Face Off

[J_Biz]

During a face off (loose ball), A14 scoops up loose ball in Zone 2 and runs into Zone 1 (his team's goal area). Is this illegal re entry? Or does the fact that it's a loose ball from the face off allow him to enter Zone 1.

[eevans]

Biz,
Loose ball in Zone 2 on faceoff...then A scoops it up...often if he is heading back toward his goal area and there are now 3 attackmen bearing down on him out of the box after possession is called...he will toss it back to his goalie in zone 1. That is fine. It is not re-entry. Remember the tricky one: if he gets poss. in zone 3...the off. count begins and continues even if he then throws it all the way back to his goalie.

If a player starts out from zone 1 and crosses completely over the def. clear line..and then the ball becomes loose (not deliberately)...it can be scooped up and tossed back into zone 1. Coaches are often calling for re-entry but they are mistaken (yes, it happens) because the ball became loose in zone 2.
ee