Go ahead and get rid of one of the most exciting parts of the game. That should help the sport grow! It works great the way it is now. Keeps the game fresh and fun for spectators. I don't agree with moving sticks apart because that will lead to more player injury due to jamming. Less skill involved. I also disagree with a previous poster's suggestion limiting the time a player can keep the ball in the back of the stick. The current rule works great, one chance to pop it out. What is the difference if the ball is in the front or back of the stick?
Faceoff rule needs to be changed. This one aspect of the game has a disproportionate impact on the game when you have a strong FOGO or two. You can even the playing field by eliminating the ability to carry the ball on the back of the stick (that makes no sense whatsoever), or having it be more of a true ground ball situation, where there is absolutely no withholding allowed. Lacrosse is a game of possessions, and for one team to have the ball materially longer than the other team purely due to one discreet portion of the game doesn't make sense. Prior to the pinch and pop, faceoffs were still important but there were lots of ways to mitigate the impact of a good fogo. There is no other sport in which a restart after one teams scores has such an impact on the outcome of the game.
