I think we may be getting way off topic. The rule basically re-instituted what was the existing rule up until 3 years ago. The rules never expected someone carrying the ball while stuck in the back of their stick (not cradling). No one else on field is allowed to do that. Why should we expect a faceoff to be allowed to do it? Because they got good at it doesn't mean it was right and the reason they were taught it was not because of less injury but because there was no rule against it. Was their a huge amount of concussions caused by this for the last 25 years (up until three years ago)? Is the risk same or more than someone catching a pass and turning and getting coma slide hit in crease? There are plenty of areas in lacrosse where collisions occur.