History
- Oldest sport in North America
- Native North Americans introduced it to pioneers
- Played to train warriors and to have fun
- Lacrosse was declared Canada’s National Sport in 1867
Objective: To score on the opponent’s goal and protect your goal. Each goal is worth 1 point. The team with the most points wins the game.
Team: The regulation team consists of 10 players; 1 goal tender, 3 defenders, 3 midfielders, 3 attackers (less for indoor games with less space).
Rules
1. Each team must keep at least 4 players in their own half of the field or court. The goalie and defenders should remain behind the centerline.
2. The game starts with a face-off. The ball is placed on the ground between 2 players from the opposing teams; the stick heads have their backs to each other, the ref blows the whistle, and the players fight for the ball.
3. The ball may be scooped, passed, or thrown by any player using their stick.
4. Shots on the net must be taken from outside the goalie crease (the area around goal). Players may reach into the crease to catch or retrieve the ball, but not step into the crease.
5. Goalies may touch the ball with their hands to deflect the ball, not to catch or throw the ball (but we don’t play with a goalie).
6. To score, the ball must pass over the goal line – it doesn’t count if the ball is deflected off of the body of an attacker.
7. A ball that is out of play (when it passes over a boundary line) is awarded against the team that last had possession of the ball (to the other team).
8. If a foul occurs, and the ref blows the whistle, all players must hold their position.
Violations or Fouls
1. Striking at an opponent (especially the head or face).
2. Uncontrolled use of stick.
3. Holding another’s stick.
After a foul has been called, the offended player is allowed a penalty shot from that position on the field or court, and other players must allow 5 yards or 4.6m of space for the play.
Positions
Attack (A)– forward players – mostly run/pass in offensive end
Midfielders (M) – cover entire field – often moving up sides and into center of field
Defense (D)– stay in defensive end of field – protect goal from outside the crease
