The National Lacrosse League yesterday announced several rule changes for the upcoming season, highlighted by a move to open up the field and improve safety.

No, it's not the much-maligned four-on-four idea, which has been tried experimentally in exhibition games this preseason.

Rather, the league's big move is a crackdown on illegal crosschecking, particularly shots to the head.

Any player who deliberately crosschecks an opponent in the head or neck will draw a major penalty and a game misconduct, and would face an automatic fine and suspension -- $1000 (US) and one game for the first offense, and a minimum of four games for repeats.

In addition, if the same player commits a second offense under this rule, his team's head coach is also fined.

"By proactively addressing the contact to the head issue, we will hopefully be avoiding any potential unfortunate injuries that we've seen take place in other sports and leagues," said Bob Hamley, Arizona Sting general manager and head coach and NLL Competition Committee chairman.

"The well being of our players is of paramount concern to us, and we think that we're acting in their best interest by making these changes."

In addition, the league has banned checking from behind, as well as the cross-checking of a player who does not possess the ball.

Two other rule changes were announced, both affecting the offense.

The more dramatic of the two is the legalization of the "Air Gait" move, invented by current Colorado coach Gary Gait when he was a player at Syracuse University.

The maneuver begins behind the opposing team's net, where the attacker -- and Gait himself might be the only player ever to succeed at this consistently -- leaps forward and reaches around the goalpost for a slam-dunk goal.

In this play, the goal counts only if the shooter remains outside the crease and the shot does not make contact with the goaltender or his stick. The shooter's stick, however, may make contact with the goal post.

Not as sexy, but certainly carrying tremendous strategic importance, coaches may now choose any player on his team to take a penalty shot, regardless of whether he was the player fouled or was even on the floor at the time.