League addresses head trauma with new rules

[marmoraflash]

New concussion protocols include players to take a baseline test before each season.

Increased discipline for head shots: severe infractions will receive a match penalty rather than just a game misconduct; repeat offenders will face longer suspensions.

http://www.ilindoor.com/2012/10/18/n...head-injuries/

[chuckster]

I'm in favor of protecting the players but I always question anything that is "at the referee’s discretion".

And what happens when a player goes to cross check another player legally in the arm or shoulder and that player ducks or falls to cause contact to the head? I've seen it happen many times where that call goes to a major when the intent was a legal check.

[WINGSBABY41]

Yeyyy. Wonderful. Make the games even less fun and wussy. I support protecting players and head injuries, but I don't have enough faith in the refs to make the right calls in these situations. At this pace, outdoor lax will be more physical then the NLL box games.

I just see a bunch of players playing on eggshells due to these rules. I can't wait to watch the whiners and complainers jump up and down and pout that they got hit in the head in order to try to get someone out of the game. And we all know the refs fall subject to listening to these players.

I never thought the day would come that I would say this but -- I'm not very excited for this season. :-/

[thwingfan]

Originally Posted by WINGSBABY41

I never thought the day would come that I would say this but -- I'm not very excited for this season. :-/

I feel the same way.

[Wings-4-Life]

Soccer with sticks!

[The Doctor]

Any rule that contains the words "If the ref believes..." can not be good for the game.

[dougm]

such brave words from the couch potatoes!!!

nothing stopping anyone from lowering the shoulder or crosschecking between the pads - players have forgotten how to hit imho

[Rick716]

This is a good thing. A lot of guys take too many liberties cross-checking guys in the head and neck area. I understand the concern about leaving it up to the refs.

Though this is a little off topic, if I were a coach I would sit guys for some of the dumb, unnecessary cheap shots they often give after the play. Cheap shots after the play or behind the play drive me crazy as a fan. Even though I'm a Bandits fan, I think Buffalo had to lead the league in this stupidity in recent years.

[laxhawker]

Originally Posted by Wings-4-Life

Soccer with sticks!

I think you have that wrong there Wing4 its not soccer, its Wnaker Football. And refferee's discression is as dangerous as the actual hit, hell half of them are suffering from mush-head already.

[sportsfan747]

Gotta be a tough one for bigger d guys like Mydske, P Dawson, not to mention R Morgan if the stick riding up causing head contact will be called a major as the ball-carrying o guys continue to duck and flop. Can't hit em low, solid body checks are charging or unnecessary roughness, cant hit em in the top third for fear of a major. Lots of added pressure on the refs (who have always been such a strong suit of this league). Glad for the league and players to see eye to eye about the concussion issue.

[dougm]

Originally Posted by sportsfan747

Gotta be a tough one for bigger d guys like Mydske, P Dawson, not to mention R Morgan if the stick riding up causing head contact will be called a major as the ball-carrying o guys continue to duck and flop. Can't hit em low, solid body checks are charging or unnecessary roughness, cant hit em in the top third for fear of a major. Lots of added pressure on the refs (who have always been such a strong suit of this league). Glad for the league and players to see eye to eye about the concussion issue.

so no more loose chin straps! it should be a match/major penalty because the only reason for it is to draw a match/major penalty. will a player lower his skull to take a headshot - fine no more grills. a broken nose is not a concussion.

[PUNCH ME]

Lacrosse makes my Vagina hurt.

[Wings-4-Life]

Originally Posted by Rick716

This is a good thing. A lot of guys take too many liberties cross-checking guys in the head and neck area. I understand the concern about leaving it up to the refs.

They already call a 5 minute major on any check to the head. What more do you want?

Though this is a little off topic, if I were a coach I would sit guys for some of the dumb, unnecessary cheap shots they often give after the play. Cheap shots after the play or behind the play drive me crazy as a fan. Even though I'm a Bandits fan, I think Buffalo had to lead the league in this stupidity in recent years.

It's lacrosse. Not soccer. I do agree on the Bandits part. Just don't tell that to anyone else from Buffalo, because they think their team is Buddha's gift to the indoor lacrosse world.

[RockStar#666]

Helmets securely done up. If the guy's head isn't rattling around in a floppy helmet, cross checks to the grille wouldn't be quite as damaging.

Also, as with hockey, I see too many helmets wiggling and falling off when there's been no contact anywhere near the head. This can't be good if you hit the turf or wall.

Is it time to consider legislating four point straps, and suggesting that they be done up "1-finger" tight?

Except for Toronto-Buffalo preseason games, fighting's almost gone from this league anyway.

I see very limited justification for keeping the two-pointers.....all they're good for is making it easier to pop someone's lid and sock him in the chops when you need revenge for something.

I think you could also assure compliance with a snug-fit by bringing in a 2 minute minor for a bucket coming off during play (with discretion to waive the call if there's a two-handed goon shot to the head resulting in removed helmet!).

Anyway, whatever. I don't think this will change much in terms of weakening the level of contact. I mean they're just saying they'll assess match penalties for vicious ones instead of five-and-a-game.......There's really not any difference to the game in progress, and the headhunter used to get suspensions in the post-game assessment anyway for bad ones.

This is much ado about nothing.