New Jersey lacrosse players will soon be on the clock.
In a move to build excitement and attract college coaches, the Kirst Cup is adding a shot clock to its 2025 tournament held this June at Kean University. Because the Kirst Cup runs outside the high school season, it isn't subject to NJSIAA rules.
"We know the overwhelming sentiment in the state is wanting the shot clock on a regular-basis," Rumson-Fair Haven boys lacrosse coach Marc Moreau said.
"So we didn't think we were really taking a big chance by doing it. Since we put it out there, it's been well-received. We haven't had a single discussion with somebody who sees it as a negative."
How the shot clock will work
The Kirst Cup was set up by boys lacrosse coaches in 2023 as a replacement for the Tournament of Champions.
This year's event is modeled after the men's college rules, with teams given 20 seconds to clear and another 60 upon advancing past midfield. The offensive team can reset the time to 60 seconds with a shot on goal or by drawing a foul.
If a timeout is called before clearing the midline, the team with possession will not get a fresh 20 seconds to advance.
"I think [the shot clock] is a great thing for the game," Northern Highlands boys coach Kyle Ojakian said. "It'll be an adjustment for teams and coaches. At the end of the day, you really want to replicate the college game as much as possible. That's really what we're trying to do: send all these kids to the next level and get them ready."
How the shot clock is enforced
One benefit to holding the championships at Kean University is that there are already shot clocks built in on each end of the field, which connect to a horn on the scoreboard.
Moreau said tournament directors consulted with a state officials association and plan to have a separate ref near the penalty box to administer the shot clock.
The Kirst Cup is open to the five NJSIAA state group champions and uses LaxNumbers to seed teams. Games will be played on June 16, 17 and 19.
What the impact could be
The move comes at a time when more and more North Jersey teams are playing and practicing with time constraints, particularly those who venture outside the area.
This year, New York's NYSPHSAA approved a shot clock on an experimental basis, becoming the first organization sanctioned under NFHS rules to use it for public high schools. Around the country, a bunch of private-school conferences have also hopped on board.
Don Bosco scrimmaged twice with a shot clock this year and positioned them to the right of each goal for its home-opener against Georgetown Prep (Maryland). The Ironmen circumvented the cost by borrowing equipment from the school's football team.
"It's hopefully a sign of what should be able to come pretty quickly," Don Bosco coach Matt Lane said. "It's definitely a lot different, especially playing in some scrimmages where you don't have it and then going up against a team that's seven games into their season. They have play calls set up for when there's ...
