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History
 Lacrosse was considered to be the first Native American
sport, originating in the 1400s. In the original versions of
the game, each Native American team consisted of 100 to
1,000 players on a field that ranged from a few hundred
yards to a couple of miles in length. Players often had two
sticks and played the game on horseback, and the object of
the game was to hit a large tree or rock (a goal) with a
deerskin, clay, or stone ball, thusly earning points. The
focus of the game was often to injure the opposing players,
then work one’s way easily to the goal. Medicine-men of the
tribe acted as referees, and the games often lasted for two
to three days. These games were often played to settle
inter-tribal conflicts and toughen young warriors for
combat.
The game was introduced to Europeans through a French
missionary named Jean de Brébeuf. He witnessed the Iroquois
play it as early as 1636. By the 1800s, lacrosse was played
by French pioneers as a competitive sport. In 1856, the
Montreal Lacrosse Club was founded by W. George Beers, and
the current rules of lacrosse were created. By the 1900s,
high schools, colleges, and universities began competing,
and lacrosse became an Olympic sport in 1904. In the 1930s,
an indoor version of the game was dubbed “box lacrosse.” A
later version of box lacrosse, indoor lacrosse, is currently
played professionally throughout North America.
In the United States, the sport is popular in Maryland, New
York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New England, and other areas
near the east coast. Its popularity has been spreading along
the west coast as well, spurred by the sport’s growth in
collegiate leagues and high school programs. There are
currently 57 NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse teams and 82
Division I women’s lacrosse teams. At the professional
level, there are 13 National Lacrosse League teams with 10
in the United States and 3 in Canada.
Types of Lacrosse
Outdoor field lacrosse is played on a field that is 110
yards long and 60 yards wide. The goals, each sitting in a
“crease” on opposite ends of the field, are 6 feet by 6
feet. The crease is 18 feet in diameter, and offensive
players from the opposing team are not allowed to enter the
crease. In the men’s version, players line up with three
offensive “attackmen,” three midfielders, and three
defenders that use long sticks (see equipment). A goalie
defends each net. The attackmen and defenders must stay on
their respective sides of the field, and midfielders are
free to roam the entire field. It is possible, however, to
drop midfielders into the defensive areas and use a defender
as a midfielder. Unlike the women’s version, players can
check each other, kick the ball, and cover the ball with
their sticks.
In women’s field lacrosse, the play is significantly
different. There is almost no physical contact, and thus
there is less equipment. For rules regarding both the men’s
and women’s field lacrosse version, see the “Rules” section.
A third type of lacrosse is called box lacrosse. The box
lacrosse goal is smaller than its field cousin, measuring
between 4’ by 4’ and 4’ by 4’9”, and play is typically
faster but more violent because of less penalties. Although
most commonly played in Canada, box lacrosse is played as an
indoor version of lacrosse for the National Lacrosse League.
This strictly indoor version differs slightly than normal
box lacrosse, since it has four fifteen minute quarters,
while the box version has three twenty minute periods.
Indoor lacrosse is typically played on carpet, while box
lacrosse is strictly played on concrete.
Equipment
In men’s field lacrosse, there is significantly more
equipment when compared to women’s lacrosse. For protection,
men wear a helmet, mouthpiece, chest protector, rib guard
(optional), armguards (optional), cup (optional), and
gloves. Failure to wear proper equipment results in a
penalty. Box lacrosse and indoor lacrosse leagues require
players to wear similar protective equipment.
The stick also varies between versions of the game. In men’s
field lacrosse, attackmen and midfielders must use a stick
that is between 40 inches and 42 inches, with the net of the
stick shallow enough that the ball cannot sit completely
within the pocket of the crosse. Defenders in field lacrosse
can use a “long stick” that measures between 52 inches and
72 inches. Both metal sticks and wooden sticks are allowed.
Box lacrosse and indoor lacrosse leagues permit only short
sticks. Indoor lacrosse players may only use hollow, metal
sticks, while box lacrosse players permit solid, wooden
sticks. Again, straying from these rules results in a
penalty.
In the women’s league, the only protective equipment worn
are goggles and a mouthpiece. The stick, between 40 and 42
inches long, has a shallower net than the men’s league which
results in slower shots and more difficulty in catching and
passing the ball.
In all versions a solid rubber ball is used, and a rubber or
plastic butt must protect the blunt end of the stick. The
goalies in all versions must wear thicker equipment than the
rest of the players. A full catchers mask, torso protector,
neck protector, leg pads, gloves, and cup (men’s league) are
utilized to protect the goalie. Arm pads are optional for a
goalie. The goalie also uses a larger stick, typically
between 42 inches and 60 inches in length. The head of the
stick is also large, more than doubling in size when
compared to the other sticks.
Author: Michael Stumpo
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