🔜 THE FUTURE OF FOGO

Athletes must evolve over time, and right now we’re witnessing the Darwinian principle “Survival of the Fittest” play out at the face-off X.

A new rule instituted before the 2023 PLL season shortened the shot clock to 32 seconds after possession is won on a face-off. Through the first few weeks of the season, some teams have adapted to the new rule better than others.

Now, heading into this weekend’s games in Minneapolis, retired face-off specialist and host of the Rise Up podcast Greg Gurenlian reports that “at least one PLL club” plans to NOT dress a face-off man.

So, is the new rule a direct attack on specialization at the face-off?

PLL co-founder Paul Rabil thoroughly addressed the issue in a Twitter thread, and it’s really more of an attempt to curb mass substitution in the game — something that inherently slows the pace of play.

“I love the faceoff,” Rabil wrote toward the end of his thread. “I don’t love mass subs. The greatest FO players in history could win draws at a high clip, play O, D, pickup gb’s, score goals & assists. Check their stats: from [Geoff Snider] to [Greg Gurenlian] to [Trevor Baptiste]. That player type will only get more valuable.”

In other words, the shortened shot clock after a face-off win is consistent with other unique rules the PLL has instituted to speed up the game and accentuate the league’s best athletes. That’s why a PLL field is 10 yards shorter than an NCAA field, and it’s also why we’re seeing the rise of the Sixes format.

Fans love up-and-down, back-and-forth, non-stop action. Don’t believe me? Try reading Twitter during an international field lacrosse game between the United States and Canada…

Ultimately, face-off specialization won’t go the way of the dodo — the athletes who play that position will just evolve into more dynamic playmakers. Gurenlian had 91 career points to go along with his 2,263 face-off wins. Baptiste had 10 points during his MVP campaign a season ago.

As the game gets faster, the best teams will find ways to capitalize. The great face-off experiment continues this weekend in Minneapolis, and many PLL fans are eagerly awaiting the results.

🤕 Lengthy PLL Injury Report

After a two-week break, most PLL players will hit Minneapolis well-rested and ready for action this weekend. As expected, however, many who played in the World Lacrosse Men’s Championship are a little banged up.

Here’s a look at the official injury report:

Those are some big names. We’re hoping most of these players make a speedy recovery and are back on the field in Fairfield, CT next weekend.

⚔️ Brendan Nichtern Returns

Good news for Chrome LC: Brendan Nichtern is BACK.

Nichtern, who played in college at Army West Point, spent the first three games of this season on the military reserve list after winning PLL Rookie of the Year in 2022. Heading into Minneapolis, he joins a 1-2 Chrome team that has been shuffling its offensive lineup in his absence.

Nichtern is a calming presence behind the net. He quarterbacks the offense like a time-tested veteran. In fact, he and eight-time All-Star Rob Pannell had the exact same stat line last season — 16 goals, 22 assists, 38 points.

Nichtern and 2022 first-overall pick Logan Wisnauskas were a dynamic rookie duo last season. Wisnauskas was a little quiet without his partner in crime to start the season, so expect a potential offensive explosion with Nichtern returning to the Chrome lineup.

🇯🇵 From Team Japan to The PLL?

Team Japan is on the rise after their fifth-place finish at the 2023 World Lacrosse Championship, and attackman Shinya Tateishi is turning some heads with his individual performance in the tournament. He was the only player NOT from North America to make the official All-World Team (not to be confused with TLN’s way cooler version).

After watching him put up 21 goals and 32 points in international play, should the PLL extend a tryout invitation to Tateishi?

Remember, the PLL brought an All-Star team to Japan earlier this year. Tateishi was on the Japanese team they faced and had three points (2 goals, 1 assist) against current PLL talent.

For the storyline alone, it would be cool to see him at training camp next summer.

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📺 PLL Broadcast Info

After an extended international break, the PLL returns to Minneapolis this weekend. Here’s when and where you can watch the games (Eastern Time):

Saturday, July 8
6 p.m. — Waterdogs vs. Chrome (ESPN+)
8:30 p.m. — Cannons vs. Atlas (ESPN+)

Sunday, July 9
2 p.m. — Redwoods vs. Chaos (ESPN2)
4:30 p.m. — Whipsnakes vs. Archers (ESPN+)