April 28, 2008

Lindsey,

Is butt checking (the end of the stick) legal in the girls' game? I know it's a big part of the boys' game, but haven't heard it addressed for girls. Some players like to choke way up on the stick, especially in a set offense, and being able to take a shot at the part below their bottom hand is tempting.

What is legal?

Corinne Wood (Age: 12)
Phoenix, Md.

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Dear Corinne,

Checking the butt of a player's stick can be legal in certain instances, but because it's difficult to execute legally, it doesn't play a big role in the women's game. First, you can only check the bottom of the stick if the player chokes up to leave the bottom end exposed. You cannot check the player's hand. Second, the check must be executed away from the body and in such a way that the checked stick or ball does not endanger your opponent's face or body. "Hooking," or using the webbed area of your stick head to hook the bottom end of an opponent's stick, is illegal.

When you check the butt of the stick away from the body, the stick head tends to angle back towards your opponent's face, which is both illegal and dangerous. You don't want to take that kind of risk in the 8-meter arc, because your opponent may receive a free position shot! If you cause her stick head or the ball to hit her in the head in any way, you will most likely receive a yellow card. For these reasons, this check is very risky. While I have seen it executed in college play, it is used infrequently, because there are more effective defensive moves.

If you're determined to add this skill to your defensive play, practice first on a "volunteer" opponent, and make smart decisions during the game. But keep in mind, a quick, a decisive check to the stick head that dislodges the ball is less risky, more useful and easier to perform.

It's important to note that under US Lacrosse rules, checking is not permitted in under-13 (6th grade and below) girls' play. Fundamentals of the game should be the focus - catching, passing, footwork and proper defensive positioning. Modified checking (checking the stick if it's below shoulder level) can be introduced in 7th and 8th grade. After that, you should have a clear understanding of proper, legal and safe checking of the stick head before even attempting to check the lower part of your opponent's stick.

Best,
Lindsey

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"Straight Shooters" is a US Lacrosse-produced advice series that runs every Sunday in the Baltimore Sun and on baltimoresun.com. The series can also be found here on Lacrosse Magazine Online at www.laxmagazine.com.

Lindsey Biles, of Annapolis, Md., was an All-American and Tewaaraton Trophy finalist during her college career at Princeton, and was a member of the 2006-07 U.S. Women's National Team. Biles also works as a sideline analyst for ESPNU.

E-mail Biles at lindsey@laxmagazine.com.