coach to find out if the rule changes apply to your team.

No more slow jogs to the crease

The biggest change to impact goalies in the rule revisions is the removal of the grace period for a goalie to return to the net. Until this year, goalies who chased out a shot to the end line and lost the chase were given time to return to the goal. This is no longer the case. This season the game will resume when the offensive player takes possession of the end line ball and establishes himself inbounds. It doesn’t matter where the goalie happens to be at the time.

Good bye to the horn!

Perhaps the most radical change to the game is the removal of sideline substitutions with a horn call. Until this season, if a ball went out on either sideline, both teams were given the option to call for a horn. This signified a halt in the game while each team configured their clearing and riding units.

Now substitutions must be made on the fly or at other stopping points in the game, like a goal. This will impact the way teams manage their sideline clears. Midfielders are going to have to be more attentive and able to perform more roles on the team as a result. This change will help to increase the speed of the game which will result in more fast break situations for defenses.

Undoubtedly, goalies will be called upon with greater urgency to be vocal leaders of their teams as they direct action in faster sideline clears and transitioning midfield units to the defensive side of the field.

Cross regulations

There are a number of changes to how players can manage their crosses. There is a limit to one sidewall string on either side of the stick. There is also a rule for field players that states that no tape may touch the plastic, but know that this rule does not apply to goalies.

Closing thoughts

The trend in lacrosse is all pointing toward a faster and safer game. I believe that both of these intentions are good, but there is a bit of an old school simpleton inside me that just wants them to allow the game to play out the way that it was meant to be played. I know that a game that ends at 8-6 or 5-4 doesn’t excite a lot of folks who are looking for an action packed, end line to end line style of play, but for a defensive guy like me that kind of a score is more than exciting.

Those thoughts aside, goalies need to be ready to adapt to the way the game is played today. They also need to know what is going on at all points on the field. Here is the link to the full video by the NCAA explaining each of the revisions made by the NCAA rules committee this year. Take the time to watch it; you’ll be a better player for it.

2013 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Rule Updates Video

Here is a link to the NCAA Rules of the Game resource page on the NCAA site. Enjoy!

Thoughts? Do share!

 

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MLL All-Star Goalie Drew Adams Shares Favorite Goalie Drill and More

MLL All-Star Goalie Drew Adams Shares Favorite Goalie Drill and More

We like to bring you nothing but the best and today is no exception. Drew Adams is the starting goalie for the Long Island Lizards. He is a two time MLL Goalie of the Year in 2011 and 2012. He was also named to Lacrosse.com All-MLL Team.

Drew is a tough and composed player between the pipes who hates loosing. In our interview he shares his favorite drill. Check it out!

Andrew: What does your pre-game warm up look like?

Drew: I try to keep my pregame warm-up similar to what I do in practice. This way nothing is different on game day. Basically 10 shots at each spot, then a mix of full speed everywhere. I don’t like to overdo it in warm-up, just do enough to get my feet and hands moving, and get a good sight on the ball.

Andrew: How do you overcome a low point during a game, like giving up a few goals in a row?

Drew: I stay positive and look for the next opportunity to make a save. There is no use is dwelling on goals given up.

Andrew: How is being a MLL goalie different from college?

Drew: The speed of the game is much different. With a 60 second shot clock things happen quickly, and you need to be on your toes all the time.

Andrew: What is your favorite goalie drill?

Drew: There is a drill I do when I lay on my stomach inside the crease facing the cage with no stick. I have a coach 5 yards from the cage with 5 balls or so. When they say up, I get to my feet as quickly as possible, and while doing so, the ball is on the way towards me. It requires a quick reaction to make the save. After that you get right back down and do it again. It’s a good combination of agility and conditioning.

Here are some more tips from Drew as part of Maverik University:

 

Image Source: Major League Lacrosse

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A Look at MLL Boston Cannon Goalie Jordan Burke

A Look at MLL Boston Cannon Goalie Jordan Burke

Lacrosse gets little press outside of the small contingent of players who follow the latest news and notes, and even within this community it does not seem that goalies get the respect we deserve.  It came as a shock to me then when my mother handed me an article from the Wall Street Journal that was about lacrosse.   The WSJ recently ran an article about Boston Cannons goalie, and Brown University alum, Jordan Burke.

Life Outside Lacrosse

As is typical for MLL articles, the piece highlighted that Burke has a normal 9-5 job. Burke he works for Eze Castle Software, a technology firm in Boston and then goes and plays for the Cannons on the weekends.

As normal as this is in the MLL, I do love hearing about the “other life” that these professional athletes have.  Burke really loves being able to do both jobs, and he also has a supportive wife to cheer him on.  Props to him.

Burke’s Training Routine

The article dug into the training routine that Burke uses to stay in top shape .  He relies on a combination of yoga to maintain his core strength and flexibility, and he also lifts weights and runs for distance.

Adding yoga to any lacrosse goalie training program will help increase flexibility. This is one of the most important physical attributes to have as a goalie.

Off Season Routine

In the offseason Burke plays in a rec hockey league and pickup basketball to keep his reflexes sharp.  “Those quick muscle reflexes are hard to work in the weight room or through running,” he says.  Preach it brother!

Staying on top of your reflexes and stretching are just as important as hitting the weights. Mass doesn’t matter if you can’t move it.

Finding a balance is key to a workout routine. What are some unique drills and workouts that you have tried out this summer to keep you on top of your game? Playing another sport definitely counts!

Filed Under: Goalie Fitness, Goalie News Tagged With: , , , ,
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Our Reaction to the NCAA Proposed Rule Changes

Unless you live under a rock when it comes to lacrosse news, you probably heard about the recent proposed NCCA rule changes.  We here at MTC have been steeped in thought about the proposed changes, a final decision on which will be made during a conference call in September, and we now offer our reaction to it.  Of course we are all about goalies here, so we are keeping our thoughts to the two changes which specifically involved keepers. If you want to read about outrage to the face-off rules check it out elsewhere.

One note before moving on.  These are NCAA proposed changes so if implemented they would only affect the college game, however history has shown us that the college rules trickle down to younger ages eventually.  So depending on if these rules get passed or not they could be made universal at some point in the future.

Without further ado, here we go!

The Change: Shot Clock After Restarts

The Details: When a team is given a stall warning, a shot must be taken within 30 seconds.  A valid shot is defined as an attempt to score that is on goal (e.g., saved by the goalkeeper, hits the goal cage, goal scored). If the 30 seconds expires without a shot on goal, the ball will be awarded to the defensive team. The “get it in, keep it in” call has been removed.

The Reaction: There is always a push to keep the fastest game on two feet going even faster, and this fits right into that mold.  This will obviously lead to more shots, and thus more goals, however in the end it is good for goalies.  A shot clock means that offenses will have to be worried about getting a shot off by a certain time and thus the shot is less likely to be well timed or well placed, making for easier saves for goalies, so this could be a good stat booster.  In addition it gives your team the chance to get the ball back, either from an easier shot and save, or from the violation if they don’t get the shot off.  Again, there is a chance that those shots score, however in the potential benefits outweigh the negatives.  This rule change is a winner for goalies.

The Change: Faster Restarts

The Details:  In general there will be faster restarts, but the biggest specific change is that goalies will no longer be given a five second grace period to get back to the cage.

The Reaction: Again, this rule is in the name of speeding up the game.  Obviously this one is not good news for goalies.  It is unclear whether this will happen anywhere on the field, or just after chased shots, but either way it’s no good for the boys in chest protectors.  It takes away some incentive to chase shots, which is a shame.  Apparently there were some keepers (maybe even you) who would take their time getting back to the cage after chasing a shot, thus giving their defenders time to rest and reset.  We never did this, choosing instead to run back to the crease.  My mentality was always that this was the respectful thing to do to everyone involved so that play could be resumed ASAP.  Maybe dragging ones feet on the way back to the goal is a better thing to do from a gamesmanship mentality, but I still think you respect the game and the people involved by always running back.  Well, maybe the NCAA will settle this whole debate for us, cause if this rule passes you better be hoofin’ it back to that crease!

So with these changes we can see a 50/50 scenario for keepers; one good rule and one bad rule.  The shot clock would probably be more helpful than the restart thing would be harmful, however we will have to see if everything gets passed.  I will have to play in some games this spring before I totally decide what I think of them.  What are your thoughts?  How would these rules change your game?  We want to know what you think!

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Why Be a Goalie for a Summer Travel Lacrosse Team?

Why Be a Goalie for a Summer Travel Lacrosse Team?

Why Be a Goalie for a Summer Travel Lacrosse Team?Some of my best lacrosse memories came from playing summer ball for my offseason club team in Pennsylvania.  It helped me develop as a goalie so much, since the best way to get better is to just play and face shots, but it also helped me form friendships with people that I would have never otherwise met.

When it comes to club lacrosse at the middle school or high school level there are basically three options:

- No club team at all
- A club team comprised of players throughout your area
- A “club team” that is really just your high school team

Lets touch on all of these, though the purpose of the post is to focus on option two.

If you don’t have a club team in your area, that just stinks.  It is the reality though for many places where the sport is still is growing.  There is not much you can do about this, remember though that necessity is the mother of invention.  Consider talking to your coach about starting one up, grow the game!

Now if you have a club team, or multiple, anywhere near you it is definitely a good idea to explore trying out for it.  The benefits of playing for these include:

-Getting college looks
-Putting a face to rivals
-Developing relationships with opposing coaches (think end of season awards voting)
-Playing with your own teammates

Playing summer ball means you go to recruiting tournaments filled with college lacrosse coaches. So always be on your best behavior and be ready for coaches to come talk to you, and be prepared to ask them questions.

When you play for a team made up of different players from your area you will meet rivals that you play during the school year.  This happened on my club team and it was the coolest thing ever!

Having played a whole summer with guys makes the next springs game so much more fun because you actually know the guy under the helmet. It’s like playing against your brother.  It is a very underrated perk to playing summer ball.

Summer teams are almost always coached by a local high school coach. So if you play with him for a summer or two you will develop a relationship with him, hopefully a good one, and that can pay off in the future.

The coach probably has a vote in the end of season awards and if he likes you then he is as likely to vote for you as your own team coach is.  Plus you can get other perks such as additional coaching (obviously) or a letter of recommendation.  Oh and just like with players, it’s really neat to play against your club coach come springtime.

Before you go try out be sure to drag some of your buddies from your own team along, particularity your defensemen if possible.  This gives them the same perks you get and allows them to get better.  In addition it allows them to play more and get coached up, which will only help you.

It also helps build chemistry with them and is a familiar face under the tent at those hot summer tournaments.

If your coach organizes your team to play together under a club name then that is sweet as well and you should probably play with them.  This gives your team a great chance to grow together and have some summer fun.  You get the same college looks, but miss out on the fun of meeting new people.  It is definitely not a bad thing to play for your own team though.

If you have the chance to play ball for an organized team in the summer definitely jump on it.  It’s great on multiple levels.  Remember to stick to your fundamentals though and don’t pick up any bad habits. Have fun and be sure to grab some new gear!

Filed Under: Goalie News, Goalie Skills