Lacrosse-A History, Rules and Regulations, and Positions
A History
It is said that Lacrosse has been around for thousands of years, it was considered America’s first
sport. The North Americans were found to be the first to be playing the game, but they called it “The
Creator’s Game”. They played it to give thanks to their gods, solve conflicts between tribes, to ask gods
to heal the sick people, prepare for battle, or to recruit young men for battles. Sometimes the game
would last up to several days, which would be pretty hard considering that the goals were usually one
mile apart with no side boundaries. But, it was a bit of relief to have up to one thousand players during
the game so you wouldn’t have to run as hard and long. The game could be very simply played; with
rocks and trees, or harder to play using two actual goal posts. The ball could’ve been made out of many
different elements such as; stone, bone, wood or baked clay. The sticks they used were usually three to
four feet long and had a triangular net at the ends to catch and carry the ball. The name of the sport;
Lacrosse, was established by the Jesuit missionaries in the 17th century. Jean de Breduef was part of the
Jesuit missionary and he was the first one to ever document the game. The sticks they used were said to
resemble the staff or crosier held by the Jesuit Bishops. In the 1800s many countries were playing
Lacrosse, but in 1867 W George Beers finalized the first set of rules. When he set the rules and
standards, the National Lacrosse Association of Canada bought it from him and since then it is Canada’s
national sport. However, it wasn’t only till the sport became extremely popular that the United States,
England, Scotland, Ireland, and Australia became very know to it as well. In the United States Lacrosse
was growing popular everywhere, the first college to hold Lacrosse in 1877 was New York University.
Then Lacrosse was finding its way all over high schools, colleges, etc. When more modern times started
coming along, neither men nor women wore protective gear, but they still played the game with the
same rules and regulations as played the years before. During the mid-1930’s Lacrosse started to really
take a turn towards evolving. The rules stated that you must wear protective gear and it is allowed to
some degree stick and body contact; for a men’s game. But in a women’s game, they wear little
protective gear, there is stick contact (only to a certain degree) and no body contact. In this game it
requires you to have lots of technique and skill because it is so fast paced.
Rules and Regulations
There are many rules to the game of Lacrosse; they begin with stick or body contact (fouls). This
game can become very violent and it can be hard to keep control so the referee and the umpire have to
make sure the rules are well established. (Also during the game there can be third and fourth officials
called the field judge and the chief bench official, but that is decided by the organization of the hosting
team)
FOULS: A personal foul is when a player intends to or not intentionally does something to
another player and has a penalty of suspension for one to three minutes depending on what the official
thought of how serious the infraction was. A cross check is a check by one player hitting their stick
between someone else’s hands. Slashing is when a player ‘slashes’ his or her stick at an opponent in an
intentional or vicious fashion above the neck to another part of their body besides the stick or the
opponents gloves. But if the player is doing this while shooting, passing or scooping the ball the official
won’t call it a foul. Illegal body checks happen when a player is checking someone not within five yards
of the ball; below the waist, or above the shoulders. Tripping occurs when a player hits an opponent
with his or her stick or body below the waist to dislodge the ball from them. But, if the player
unsuccessfully gets the ball and trips over their own stick; the officials will not call a foul. Unnecessary
roughness is when a player is being very violent by pushing or hitting on an opponent. Unsportsmanlike
conduct happens when a person representing a team or a teammate argues with an official using
abusive and/or profane language. Illegal crosse is the use of the crosse that is not in NCAA standards
(the rules and regulations of the game, and equipment). Illegal gloves are gloves that don’t meet the
standards of the NCAA.
LACROSSE TECHNICAL FOULS: A technical foul is less serious than personal fouls but, you can
still get suspended, however, not as long as personal fouls more as a thirty-second penalty. Holding
occurs when a player interferes with an opponent’s stick movement. Off-side is when there are more
than 6 players on the opponent’s field, also when the defensive, all three attackmen, and middies go
over the center line. Warding off is when the player with the ball uses their hand to make it impossible
for the opponent to check them. Stalling occurs when the other team intentionally holds the ball
without advancing towards the goal. Screening happens when offensive player blocks defensive player
from the defensive player from being played. Illegal procedure is a term used to call out when a player
other than the goalie touches the ball, playing without a stick, use of illegal equipment, putting stick in
opponents face, more than 10 people on the field, playing out of bounds etc. (NCAA standards and
regulations) Interference happens when a player interferes with free movement of the opponent.
Pushing is when a player pushes, thrusts, or shoves an opponent from behind. But, an exception is when
it is from the front or side of opponent who has the ball or is within five feet of a loose ball.
Positions
BOY’S LACROSSE- Attackmen are the players that score the goals (they usually restricted to the
offensive end of the field); they have to have great stick skills and have to be very well coordinated. Each
team has three attackmen. Midfielders play both defense and offense; they cover the entire field and
are key when clearing the ball from defense to offense. The midfielders must be fast and have good
stamina; there are three midfielders on each team. The defensemen defend the goal; they must have
aggressiveness and agility. There are three defensemen throughout the field. The goalie is a very
important part in Lacrosse because they stop the opponent from making a goal or stop the opponent
from getting the ball (if getting close to goal).
GIRLS LACROSSE- Attack first home players score goals; they move toward the goal to score or
move to let another player score (they must have really good stick work and have to be a smart thinker).
Attack second home is the player maker and a leader because they plan the scoring opportunities (they
must be quick, make good shots, and good footwork. Attack third home clear the ball from the
defensive team, have to be able to transport the ball to other players, and they must also be able to fill
the wing position if necessary. Two attack wings receive the ball from the defense team and must be
able to pass the ball or run with the ball. Attack center play both defense and offense, and also controls
the draw. Defense point guards first home, and has to be able to stick check, body check and intercept
passes. Defense coverpoint receives clears, has to have good footwork, and also to mark second home.
Defensive third man guards third home. Two defense wings are to bring the ball to the attack area and
to mark attack wings. Defensive goalie stops the opponent from scoring.
CITATIONS: http://www.allstaractivities.com/sports/lacrosse/LACROSSE-regulations.htm
DIAGRAMS
Boy’s Lacrosse
Girl’s Lacrosse