MBYLL Dissection n. a detailed part-by-part analysis
The 3-yard body check rule is just one of many rule changes that have been made by MBYLL over the last few years. The rule changing process is a much more extensive mechanism than what may be perceived. With over 120 youth programs in six geographical regions across Eastern Massachusetts, MBYLL boasts the largest youth lacrosse program in the nation. Naturally, there are different opinions and philosophies on how the game should be played.
Flynn realizes this and, although he is the head of the CRGA, he likes to leave the decision-making of new rules up to the consensus of the many others involved in the process. Whether it is a player, parent, coach, or the town’s delegate representing the program at regional meetings, every member of the MBYLL community has an opportunity to voice his or her opinion.
Each of MBYLL’s six regions houses around 20 different town programs. Each region has its own meetings during the course of the year to review important topics including the evaluation, changing, and implementation of new rules. Typically occurring at the September regional meeting, delegates will suggest a variation to an existing rule or the suggestion of a new rule altogether. These suggestions will then be voted on by the region and if a majority of the delegates in attendance vote to support the proposal, it will then be ready to take its next step in the process.
In each region, three delegates are named to the CRGA. These 18 total members have a little more responsibility when it comes to enacting a rule change as they are not only responsible for their own region, but for voting on behalf of the entire league. Once the proposed rules are passed in their regions of origin, Flynn hosts a conference call with the 18 CRGA committee members to discuss the proposed rules at length. Following the conversation, the members will vote via online ballot and the fate of the proposed rule will be determined by strict majority. In the off-chance of a split vote, as Chair of the committee, Flynn is the deciding 19th vote. But according to Flynn, there is usually a strong consensus one way or another.
Chris Flanagan, President of Reading Youth Lacrosse, is one of the CRGA committee members representing the Northwest region. He affirms that MBYLL “doesn’t want to change the game.” Alternatively, the league wants to implement rules that increase safety while enhancing the quality of play on the field. Reaching these objectives can be easier when many different people are involved in the rule change process.
One of the most frustrating experiences for a player is when coaches and referees are not familiar with newly implemented rules. As a player, it feels like you have been cheated by the game—especially when the officials are making outdated calls. But in Mass Bay, the discrepancies and misinterpretations of rules are minimized due to the strong relationship between MBYLL, its coaches, and the officials which are a part of EMLOA (Eastern Massachusetts Lacrosse Officials Association).
Once the updated rulebook has been finalized, it is immediately sent out to the officials as well as coaches and town directors of MBYLL. During the winter coaching clinics, MBYLL administrators highlight new rule changes and advise coaches on how to make sure players adapt to them. Because the proposed changes were discussed
at each region prior to the vote, most coaches are familiar with them and better prepared to implement them, making the transition easier for all.
Youth lacrosse is like the younger sibling of college and high school lacrosse: although it wants to do the same things, it’s just not ready for certain aspects. Like youth lacrosse, its college and high school counterparts are constantly evolving. The NCAA rules committee has been hard at work updating the rules to keep the game being played at the highest level possible. Although the higher levels of lacrosse are concerned with the safety of the players, the main focus is maintaining the speed of the game and manufacturing a product that is enjoyable for fans.
As much as youth lacrosse would love to speed up the pace of the game, CRGA members such as Bob Flynn and Chris Flanagan realize that MBYLL has restrictions that prevent it from following the exact footprint of high school and college lacrosse.
“When rule changes are made in the higher levels to increase speed of play, rules tend to trickle down to the youth leagues rather slowly. When rule changes are made in the higher levels to increase player safety, these rules tend to get implemented quickly into the youth lacrosse system,” said Flynn.
In a youth league that has such a variety of players in terms of age, skills, and development, it can be difficult to enact the same rules that older, advanced players in high school, college, or even Major League Lacrosse follow. MBYLL’s mission is “To Teach, Grow, and Honor the Game,” and it can be difficult to teach this game to young players with an advanced set of rules.
Two years ago, collegiate lacrosse eliminated the horn system for substitutions, meaning that all player substitution must be done "on-the-fly," or without a stoppage in play. Since then, there has been a noticeable increase in speed of play at the level. In contrast, MBYLL continues to use the horn system to make substitutions and it makes sense for MBYLL to continue to do so.
Although lacrosse is lacrosse and certain rules are an essential part of the tradition and history of the game, others can and should continue to be altered to fit the needs of the players. In a league such as MBYLL—which emphasizes its philosophy for equal playing time and positive player development—the horn system for substitution is an absolute necessity to make sure every athlete gets his fair share of playing time and be given the opportunity to grow and succeed as a lacrosse player.
The substitution system is just one of many examples of how people like Bob Flynn and the rest of the CRGA committee are constantly working with coaches and program representatives in MBYLL to make game days an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Young players from U9 all the way up to U15 have been and will continue to be given the best opportunities to grow, flourish, and learn to love this game with a history as long and rich as the United States itself.
30 The Scoop / Winter '15
-AO
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