Lacrosse was invented by the Native Americans in the early 1600s and is one of many varieties of war games played by Native Americans to prepare for battle. There were three types of lacrosse played by the Native Americans, one of which is played with two, two and a half foot long sticks held in both hands and the players are supposed to retrieve a deerskin ball then cup it in-between the two sticks. Another form is where the players use a three foot long stick with a cupped net just larger than the ball. And the last for played uses a normal stick like we use today.
Some of the basics of lacrosse include these. There are ten players on each team: three attack, three midfielders, three defenders and a goalie. Each player carries a lacrosse stick (or Crosse). A “short Crosse” (or “short stick”) measures between 40 inches and 42 inches long (head and shaft together) and is typically used by attackers or midfielders. A maximum of four players per team may carry a “long Crosse” (sometimes called “long pole”, “long stick” or “d-pole”) which is 52 inches to 72 inches long; typically used by defenders or midfielders. The head of the Crosse on both long and short crosses must be 6.5 or larger at its widest point. The throat of the lacrosse head for college must be at least 3 inches wide. For high school play, there is no minimum width at its narrowest point; the only provision is that the ball must roll out unimpeded. The designated goalkeeper is allowed to have a stick from 40 inches to 72 inches long and the head of a goalkeeper’s Crosse may measure up to 12 inches wide, significantly larger than field players’ heads, to assist in blocking shots.
There are four positions in lacrosse, attacker, midfielder, defensemen, and goalie. The attackers must stay on the opponent’s side of the field and they are the ones who take the ball to the goal hence the name “attackers”. The midfielders can go on their side of the field and the opponent’s side so they can be both attackers and defensemen. The defensemen stay on their side of the field and make sure that the other team doesn’t score, they also have the longest sticks for better checking and blocking the ball. Finally the goalie stands at the goal and is the last line of defense to keep the opponent from scoring.
Http://www.uslacrosse.org/topnav/museumhalloffame/history.aspx. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2013.
“Lacrosse.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Sept. 2013. Web. 19 Sept. 2013.