Rules in Focus : Out of Bounds

The 2008 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rule book has provided some clarity around how to award possession on a shot of bounds.

Section 6, Article 3, Subsection C states, "When a loose ball goes out of bounds as a result of a shot or deflected shot at the goal, it shall be awarded to the team that had an inbounds player's body nearest to the ball when it became an out-of-bounds ball, at the point where it was declared out of bounds. If two inbound players of opposite teams are equidistant from the ball when it goes out of bounds, play shall resume according to the alternate-possession rule. In determining which player is nearest, the ball is considered out of bounds when it crosses the plane of the endline or sideline. Note: For the purpose of this rule, the stick is not considered part of a players body."

This is still a common misperception that the ball is awarded to the person closest to the endline. The ball is actually awarded to the person inbounds closest to the ball where and when it went out. So if you had an attackman in the alley one foot from the endline and a shot goes out of bounds over the goalie's head, the goalie is 15 yards away from the ball and the attackman is 20 yards away. The ball should be awarded to the goalie.