Keeping it in ! May 7, 2018 Rule 4 0 Forum Questions This actually happened : Team A is up a goal in the last two minutes of the game. They are clearing when A-1 loses the ball as he crosses mid-field. The ball rolls untouched towards the corner of the attack box for A. It then rolls untouched into the box and then goes out the other side ! It happens so fast that neither of us had time to yell "keep it in" ! A-2 then picks it up. My partner is perplexed as to what to do - if anything. I immediately take control and blow it dead signalling "Illegal Procedure". Coach of Team A goes ballistic saying how can we/I call it "in and out" when neither of us said anything ! He further says that if we did say "keep it in" his player-A-2 - would not have picked it up. I responded by saying that this is one of the "quirks" of lacrosse but the call stands. What say you on this call ? Question File Add new DuBan's Answer: Visual Text Kratz's Answer: Visual Text McCarrick's Answer: Visual Text I agree with Paul - the stall exists and was enforced correctly. Riti's Answer: Visual Text I don't think that the officials handled this situation correctly. Rule 3.3 Final Two Minutes of Regulation of Play states, "...The team that is ahead by four goals or less will be <span style="text-decoration: underline">warned</span> to "keep it in" once the ball has been <span style="text-decoration: underline">brought into</span> its respective goal area." I think that the key words here are "warned" and "brought in". In the scenario referenced in the question, neither of these things occurred. Also, the requirement with two-minutes remaining in the fourth quarter is different than being under a normal 10-second count where a team meets the requirement for advancing the ball into the goal area when the ball touches anything within that area...(Rule 4.14.2)" Rule 3.3 clearly indicates that the team must be "warned" when required to "keep it in" at the end of the fourth quarter. Therefore, I think the correct way to handle this is once A picks up the loose ball that has gone through their attack box, is for the official to start a visual 10-second count and warn them to "get it in" and "keep it in". Tyma's Answer: Visual Text I disagree with Matt's answer. For what it's worth, I had this situation about 5 years ago and ruled as the officials on the field did. Because the coach objected so politely, I submitted the ruling for interpretation. The ruling was sustained. I would not put too much emphasis on either the warning or the lack of possession. The rule requirement is to advance the ball into the goal area, and this requirement can be met by the ball touching the ground in the box or a player in the box: possession is not required (4.14.2). Also, the automatic stall warning exists whether the officials vocalize about it or not (3.3). The requirement to "get it in" exists throughout the entire game (4.14.1), so no warning about advancing the ball is required, either. Answer File Question Answered Yes No
