More rules changes will reduce the stoppages in play and speed up the game. Photo by Loren Nelson

Speeding up the game

Some coaches believe rules changes to the boys’ game that eliminate the substitution horn and expand the area where players can substitute to a width of 20 yards might have a bigger impact than curbing physical play. With fewer opportunities for clock-stopped, basketball-style personnel changes, teams will have to do more hockey-style, on-the-fly substitutions. That means there likely will be fewer chances for defensive and offensive specialists to get in the game. Savvy coaches and players also could use the expanded substitution area to create odd-man rushes and other personnel mismatches.