TOWSON, Md. – Earlier this week, the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Rules Committee has asked its member institutions to use a visible 60-second clock during fall competition in 2017.
 
And while it's not a mandatory initiative, the Towson University men's lacrosse team will be among those teams testing the visible shot clock.
 
Per the NCAA, for teams choosing to use the experimental rule, the shot clock will start when possession is established. Teams will continue to have 30 seconds to clear the ball and enter the attack area.

If a team regains possession after satisfying the shot clock (hitting the goal pipe; goalkeeper makes a save, etc.), the clock will reset to 60 seconds.

"I'm all for seeing what it looks like, seeing what it feels like through some practice scenarios and potentially scrimmages," said Shawn Nadelen, who begins his seventh season at the helm of the Tiger lacrosse program. "Personally, I'm not a huge fan of installing a shot clock in the near future for our sport. It's something that I don't think is what we're ready for. I feel like we have a lot more to figure out than the shot clock."
College lacrosse currently has a variation of the shot clock. A 30-second timer is started at the officials' discretion. The shot clock is turned off after a shot on goal, whether it is a goal, a save or a shot off the pipes.

"I'm excited to look into it, but in my eyes, I don't think it's needed right now," continued Nadelen. "We're still trying to figure out other rules that impact the pace of play if that's what people are worried about. In our past few seasons, I haven't been too concerned with how games have gone, potential teams stalling. I think there are other things that could be addressed."

The Tigers will have the benefit of some experience with a 60-shot clock as the three full-time coaches, Nadelen, associate head coach/offensive coordinator Anthony Gilardi and defensive coordinator Dan Cocchi, played Major League Lacrosse, which uses a 60-second shot clock that begins with possession.

"If this is something the NCAA Committee is seriously considering, then we have to obviously consider how we would fit into that and adjust our game to fit into a 60-second shot clock," Nadelen said. "We're definitely looking into it and we're going to adapt to it in practice. We do scenarios that are similar to a 60-second shot clock, so we've already rehearsed some of that."

The three-time Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) defending champion Tigers will announce their fall schedule, including exhibitions, ring ceremony and benefit runs, at a later date on TowsonTigers.com.

- TowsonTigers.com –