The NCAA Men's Lacrosse Committee voted during conference calls August 29-30 to postpone until 2002 the implementation of the 60-second shot clock rule it had passed earlier this summer.

In addition to the postponement, the committee made one major change to the shot-clock proposal for 2002, recommending to the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet, Division II Championships Committee and Division III Championships Committee that the shot clocks must be visible as opposed to being kept on the field by an official.

"After receiving valuable input from various coaches and administrators, the committee determined that it was necessary to have a visible shot clock," said Joe Boylan, chair of the committee and director of athletics at Loyola College (Maryland). "Having a visible shot clock answers the valid concern about players and coaches not being able to see how much time is left to shoot.

"As in other sports with similar timing rules, if the visible clock malfunctions, the time would be kept on the field."

One portion of the series of shot clock-related changes -- the elimin ation of the sideline horn -- remains in place for 2001, with two field-marking additions. To make the on-the-fly substitutions required by the new rule run more smoothly, the committee will extend the substitution box by five yards on each side of the center line. Additionally, each coaching box and each team area will be moved five yards closer to each end line. Having no sideline horn eliminates interruptions caused by a coach calling for a horn on a sideline out-of-bounds play. This change will speed up the game and start a gradual move toward the shot clock for 2002.

All of the other shot clock-related changes that originally had been slated for 2001 will take place in 2002, pending approval by the respective division governing bodies. As with all rules, those could be adjusted during the committee's annual summer meeting. The recommended changes for 2002, in addition to this year's elimination of the sideline horns, are:

Every game in every division shall be required to have a visible shot clock. The estimated cost, if the institution does not already possess such a device, is $2,000 to $3,000.

If the visible clock malfunctions, the shot clock would be kept by an on-field official.

The shot clock will be reset to 60 seconds after each shot, play-on and change of possession but will be turned off during extra-man situations.

A shot will be defined as a ball propelled toward the goal by an offensive player in an attempt to score, either by being thrown from a crosse, kicked or otherwise physically directed. The only change from the previous definition is the addition of the phrase "in an attempt to score."

The rationale for all of the changes is to simplify the game for fans and participants and to create action in attacking and defending the goal, which is the most exciting part of the sport.

"The committee greatly appreciates the comments it received from the membership on the issue," said Boylan, whose term as chair ended September 1, when he was replaced by Bryan Matthews, director of athletics at Washington College (Maryland).

"The committee intends the evolution of this rule to be an inclusive process," Matthews said. "I encourage coaches to continue to contact committee members with suggestions and concerns, especially those coaches who participate in fall games that use the shot clock."