The game is forever better when the shot clock came in. There are a few more tweaks that would make the game better.
1.White is not the most visible color for a lacrosse ball. I know most who know the game well are used to white, but in the big picture, the game is best when fans and those new to the game can most easily see the ball on TV and in person. Even if you know the game well and your seats are say in the end zone at Lincoln Financial Field, the ball is challenging to see. Tennis prior to the 1970’s used to have white balls. “The International Tennis Foundation undertook a study that found that yellow tennis balls were easier for home viewers to see on their screens.” Bright colored balls also contrast better against court lines. I have heard people new to watching lacrosse say it is hard to follow the ball. A more striking ball color would also contrast better with goal nets and field lines. A relatively little lacrosse ball (it is even smaller than a baseball) will never be as visible as an orange basketball, but optimizing the ball color for maximum audience visibility will help with little to no impact on the sport.
2.Extending the four-minute OT period to at least 6 minutes. Why? Lacrosse OT is over laden with dead time if a team does not win right away. An OT that lasts 4 minutes will usually have 2 timeouts called and also teams waiting to shoot at the end of the shot clock. Should it go to 2 OT like the Hopkins Virginia Quarterfinal, there is another timeout between the overtimes and process of new timeouts starts over again. Extending the OT to six minutes, would cut down on the non-action holding the ball on the field and number of timeouts off the field.
3. Coaches should only be able to call timeout when their team has clear uncontested possession, not when their team has it for a second or right before their player is going to lose the ball. Timeouts should not determine the winner of competitive loose balls at crunch time.
4. If there is a time-serving foul at the end of the game, a coach should have the option to extend the game for the time of the penalty. For example, if a team that is tied or slightly behind has a slash against it with 5 seconds left, that coach could then request the game be extended for 55 seconds or the time remaining in the penalty.
5. Here is one for the playoff committee----The rules should allow the flexibility to send teams to the quarterfinal destination site that make the most sense. This did not happen for at least two years. For example, Maryland and Duke played at Hempstead on Long Island, NY while Syracuse and Denver played at Towson, MD. Last year Georgetown and Virginia played at Albany, NY while Army and Penn State played at Annapolis, MD. This does not make sense. Bracket integrity can remain, just have the flexibility to route teams closer to home.
#3 is ridiculous. So we are to have the refs determine if a player is about to lose the ball before deciding if a TO is granted. Just silliness
Allow players to continue playing after a stick break. A team should not be penalized due to equipment failure. Player stays on the field and attempts to defend with just his arms and body. The PLL has already done this - it’s a good change.
I fully like the changes