Lacrosse Face Off Rules: A Comprehensive Guide to Faceoff Techniques and Regulations

How are lacrosse faceoffs conducted. What are the key rules for faceoffs in lacrosse. What techniques do players use during faceoffs. How do officials enforce faceoff regulations. What common violations occur during lacrosse faceoffs. How has the faceoff evolved in modern lacrosse.

The Role of the Lead Official in Lacrosse Faceoffs

In lacrosse, the faceoff is a crucial aspect of the game that requires careful oversight from officials. The lead official plays a pivotal role in ensuring that faceoffs are conducted fairly and in accordance with the rules. Here’s a breakdown of their key responsibilities:

• Placing the ball at the center X or midfield line
• Signaling the start of the 20-second timer
• Overseeing player positioning and equipment
• Conducting the faceoff cadence
• Monitoring for pre-whistle violations

The lead official’s primary duty is to manage the faceoff process from start to finish. This begins with properly spotting the ball at the center X or midfield line. By holding the ball above their head before placement, the lead official signals to their partner to activate the 20-second timer, which governs how quickly the faceoff must begin.

Positioning and Communication

Where should the lead official stand during a faceoff? There are two common options:

1. Straddling the midline
2. Standing over a player’s shoulder

Each position offers different advantages in terms of visibility. Straddling the midline may sacrifice some view of the neutral zone, while the shoulder position can make it harder to see if players are leaning over the line. Many officials prefer straddling the midline and occasionally switching sides to maintain a balanced perspective.

Communication with players is important, especially early in the game. The official may remind players about rules or ask them to “Show Me Plastic” to ensure proper stick positioning. However, excessive conversation with faceoff players is generally discouraged, particularly at higher levels of play.

The Faceoff Cadence: Down, Set, Whistle

A consistent and clear faceoff cadence is essential for fair play. The official must use the sequence “Down, Set, Whistle” for every faceoff. This standardized approach allows players to anticipate the start of play and helps prevent early movements or violations.

The “Down” Command

When the official calls “Down,” both faceoff players must simultaneously lower themselves to the ground and assume their starting positions. Early in the game, officials may provide verbal warnings for minor infractions during this phase, allowing players to adjust their stance or positioning. However, repeated violations should be penalized without additional warnings.

The “Set” Command

Once players are in position, the official announces “Set” loudly enough for both participants to hear. At this point, players must remain completely motionless and silent. It’s crucial to note that until the “Set” command is given, players cannot commit most faceoff violations (with the exception of equipment infractions).

Pre-Whistle Regulations: Ensuring a Fair Start

Before the whistle blows to initiate the faceoff, officials must carefully observe both players to ensure compliance with a number of important regulations. These rules are designed to create a level playing field and prevent any unfair advantages. Let’s examine the key pre-whistle requirements:

• Simultaneous ground contact
• Proper stick and hand placement
• Correct body positioning
• Equipment compliance
• Motionless stance after “Set”

Officials scrutinize players for these specific elements:

1. Both players must go “Down” at the same time.
2. Hands and sticks must not touch the 4-inch neutral zone at midfield.
3. Players cannot touch the plastic of their stick head.
4. The ball must be placed between the widest parts of the stick head.
5. No tape is allowed on the stick head.
6. Stick heads must be perpendicular to the ground.
7. Both of the player’s hands must be in contact with the ground.
8. The entirety of each player’s body must be positioned to the left of their stick head.
9. No part of the stick (including the pocket, strings, or plastic) can be touching the ball.
10. After the “Set” command, players must remain completely motionless.

By meticulously checking for these factors, officials can ensure that neither player gains an unfair advantage before the faceoff begins.

Post-Whistle Vigilance: Monitoring Faceoff Execution

Once the whistle blows and the faceoff commences, officials must remain vigilant for a variety of potential infractions. The speed and intensity of the faceoff require quick decision-making and a keen eye for rule violations. Here are some key actions officials watch for after the whistle:

Physical Violations

• Pinning an opponent’s or one’s own crosse to the ground with any body part, especially elbows or knees
• Deliberately delaying the release of the ball by holding it against the ground for an excessive amount of time
• “Taking body” immediately off the whistle or hitting an opponent while they’re still on their knees as the ball comes free
• Kicking an opponent’s crosse, whether intentional or not, particularly on the first step

Stick and Ball Handling Infractions

How do officials determine if a player is illegally handling the ball during a faceoff? There are several key points to consider:

1. Touching the ball with fingers or palms is strictly prohibited and results in an immediate flag and whistle, leading to a one-minute unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
2. Punching the ball out or raking it backward with a closed hand is legal, as long as the hands remain wrapped around the stick shaft.
3. Officials must watch for the ball becoming stuck in a player’s stick head. The ball is not considered “stuck” until it can be proven that the player cannot easily release it.

Regarding stuck balls, players are generally allowed one “shake” or lacrosse motion (such as a throw or flip) to move the ball from the back to the front of the head. If defensive checks make it impossible for the ball to come out, this may justify an illegal procedure call. However, minor stick checks as a player evades defenders may not warrant such a call.

It’s important to note that a player can run with the ball in the back of their stick head for as long as they want and may even shoot and score in this position. The illegal procedure is only called when one of the above situations occurs.

Enforcing Faceoff Violations: Quick Whistles and Proper Signaling

When a faceoff violation occurs, officials must act swiftly and decisively to maintain the flow of the game and ensure fair play. The modern approach to lacrosse officiating emphasizes quick whistles, particularly in faceoff situations.

Pre-Whistle Violations

If a player commits a violation before the whistle blows, the official should:

1. Stand both players up
2. Explain the violation
3. Reset the faceoff

Post-Whistle Violations

For infractions that occur after the whistle, officials should:

1. Blow the whistle immediately
2. Signal “Illegal Procedure”
3. Point in the direction of the new goal to be attacked

When players are at least five yards away from the ball possessor, officials should not hesitate to blow the whistle promptly. This quick-whistle approach is crucial in modern lacrosse, as it helps establish a rhythm and ensures all players on the field become accustomed to immediate stoppages for violations.

Evolution of Faceoff Techniques and Rule Adaptations

The lacrosse faceoff has undergone significant changes over the years, both in terms of player techniques and official regulations. These evolutions have been driven by a desire to maintain competitive balance and address concerns about player safety and game flow.

Technique Innovations

How have faceoff specialists adapted their approaches over time? Several key developments include:

• The “motorcycle grip” – A hand position that allows for quicker reaction times
• “Clamping” techniques – Methods to quickly secure the ball under the stick head
• The “rake” – A swift backward motion to direct the ball to teammates
• Improved physical conditioning – Focusing on core strength and explosive movements

Rule Changes and Their Impact

In response to evolving techniques and concerns about the dominance of faceoff specialists, governing bodies have implemented various rule changes. Some notable adjustments include:

1. Stricter enforcement of pre-whistle positioning
2. Limitations on stick customization for faceoff use
3. Implementation of the “moto-grip” rule, requiring a specific hand placement
4. Faster restarts after violations to reduce deliberate infractions

These changes have aimed to create a more balanced faceoff scenario, reducing the advantage of highly specialized faceoff players and encouraging a broader skill set among all players.

The Strategic Importance of Faceoffs in Modern Lacrosse

Faceoffs have become an increasingly critical element of lacrosse strategy, with their outcomes often significantly influencing game results. This heightened importance has led to several developments in how teams approach this aspect of the game.

Specialized Faceoff Players

Many teams now employ dedicated faceoff specialists who focus almost exclusively on this skill. These players often have unique physical attributes and honed techniques that give them an edge in this crucial battle for possession.

Tactical Considerations

How do coaches integrate faceoff strategy into their overall game plan? Several factors come into play:

• Player matchups – Analyzing opposing faceoff specialists and adjusting personnel accordingly
• Wing play – Coordinating midfielders to support faceoff efforts
• Possession strategies – Deciding whether to push for fast breaks or set up offensive plays after wins
• Adaptation – Making in-game adjustments based on faceoff performance and officiating tendencies

The increased emphasis on faceoffs has also led to more specialized coaching, with some teams employing dedicated faceoff coaches to refine techniques and develop strategies.

Impact on Game Flow and Scoring

Dominance in faceoffs can dramatically alter the complexion of a game. Teams that consistently win faceoffs can:

1. Control the pace of play
2. Limit opponents’ possessions and scoring opportunities
3. Create momentum swings through repeated possessions
4. Influence late-game strategies, particularly in close contests

As a result, the ability to win faceoffs consistently has become a highly valued skill, with faceoff win percentage often cited as a key statistic in game analysis and player evaluation.

Technological Advancements and Faceoff Officiating

The integration of technology into lacrosse officiating has had a significant impact on how faceoffs are managed and analyzed. These advancements aim to improve accuracy, consistency, and fairness in this crucial aspect of the game.

Video Review Systems

Many high-level lacrosse competitions now incorporate video review capabilities, allowing officials to examine close calls or potential violations during faceoffs. This technology can be particularly useful for:

• Verifying pre-whistle positioning
• Checking for subtle violations that may be missed in real-time
• Reviewing controversial calls that could significantly impact the game

Data Analysis and Performance Tracking

How has data collection changed the approach to faceoffs? Advanced statistics and tracking systems now provide detailed insights into faceoff performance, including:

1. Win percentages in various game situations
2. Tendencies and patterns of individual faceoff specialists
3. The impact of different techniques and strategies
4. Officiating consistency across games and seasons

This wealth of data allows teams, players, and officials to analyze faceoff trends and make informed decisions about strategies and rule interpretations.

Training and Simulation Tools

Technology has also enhanced the training process for both players and officials involved in faceoffs. Some innovations include:

• Virtual reality simulations for officials to practice decision-making
• High-speed cameras for analyzing faceoff mechanics
• Force-measurement devices to study the physical aspects of faceoffs
• Online platforms for officials to review and discuss faceoff scenarios

These tools contribute to more consistent and accurate officiating, as well as improved player performance in faceoff situations.

As technology continues to evolve, it’s likely that we’ll see further innovations in how faceoffs are conducted, officiated, and analyzed in lacrosse. These advancements will continue to shape the strategic landscape of the sport and influence how this crucial aspect of the game is approached by players, coaches, and officials alike.

Ask a Ref: All About Faceoffs

Editor’s Note: This post is co-authored by Mark Donahue and Gordon Corsetti. The following information is based on the 2014 NFHS Rulebook, Official’s Mechanics Manual, and knowledge gained from many years of repetition.

Duties of the Lead Official

After a goal is scored or to begin a half, as the Lead Official, bring the ball up to the Center X, hold it directly above your head and then immediately place it directly in the center or the X. If there is not X, spot the ball directly in the middle of the line in the centermost part of the field. By holding the ball over your head you are signifying to your partner to turn on the 20-second timer.

Stand over the ball until you receive the Ready For Play signal from the Wing Official. While you wait, you can ask the players standing to “Show Me Plastic” or small reminders about previously violated rules, but I don’t recommend carrying the conversation on with the faceoff men much past the first quarter at the higher levels.

Once the Wing Official lowers his arm pointing to the goal he will be the lead on, you may back off the ball. Some officials rotate where they stand on faceoffs from straddling the midline to standing over the player’s shoulder. Honestly, by picking either place you will give up a visual angle at either: a) the neutral zone from the midline position or b) leaning over the line from the shoulder position. I personally prefer to give up the neutral zone and straddle the line, flipping sides occasionally. Just remember, no matter where you stand you aren’t going to be out of the line of fire.

The cadence for faceoffs must be Down, Set, Whistle, faceoff men are counting on this.

Bring the players Down, making sure that they go to the ground simultaneously. Early in the game, unless the player comes down and actually moves the ball, just about any violation that occurs I will give the players a verbal warning to adjust before Set. If you have warned a particular faceoff man already about any particular violations, I don’t recommend giving him another chance the next time around.

Once the players come down, approach the ball and get in to their best stance, you shall announce loud enough for the players to both players to hear the words Set. Once you say the words Set, players are to remain silent and motionless. Until you verbally say set, unless the players have touched the ball, they have not committed any violations (except potentially equipment).

What To Look For Pre-whistle

• Players going Down at the same time.
• Hands/Sticks are not touching the 4” in midline.
• Hands are not touching the plastic of the head.
• The ball is placed between the widest parts of the head.
• No tape is on the head.
• Heads are perpendicular to the ground.
• Both hands are touching the ground.
• The entire body is to the left of the head.
• No part of the stick (pocket, strings, plastic) is touching the ball.
• Players motionless after Set.

Watching The Play Post-whistle

• Pinning their own or opponents crosse down with any part of their body, specifically elbows and knees.
• Deliberately delaying getting the ball out by pinning to the ground for an exaggerated amount of time.
• Taking “body” off the whistle, or hitting the player while he is on his knees when the ball “comes out.”
• Kicking the crosse with the first step, a faceoff man will try to plant his foot behind the head of his opponent and sometime he may kick the head intentionally or not, it must be called.
• A player touching the ball with his fingers or palms, if you see this immediately throw the flag and blow the whistle to signal a 1 minute unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.  Note: It the player punched the ball out or rakes it backward with his closed hand the play is legal as long as his hands are wrapped around the shaft.
• The ball being stuck in the head. Remember, the ball is not stuck until we can prove it. That means he essentially gets one “shake” or one lacrosse motion (throw, flip, etc.) to get the ball from the back of the head to the front. Also, if the defense checks the stick in a way that it is impossible for the ball to not come out, then we can prove it, but little stick checks a the player is evading may not justify the Illegal Procedure call. Note: The player can run with the ball in the back of his head as long as he wants and may even shoot and score if he chooses. It is not Illegal Procedure until he violates one of the above situations.
• If a player violates any of the listed situations, stand both players up pre-whistle or blow the whistle immediately and signal Illegal Procedure and point in the direction of the new goal to be attacked. If the players are five yards away from the player in possession of the ball, don’t hesitate to blow your whistle immediately. The quick whistle aspect of modern lacrosse is very important to get everyone on the field comfortable with.

I know it’s a college video, but it’s worth noting that kids are sending themselves to college for being a FOGO. These kids are dedicating their lives to the art of facing off, please give them and the game the respect it deserves by making sure the rules are followed and that you continue to improve as an official while the athletes continue to improve their craft.

Duties of the Wing Official

Once the Face Off Official brings the ball to Center X for the next face the Wing Official checks that the entire field is ready for play. The Wing Official, as the name suggests, stands near the wing line and starts the 20-second timer once the Face Off official brings the ball to Center X. Once the timer is running both teams have 20 seconds to get the correct players on the field and in the correct spots:

• 3 in the offensive end behind the restraining line*
• 4 in the defensive end behind the restraining line (3 players + 1 goalkeeper)
• 3 in between the restraining lines (1 player on each wing + 1 face off player) Note – Players do not have to stay inside the box before or during a face off. They are confined to the area below the restraining line so standing in the alley is okay.

Teams can check that the 20-second timer is active by looking at the wing official. One arm held in the air signifies that the field is not ready for play and that the timer is running. If one team is not set and the 20-second timer buzzes the Wing Official will penalize that team by turning the ball over with a Delay Of Game (DOG) call. Generally, if both teams are not set and the timer goes off the Wing Official will turn the timer off and inform both teams to be quicker getting onto the field.

Once the field is set the Wing Official will move his arm from up in the air to pointing at the goal he covers as the Lead Official at shoulder level. This is the ready signal, which tells the Face Off Official that the field is set and the face off can now begin.

Everything you want to know about positioning of players before a face off and penalties that can occur during the face can be found in NFHS Rule 4. 4. The major rule difference this season from last season is that a man down team is not permitted to fill the wing on a man down face off. This rule makes a lot of sense. Why should a team that committed a penalty (usually a non-releasable foul, or a live-ball personal foul) be permitted to face off against the other team at even strength? I really liked this rule change because it makes my job as the wing official on a man down face easier because I don’t have to identify the “Hot” player filling the wing, and I don’t have to worry at all about offside calls during the face.

While that is the big rule change for 2014, there are a lot of other situations during a face that can cause confusion. The biggest one for officials to recognize is a non-releasable penalty that has only a few second left and a face off about to occur. A player in the penalty box who gets counted down to zero does not get to release from the box until the face off is over (possession called or ball crosses the restraining line). The easiest way I describe this situation is that if a player is not participating in the face off (wing or face off midfielders) then they do not get to participate until possession is called or the ball crosses the restraining line and play is called. This is a safety rule through and through. Say a Red player has two seconds left on his non-releasable foul and a face off begins. The ball squirts over to near the box and a White player is just about to pick it up when the Red player is released. The Red player hits the unaware White player and now the officials likely have a defenseless player call to make. If there are two seconds left on a foul to start a man-down face off that player remains in the box even if the face off takes 45 seconds before possession or play is declared.

Anytime there is a penalty on the face off the ball should be awarded to the offended team on their side of the field at Center X, unless the ball was already on their offensive side of the field when the other team commits the foul. The big thing to note here is that the players behind the restraining lines are not released until the whistle to restart play is sounded.

The Wing Official in a two-man crew has a difficult job right before the face off. He must simultaneously watch four wing players running into the center of the field at full speed. The tricky part is that two of those players are almost forty yards away from the Wing Official. I like to check if the players are near one another on the wings. If they are on opposite ends of the wing line I leave them alone for the most part since those players are not getting in each other’s way anytime soon, but if two players are jostling for position or are right next to one another I am focusing most of my attention on them*. Oh, fun fact – I can barely make out the wing line opposite me as the Wing Official and I don’t try to. I ran LSM when I played and I always lined up over the wing line when I saw the officials were in a two-man crew and the wing official was opposite me. I used a weak point in two-man mechanics to gain an advantage for myself on the face off, but I always made sure to be fully behind the line when the Wing Official was on my side of the field.

Note – It is perfectly acceptable for the wing players to gain a running start or move prior to the whistle. They may not touch or cross the wing line with any part of their body so leaning over it with the crosse is okay as well. Wing players are bound by the wing line so no lining up right at the top of the restraining line on your defensive side of the field to stop a fast break!

Finally, I must make note of the saddest moment of the pre-season for me as I was reading through my new 2014 rulebook. Rule 4.4.3 Situation B used to allow opposing goalkeepers to face off in the event that both teams had a player in the penalty box. Ever since I started officiating I wanted to see this happen, but now I never will as the new version of Rule 4.4.3 Situation B clearly states that opposing goalkeepers may not face off.

How To Win The Draw In Women’s Lacrosse Face-off

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July 10, 2022March 7, 2022 by Adrian James

Apart from the no-contact rule in women’s lacrosse, it differs from men’s lacrosse in another significant way which is the draw, the women’s version of a face-off. Essentially they serve the same purpose. Both happen at the start of each game and after every goal. 

Since possession is the no.1 determining factor between a win or a loss in lacrosse, learning the best way to win a draw goes a long way. Statistically speaking, roughly two-thirds of all wins take place when teams have higher faceoff success. 

Hence, for women players who are responsible for draws, you want to make sure to learn the best and correct way so that your team can gain an immediate advantage over your opponent. 

With all that out of the way, let’s jump in.

How does a draw take place?

At the start of every game, the draw starts with two opposing midfield players facing each other in the center of the field. The players hold their sticks out with the back of the sticks’ pockets against each other. The official then places the ball between the pockets and each player applies a little pressure so that the ball maintains its position in between the sticks. 

Players’ feet cannot step over to the other side. The sticks also must be lined up with the centerline and maintain waist level at all times before the ball is released. 

After the official blows the whistle, each player pulls her draw stick upwards or backwards to snap the ball out of the pockets. As soon as the ball is released, the game official starts and players start fighting for possession.

Drawing isn’t an arbitrary procedure. There are two main draw methods in women’s lacrosse: the push draw and the pull draw to push the ball toward your offensive side.

The Push Draw

To do a push draw, place your right hand on the top of your stick near the throat and your left hand on the bottom near the butt end. After you and the opponent are in position and the official blows the whistle, push the stick forward with your right hand in the meantime pull the butt end of your stick toward your body. 

To maximize your success of a push draw, here are a few things to remember:

• Having a quick hand is the best way to ensure a successful draw. The faster your hand can rotate and turn over, the more likely you can push the ball in the desired direction
• When doing a draw, it’s very important to be in an athletic stance by bending your knees and using your legs to generate the power. In addition, rotating your hip should be the main source of your power to bring the stick over your head
• To keep the draw legal, your hands have to come up and over the height of your shoulders. So even in a push draw, make sure your hands go above your shoulders

This will result in the ball being pushed in front of you so you want to react quickly to pick up the ball. No matter what method you use, someone who is great at drawing can control where the ball is going and respond instantly. 

Below is a great clip that walks through all the key components of taking a good draw

The Pull Draw

In contrast, a pull draw, which sounds exactly like the name, is done by pulling the stick toward you and rotating your hips to generate power. In pull draw, place your left hand on the top of your stick near the head and your right hand on the bottom near the butt-end.

After the whistle is blown, you want to pull the stick with your left hand in the meantime pushing the stick forward with your right hand. Once the ball is released, quickly respond to pick up the ball. 

Again just to iterate, quick hands, strength and fast response are the fundamental pieces that allow you to get a good draw every time.  

Watch this great clip to learn how to perform a powerful pull draw

Breakdown of new draw rules

Recently NCAA has made several changes to the rules around drawing. To make sure you are 100% familiar with them to avoid penalties, let’s break them down. 

There are mainly two major changes in order to promote more fairness in the game. As mentioned in the section previous, the first change states that the player’s stick must be parallel to the centerline during a draw. Thus, on top of being directly above the centerline, the new rule introduced a new level of complexity and equality for both sides. 

The second major change has to do with defenders’ and attackers’ positions during a draw. Apart from middies, all other players behind the restraining line must stay inside until the possession has been achieved. Which means only the six middies inside the midfield zone can participate in the draw. 

In other words, all players are only free to go across the midline when either one team gains possession or the ball is behind a restraining line.

It’s very important to follow the most recent draw changes, especially the second one for players who are behind the restraining lines. It’s very easy to forget to stay behind and be patient when you want to eagerly gain possession for your team. So for beginners, remember to hold your horses and don’t recklessly cross into the zone when it could cost the team a precious possession.

One pro tip is even when you are stuck behind the restraining line, you can reach over for the ball. As long as your body doesn’t touch the ground past the line.

More tips to help you win the draw

• Put your dominant hand as close as you can to the stick’s head

By doing so, you gain much more leverage and control over the ball

• Anticipate the whistle

Pay attention to the official. If you see she is about to blow the whistle, make sure your body and hands are ready

• Quickly adjust after losing the draw

Even if you lost the draw, it’s not the end of the world. At the same time, it doesn’t mean your job is done either. Quickly transition to play defensive and seize every opportunity to intercept and regain possession

Categories How To Info Guide, How To Training Guide, Lacrosse Info, Lacrosse Training

Adrian James

I am Adrian from Florida. After playing lacrosse for 15 years, I decided to start this website to share my journey and knowledge to help people get better at lacrosse.

Throw-in

Throw-in is a method used to start and resume play after a goal in some stick sports, most notably bandy, bandy, floorball, broomball, rinkball and lacrosse.

During a faceoff, two teams line up against each other and the opposing players attempt to gain control of the puck or ball after it has been dropped or otherwise placed between their sticks by the referee.

Hockey face-offs (also called “hooligans” and originally called “pucks”) are usually taken by centers, although some offensive players will take face-offs and, very rarely, defensemen. ^[1] One of the referees shoots the puck at the center of the ice at the start of each period and after a goal has been scored. Linesmen are responsible for all other face-offs.

One player from each team stands at the faceoff spot (see below) waiting for the puck to be dropped. All teammates must be on the side or behind the player taking the throw-in. ^[2] Generally, the goal of the player taking the faceoff is to take the puck back to teammates; however, they sometimes try to shoot the puck forward past the other team, usually to kill time on the shorthand, although it is also possible to hit directly into the net – to score a goal directly after the face-off, although rare, is not uncommon from. However, if the face-off takes place at one of the five face-off spots around which circles are marked, only two opposing players responsible for the face-off may be in the circle. A common setup, especially in the center of the ice, is for the fielder to take the throw-in with the wings positioned to the side of the center on both sides, and the fielder, usually a defender, behind the thrower, one to each side. However, this is not mandatory, vol.

Face-offs are usually held at designated areas marked on the ice, called spots or face-off spots . There are nine such points: two in each attack zone, two at each end of the neutral zone, and one in the center of the court. . Throw-ins did not always take place at marked face-off spots. For example, if the puck leaves the playing surface, the face-off will take place where the puck was last played. On June 20, 2007, the NHL Board of Governors approved a change to NHL Rule 76.2, which governs face-off venues. The rule now requires all face-offs to be taken at one of the nine face-off spots on the ice, regardless of what caused the stoppage of play. Rule 76.2 also states that, with certain exceptions, the face-off after a penalty must take place at one of the two face-off spots on the side of the offending team. ^[1]

The referee may send off the player taking the throw-in if that player or any other player on the same team attempts to gain an unfair advantage during the throw-in (this is called a throw-in violation). When a player is sent off, one of the teammates who did not originally participate in the face-off shall administer the face-off. Common face-off violations include: moving the stick before the puck is dropped, improperly placing the stick on request, not placing the body perpendicular to the face-off spot, or invading the face-off circle by a teammate. . In the NHL, an away team player must place his stick on the ice for a face-off first when it occurs at a spot on the center line. For all other throw-ins, the defending player must put down his stick first. Prior to the 2015–16 league season, the visiting player was required to put his stick first in all face-offs. ^[3]
A player who specializes in throw-in is sometimes called or considered a throw-in specialist.

Throw-in during a National Hockey League game in 2008.

Two lacrosse players prepare for a face-off while the referee places the ball on the ground between the heads of their clubs.

Players prepare for the toss in a women’s college lacrosse game

Two female hockey players prepare to start or restart a match with hooliganism at midfield.

The Brilliant Match begins with a roll of at in the center of the Brilliant Field.

Comeback in the final, two-time winners and a lacrosse puck in the end

For teams from the Dream League Small Cup, the Festival is over. The teams distributed the places among themselves, and we tell you how the last game day turned out for them and who became the most productive in each team!

Alpha comeback

The decisive battle for the Dream League Minor Cup took place in Iceberg, where 9 met face to face0050 LHK “Norilsk” and “Alpha” . We don’t think it’s worth writing about how important it was for both teams to start the meeting carefully and not let the opponent take the initiative. Everyone understood perfectly. However, the very first oversight, which led to a violation of the rules, ended in a goal.

At the 17th minute of the match Roman Rudenko threw from the boards for good luck and … the puck in the goal! She somehow incomprehensibly leaked behind the back of Nikita Prygunov and “flowed” over the ribbon. Although we know why it happened. Review goalkeeper “Alpha” closed Denis Bezbakh , who, along with Rudenko, can be called the creator of this goal.

This was the only puck in the first period, and in the second the teams exchanged pucks in the 31st minute Kirill Ermakov reached for Rudenko’s pass and doubled Norilsk’s lead in the 33rd minute, and already in the 33rd minute Andrey Korshunov reduced the backlog. Andrey Baranov, entering the opponent’s zone on the far side, on the cross movement threw the puck to Korshunov, who hit the near “nine” with a spectacular throw Sergey Bukreev !

About six and a half minutes before the end of the third period, Alpha returns to the match and compares the result! An excellent throw from the face-off circle succeeds Dmitry Ivanov ! In the last minutes, the Ryazans gave the opponent a chance by breaking the rules, but the meeting smoothly turned into a shootout, where the first six attempts were inconclusive, and the fourth outings of field players at the opponent’s goal became decisive. Matvey Ragulin did not use his chance, but Nikolai Zheltov punched through Sergey Bukreev’s “house” with a wrist throw and brought gold and a cup to his team! Great comeback with 0:2 in the final!

The top scorers in LHK Norilsk are Stanislav Korolev (6+4), Roman Rudenko (5+2) and Kirill Ermakov (1+6), while Alfa has Dmitry Ivanov (6+7), Yaroslav Shlenkov (3+6), Andrey Korshunov (8+1) and Andrey Baranov (3+6).

Bronze final

The match for the third place brought together “Velsk” and “Bolshoy” , which were very productive at the group stage, but the driving power was not enough to resist the opponents in the semi-finals. Last year, the Bolshoi players reached the finals and took silver medals; at the 12th Festival, the fight for medals was also possible, albeit for a slightly lower value.

Nevertheless, it was the Sochi team that went for the third place as for the first, having managed to score twice in just 104 seconds in the middle of the first period. Velsk had chances to close the gap even before the break – the southerners broke the rules twice, however, Velsk managed to do it (to score their first in the game) at the very beginning of the second twenty minutes thanks to a goal Alexandra Sharapova .

That’s just “Big” if he throws, then two at once. 26:09 – Dmitry Salomatin carefully moves the puck into the net – 3:1. 27:32 – attack immediately and Alexander Zagainov increases the lead!

And then Velsk got sent off. In the middle of the match, it became crowded and stuffy on the penalty bench of the representatives of the Arkhangelsk region – there were three people there at the same time. The 5v3 format is just what it takes to keep building momentum and Big has done it. Artyom Agafonov converted a double advantage, after about five minutes Alexey Chekhlov brought the result to a devastating one. But how well “Velsk” started the second segment!

In the third “Velsk” scored more. True, only one, and the Chernomorians scored another 3 goals into the opponent’s goal and achieved a more than confident victory. 9:2 and “Big” for the second year in a row in medals!

The most productive in Velsk were Anton Zelyanin (6+5) and Alexander Sharapov (4+4), and at the Bolshoi – Dmitry Kharlampiev (7+7), Alexey Chekhlov (5+8), Dmitry Salomatin (3+9), Alexander Shcherbakov (4+4 ) and Alexander Tarasov (3+5).

“ZORG” and “Guard” met in the fight for the fifth final place. Another southern derby ended in victory for the Rostovites, who, although they missed first, still took theirs. Six goals in a row in about 20 minutes of the game and a victory in the pocket. True, the “Guards” managed to distinguish themselves three more times, but in the end it was “ZORG” that finished fifth.

The most productive players at the Festival as part of the Guards were: Ilya Boyarkov (9+2), Boris Sandyrev (5+3), Nikolai Pigarev (5+2) and Vitaly Demyanovsky (2 +5). Evgeny Petrov (8+4) and Maksim Ovchinnikov (4+7) turned out to be the most scoring and distributing in the “ZORG” squad.

“Ice Arena” and “Mammoths” also solved a local problem: who will finish last and who will get the line above.