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NCAA Rules Committee Recommends Adding Visible Goal Mouth To Field

A new rule has been recommended by the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Rules Committee involving adding an arc within the goal-crease area to clearly define the “goal mouth.”

In a statement released by the NCAA last weekend, the Rules Committee proposed adding a visible restricted area inside the crease to deter people from diving into where the goaltender stands. The goal of this is to prevent injuries of both the diving player and the goalkeeper.

The NCAA began to allow the move known as the “Crease Dive” last season, which was met with some controversy. Supporters of the rule argue it brings much needed excitement and entertainment value to the sport, making lacrosse more appealing to fans. Those against the rule say it risks too much in terms of injuries, particularly for goalies.

Read the NCAA’s statement below:

The NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Rules Committee has recommended adding an arc within the goal-crease area to clearly define the “goal mouth.”

The new arc will extend 6 feet from the center of the goal line to the goal lines extended. Members of the committee, which met last week in Indianapolis, think this adjustment will address concerns raised by head coaches and officials in this year’s men’s lacrosse rules survey.

All rules changes must be approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel, which is scheduled to discuss all men’s rules proposals via conference call Sept. 11.

If approved, offensive players would be prohibited from jumping or diving then subsequently landing in the newly defined goal mouth. In addition, the committee recommends the penalty for initiating contact with the goalkeeper within the goal mouth will result in a no goal and a one-minute penalty. Landing in the goal mouth without contacting the goalkeeper will result in no goal and a loss of possession.

This proposal seeks to amend and clarify the goal-crease prohibitions rule implemented before the 2019 season. When a player leaves his feet under his own volition in a direction away from the goal mouth and the ball enters the goal before he touches the crease, the goal counts. Additionally, a player who makes a dive in a direction toward the restricted area receives a one-minute penalty.

Matt Anderson

Matt is a Salt Lake City, Utah native where he began playing lacrosse in the fifth grade. A Southern Virginia University product, Matt is the current Digital Editor for LAS and loves being a part of the LaxAllStars team. His favorite part of the job is traveling to different parts of the world and meeting other members of the lacrosse community.