Rule 62. High Sticks

(a) *NEW* The carrying of sticks above the normal height of the shoulder of the opponent is prohibited. A 2-minute minor penalty or, at the discretion of the Referee, a Major penalty and a Game Misconduct penalty shall be assessed any player who checks or intimidates an opponent while carrying their stick above
the shoulder of their opponent. If injury results, a Major penalty and a Game Misconduct penalty shall be assessed.

(b) *NEW* A player who contacts an opponent above the normal height of their shoulders with a high stick, including with a follow-thru of a shot shall be assessed a 2-minute minor penalty.

(c) *NEW* A player who by accident (i.e.: missed stick lift, follow-thru of a shot, golf-style shot, etc.) injures an opponent with a high stick, causing blood, will be assessed a double minor penalty.

(d) Contacting the ball above the normal height of the shoulders with the stick is prohibited and when it occurs, play shall be stopped and the ensuing face-off shall be in the offending team’s defending zone unless:

(1) a player of the non-offending team gains possession and control of the ball, in which case play shall be allowed to continue, or
(2) (2) a player of the offending team high sticks the ball into their own goal, in which case the goal shall be allowed.

Note: Where play is stopped for a high sticking the ball infraction, the offending team will not be permitted to change players until play resumes – See rule 19(g).

(e) A goal scored from a high stick shall not be allowed except when such a goal is scored

SITUATION 1 Rule 62 (d)
QUESTION: A defending player high sticks the ball in their defending zone and the ball deflects to their own goaltender or to a teammate. When is play stopped?
ANSWER: When a teammate from their own team gains possession and control of the ball. Should the non-offending team gain control of the ball, play shall be allowed to continue.

SITUATION 2 Rule 62 (d)(1)
A goaltender high sticks the ball. The ball drops in the goal crease and an opposing player shoots the ball into the goal.
RULING: Goal.

SITUATION 3 Rule 62 (d)
A player has their stick above the normal height of their shoulders. The ball, however, hits the butt-end of the stick below the level of the shoulders and goes into the goal.
RULING: Goal

SITUATION 4
QUESTION: Can a player make a Lacrosse move with the ball where they cradle the ball in the air before shooting or passing?
ANSWER: Yes as long as the player’s stick remains below the normal height of their shoulders. If the stick goes above the normal height of the shoulder, play would be stop immediately. Face-off would be in the offending team’s end, and no line change