About Lacrosse
What is the history of lacrosse?
Lacrosse, originally known as stickball, is the oldest team sport in North America and boasts a captivating history that spans centuries. The game was developed by Indigenous nations, most notably the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) of the Eastern Woodlands and various Great Lakes and Southeastern tribes, who played variations of the game as early as the 12th century. Early versions of lacrosse were known as the "Creator's Game" or "Medicine Game," and was played to honor the Creator, heal the sick, and settle tribal disputes. It was also called "Little Brother of War" because it prepared young men for battle. These early iterations were more than recreational, they held significant cultural and spiritual importance, often serving as rituals and training for war.
Lacrosse sticks were hand-carved from wood with nets made of deer sinew and balls were crafted from wood or deer hide. The games were seen as major events, which took place over several days.They were played over huge open areas between villages and the goals, which might be trees or other natural features, were anything from 500 yards to several miles apart. Any number of players were involved. Some estimates have mentioned between 100 and 100,000 players participating in a game at any one time. The rules were very simple, the ball was not to be touched by a player’s hand and there were no boundaries. The ball was tossed into the air to indicate the start of the game and players raced to be the first to catch it.
The original wooden balls were later replaced by deerskin balls filled with fur and the sticks developed over time to become more sophisticated, the netting made from deer sinew. In preparation for a game, players used paint and charcoal to decorate their faces and bodies.
The game grew in popularity as it evolved over time with various tribes and communities developing their unique rules and playing styles. European settlers in the 17th century observed and adopted lacrosse, which eventually helped lead to its widespread recognition. Over time, organized leagues and clubs emerged, cementing lacrosse’s position as one of the most thrilling and competitive team sports in the world. With its rich heritage and continuous global expansion, lacrosse remains a symbol of tradition, athleticism, and cultural unity which reflect both its origins and the diverse communities that have embraced it.
The headmistress at St. Leonards school in Scotland watched a game played in Canada in 1884 between the Canghuwaya Indians and the Montreal Club and thought it “beautiful and graceful.” As a result, the first recorded women’s game took place at the school in 1890.
Women's lacrosse was brought to the United States in 1926 by Rosabelle Sinclair, who established the first team at the Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore, Maryland.
Today, the sport continues to grow internationally and is governed by World Lacrosse. The National Lacrosse League (NLL) for box lacrosse and the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) for field lacrosse represent the sport at the highest professional level.
Lacrosse is officially returning to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in the new "Sixes" format for both men and women. Sixes is an incredibly fast-paced, compact version of lacrosse, combining the most exciting elements of the more traditional disciplines. It is characterized by an accelerated, open style of play with quick transitions and non-stop, high-scoring action.
What is youth lacrosse?
Lacrosse is a fast-paced team sport, where players use a long-handled stick with a netted head (called a crosse) to carry, pass, catch, and shoot a small rubber ball into the opposing team’s goal.
Teams compete to score the most goals by the end of the game. Players move the ball through the air using "cradling" (a rocking motion that keeps the ball in the net) or by passing it to teammates. Touching the ball with hands is prohibited for everyone except the goalkeeper.
How does a lacrosse game begin?
Boys face-off:
In boys lacrosse, play begins with a face-off, where two players crouch and battle for the ball on the ground for possession.
Girls draw:
In girls lacrosse, play begins with a draw, where two players stand and the ball is placed between their sticks in the air before being tossed upwards.
How are the physical contact rules and equipment different for boys and girls?
Boys Gear and Contact:
In boys youth lacrosse, the rules allow controlled physical contact to gain possession of the ball or defend an opponent, making the sport significantly more physical. Body checking (legal contact to the chest area) and aggressive stick checking are permitted and a fundamental part of the game. Due to the physical nature of the game, players must wear substantial protective gear including a helmet with a facemask, shoulder pads, arm pads, gloves, and a mouth guard to reduce the risk of injury.
Girls Gear and Contact:
In girls’ youth lacrosse, body checking is not allowed at any age. Defensive play focuses on modified, controlled stick checking, proper positioning, and footwork. All checks must be controlled, directed away from the head and typically below the shoulder level and above the hip. Any contact to the head or neck is a serious foul, often resulting in a card, even at younger age groups. Players wear minimal protective gear, typically eye goggles and a mouth guard. Helmets and gloves are required by some leagues, but optional in our club.
How are boy's and girl's sticks different?
Boys sticks have a deeper pocket, which makes cradling the ball more secure during contact. A regular stick is about 40-42" long (including head). Defenders at the 12U level can use longer sticks (up to 72 inches).
Girls sticks have a much shallower, tightly strung pocket, making ball control more challenging. All field players use a standard stick length (about 36 - 43 inches).
What are the rules of the goal, and how is goalie gear different?
The goalie is a crucial role on a lacrosse team. However, teams do not play with a goalie until 10U. Boys and girls youth goalie positions are identical.
There is a large circle around the goal, this is the crease. Attacking players cannot enter the crease or check the goalie when they have the ball, are passing, or scooping. The goalie is the only player who can touch the ball with their hands.
Goalies wear additional protective gear to safeguard them from the hard lacrosse balls.
How is the game different for the younger kids?
Youth 8U and 10U (boys and girls) lacrosse is intentionally designed to be safer for the kids, and the rules scale up as kids get older.
Youth lacrosse contact rules are designed to progressively introduce physical play while prioritizing player safety, proper technique, and skill development.
Teams at this level emphasize stick skills, spacing, passing and catching as well as building confidence and having fun. The field at this level is much smaller and more manageable. The rules are simplified and there are no offsides. The focus at this age group is participation and sportsmanship, and at this age they have very limited or no checking.
A full list of the different rules and regulations at each age level can be found on the USA Lacrosse Website. We use the Badgerland Lacrosse rules, which are slightly modify.
