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Lacrosse Twitter has been lit up this evening, after the news broke earlier today (from Paul Rabil and then College Crosse’s own Chris Jastrzembski) that for the first time ever, men’s college lacrosse is adding a 60 second shot clock. Gone are the days of no shot clock with a “stall warning” and a referee administered 30 second shot clock. There’s now an official 60 second clock, with 20 seconds to get the ball across midfield, that resets after every shot on goal or penalty. In addition, the NCAA Rules Committee also approved a 10 yard substitution box - down from 20 - and also the partial re-implementation of the crease dive. Here’s how Twitter reacted to all of this news.
First, from the media:
20 seconds to cross the midline...60 second shot clock. Add the box getting shrunk to 10 yards...game will be . Refs can call games and not have to dictate pace of play...and get yelled at less. Win for all! https://t.co/ILW8qz4Ser
— Paul Carcaterra (@paulcarcaterra) August 10, 2018
Big step forward in growing the game. Makes it easier to follow and to bring in new fans.
— Anish Shroff (@AnishESPN) August 10, 2018
This will speed up the game. Fast is fun. Speed sells. https://t.co/ibNDhPRxKz
Reaction from ESPN analyst @QKessenich: “I’m positively surprised at the committee’s aggressive and progressive approach to enacting change to move the sport forward into the 21st century and their willingness to take a chance.” https://t.co/Jllr5Zomsl
— Edward Lee (@EdwardLeeSun) August 10, 2018
Part 1 of 2 from @QKessenich: “I want the game to be a player's game and a fan's game, not a coach’s game. Too often the rules have been enacted by coaches for coaches. The shot clock actually creates more coachable scenarios in a lacrosse game. Not less, but more." https://t.co/YhzJQVMdf9
— Edward Lee (@EdwardLeeSun) August 10, 2018
Part 2 of 2 from @QKessenich: "Every 60 seconds, what are you doing defensively? What are you doing offensively to create a shot? So there will be more possessions per game, and there will be more coaching.” https://t.co/Lrzvu7Ndcd
— Edward Lee (@EdwardLeeSun) August 10, 2018
I think I’m good with these changes. Only difference could’ve been to make it like the women’s game where clock starts immediately in change of possession. But this is solid. Referees don’t have to dictate the pace now. Just enforce the other rules. https://t.co/Jhq7QK3ScH
— Scott Sudikoff (@Sudikoff) August 10, 2018
If I was in charge: 90-second possession clock that starts immediately upon a possession change. Clock only restarts on a penalty, remove infinite restarts after every shot.
— Michael Kelly (@ByMichaelKelly) August 10, 2018
I’d also let Tehoka wear his box helmet. https://t.co/WNiKSH7P5P
Now from coaches:
Reaction from @jhumenslacrosse @CoachPetro43: "I do think it’s good for our game. I think it is a change that has been long coming. I think it’s going to be better for the fans. I can’t tell you how many people don’t understand why the timer was put on here, but not there." https://t.co/Jllr5Zomsl
— Edward Lee (@EdwardLeeSun) August 10, 2018
Part 1 from @UMBC_MLax coach @Rymo34: “What I’m not cool with is it being 20 seconds to cross the midfield line and then 60 seconds. No one has articulated to me where I have a visible 20-second clock." ... https://t.co/Jllr5Zomsl
— Edward Lee (@EdwardLeeSun) August 10, 2018
Part 2 from @UMBC_MLax coach @Rymo34: "We had these debates at the IMLCA convention in December, and everyone really agreed that 90 seconds would be awesome, and if it reaches 70, then you see that it’s at 70, and then you blow the whistle because you didn’t clear it in time." https://t.co/7ixyv1pLXQ
— Edward Lee (@EdwardLeeSun) August 10, 2018
Part 3 from @UMBC_MLax coach @Rymo34: "How is a kid supposed to know on the field where he is at? We complained about an invisible shot clock and we traded an invisible shot clock on the offensive side of the field for an invisible shot clock in the clearing game." https://t.co/sUoKNHPBLg
— Edward Lee (@EdwardLeeSun) August 10, 2018
Part 3 from @UMBC_MLax coach @Rymo34: "How is a kid supposed to know on the field where he is at? We complained about an invisible shot clock and we traded an invisible shot clock on the offensive side of the field for an invisible shot clock in the clearing game." https://t.co/sUoKNHPBLg
— Edward Lee (@EdwardLeeSun) August 10, 2018
Part 4 from @UMBC_MLax coach @Rymo34: "It’s ridiculous. And for what? For 10 seconds? We have 20 seconds to clear and 60 seconds to score. That’s 80. If you added 10 more seconds to that, you would make everything easier." https://t.co/Vmf0tEyCZf
— Edward Lee (@EdwardLeeSun) August 10, 2018
(Part 1) The rules committee missed the mark, @UMBC_MLax coach @Rymo34 said. “I just feel like if you’re going to evaluate our sport from the standpoint of what’s most broken, I didn’t feel like the shot clock and the substitution box were the most broken."
— Edward Lee (@EdwardLeeSun) August 10, 2018
(Part 2) @UMBC_MLax coach @Rymo34: "If you’re the rules committee, your job is to evaluate all the rules and then take into consideration all of the opinions and listen to everyone about all the aspects of our sport and ..." https://t.co/4gVKKBcY5m
— Edward Lee (@EdwardLeeSun) August 10, 2018
(Part 3) @UMBC_MLax coach @Rymo34: "... then say, ‘OK, here is what is broken, and here is what needs fixing. Here is what is not broken, and we can leave this for a while.’ From my standpoint, there’s no more broken area than the faceoff. I don’t know who would ever argue that." https://t.co/Kmt2DHtE6X
— Edward Lee (@EdwardLeeSun) August 10, 2018
In a text, @LoyolaMLAX coach Charley Toomey wrote, "I don't think they valued the pulse of collegiate coaches. We will live with it, but it's my feeling 90 seconds was what we were hopeful of." https://t.co/Jllr5Zomsl
— Edward Lee (@EdwardLeeSun) August 10, 2018
In a text, @Towson_MLAX @CoachNadelen wrote: "Not overly thrilled for the shot clock. Excited for the dive to be back though." https://t.co/Jllr5Zomsl
— Edward Lee (@EdwardLeeSun) August 10, 2018
It’s About....................Time.
— Gerry Byrne (@byrneirish) August 10, 2018
And players:
#ShotClock pic.twitter.com/79qC7D6LrD
— Ryder Garnsey (@rsgarnz) August 10, 2018
What a Friday!!!! https://t.co/1M0w5PzKks
— Jerry Ragonese (@FlowGo37) August 10, 2018
Start your engines...
— Marcus Holman (@MarcusHolman1) August 10, 2018
⏱⏰
The crease dive is back. pic.twitter.com/t0Qv9f38h8
— Nate Solomon (@nate_solomon3) August 10, 2018
I’d kill to have a chance to play college lacrosse with a shot clock. Give me one more year please
— Brendan Bomberry (@Leftybombz21) August 10, 2018
Can I come back for a 6th year @UVMmlax ? love to see the dive and the shot clock added to the game! Be interesting to see how teams adjust.
— Ian MacKay (@IanMacKay_94) August 10, 2018
Most fans seemed to be happy with the announcement, with 60% of fans in a College Crosse poll saying they loved the addition of a shot clock
What are your instant thoughts about the shot clock?
— College Crosse (@College_Crosse) August 10, 2018
Personally, I’m fine with the changes. I was totally agnostic on the shot clock as an issue, I thought the game was fine without it and was still a very exciting and enjoyable product over the last few seasons, and I think it’ll remain so with a shot clock. They found a balance between different ideas, which is good. The best part is by far the elimination of the subjectivity of the referee administered 30 second clock. As much as pace of play didn’t bother me at all the last few years, that was not a sustainable rule for the sport. I also think that’ll be much more important for adding new fans than increased speed or pace of play. There’s no evidence that there’s a correlation between fast paced games and better attendance, ratings, etc. But it is a lot easier for a fan to turn on a game and see a shot clock like basketball than to be told how exactly teams are allowed to have the ball and how offense and scoring works. Easier is always better when bringing in new fans.