The fastest game on two feet is about to get faster thanks to the adoption of several rule changes for 2022 in the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) and four other leagues across the country.

The rule changes were driven by a desire to align the way the game is played across five elite Canadian box lacrosse leagues for the purpose of enhancing speed, scoring and excitement for fans while ensuring consistency for players and officials.

The five leagues that will implement the changes in 2022 are: B.C.’s WLA and BC Junior A Lacrosse League; Ontario’s Major Series Lacrosse and Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League; and Alberta’s Rocky Mountain Junior A Lacrosse League.

A panel comprised of current players, coaches, general managers, officials and commissioners of those leagues approved the changes. Among those panel members are: WLA and NLL coach Rob Williams; MSL and NLL coach and GM — and Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee — Paul Day; WLA and NLL player Curtis Dickson; and MSL and NLL player Cody Jamieson.

Among the nine rule changes are:

• 8-second count: When a team gains possession in the defensive half of the floor, they must advance the ball across centre within eight (8) seconds of gaining possession.
• Face-offs & restraining lines: In addition to revised face-off procedures, the leagues are implementing wider positioning between the two player restraining lines that will now align with the hockey bluelines.

• Sudden death during regular season OT: During the regular season, if the game is tied at the end of regulation, the first team to score during overtime wins.

In addition, the leagues will have increased enforcement on two existing rules covering off-ball slashing and illegal picks.

“All these changes will speed up the play of our game and increase scoring, which will boost entertainment for our fans,” said Paul Dal Monte, commissioner of the WLA. “In addition, they’ll provide for consistency for everyone involved in the top levels of box lacrosse across the country.

“We’re thankful for the thoughtful input of players, coaches and GMs who made this happen,” he added.

The WLA season begins Friday May 27^th when the New Westminster Salmonbellies travel to Victoria to take on the Shamrocks.  For full schedule information, go to wlalacrosse.com.

Senior ‘A’ and Junior ‘A’ 2022 box lacrosse rule changes

The rule changes were driven by a desire to align the way the game is played at the highest level for the purpose of enhancing the speed and excitement for fans while ensuring consistency for our players and officials.

The rule changes follow discussion and unanimous recommendation by a panel of current players, coaches, general managers, and Commissioners of the five Leagues involved (Major Series Lacrosse, Western Lacrosse Association, Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League, BC Junior A Lacrosse League, and Rocky Mountain Junior A Lacrosse League).

The rule changes are approved for all five Leagues for the 2022 box seasons.

Approved rule changes for 2022 seasons

• 4-second count: When a team gains possession of the ball in their crease, the player in possession must vacate the crease within four (4) seconds. Previously, a five-second count applied.
• 8-second count: When a team gains possession in their defensive half of the floor, they must advance the ball across centre within eight (8) seconds of gaining possession. Previously, a 10-second rule applied, and only when a team was short-handed.
• Face-offs & restraining lines: In addition to revised face-off procedures, which restrict stick and body contact, specifically, sticks must be eight (8) inches apart and touching the floor. The sticks must be placed so they are parallel to the centreline, four (4) inches from centre, and the players must keep their feet behind the centre-line. In addition, the leagues are implementing wider positioning between the two player restraining lines; these restraining lines will now align with the hockey bluelines, which are 50’ apart and 25’ from the centre line. Previously, opposing players’ sticks would be back-to-back, with the ball clamped in between, and the respective restraining lines were 22’ apart and just 11’ from the centre line.
• Over and back: Over and back will now be in effect for all possessions. Previously, the rule only applied when a team was short-handed.
• Too many players: In all situations, if a team is found to have too many players on the floor, a two-minute penalty shall be imposed on the offending team. Previously, a penalty was applied only if the infraction occurred by a team without possession.
• Delayed penalties: After a delayed penalty is called, the play is whistled down if/when: the defending team gains possession of the ball; if the ball goes out of bounds; an over-and-back violation occurs; a goal is scored; the shot clock or game clock expires; or an offensive player commits a penalty. The play shall continue upon a shot on goal if the offensive team regains possession on the rebound, and the shot clock is reset; and if the ball contacts the defensive player’s stick or body but the defensive team does not gain possession and control of the ball. Previously, after a delayed penalty was called, the play was whistled down when the non-offending team took a shot on goal.
• Fast restarts: Upon the re-start of play, the non-offending team may gain possession of the ball at the location of the ball at any location on the playing floor. Upon stoppage of play, a player must immediately put the ball down upon loss of possession and allow for a fast restart for the opposing team. As well, an offending team player must immediately move a minimum of six (6) feet from the ball. If a player does not move 6 feet away from the ball, a 2-minute Delay of Game penalty shall be called on the offending player. Previously, the re-start position had to be at the point of the violation.
• Sudden-death OT during regular season: During the Regular Season, if the game is tied at the end of regulation, the first team to score in overtime will win. The WLA will continue with its 3-on-3 overtime format for the 2022 regular season while existing rules and procedures will remain for playoff games and national championships. With the exception of the WLA, previously, overtime consisted of a 10-minute period, followed by a 20-minute sudden death period.
• Penalty shot called for additional penalties on a team already 2 men short: If a team is playing with two players serving penalties in the penalty box, and a third penalty is called, this will result in a penalty shot awarded to the non-offending team. Previously, penalties would continue to be added, and players would be sent to the penalty box.

Existing rules to get increased enforcement

• Off-ball slashing: The athletes, coaches, and administrators from the rules panel support strict enforcement of the existing rules. Off-ball slashes to the opponent’s hands, arms, legs, or any part of the body are not permitted at any location on the playing floor.
• Illegal picks: The panel recognizes the need to address this topic as its own rule. An illegal offensive pick is when the offensive player uses unequal pressure and creates movement of the defensive player or displaces the defensive player from his position.
• Illegal picks can also be considered as illegal cross check/back check infractions.

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