Lacrosse: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Team sport}} |
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{{pp-move-indef}} |
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{{About|the team sport}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2015}} |
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{{Distinguish|La Crosse, Wisconsin}} |
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{{see also|Lacrosse (disambiguation)}} |
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{{pp-semi-indef}} |
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{{pp-move}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} |
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{{Infobox sport |
{{Infobox sport |
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| image |
| image = UNC Lacrosse.jpg |
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| caption = Men's field lacrosse game between [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's lacrosse|North Carolina]] and [[Duke Blue Devils men's lacrosse|Duke]] |
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| imagesize = 250px |
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| alt = men's lacrosse player running with the ball |
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| caption = Men's lacrosse match between [[Duke Blue Devils men's lacrosse|Duke University]] and the [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's lacrosse|University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]] |
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| imagesize = 250px |
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| union = [[Federation of International Lacrosse]] |
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| union = [[World Lacrosse]] |
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| first = As early as the 12th century<br />Codified in 1869 |
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| first = 12th century, modified by Europeans in the 17th century |
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| contact = [[Contact sport|Full contact]] |
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| mgender = Yes, separate competitions |
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| type = [[Team sport]], stick sport, [[ball sport]] |
| type = [[Team sport]], stick sport, [[ball sport]] |
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| equipment = [[Lacrosse stick]] and [[lacrosse ball|ball]] in addition to various body armor or pads. Different protective gear for different versions of the game |
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| team = 10 per side (including goalkeeper) |
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| venue = Outdoor lacrosse field or indoor lacrosse rink |
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| ball = [[Lacrosse ball]] |
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| olympic = Men's field at the [[Lacrosse at the Summer Olympics|Summer Olympics]] in [[Lacrosse at the 1904 Summer Olympics|1904]] and [[Lacrosse at the 1908 Summer Olympics|1908]].<br />Demonstrated in [[Lacrosse at the 1928 Summer Olympics|1928]], [[Lacrosse at the 1932 Summer Olympics|1932]] and [[Lacrosse at the 1948 Summer Olympics|1948]] <br/> Men's and women's [[Lacrosse sixes|sixes]] in [[2028 Summer Olympics|2028]] |
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| equipment = [[Lacrosse stick]], [[lacrosse helmet|helmet]], shoulder pads, elbow pads, athletic cup (recommended) [[lacrosse glove|gloves]] |
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| IWGA = Women's field in [[2017 World Games|2017]]<br/>Men's and women's sixes in [[2022 World Games|2022]] |
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| venue = Outdoor lacrosse field or indoor lacrosse court |
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|nicknames={{hlist|The Medicine Game|The Creator's Game}}<ref>{{cite web|title=The Creator's Game: Native People Created Lacrosse Yet Now Strive to Play the Sport in International Arenas|url=https://www.americanindianmagazine.org/story/the-creators-game|publisher=Magazine of Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian|date=Spring 2021|access-date=August 7, 2023|archive-date=August 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810230256/https://www.americanindianmagazine.org/story/the-creators-game|url-status=live}}</ref>|contact=Yes}} |
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| olympic = Part in the Summer Olympic programme in 1904 and 1908<br />Demonstrated in the 1928, 1932 and 1948 Summer Olympics |
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}} |
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'''Lacrosse''' is a [[Contact sport|contact]] [[team sport]] played with a [[lacrosse stick]] and a [[lacrosse ball]]. It is the oldest organized [[Sports in North America|sport in]] [[North America]], with its origins with the [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas#North America|indigenous people of North America]] as early as the 12th century.<ref name="Publishing2015">{{cite book|author=Britannica Educational Publishing|title=Lacrosse and Its Greatest Players|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FipPBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA10|year=2015|publisher=Britannica Educational Publishing|isbn=978-1-62275-593-6|pages=10–12}}</ref><ref>Vennum, Thomas. ''American Indian Lacrosse: Little Brother of War''. ([[Smithsonian Institution]], 1994) SBN 978-1560983026.</ref><ref>Liss, Howard. ''Lacrosse'' (Funk & Wagnalls, 1970) p. 13.</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.history.com/news/lacrosse-origins-native-americans | title=The Native American Origins of Lacrosse | date=July 12, 2023 | access-date=May 26, 2022 | archive-date=May 25, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525164721/https://www.history.com/news/lacrosse-origins-native-americans | url-status=live }}</ref> The game was extensively modified by [[Europe]]an [[colonists]], reducing the violence, to create its current collegiate and professional form.<ref name="Vennum2008">{{cite book|author=Thomas Vennum|title=American Indian Lacrosse: Little Brother of War|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ySIIyex5nboC&pg=PA232|date= 2008|publisher=JHU Press|isbn=978-0-8018-8764-2|page=232}}</ref> |
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'''Lacrosse''' is a [[contact sport|contact]] [[team sport|team]] [[sport]] played between two teams using a small rubber ball (62.8-64.77 mm, 140-147 g) and a long-handled stick called a ''crosse'' or [[lacrosse stick]]. It is often considered as a rough sport, although injuries are less frequent than in American football and other contact sports. The head of the lacrosse stick is strung with loose mesh designed to catch and hold the [[lacrosse ball]]. Offensively, the objective of the game is to score by shooting the ball into an opponent's goal, using the lacrosse stick to catch, cradle, and pass the ball to do so. Defensively, the objective is to keep the opposing team from scoring and to gain the ball through the use of stick checking and body contact or positioning. The sport has four major types: [[field lacrosse|men's field lacrosse]], [[women's lacrosse]], [[box lacrosse]] and [[intercrosse]]. The sport consists of four positions: midfield, attack, defense, goalie. In field lacrosse, attackmen are solely offensive players (except on the "ride", when the opposition tries to bring the ball upfield and attackmen must stop them), defensemen or defenders are solely defensive players (except when bringing up the ball, which is called a "clear"), the goalie is the last line of defense, directly defending the goal, and midfielders or "middies" can go anywhere on the field and play offense and defense, although in higher levels of lacrosse there are specialized offensive and defensive middies. |
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Players use the head of the lacrosse stick to carry, pass, catch, and shoot the ball into the goal. The sport has five versions that have different sticks, fields, rules and equipment: [[field lacrosse]], [[women's lacrosse]], [[box lacrosse]], [[lacrosse sixes]] and [[intercrosse]]. The men's games, field lacrosse (outdoor) and box lacrosse (indoor), are contact sports and all players wear protective gear: [[lacrosse helmet|helmet]], [[lacrosse glove|gloves]], shoulder pads, and elbow pads.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldlacrosse.sport/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/FIL-MF-RB-2019-2020A4v1.03.pdf|title=FIL Rules of Men's Field Lacrosse, 2019-2020|year=2018|publisher= The Federation of International Lacrosse|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203042333/https://worldlacrosse.sport/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/FIL-MF-RB-2019-2020A4v1.03.pdf|archive-date=December 3, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> The women's game is played outdoors and does not allow body contact but does allow stick to stick contact.<ref name="Fortin2000">{{cite book|author=Francois Fortin|title=Sports: The Complete Visual Reference|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ny_rBy0mT7wC&pg=PA229|year=2000|publisher=Firefly Books|isbn=978-1-55297-807-8|pages=229–}}</ref> The only protective gear required for women players is eyegear, while goalies wear helmets and protective pads. Lacrosse sixes is played by both men and women on a smaller field and is the most common version at [[multi-sport event]]s. Intercrosse is a mixed-gender non-contact sport that uses an all-plastic stick and a softer ball.<ref name="Hayhurst2005">{{cite book|author=Chris Hayhurst|title=Lacrosse: Rules, Tips, Strategy, and Safety|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1duxbz_Po94C&pg=PA23|year=2005|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|isbn=978-1-4042-0183-5|pages=23–31}}</ref> |
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The modern sport is governed by [[World Lacrosse]] and is the only international sport organization to recognize [[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]] bands and [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] tribes as sovereign nations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thetyee.ca/Life/2013/10/10/First-Nations-Lacrosse/|title=Through Lacrosse, Empowerment for First Nations|first=Megan|last=Stewart|date=October 10, 2013|website=The Tyee|access-date=December 13, 2019|archive-date=December 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213152642/https://thetyee.ca/Life/2013/10/10/First-Nations-Lacrosse/|url-status=live}}</ref> The organization hosts the [[World Lacrosse Championship]] for men, the [[Women's Lacrosse World Cup]], the [[World Indoor Lacrosse Championship]] for box lacrosse, and the [[Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships]] for both men and women.<ref name="about"/> Each is held every four years.<ref name="about">{{cite web |title=About World Lacrosse |url=https://worldlacrosse.sport/worldlacrosse/ |publisher=World Lacrosse |access-date=August 7, 2019 |archive-date=July 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715014058/https://worldlacrosse.sport/worldlacrosse/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Lacrosse at the Summer Olympics]] has been contested at two editions of the [[Summer Olympic Games]], [[Lacrosse at the 1904 Summer Olympics|1904]] and [[Lacrosse at the 1908 Summer Olympics|1908]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N8dQ11uQxrQC&q=lacrosse+olympics&pg=PA155|title=Lacrosse: A History of the Game|first=Donald M.|last=Fisher|date=March 14, 2002|publisher=JHU Press|isbn=9780801869389|access-date=December 2, 2016|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.stx.com/play-huge/7-reasons-why-lacrosse-should-be-an-olympic-sport|title=STX Blog - 7 Reasons Why Lacrosse Should be an Olympic Sport|access-date=December 2, 2016|archive-date=March 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323232226/http://blog.stx.com/play-huge/7-reasons-why-lacrosse-should-be-an-olympic-sport|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pO1ADAAAQBAJ&q=lacrosse+olympics&pg=PA78|title=Baltimore Sports: Stories from Charm City|first=Daniel A.|last=Nathan|date=August 1, 2016|publisher=University of Arkansas Press|isbn=9781682260050|access-date=December 2, 2016|via=Google Books}}</ref> It will be contested at the [[2028 Olympic Games]] in the lacrosse sixes format.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IOC Approves Lacrosse for 2028 Summer Olympics |url=https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/usa-insider/international/ioc-approves-lacrosse-for-2028-summer-olympics |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=www.usalaxmagazine.com |language=en |archive-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016160932/https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/usa-insider/international/ioc-approves-lacrosse-for-2028-summer-olympics |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was also held as a demonstration event at the [[Lacrosse at the 1928 Summer Olympics|1928]], [[Lacrosse at the 1932 Summer Olympics|1932]], and [[Lacrosse at the 1948 Summer Olympics|1948]] Summer Olympics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wsyacy.com/images/RPIGameNotes1948.pdf |title=Lacrosse Programme |website=Wsyacy.com |access-date=November 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208115411/http://www.wsyacy.com/images/RPIGameNotes1948.pdf |archive-date=December 8, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9oycNars7zkC&q=lacrosse+olympics&pg=PA232|title=Lacrosse: Technique and Tradition, The Second Edition of the Bob Scott Classic|first1=David G.|last1=Pietramala|first2=Neil A.|last2=Grauer|date=May 17, 2006|publisher=JHU Press|isbn=9780801883712|access-date=December 2, 2016|via=Google Books}}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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{{Main|History of lacrosse}} |
{{Main|History of lacrosse}} |
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{{further|Lacrosse in Canada|Lacrosse in the United States}} |
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[[File:George Catlin - Ball-play of the Choctaw--Ball Up - Google Art Project.jpg|thumb|''Ball-play of the Choctaw – ball up'' by [[George Catlin]], {{circa|1846–1850}}]] |
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Lacrosse is based on games played by various [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] communities as early as 1100 AD.<ref name=liss>{{cite book |last=Liss |first=Howard |title=Lacrosse |publisher=Funk & Wagnalls |year=1970 |page=13 }}</ref> By the 17th century, a version of lacrosse was well-established and was documented by [[Jesuit]] [[missionary]] priests in the territory of present-day [[Canada]].<ref name=vennum>{{cite book |last=Vennum |first=Thomas |title=American Indian Lacrosse: Little Brother of War |url=https://archive.org/details/americanindianla0000venn |url-access=registration |publisher= Smithsonian Institution |year=2002 |isbn=978-1560983026 |via=[[Internet Archive]] }}{{page needed |date=May 2014}}</ref> |
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In the traditional [[aboriginal peoples in Canada|aboriginal Canadian]] version, each team consisted of about 100 to 1,000 men on a field several miles/kilometers long. These games lasted from sunup to sundown for two to three days straight and were played as part of ceremonial ritual, a kind of symbolic warfare, or to give thanks to the Creator or Master.<ref name="STX">{{cite web|url=http://www.stxlacrosse.com/theculture/history.cfm |title=Lacrosse History |access-date=February 24, 2007 |publisher=[[STX (sports manufacturer)|STX]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070524045912/http://www.stxlacrosse.com/theculture/history.cfm |archive-date=May 24, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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Lacrosse has roots in the cultural tradition of the Native American Iroquois people, inhabiting what is now New York, Pennsylvania, and other parts of the Northeastern US.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/topic/Iroquois-Confederacy|title=Iroquois Confederacy|work=Encyclopedia Britannica|accessdate=June 16, 2015}}</ref> |
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Lacrosse played a significant role in the community and religious life of tribes across the continent for many years. Early lacrosse was characterized by deep spiritual involvement, befitting the spirit of combat in which it was undertaken. Those who took part did so in the role of [[warriors]], with the goal of bringing glory and honour to themselves and their tribes.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rock |first=Tom |title=More Than a Game |work=Lacrosse Magazine |publisher=[[US Lacrosse]] |date=November–December 2002 |url=http://redhawkslax.com/more-than-a-game-lacrosse-at-the-onondaga-nation-connects-the-current-generation-with-its-ancestors/ |access-date=March 18, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822224214/http://www.redhawkslax.com/news.lacrossemag.html |archive-date=August 22, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> The game was said to be played "for the Creator" or was referred to as "The Creator's Game",<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.oneidaindiannation.com/lacrosse-the-creators-game/|title=Lacrosse, the Creator's game|work=Oneida Indian Nation|access-date=September 9, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=September 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909222015/http://www.oneidaindiannation.com/lacrosse-the-creators-game/|url-status=live}}</ref> and a version of the game was called "baggataway".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timothykestrel.com/baggataway-the-iroquois-lacrosse-game/ |title=Baggataway: The Iroquois Lacrosse Game |publisher=Timothy Kestrel |access-date=December 4, 2022 |archive-date=December 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204170555/https://timothykestrel.com/baggataway-the-iroquois-lacrosse-game/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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It may have been developed as early as 1100 AD among indigenous peoples on the continent.<ref name=vennum>{{cite book |last= Vennum |first= Thomas |title= American Indian Lacrosse: Little Brother of War |publisher= Smithsonian Institution |year= 2002 |isbn= 978-1560983026}}{{page needed |date= May 2014}}</ref><ref name=liss>{{cite book |last= Liss |first= Howard |title= Lacrosse |publisher= Funk & Wagnalls |year= 1970 |page= 13}}</ref> By the seventeenth century, it was well-established. It was documented by [[Jesuit]] [[missionary]] priests in the territory of present-day Canada. The game has undergone many modifications since that time. |
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[[File:Ball players.jpg|left|thumb| ''Ball Players'' by George Catlin]] |
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In the traditional [[Aboriginal peoples in Canada|aboriginal Canadian]] version, each team consisted of about 100 to 1,000 men on a field that stretched from about 500 meters to 3 kilometers long.<ref name="STX">{{cite web| url = http://www.stxlacrosse.com/theculture/history.cfm| title = Lacrosse History| accessdate = February 24, 2007| publisher = [[STX (sports manufacturer)|STX]] |archiveurl = //web.archive.org/web/20070524045912/http://www.stxlacrosse.com/theculture/history.cfm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = May 24, 2007}}</ref> These games lasted from sunup to sundown for two to three days straight. These games were played as part of ceremonial ritual, a kind of symbolic warfare, to give thanks to the Creator or Master.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freelang.net/dictionary/ojibwe.html|title=Ojibway English Dictionary| accessdate = November 13, 2008}}</ref> |
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The French [[Jesuit missions in North America|Jesuit]] missionary {{lang|fr|[[Jean de Brébeuf]]|italic=no}} saw [[Wyandot people|Huron]] tribesmen play the game during 1637 in present-day [[Ontario]]. He called it {{lang|fr|la crosse}}, "the stick" in French.<ref name=CAencyclopedia /> The name seems to be originated from the French term for [[field hockey]], {{lang|fr|le jeu de la crosse}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.e-lacrosse.com/laxhist4.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991008114420/http://www.e-lacrosse.com/laxhist4.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 8, 1999 |title=Lacrosse: E-Lacrosse Lacrosse History, Links and Sources |publisher=E-lacrosse.com |access-date=February 25, 2011 }}</ref> |
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[[James Smith (frontiersman)|James Smith]] described in some detail a game being played in 1757 by [[Mohawk people]] "wherein now they used a wooden ball, about {{convert|3|in|cm}} in diameter, and the instrument they moved it with was a strong staff about {{convert|5|ft|m}} long, with a hoop net on the end of it, large enough to contain the ball".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/accountofremarka00smit#page/76/mode/2up/ |title=An account of the remarkable occurrences in the life and travels of Colonel James Smith |location=Lexington |publisher=John Bradford |date=1799 |oclc=1038782222 |via=[[Internet Archive]] |access-date=November 8, 2017 |pages=77–78}}</ref> |
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[[James Smith (frontiersman)|James Smith]] described in some detail a game being played in 1757 by his fellow tribe members "wherein now |
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they used a wooden ball, about three inches diameter, and the instrument they moved it with was a strong staff about five feet long, with a hoop net on the end of it, large enough to contain the ball."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/accountofremarka00smit|title=An account of the remarkable occurrences in the life and travels of Colonel James Smith (Late a citizen of Bourbon County, Kentucky) : during his captivity with the Indians, in the years 1755,'56, '57, '58, & '59|work=Internet Archive|accessdate=June 16, 2015}}</ref> |
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English-speaking people from Montreal noticed Mohawk people playing the game and started playing themselves in the 1830s.<ref name=CAencyclopedia /> In 1856, [[William George Beers]], a Canadian dentist, founded the [[Montreal Lacrosse Club]].<ref name=filhistory>{{cite web |title=Origin & History |url=https://filacrosse.com/fil/origin-history/ |publisher=[[Federation of International Lacrosse]] |access-date=November 15, 2017 |editor-last=Claydon |editor-first=Jane |archive-date=April 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429120844/https://filacrosse.com/fil/origin-history/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1860, Beers codified the game, shortening the length of each game and reducing the number of players to 12 per team. The first game played under Beers's rules was at [[Upper Canada College]] in 1867; they lost to the [[Toronto Cricket Club]] by a score of 3–1.<ref name=CAencyclopedia>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/lacrosse/ |title=Lacrosse |encyclopedia=The Canadian Encyclopedia |first=Barbara K. |last=Adamski |access-date=November 15, 2017 |archive-date=November 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115224805/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/lacrosse/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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The Italian explorer Count [[Paolo Andreani]] documented his contacts with the [[Oneida people]] in the 1790s and his reports on the Oneida include an illustration which is thought to be the first recorded picture of a [[lacrosse stick]].<ref name=along>{{cite book|last1=(Tekastiaks)|first1=translated and edited by Cesare Marino and Karim M. Tiro ; Iroquoian linguistic notes by Roy F. Wright|title=Along the Hudson and Mohawk : the 1790 journey of Count Paolo Andreani|date=2006|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press|location=Philadelphia|isbn=978-0-8122-3914-0|url=http://www.upenn.edu/pennpress/book/14239.html}}</ref> |
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The new sport proved to be very popular and spread across the English-speaking world; [[list of the oldest lacrosse teams|by 1900 there were dozens of men's clubs]] in Canada, the United States, England, Australia, and New Zealand. The [[women's lacrosse#History|women's game was introduced]] by [[Louisa Lumsden]] in Scotland in 1890. The first women's club in the United States was started by [[Rosabelle Sinclair]] at [[Bryn Mawr School]] in 1926.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.brynmawrschool.org/page/about/history |title=History |publisher=[[Bryn Mawr School]] |access-date=December 2, 2017 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202034940/http://www.brynmawrschool.org/page/about/history |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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[[File:George Catlin - Ball-play of the Choctaw--Ball Up - Google Art Project.jpg|left|thumb|''Ball-play of the Choctaw — ball up'' by [[George Catlin]], circa 1846–1850]] |
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Lacrosse played a significant role in the community and religious life of tribes across the continent for many years. Early lacrosse was characterized by deep spiritual involvement, befitting the spirit of combat in which it was undertaken. Those who took part did so in the role of [[warriors]], with the goal of bringing glory and honor to themselves and their tribes.<ref>{{cite news | last = Rock| first = Tom| title = More Than a Game| work = Lacrosse Magazine| publisher = [[US Lacrosse]]| date = November–December 2002| url = http://www.redhawkslax.com/news.lacrossemag.html| accessdate = March 18, 2007 |archiveurl = //web.archive.org/web/20070822224214/http://www.redhawkslax.com/news.lacrossemag.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = August 22, 2007}}</ref> The game was said to be played "for the Creator" or was referred to as "The Creator's Game." |
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[[File:From rattlesnake hunt to hockey page 121 cropped.jpg|right|thumb|[[Richmond Hill, Ontario|Richmond Hill]] "Young Canadians" lacrosse team, 1885]] |
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The [[France|French]] [[Jesuit missions in North America|Jesuit]] missionary [[Jean de Brébeuf]] saw [[Iroquois]] tribesmen play the game during 1637 in present-day New York. He was one of the first Europeans to write about the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintj52.htm|title=Patron Saints Index: Jean de Brébeuf|work=Catholic Community Forum|accessdate=March 18, 2007}}</ref> He called it ''la crosse'' ("the stick"). The name seems to be originated from the French term for [[field hockey]], ''le jeu de la crosse''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.e-lacrosse.com/laxhist4.htm |title=Lacrosse: E-Lacrosse Lacrosse History, Links and Sources |publisher=E-lacrosse.com |accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref> A "crosse" in French is any stick curved at its end (Example: Crosse d'evêque - Bishop's crozier) |
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In the United States, lacrosse during the late 1800s and first half of the 1900s was primarily a regional sport centered around the [[Mid-Atlantic states]], especially [[New York (state)|New York]] and [[Maryland]]. However, in the last half of the 20th century, the sport spread outside this region, and can be currently found in most of the United States. According to a survey conducted by [[US Lacrosse]] in 2016, there are over 825,000 lacrosse participants nationwide and lacrosse is the fastest-growing team sport among [[National Federation of State High School Associations|NFHS]] member schools.<ref name="participation">{{cite web |title=2016 Participation Survey |url=https://www.uslacrosse.org/sites/default/files/public/documents/about-us-lacrosse/participation-survey-2016.pdf |publisher=[[US Lacrosse]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109023232/https://www.uslacrosse.org/sites/default/files/public/documents/about-us-lacrosse/participation-survey-2016.pdf |archive-date=November 9, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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In 1855, [[William George Beers]], a [[Canada|Canadian]] [[dentist]], founded the [[Montreal Lacrosse Club]]. In 1867, Beers codified the game, shortening the length of each game and reducing the number of players to 12 per team. The first game played under Beers' rules was at [[Upper Canada College]] in 1867; they lost to the [[Toronto Cricket Club]] by a score of 3–1. By the 20th century, teams in [[high school]]s, [[college]]s, and [[University|universities]] in [[Canada]] and the [[United States]] began playing the game. |
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==Versions of lacrosse== |
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Lacrosse was contested for [[Olympic medals|medals]] in the 1904 and 1908 [[Olympics]] with teams from Canada, the United States, and [[Great Britain]]. It was contested as a demonstration sport in the [[1928 Summer Olympics|1928]] and [[1932 Summer Olympics|1932]] [[Summer Olympic Games|Olympics]]. On each occasion, a playoff was held in the United States to determine what team would go to the Olympics; each time the playoffs were won by the [[Johns Hopkins Blue Jays men's lacrosse|Johns Hopkins Blue Jays]] of the university in [[Baltimore, Maryland]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Lacrosse: Technique and Tradition |url=http://books.google.com/?id=IFVz2I7qI80C|last=Scott |first=Bob |authorlink= |last2= Scott |first2= Robert |year=1978 |publisher= Johns Hopkins University Press |location= |isbn=0-8018-2060-X |page=202}}</ref> |
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===Field lacrosse=== |
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[[File:From rattlesnake hunt to hockey page 121 cropped.jpg|right|250px|thumb|[[Richmond Hill, Ontario|Richmond Hill]] "Young Canadians" lacrosse team, 1885.]] |
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{{Main|Field lacrosse}} |
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[[File:Mens lacrosse diagram.svg|thumb|Diagram of a men's college lacrosse field]] |
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Field lacrosse is the men's outdoor version of the sport. There are ten players on each team: three attackmen, three [[Midfielder (lacrosse)|midfielders]], three defensemen, and one [[goaltender (field lacrosse)|goalie]]. Each player carries a [[lacrosse stick]]. A short stick measures between {{convert|40|and|42|in|cm}} long and is used by attackmen and midfielders. A maximum of four players on the field per team may carry a long stick which is between {{convert|52|and|72|in|cm}} long and is used by the three defensemen and sometimes one defensive midfielder. The goalie uses a stick with a head as wide as {{convert|12|in|cm}} that can be between {{convert|40|and|72|in|cm}} long.<ref name="equipment">{{cite web|title=Equipment for Boys' and Men's Lacrosse|url=https://www.uslacrosse.org/safety/equipment/player-equipment|publisher=US Lacrosse|access-date=November 8, 2017|archive-date=January 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119093004/https://uslacrosse.org/safety/equipment/player-equipment|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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The field of play is {{convert|110|by|60|yd|m}}. The goals are {{convert|6|by|6|ft|m|abbr=on}} and are {{convert|80|yd|m|abbr=on}} apart. Each goal sits inside a circular "crease", measuring {{convert|18|ft|m|abbr=on}} in diameter.<ref name="field">{{cite web|title=Field Diagrams|url=https://www.uslacrosse.org/rules/field-diagrams|publisher=US Lacrosse|access-date=November 9, 2017|archive-date=November 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110114638/https://www.uslacrosse.org/rules/field-diagrams|url-status=live}}</ref> The goalie has special privileges within the crease to avoid opponents' stick checks. Offensive players or their sticks may not enter into the crease at any time. The mid-field line separates the field into an offensive and defensive zone for each team. Each team must keep four players in its defensive zone and three players in its offensive zone at all times. It does not matter which positional players satisfy the requirement, although usually the three attackmen stay in the offensive zone, the three defensemen and the goalie stay in the defensive zone, and the three middies play in both zones. A team that violates this rule is offsides and either loses possession of the ball if they have it or incurs a technical foul if they do not.<ref name=mensrules>{{cite web |url=https://www.uslacrosse.org/rules/mens-rules |title=Men's Rules |publisher=US Lacrosse |access-date=November 9, 2017 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125060717/https://www.uslacrosse.org/rules/mens-rules |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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In the United States, lacrosse during the 1900s was primarily a regional sport centered around the east coast, including the states of [[Connecticut]], [[New Hampshire]], [[Massachusetts]], [[New York]], [[New Jersey]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[Maryland]], [[Virginia]] and [[North Carolina]]. However, in the last half of the 20th century, the sport has continued growth west of this region, and in since the beginning of the 21st century in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[Tennessee]], [[Florida]], [[Texas]], [[California]], [[Indiana]], and [[Minnesota]]. According to a report of a survey conducted by US Lacrosse in 2013, Field Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports and the fastest growing team sport in NFHS.<ref>http://www.uslacrosse.org/Portals/1/documents/pdf/about-the-sport/2013-participation-survey.pdf</ref> |
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[[File:Face-off.jpg|thumb|left|A face-off]] |
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At the highest amateur level, it is represented by the [[college lacrosse|collegiate]] NCAA Division I in the United States.<ref name="MLL">{{cite web|url=http://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/aboutmll/history/|title=Major League Lacrosse History|publisher=MajorLeagueLacrosse.com|accessdate=November 17, 2008}}</ref> The first [[college lacrosse|collegiate lacrosse]] program was established by [[New York University]] in 1877.<ref name="uslaxhist">{{cite web|url=http://www.uslacrosse.org/the_sport/index.phtml|title=History of Lacrosse|publisher=US Lacrosse|accessdate=November 17, 2008}}</ref> Nearly 100 years later, the [[1971 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship|1971 tournament]] was the first [[NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship|Men's Lacrosse Championship]] sponsored by the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1084971/index.htm|title=Big Red Votes Itself No. 1|last=Carry|first=Peter |date=June 14, 1971|publisher=SportsIllustrated.com|accessdate=May 30, 2008}}</ref> |
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The regulation playing time of a game is 60 minutes, divided into four periods of 15 minutes each.<ref name=mensrules/> Play is started at the beginning of each quarter and after each goal with a [[Face-off#Field lacrosse|face-off]]. During a face-off, two players lay their sticks on the ground parallel to the mid-line, the two heads of their sticks on opposite sides of the ball. At the whistle, the face-off-men scrap for the ball, often by "clamping" it under their stick and flicking it out to their teammates. When one of the teams has possession of the ball, they bring it into their offensive zone and try to score a goal. Due to the offsides rule, settled play involves six offensive players versus six defensive players and a goalie.<ref name="basics">{{cite web|title=Getting started: Beginners Lacrosse 101|url=http://www.lacrosse.com/guide/getting-started-beginners-lacrosse-101/|website=Lacrosse.com|access-date=November 9, 2017|archive-date=February 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207014924/http://www.lacrosse.com/guide/getting-started-beginners-lacrosse-101/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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If the ball goes out of bounds, possession is awarded against the team that touched it last. The exception is when the ball is shot towards the goal. Missed shots that go out of bounds are awarded to the team that has the player who is the closest to the ball when and where the ball goes out. During play, teams may substitute players in and out if they leave and enter the field through the substitution area, sometimes referred to as "on the fly". After penalties and goals, players may freely substitute and do not have to go through the substitution area.<ref name=boysrules>{{cite web |url=https://www.uslacrosse.org/rules/boys-rules |title=Boys' Rules |publisher=US Lacrosse |access-date=November 9, 2017 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126120500/https://uslacrosse.org/rules/boys-rules |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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In other countries, the sport is also played at a high level on the amateur level by the [[Australian Lacrosse League]], the [[Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association]], and club lacrosse leagues internationally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cufla.org/page.php?page_id=2314|title=FAQ's|publisher=Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association|accessdate=November 18, 2008}}</ref> |
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Penalties are awarded for rule violations and result in the offending team losing possession (loss of possession) or temporarily losing a player (time serving). During time serving penalties, the penalized team plays with one fewer player for the duration of the penalty. Time serving penalties are either releasable or non-releasable. When serving a releasable penalty, the offending player may re-enter play if a goal is scored by the opposing team during the duration of the penalty. Non-releasable penalties do not allow this and the player must serve the entire duration. In conjunction with the offsides rule, the opponent may play with six attackers versus the penalized team's five defenders and goalie. The team that has taken the penalty is said to be playing [[shorthanded|man down]], while the other team is [[Power play (sporting term)#Lacrosse|man up]]. Teams will use various [[lacrosse strategy|lacrosse strategies]] to attack and defend while a player is being penalized.<ref name="mensrules" /> |
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In 1998, a number of national lacrosse organizations in the United States merged to create [[US Lacrosse]], a unified national governing body for men's and women's lacrosse in the United States. Headquartered in Baltimore, US Lacrosse seeks to provide a leadership role in virtually every aspect of the game. |
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There are two classes of rule violations that result in penalties: technical fouls and personal fouls. Technical fouls, such as offsides, pushing, and holding, result in either a loss of possession or a 30-second penalty, depending on which team has the ball. Personal fouls, such as cross-checking, illegal body checking, or slashing, concern actions that endanger player safety. Cross-checking is when a player strikes another player with the shaft of the stick between his hands. A slash is when a player strikes another player with the end of the stick anywhere besides the gloves. These fouls draw 1-minute or longer penalties; the offending player must leave the field.<ref name="mensrules" /> |
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In the summer of 2001, a men's professional field lacrosse league, known as [[Major League Lacrosse]] (MLL), was inaugurated in the United States. Initially starting with three teams, the MLL has grown to a current total of eight clubs located in major metropolitan areas in the United States. On July 4, 2008, Major League Lacrosse set the professional lacrosse attendance record: 20,116 fans attended a game at [[Invesco Field]] in [[Denver, Colorado]].<ref name="MLL"/> |
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===Box lacrosse=== |
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{{Main|Box lacrosse}} |
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[[File:Box Lacrosse.jpg|thumb|A game of box lacrosse in the [[National Lacrosse League|NLL]]]] |
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Box lacrosse is played by teams of five runners plus a goalie on an [[ice hockey rink]] where the ice has been removed or covered by artificial turf, or in an indoor soccer field. The enclosed playing area is called a box, in contrast to the open playing field of the traditional game.<ref name="lax-101">{{cite web | url = http://www.nll.com/about/box-lax-101/ | title = Box Lax 101 | access-date = November 15, 2017 | publisher = [[National Lacrosse League]] | archive-date = November 16, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171116030940/http://www.nll.com/about/box-lax-101/ | url-status = live }}</ref> This version of the game was introduced in Canada in the 1930s to promote business for hockey arenas outside of the ice hockey season.<ref name=fisher>{{cite book |last= Fisher |first= Donald M. |year= 2002 |title= Lacrosse: A History of the Game |url= https://archive.org/details/lacrossehistoryo0000fish |url-access= registration |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |isbn=0-8018-6938-2 }}</ref>{{rp|page=157}} Within several years it had nearly supplanted field lacrosse in Canada.<ref name=fisher />{{rp|page=120}} |
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The goals in box lacrosse are smaller than field lacrosse, traditionally {{convert|4|ft|m|abbr=on}} wide and tall. Also, the [[Goaltender (box lacrosse)|goaltender]] wears much more protective padding, including a massive chest protector and armguard combination known as "uppers", large shin guards known as leg pads (both of which must follow strict measurement guidelines), and ice hockey-style goalie masks.<ref name="lax-101"/><ref name=Z4Laxx>{{cite web|url=http://www.zone4laxx.com/box_lacrosse_equipment_guideline.htm |title=Box Lacrosse Equipment Guideline |publisher=Zone4Laxx.com |access-date=October 28, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121180039/http://www.zone4laxx.com/box_lacrosse_equipment_guideline.htm |archive-date=November 21, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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===Field lacrosse=== |
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[[File:Mens lacrosse diagram.svg|thumb|250px|Diagram of a men's college lacrosse field]] |
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There are ten players in each team: three attackers, three midfielders, three defenders, and one goalie. |
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The style of the game is quick, accelerated by the close confines of the floor and a [[shot clock]]. The shot clock requires the attacking team to take a shot on goal within 30 seconds of gaining possession of the ball.<ref name="lax-101"/> Box lacrosse is also a much more physical game. Since cross checking is legal in box lacrosse, players wear rib pads and the shoulder and elbow pads are bigger and stronger than what field lacrosse players wear. Box lacrosse players wear a hockey helmet with a box lacrosse cage. There is no offsides in box lacrosse, the players substitute freely from their bench areas as in hockey. However, most players specialize in offense or defense, so usually all five runners substitute for teammates as their team transitions between offense and defense.<ref name=explained>{{YouTube |id=lZon8PxXQU4 |title=The Rules of Indoor Lacrosse / Box Lacrosse - EXPLAINED!}}</ref> |
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Each player carries a [[lacrosse stick]] (or crosse). A "short crosse" (or "short stick") measures between {{convert|40|in|m}} and {{convert|42|in|m}} long (head and shaft together) and is typically used by attackers or midfielders. A maximum of four players on the field per team may carry a "long crosse" (sometimes called "long pole", "long stick" or "d-pole") which is {{convert|52|in|m}} to {{convert|72|in|m}} long; typically used by defenders or midfielders. |
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For penalties, the offending player is sent to the [[penalty box]] and his team has to play without him, or [[short handed|man-down]], for the length of the penalty. Most fouls are minor penalties and last for two minutes, major penalties for serious offenses last five minutes. What separates box lacrosse (and ice hockey) from other sports is that at the top levels of professional and junior lacrosse, participating in a fight does not automatically cause an ejection, but a five-minute major penalty is given.<ref name="lax-101"/> |
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The head of the crosse on both long and short crosses must be {{convert|6.5|in|cm}} 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 {{convert|40|in|m}} to {{convert|72|in|m}} long and the head of a goalkeeper's crosse may measure up to {{convert|12|in|cm}} wide, significantly larger than field players' heads, to assist in blocking shots.<ref name=ncaarule>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncaapublications.com/Uploads/PDF/2008_m_lacrosse_rules65bce9b8-68de-43e1-a327-e008aaee8d5a.pdf|format=PDF|title=NCAA 2008 Lacrosse Rulebook|publisher=NCAA.org|accessdate=November 13, 2008}}</ref><ref name = "men's rules">{{cite web|url=http://www.uslacrosse.org/the_sport/mens_rules.phtml|title=Men's Lacrosse Rules ''Condensed Version''|work=[[National Collegiate Athletic Association]]}}</ref><ref name = "ilf rules">{{cite web|url=http://intlaxfed.org/pdf/rules-2005.pdf|format=PDF|title=Rules of Men's Field Larosse|work=[[International Lacrosse Federation]]|accessdate=March 30, 2007}}</ref> |
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[[File:Face-off.jpg|thumb|left|A face-off]] |
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Box lacrosse is played at the highest level in the [[National Lacrosse League]] and by the Senior A divisions of the [[Canadian Lacrosse Association]]. The National Lacrosse League (NLL) employs some minor rule changes from the Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA) rules. Notably, the goals are {{convert|4|ft|9|in|m}} wide instead of {{convert|4|ft|m}} and the games are played during the winter.<ref name="lax-101"/><ref name=nllrule/> The NLL games consist of four fifteen-minute quarters compared with three periods of twenty minutes each in CLA games. NLL players may only use sticks with hollow shafts, while CLA permits solid wooden sticks.<ref name=nllrule>{{cite web|url=http://www.nll.com/wp-content/uploads/NLL2017Rulebook.pdf |title=National Lacrosse League 2017 Official Rules |publisher=National Lacrosse League |access-date=November 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606134807/http://www.nll.com/wp-content/uploads/NLL2017Rulebook.pdf |archive-date=June 6, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Vennum |first= Thomas |title= American Indian Lacrosse: Little Brother of War |url= https://archive.org/details/americanindianla0000venn |url-access= registration |publisher= Smithsonian Institution |year= 2002 |isbn= 978-1560983026 |page= [https://archive.org/details/americanindianla0000venn/page/287 287]}}</ref> |
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The field of play is {{convert|110|yd|m}} long and {{convert|60|yd|m}} wide. The goals are {{convert|6|ft|m}} by {{convert|6|ft|m}}. The goal sits inside a circular "crease", measuring {{convert|18|ft|m}} in diameter.<ref name=ncaarule/><ref name = "men's rules"/><ref name = "ilf rules"/> Each offensive and defensive area is surrounded by a "restraining box." Each quarter, and after each goal scored, play is restarted with a [[Faceoff#Other sports|face-off]]. During a face-off, two players lay their stick horizontally next to the ball, head of the stick inches from the ball and the butt-end pointing down the midfield line.<ref name = "men's rules"/> Face-off-men scrap for the ball, often by "clamping" it under their stick and flicking it out to their teammates. Attackers and defenders cannot cross their "restraining line" until one player from the midfield takes possession of the ball or the ball crosses the restraining line.<ref name = "men's rules"/> If a member of one team touches the ball and it travels outside of the playing area, play is restarted by awarding possession to the opposing team, unless the ball traveled outside of the playing area after a shot on goal was made then the player with the closest lacrosse head to the ball at the point when it exits the field of play gains possession of the ball. During play, teams may substitute players in and out freely. Sometimes this is referred to as "on the fly" substitution. Substitution must occur within the designated exchange area (often called "the box") in order to be legal.<ref name=ncaarule/><ref name = "men's rules"/><ref name = "ilf rules"/> |
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===Women's lacrosse=== |
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For most penalties, the offending player is sent to the [[penalty box]], which is located between each team's bench. Play continues without the player for a designated amount of time based upon the foul, however, most penalties are "releasable," meaning that the penalty ends when a goal is scored by the non-offending team. Technical fouls (such as offsides and holding) result in either a turnover or a player's suspension of 30 seconds, while personal fouls are generally penalized one minute. (Some infractions, such as playing with a stick that does not meet the specifications of the designated level of play, may serve non-releasable penalties of up to three minutes).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uslacrosse.org/the_sport/mens_rules.phtml |title=Men's Rules |publisher=Uslacrosse.org |accessdate=February 25, 2011}}</ref> The team that has taken the penalty is said to be playing [[shorthanded|man down]], while the other team is on the [[Power play (sporting term)|man up]]. Teams will use various [[lacrosse strategy|lacrosse strategies]] to attack and defend while a player is being penalized. Offsides is penalized by a 30-second penalty. It occurs when there are more than 7 players on the defensive side of the field (three midfielders/three defensemen/one goalkeeper), or more than 6 players from one team on the offensive side of the field (three midfielders/three attack). The zones are separated by the midfield line.<ref name=ncaarule/><ref name = "men's rules"/><ref name = "ilf rules"/> |
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[[File:2005 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship - Virginia Cavaliers vs Northwestern Wildcats.jpg|thumb|2005 [[NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Championship]]]] |
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{{Main|Women's lacrosse}} |
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The rules of women's lacrosse differ significantly from men's lacrosse, most notably by equipment and the degree of allowable physical contact.<ref name="FIL women's rules">{{cite web|title=2015-2018 Women's Official Rules|url=https://filacrosse.com/wp-content/downloads/women/Rules/FIL_WomensRuleBookJuly2017GAONLINE_Aug2017.pdf|publisher=Federation of International Lacrosse|access-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116034547/https://filacrosse.com/wp-content/downloads/women/Rules/FIL_WomensRuleBookJuly2017GAONLINE_Aug2017.pdf|archive-date=November 16, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Women's lacrosse rules also differ significantly between the US and all other countries, who play by the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) rules. Women's lacrosse does not allow physical contact; the only protective equipment worn is a mouth guard and eye guard. In the early part of the 21st century, there were discussions of requiring headgear to prevent concussions. In 2008, Florida was the first state to mandate headgear in women's lacrosse.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.naplesnews.com/story/sports/high-school/lacrosse/2018/02/19/girls-lacrosse-fhsaa-hopes-helmets-cut-down-concussions/352069002/|title=Girls lacrosse: FHSAA hopes helmets will cut down on concussions|website=Naples Daily News|language=en|access-date=January 18, 2019|archive-date=January 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119123907/https://www.naplesnews.com/story/sports/high-school/lacrosse/2018/02/19/girls-lacrosse-fhsaa-hopes-helmets-cut-down-concussions/352069002/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Stick checking is permitted in the women's game, but only in certain levels of play and within strict rules. Women's lacrosse also does not allow players to have a pocket, or loose net, on the lacrosse stick. Women start the game with a "draw" instead of a face-off. The two players stand up and the ball is placed between their stick heads while their sticks are horizontal at waist-height. At the whistle, the players lift their sticks into the air, trying to control where the ball goes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.winnerslacrosse.org/blog/drawsvsfaceoffs|title=LACROSSE 101: DRAWS VS. FACEOFFS|date=April 20, 2016|access-date=August 14, 2019|publisher=Winners Lacrosse|author=Lyndsey Munoz|archive-date=August 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814143219/https://www.winnerslacrosse.org/blog/drawsvsfaceoffs|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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[[File:1904 Winnipeg Shamrocks Lacrosse.jpg|thumb|right|[[Lacrosse at the 1904 Summer Olympics|1904 Olympics]] Gold Medal winning ''Winnipeg Shamrocks'' lacrosse team]] |
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[[Lacrosse at the Olympics]] was a medal-earning [[Olympic Sport|sport]] in the [[Lacrosse at the 1904 Summer Olympics|1904]] and [[Lacrosse at the 1908 Summer Olympics|1908 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.databaseolympics.com/sport/sportevent.htm?sp=LAC&enum=110|title=Lacrosse results from the 1904 & 1908 Summer Olympics|publisher=DatabaseOlympics.com|accessdate=November 13, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.halloffame.mb.ca/honoured/2004/1904Shamrocks.htm|title=1904 Winnipeg Shamrocks|publisher=The Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame & Museum |accessdate=November 18, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insidethegames.com/show-news.php?id=2202|title=David Owen on the 1908 Olympic celebration|last= Owen|first=David|date=April 25, 2008|publisher=InsidetheGames.com|accessdate=November 18, 2008}}</ref> Lacrosse was a [[demonstration sport]] in the [[Lacrosse at the 1928 Summer Olympics|1928]] and [[Lacrosse at the 1932 Summer Olympics|1932 Summer Olympics]], as well as at the [[Lacrosse at the 1948 Summer Olympics|1948 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.olympic.org/uk/sports/past/index_uk.asp|title=Olympic sports of the past|publisher=Olympic.org|accessdate=November 13, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1928/1928.pdf|format=PDF|title=Official Report Of The Olympic Games Of 1928 Celebrated At Amsterdam |
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|year=1928|work=la84foundation.org|publisher=The Netherlands Olympic Committee |
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|pages=899–903|accessdate=November 18, 2008}}</ref><ref name=1932olympics>{{cite web|url=http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1932/1932s.pdf|format=PDF|title=Official Report Of The Xth Olympiade Committee in Los Angeles 1932 |year=1932|work=la84foundation.org|publisher=Xth Olympiade Committee|pages=763–766|accessdate=November 18, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1948/OR1948.pdf|format=PDF|title=1948 Official Olympic ReportThe Official Report of the Organising Committee for the XIV Olympiad|year=1948|work=la84foundation.org|publisher=Organising Committee for the XIV Olympiad|pages=716–717|accessdate=November 18, 2008}}</ref> |
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The first modern women's lacrosse game was held at [[St Leonards School]] in Scotland in 1890. It was introduced by the school's headmistress [[Louisa Lumsden]] after a visit to [[Quebec]], where she saw it played.<ref name=lumsden>{{cite web|url=http://www.stleonards-fife.org/Index.asp?MainID=4382 |title=History of Lacrosse at St Leonards |access-date=May 1, 2008 |work=STLeonards-Fife.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506160603/http://www.stleonards-fife.org/Index.asp?MainID=4382 |archive-date=May 6, 2008 }}</ref> The first women's lacrosse team in the United States was established at [[Bryn Mawr School]] in [[Baltimore, Maryland]] in 1926.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hall of Fame to induct first woman Sinclair enters posthumously |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1993-02-06-1993037062-story.html |access-date=August 14, 2019 |work=baltimoresun.com |date=February 6, 1993 |ref=Sinclair |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814165843/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1993-02-06-1993037062-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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The men's professional Major League Lacrosse has used different field lacrosse rules from the international, college, and high school programs. With intentions to increase scoring, the league employed a sixty-second [[shot clock]] and a two–point goal for shots taken outside a designated perimeter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insidelacrosse.com/page.cfm?pagerid=2&news=fdetail&storyid=192176|title=League announces expansion of rosters to 19 and addition of fourth long pole for 2009|date=October 22, 2008|publisher=Inside Lacrosse|accessdate=October 24, 2008|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20081025142442/http://insidelacrosse.com/page.cfm?pagerid=2&news=fdetail&storyid=192176 <!--Added by H3llBot-->|archivedate=October 25, 2008}}</ref> In 2007, the MLL was bolstered by a ten-year television contract with [[ESPN]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/news/pressreleases/index.html?article_id=480|title=Major League Lacrosse Signs Multi-Year Agreement With ESPN2|date=March 14, 2007|publisher=MajorLeagueLacrosse.com|accessdate=November 18, 2008}}</ref> |
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[[File:Women's lacrosse.GIF|thumb|left|Women's lacrosse field diagram]] |
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===Box lacrosse=== |
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Both the number of players and the lines on the field differ from men's lacrosse. There are 12 players in women's lacrosse and players must abide by certain boundaries that do not exist in men's play. The three specific boundaries are the {{convert|8|m|ftin|adj=mid|sp=us}} "fan" in front of the goal ({{convert|11|m|ftin|abbr=on|sp=us|disp=sqbr}} internationally), the {{convert|12|m|ftin|adj=mid|sp=us}} ({{convert|8|m|ftin|abbr=on|sp=us|disp=sqbr}} internationally) half circle that surrounds the 8-meter fan, and the draw circle in the center of the field, which is used for draws to start quarters and after goals. The goal circle is also positioned slightly closer to the end line in women's lacrosse compared to men's. In women's lacrosse on either the offensive or defensive end, the players besides the goaltender are not able to step inside the goal circle; this becomes a "goal-circle violation". However, at the women's collegiate level, defenders may pass through the goal circle.<ref>{{cite web |title=2019 Youth Girls' Rulebook |url=https://www.uslacrosse.org/sites/default/files/public/documents/rules/2019-girls-youth-rulebook.pdf |publisher=US Lacrosse |access-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814170219/https://www.uslacrosse.org/sites/default/files/public/documents/rules/2019-girls-youth-rulebook.pdf |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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{{Main|Box lacrosse}} |
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The 8-meter fan that is in front of the goal circle has a few restrictions in it. Defenders cannot stand inside the 8-meter fan longer than 3 seconds without being a stick-length away from the offensive player they are guarding. This is very similar to the [[three-second rule]] in basketball. A three seconds violation results in a player from the other team taking a free shot against the goalie. If you are an attacker trying to shoot the ball into the goal, you are not supposed to take a shot while a defender is in "shooting space". To make sure that you, the defender, are being safe, you want to lead with your [[lacrosse stick]] and once you are a sticks-length away, you can be in front of her.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uslacrosse.org/sites/default/files/public/documents/rules/2016-womens-rulebook.pdf |title=2016 Women's Rulebook |publisher=US Lacrosse |access-date=November 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919152242/http://www.uslacrosse.org/sites/default/files/public/documents/rules/2016-womens-rulebook.pdf |archive-date=September 19, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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Up until the 1930s, all lacrosse was played on large fields outdoors. The owners of Canadian [[ice hockey]] arenas invented a reduced-size version of the game, called [[box lacrosse]], as a means to make more profit from their arena investments, and because severe [[winter weather]] in many areas limits outdoor play. |
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===Lacrosse sixes=== |
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Since 1985, when the [[Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association]] (CUFLA) began operating a collegiate men's league, field lacrosse has witnessed a revival in Canada. There are now 12 varsity teams. In 1994, Canada declared lacrosse its national summer sport in the [[s:National Sports of Canada Act|National Sports Act (Bill C-212)]]. |
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{{main|Lacrosse sixes}} |
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[[Lacrosse sixes]] is a variant of lacrosse played outdoors with six players on each side.<ref name="Graham 2022">{{cite web | last=Graham | first=Pat | title=Lacrosse's new, fast-paced version may be path into LA Games | website=AP News | date=August 13, 2022 | url=https://apnews.com/article/sacred-rivers-winter-olympics-sports-canada-lacrosse-rugby-sevens-4b124510a5f0cbfc484c805d9235ac44 | access-date=November 15, 2023 | archive-date=November 15, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115154419/https://apnews.com/article/sacred-rivers-winter-olympics-sports-canada-lacrosse-rugby-sevens-4b124510a5f0cbfc484c805d9235ac44 | url-status=live }}</ref> The game follows similar rules to traditional field lacrosse, with modifications and a shorter game time.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=World Lacrosse Announces Name, Branding and First Phase of World Lacrosse Sixes |url=https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/usa-insider/international/world-lacrosse-announces-name-branding-and-first-phase-of-world-lacrosse |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=www.usalaxmagazine.com |language=en |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805023352/https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/usa-insider/international/world-lacrosse-announces-name-branding-and-first-phase-of-world-lacrosse |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was created in 2021 by World Lacrosse in a bid to achieve lacrosse's participation in the [[Olympic Games]], and will make its Olympic debut at the [[2028 Olympic Games|2028 edition]] in Los Angeles.<ref name="Zaccardi 2023">{{cite web | last=Zaccardi | first=Nick | title=A lacrosse legend's unique seat for Olympic addition after decades driving its rise | website=NBC Sports | date=October 23, 2023 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/lacrosse-olympics-2028-los-angeles | access-date=November 15, 2023 | archive-date=November 15, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115154418/https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/lacrosse-olympics-2028-los-angeles | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Inside Lacrosse 2020">{{cite web | title=The Inside Story of How Lacrosse Sixes Was Created, and Why It's Paramount to Olympic Inclusion | website=Inside Lacrosse | date=January 30, 2020 | url=https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/the-inside-story-of-how-lacrosse-sixes-was-created-and-why-it-s-paramount-to-olympic-inclusion/62194 | access-date=November 15, 2023 | archive-date=November 15, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115154419/https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/the-inside-story-of-how-lacrosse-sixes-was-created-and-why-it-s-paramount-to-olympic-inclusion/62194 | url-status=live }}</ref> |
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Lacrosse sixes has similar rules for men and women but preserves some differences, such as the amount of contact allowed.<ref name="Sixes Magazine">{{cite web | title=Inside the Fast-Paced Sixes Discipline: 'The Play Doesn't Stop' | website=USA Lacrosse Magazine | date=September 27, 2021 | url=https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/usa-insider/usa-lacrosse/inside-the-fast-paced-sixes-discipline-the-play-doesnt-stop | access-date=November 15, 2023 | archive-date=November 15, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115154929/https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/usa-insider/usa-lacrosse/inside-the-fast-paced-sixes-discipline-the-play-doesnt-stop | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Inside Lacrosse 2020"/> The major rule differences as compared to traditional field lacrosse are as follows:<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Cochrane |first=Ryder |date=November 20, 2020 |title=6v6 Lacrosse - Five Takeaways From the New Format |url=https://laxallstars.com/6v6-lacrosse-five-takeaways-from-the-new-format/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=Lacrosse All Stars |language=en-US |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805023352/https://laxallstars.com/6v6-lacrosse-five-takeaways-from-the-new-format/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Sixes Rules">{{cite web | title=World Lacrosse Sixes Official Playing Rules March 2021 | website=World Lacrosse | date=November 13, 2023 | url=https://worldlacrosse.sport/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Sixes-Rules-March-2021-1st-Edition-1-2.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113102506/https://worldlacrosse.sport/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Sixes-Rules-March-2021-1st-Edition-1-2.pdf | archive-date=November 13, 2023 | url-status=dead | access-date=November 15, 2023}}</ref> |
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In 1987, a men's professional box lacrosse league was started, called the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League. This league changed its name to the Major Indoor Lacrosse League, then later to the [[National Lacrosse League]]. It grew to encompass men's lacrosse clubs in 14 cities throughout the United States and Canada. |
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* The field of play is smaller, at 70 meters by 36 meters. |
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[[File:Box Lacrosse.jpg|thumb|A game of box lacrosse]] |
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* Face-offs only occur at the beginning of each quarter. Play is restarted after goals by the goalie taking the ball out of the net. |
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Box lacrosse is played by teams of six on a [[Ice hockey rink|hockey rink]] where the ice has been removed or covered by artificial turf, or in an indoor soccer or lacrosse field. The enclosed playing area is called a box, in contrast to the open playing field of the traditional game.<ref name="lax-101">{{cite web| url = http://nll.com/laxoverview.php| title = Lax 101| accessdate = March 19, 2007| publisher = [[National Lacrosse League]]}}</ref> This version of the game was introduced in the 1930s to promote business for hockey arenas,<ref>{{cite book |last= Fisher |first= Donald M. |year= 2002 |title= Lacrosse: A History of the Game |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=N8dQ11uQxrQC&lpg=PP1 |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |isbn=0-8018-6938-2 |accessdate= |page= 157}}</ref> and within several years had nearly supplanted field lacrosse in Canada.<ref>{{cite book |last= Fisher |first= Donald M. |year= 2002 |title= Lacrosse: A History of the Game |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=N8dQ11uQxrQC&lpg=PP1 |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |isbn=0-8018-6938-2 |accessdate= |page= 120}}</ref> |
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* A 30-second shot clock is added. |
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* Games are played in 4, 8-minute quarters. |
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* Rosters consist of 12 players. |
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* Everyone plays both offense and defense. |
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* There are no long crosses. |
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===Intercrosse=== |
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Box lacrosse is played at the highest level by the ''Senior A'' divisions of the [[Canadian Lacrosse Association]] and the [[National Lacrosse League]] (NLL). The National Lacrosse League employs some minor rule changes from the Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA) rules. Notably, the games are played during the winter.<ref name="lax-101"/> The NLL games consist of four fifteen-minute quarters compared with three periods of twenty minutes each (similar to ice hockey) in CLA games (multiple 15-minute OT periods for tied games, until whoever scores first). NLL players may use only sticks with hollow shafts, while CLA permits solid wooden sticks.:<ref name=nllrule>{{cite web |url=http://nll.com/uploads/2008rulebook.pdf |format=PDF|title=National Lacrosse League Rulebook |work=NLL.com |accessdate=October 27, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Vennum |first= Thomas |title= American Indian Lacrosse: Little Brother of War |publisher= Smithsonian Institution |year= 2002 |isbn= 978-1560983026 |page= 287}}</ref> |
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{{main|Intercrosse}} |
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Intercrosse, or soft stick lacrosse, is a non-contact form of lacrosse with a standardized set of rules using modified lacrosse equipment. An intercrosse stick is different from a normal lacrosse stick, the head is made completely of plastic instead of leather or nylon pockets in traditional lacrosse sticks. The ball is larger, softer and hollow, unlike a lacrosse ball, which is solid rubber.<ref>{{cite web|title=Competitions|url=http://inter-crosse.com/competitions/|publisher=FIIC|access-date=November 12, 2017|archive-date=November 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112185231/http://inter-crosse.com/competitions/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Intercrosse as a competitive adult sport is popular in Quebec, Canada, as well as in many European countries, particularly in the Czech Republic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.captain-lax.com/lacrosse-blog/2016/03/intercrosse-what-has-that-got-to-do-with-lacrosse/|title=Intercrosse – What has that got to do with lacrosse?|publisher=Captain Lax|access-date=August 14, 2019|archive-date=August 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814145623/http://www.captain-lax.com/lacrosse-blog/2016/03/intercrosse-what-has-that-got-to-do-with-lacrosse/|url-status=live}}</ref> Generally, teams consist of five players per side, and the field size is {{cvt|20|m|ft}} wide and {{cvt|40|m|ft}} long. Goals for adults are the same size as [[box lacrosse]], {{cvt|4|ft|m|disp=or}} in height and width. The international governing body, the Fédération Internationale d'Inter-Crosse, hosts a [[FIIC Intercrosse World Championship|World Championship]] bi-annually.<ref>{{cite web|title=World Cup / World Championship|url=http://inter-crosse.com/competitions/world-cup/|publisher=Fédération Internationale d’Inter-Crosse|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112185300/http://inter-crosse.com/competitions/world-cup/|archive-date=November 12, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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The goals in box lacrosse are much smaller than field lacrosse, traditionally {{convert|4|ft|m}} wide by {{convert|4|ft|m}} tall in box, and {{convert|4.6|ft|m}} wide by {{convert|4|ft|m}} tall in the NLL.<ref name=nllrule/> Also, the [[Goaltender (field lacrosse)|goaltender]] wears much more protective padding,<ref name="lax-101"/> including a massive chest protector and armguard combination known as "uppers", large shin guards known as leg pads (both of which must follow strict measurement guidelines), and ice hockey-style masks or lacrosse helmets.<ref name=Z4Laxx>{{cite web|url=http://www.zone4laxx.com/box_lacrosse_equipment_guideline.htm|title=Box Lacrosse Equipment Guideline|publisher=Zone4Laxx.com|accessdate=October 28, 2008|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20081121180039/http://www.zone4laxx.com/box_lacrosse_equipment_guideline.htm <!--Added by H3llBot-->|archivedate=November 21, 2008}}</ref> Also, at the professional level, box lacrosse goaltenders often use traditional wooden sticks outside of the NLL, which does not allow wooden sticks. This makes Box Lacrosse faster and rougher than the traditional Field Lacrosse. |
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Soft stick lacrosse is a popular way to introduce youth to the sport.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Krome|first1=Paul|title=Soft Stick, Big Impact|url=https://www.uslacrosse.org/blog/soft-stick-big-impact|publisher=US Lacrosse|date=June 1, 2016|access-date=November 9, 2017|archive-date=November 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110114627/https://www.uslacrosse.org/blog/soft-stick-big-impact|url-status=dead}}</ref> It can be played outdoors or indoors and has a developed curriculum for [[physical education]] classes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Physical Education Curriculum|url=https://www.uslacrosse.org/coaches/physical-education-curriculum|publisher=US Lacrosse|access-date=November 9, 2017|archive-date=November 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110114430/https://www.uslacrosse.org/coaches/physical-education-curriculum|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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The style of the game is quick, accelerated by the close confines of the floor and a [[shot clock]]. The shot clock requires the attacking team to take a shot on goal within 30 seconds of gaining possession of the ball. In addition, players must advance the ball from their own defensive end to the offensive side of the floor within 10 seconds.<ref name="lax-101"/> |
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==International lacrosse== |
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Box lacrosse is also a much more physical game. Since cross checking is legal in box lacrosse, players wear rib pads in addition to the shoulder and elbow pads that field lacrosse players wear. Box lacrosse players wear a different type of helmet as well, a hockey helmet with a box lacrosse cage. |
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{{Further|List of national lacrosse organizations}} |
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Lacrosse has historically been played for the most part in [[Lacrosse in Canada|Canada]] and the [[Lacrosse in the United States|United States]], with small but dedicated lacrosse communities in the [[Lacrosse in England|United]] [[Lacrosse in Scotland|Kingdom]] and [[Lacrosse in Australia|Australia]]. Recently, however, lacrosse has begun to flourish at the international level, with teams being established around the world, particularly in Europe and East Asia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asiapacificlacrosse.org/aspac-championships/aspac-championship-history/|title=ASPAC Lacrosse Tournament|date=March 23, 2015|access-date=August 14, 2019|publisher=ASPAC|archive-date=August 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811165749/http://www.asiapacificlacrosse.org/aspac-championships/aspac-championship-history/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://europeanlacrosse.org/?page_id=1356|title=A short history of lacrosse in Europe|access-date=August 14, 2019|publisher=European Lacrosse Federation|archive-date=April 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421113019/http://europeanlacrosse.org/?page_id=1356|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===World Lacrosse=== |
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For most penalties, the offending player is sent to the [[penalty box]] and his team has to play without him (thus lacking one player) for a short amount of time. Most penalties last for two minutes, unless a five-minute major penalty has been assessed. What separates box lacrosse (and ice hockey) from other sports is that at the top levels of professional and junior lacrosse, a five-minute major penalty is given and the players are not ejected for participating in a fight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=fe0b8ca1-39be-4d34-8219-a789fffc632d|title=Court case will make Bertuzzi's past very difficult to ignore|last=Dowbiggin|first=Bruce|date=October 7, 2008|work=Calgary Herald|quote=Only hockey and lacrosse—both Canadian games—let a player fight and still remain in the game. No other popular team sport in the world does the same. |accessdate=October 28, 2008}}</ref> |
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{{main|World Lacrosse}} |
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In August 2008, the men's international governing body, the International Lacrosse Federation, merged with the women's, the International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations, to form the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL). The FIL changed its name to World Lacrosse in May 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mackay |first1=Duncan |title=Lacrosse launches new name and logo at SportAccord Summit as continues Olympic push |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1078855/lacrosse-launches-new-name-and-logo-at-sportaccord-summit-as-continues-olympic-push |access-date=May 5, 2019 |work=Inside the Games |date=May 5, 2019 |archive-date=April 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411113342/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1078855/lacrosse-launches-new-name-and-logo-at-sportaccord-summit-as-continues-olympic-push |url-status=live }}</ref> There are currently 62 member nations of World Lacrosse.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://filacrosse.com/fil-members/ | title=FIL Members – Federation of International Lacrosse | date=January 2019 | access-date=January 10, 2019 | archive-date=April 28, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428203644/https://filacrosse.com/fil-members/ | url-status=live }}</ref> |
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=== |
===Tournaments=== |
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World Lacrosse sponsors five world championship tournaments: the [[World Lacrosse Championship]] for men's field, the [[World Lacrosse Women's World Championship|Women's Lacrosse World Championship]] for women's, the [[World Indoor Lacrosse Championship]] for box lacrosse, as well as the [[World Lacrosse Men's U20 Championship|Men's Under-20 World Lacrosse Championships]] and [[World Lacrosse Women's U20 Championship|Women's Under-20 World Lacrosse Championships]]. Each is held every four years.<ref name="about"/> |
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[[File:2005 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship - Virginia Cavaliers vs Northwestern Wildcats.jpg|right|thumb|2005 [[NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship]]]] |
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{{Main|Women's lacrosse}} |
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The rules of women's lacrosse differ significantly from men's lacrosse, most notably by equipment and the degree of allowable physical contact.<ref>[http://www.womenslacrosse.org/pdfs/IFWLA_Rulebook_2007_Web.pdf 2007 IWWLA Women's Lacrosse Rules], International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations</ref> Women's lacrosse rules also differ significantly between the US and all other countries, who play by the Federation of International Lacrosse, or FIL, rules. Women's lacrosse does not promote physical contact, primarily because the only protective equipment worn for this sport is a mouth guard sometimes and face guard (mandatory in the United States, optional internationally) and thin gloves. As of late there has been discussion on the wearing of a padded cap or minimalistic helmet. Stick checking (with several rules applied), and not body checking as in men's lacrosse, is permitted in the women's game, but only in certain levels of play. Sometimes checking can lead to body checking; while this is still not permitted in a women's game, some referees will allow limited body checking. Women's lacrosse also does not allow players to have a pocket, or loose net, on the lacrosse stick. Another rule difference is that women start the game with a "draw" instead of a face-off. The primary difference is that while the crosses are held in the air above their hips the ball is placed between two players crosses (stick and head) instead of on the ground. |
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{|class="wikitable" |
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The first modern women's lacrosse game was held at [[St Leonards School]] in [[Scotland]] in 1890. It was introduced by the school's headmistress [[Louisa Lumsden]] after a visit to [[Quebec]], where she saw it played.<ref name=lumsden>{{cite web |url=http://www.stleonards-fife.org/Index.asp?MainID=4382 |title=History of Lacrosse at St Leonards |accessdate=May 1, 2008 |last= |first= |coauthors= |work=STLeonards-Fife.org |publisher=}}</ref> The first women's lacrosse team in the United States was established at [[Bryn Mawr School]] in [[Baltimore, Maryland]] in 1926. Men's and women's lacrosse were played under virtually the same rules, with no protective equipment, until the mid-1930s. |
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! Tournament |
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! Editions |
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! First <br /> (# teams) |
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! Most recent <br /> (# teams) |
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! Most golds <br /> (# golds) |
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! Most silvers <br /> (# silvers) |
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|- |
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| [[World Lacrosse Championship]] || align=center | 14 || [[1967 World Lacrosse Championship|1967]] (4) || [[2023 World Lacrosse Championship|2023]] (30) || [[United States men's national lacrosse team|United States]] (11) || [[Canada men's national lacrosse team|Canada]] (7) |
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|- |
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| [[Women's Lacrosse World Cup|Women's Lacrosse World Championship]] || align=center | 11 || [[1982 Women's Lacrosse World Cup|1982]] (6) || [[2022 World Lacrosse Women's World Championship|2022]] (30) || [[United States women's national lacrosse team|United States]] (9) || [[Australia women's national lacrosse team|Australia]] (4) |
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|- |
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|[[World Lacrosse Men's U20 Championship]] |
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|align=center |9 |
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|1988 (4) |
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|[[2022 World Lacrosse Men's U-21 Championship|2022]] (23) |
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|United States (9) |
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|Canada (7) |
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|- |
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| [[World Lacrosse Women's U20 Championship]]|| align="center" | 7 || 1995 (7) || 2019 (22) || United States (5) ||Australia (4) |
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|- |
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| [[World Indoor Lacrosse Championship]] || align=center | 5 || [[2003 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship|2003]] (6) || [[2003 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship|2019]] (13) || [[Canada national indoor lacrosse team|Canada]] (5) || [[Haudenosaunee national indoor lacrosse team|Haudenosaunee]] (5) |
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|- |
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|} |
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The World Lacrosse Championship (WLC) began in 1968 as a four-team invitational tournament sponsored by the International Lacrosse Federation. Until 1990, only the United States, Canada, England, and Australia had entered. With the expansion of the game internationally, the [[2014 World Lacrosse Championship]] was contested by 38 countries.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Record Field for 2014 FIL World Championship|url=http://worldlacrosse2014.com/news/020714_record_field_for_fil_world_championship|publisher=US Lacrosse|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=July 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704062204/http://worldlacrosse2014.com/news/020714_record_field_for_fil_world_championship|url-status=dead}}</ref> The WLC has been dominated by the United States. [[United States men's national lacrosse team|Team USA]] has won 11 of the 14 titles, with [[Canada men's national lacrosse team|Canada]] winning the other three.<ref>{{cite web|title=World Championship History|url=https://teamusa.uslacrosse.org/us-men/us-men-history|publisher=US Lacrosse|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115083402/https://teamusa.uslacrosse.org/us-men/us-men-history|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Both the number of players on the field, as well as the general set up of the field, differ from men's lacrosse. Female players must abide by certain boundaries that do not exist in men's play. The three specific boundaries are the 8-meter "fan" in front of the goal (11 meters internationally), the 12-meter (15 meters internationally) half circle that surrounds the 8-meter half circle, and the draw circle in the center of the field, which is used for the women's version of "face-offs", known as "draws". The goal circle is also positioned slightly closer to the end line in women's lacrosse, compared to men's. In women's lacrosse on either the offensive or defensive end, the players are not able to step inside the goal circle for any reason, except when the goalkeeper has stepped out of the circle and one defensive player has stepped in as her deputy; this becomes a "goal-circle violation". However, at the women's collegiate level, a new rule has been established that allows defenders to pass through the goal circle. |
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The Women's Lacrosse World Cup (WLWC) began in 1982. The [[United States women's national lacrosse team|United States]] has won 9 of the 11 titles, with [[Australia women's national lacrosse team|Australia]] winning the other two. Canada and [[England women's national lacrosse team|England]] have always finished in the top five. The 2017 tournament was held in England and featured 25 countries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Women's Lacrosse World Cup Playing Schedule|url=http://englacrosse.s3.amazonaws.com/portals/2017/04/PLAYING-SCHEDULE-1.pdf|publisher=England Lacrosse|access-date=November 14, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |
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Internationally, the game is commonly played in [[United Kingdom|British]] girls' [[independent school]]s. While a minor sport in [[Australia]], it is played to a very high standard at the elite level. Women's lacrosse has seen significant growth in Europe since the beginning of the 21st century, particularly in Germany, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands. Japan entered its first team into the World Cup in 1993, and South Korea followed suit in 2009. In 2012, the first Israeli international team competed in the European Championships in Amsterdam.The Swedish National team took part for the first time in the 2013 World Cup. |
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The [[2003 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship|first World Indoor Lacrosse Championship]] (WILC) was held in 2003 and contested by six nations at four sites in [[Ontario]]. [[Canada national indoor lacrosse team|Canada]] won the championship by beating the [[Iroquois men's national lacrosse team|Iroquois Nationals]] 21–4 in the final. The [[2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship|2007 championship]] hosted by the [[Onondaga Nation]] included 13 teams. Canada has dominated the competition, winning all five gold medals and never losing a game.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ditota |first1=Donna |title=Canada dashes Iroquois' dream, continues domination in World Indoor Lacrosse Championship |url=http://www.syracuse.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/09/canada_dashes_iroquois_dream_continues_domination_in_world_indoor_lacrosse_championship.html |access-date=November 13, 2017 |work=Syracuse.com |date=September 27, 2015 |archive-date=November 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114093209/http://www.syracuse.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/09/canada_dashes_iroquois_dream_continues_domination_in_world_indoor_lacrosse_championship.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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The Australia national squad won the 2005 [[Women's Lacrosse World Cup]]. The 2009 Women's World Cup was played in [[Prague|Prague, Czech Republic]], won by the United States, and the 2013 World Cup was played in Oshawa, Canada, again won by the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lacrosseworldcup2009.com/ |title=2009 Women's Lacrosse World Cup |publisher=Lacrosse World Cup 2009 |accessdate=June 11, 2008}}</ref> |
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The [[Iroquois men's national lacrosse team|Iroquois Nationals]] are the men's national team representing the Six Nations of the [[Iroquois Confederacy]] in international field lacrosse competition. The team was admitted to the FIL in 1987. It is the only [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|First Nations]] team sanctioned for international competition in any sport.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Lacrosse: From Creator's Game to Modern Sport|url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/lacrosse-from-creators-game-to-modern-sport/|encyclopedia=The Canadian Encyclopedia|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115083026/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/lacrosse-from-creators-game-to-modern-sport/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Nationals placed fourth in the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Lacrosse Championships and third in 2014. The [[Iroquois national indoor lacrosse team|indoor team]] won the silver medal in all four World Indoor Lacrosse Championships. In 2008, the Iroquois women's team was admitted to the FIL as the [[Haudenosaunee women's national lacrosse team|Haudenosaunee Nationals]]. They placed 7th at the [[2013 Women's Lacrosse World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldlacrosse.sport/2013-womens-world-cup-championship-bracket/|title=2013 Women's World Cup Championship Bracket Final|access-date=August 14, 2019|date=July 20, 2013|publisher=World Lacrosse News and Information|archive-date=August 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814145228/https://worldlacrosse.sport/2013-womens-world-cup-championship-bracket/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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==College lacrosse== |
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===Olympic Games=== |
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{{main|Lacrosse at the Summer Olympics}} |
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[[File:1904 Winnipeg Shamrocks Lacrosse.jpg|thumb|right|[[Lacrosse at the 1904 Summer Olympics|1904 Olympics]] Gold Medal winning ''Winnipeg Shamrocks'' lacrosse team]] |
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Field lacrosse was a medal [[Olympic Sport|sport]] in the [[Lacrosse at the 1904 Summer Olympics|1904]] and the [[Lacrosse at the 1908 Summer Olympics|1908]] Summer Olympics. In 1904, three teams competed in the games held in [[St. Louis]]. Two Canadian teams, the Winnipeg Shamrocks and a team of [[Mohawk people]] from the [[Iroquois Confederacy]], plus the local St. Louis Amateur Athletic Association team representing the United States participated. The Winnipeg Shamrocks captured the gold medal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://honouredmembers.sportmanitoba.ca/inductee.php?id=304 |title=1904 Winnipeg Shamrocks |publisher=The Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame & Museum |access-date=November 14, 2017 |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803023749/http://honouredmembers.sportmanitoba.ca/inductee.php?id=304 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Brownell|first=Susan |title=The 1904 Anthropology Days and Olympic Games|publisher=University of Nebraska Press|year=2008|page=229|isbn=978-0-8032-1098-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8a0e4SUEyXEC&q=1904+mohawk+olympics&pg=PA229|access-date=April 6, 2009}}</ref> The 1908 games held in [[London]], England, featured only two teams, representing Canada and Great Britain. The Canadians again won the gold medal in a single championship match by a score of 14–10.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insidethegames.com/show-news.php?id=2202|title=David Owen on the 1908 Olympic celebration|last=Owen|first=David|date=April 25, 2008|publisher=Inside the Games|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502210447/http://www.insidethegames.com/show-news.php?id=2202|archive-date=May 2, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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In the [[Lacrosse at the 1928 Summer Olympics|1928]], [[Lacrosse at the 1932 Summer Olympics|1932]], and the [[Lacrosse at the 1948 Summer Olympics|1948]] Summer Olympics, lacrosse was a [[demonstration sport]]. The 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam featured three teams: the United States, Canada, and Great Britain.<ref>{{cite web|title=Amsterdam Games Olympic Official Report part two|url=http://library.la84.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1928/1928p2.pdf|publisher=LA84 Foundation|pages=907–911|date=1928|access-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027060021/http://library.la84.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1928/1928p2.pdf|archive-date=October 27, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The 1932 games in Los Angeles featured a three-game exhibition between a Canadian all-star team and the United States.<ref name=1932olympics>{{cite web |url=http://library.la84.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1932/1932s.pdf |title=Official Report of the Xth Olympiade Committee in Los Angeles 1932 |year=1932 |publisher=LA84 Foundation |pages=763–766 |access-date=November 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918083527/http://library.la84.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1932/1932s.pdf |archive-date=September 18, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The United States was represented by [[Johns Hopkins Blue Jays men's lacrosse|Johns Hopkins]] in both the 1928 and 1932 Olympics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uslacrosse.org/teamusa06/olympics.phtml|title=Lacrosse on the Olympic Stage|date=September–October 2004 |work=Lacrosse Magazine|publisher=US Lacrosse|access-date=November 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023081830/http://www.uslacrosse.org/teamusa06/olympics.phtml |archive-date= October 23, 2007}}</ref> The 1948 games featured an exhibition by an "All-England" team organized by the [[English Lacrosse Association|English Lacrosse Union]] and the collegiate lacrosse team from [[Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute]] representing the United States. This exhibition match ended in a 5–5 tie.<ref>{{cite web|title=Official Report of the 1948 London Olympics|url=http://library.la84.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1948/OR1948.pdf|publisher=LA84 Foundation|pages=532–533|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927064939/http://library.la84.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1948/OR1948.pdf|archive-date=September 27, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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Efforts were made to include lacrosse as an exhibition sport at the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] in [[Atlanta|Atlanta, Georgia]], and the [[2000 Summer Olympics]] in [[Sydney|Sydney, Australia]], but they were not successful.<ref name=usint>{{cite web|url=http://www.uslacrosse.org/the_sport/internatlacrosse.phtml |title=International Lacrosse History |publisher=US Lacrosse |access-date=November 13, 2008|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920065753/http://www.uslacrosse.org/the_sport/internatlacrosse.phtml |archive-date=September 20, 2008 }}</ref> |
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An obstacle for lacrosse to return to the Olympics has been insufficient international participation. To be considered for the Olympics, a sport had to be played on four continents and by at least 75 countries. Lacrosse is played on all six continents, but as of August 2019 when Ghana joined, there are only 63 countries playing the sport.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://worldlacrosse2018.com/schedule-app/|title=FIL Men's Lacrosse World Cup 2018|publisher=World Lacrosse|access-date=August 14, 2019|archive-date=August 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803172015/http://worldlacrosse2018.com/schedule-app/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://worldlacrosse.sport/world-lacrosse-welcomes-ghana-as-its-newest-member-national-governing-body-on-day-one-of-general-assembly/|title=World Lacrosse Welcomes Ghana As Its Newest Member-National Governing Body On Day One Of General Assembly|date=August 12, 2019|access-date=August 14, 2019|publisher=World Lacrosse|archive-date=August 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814115111/https://worldlacrosse.sport/world-lacrosse-welcomes-ghana-as-its-newest-member-national-governing-body-on-day-one-of-general-assembly/|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, nowadays numeric criteria about widely practiced sports have been abolished.<ref>Centre, The Olympic Studies (2018), ''[https://library.olympics.com/Default/doc/SYRACUSE/174657/the-olympic-programme-evolution-the-olympic-studies-centre The Olympic programme evolution / The Olympic Studies Centre] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028035134/https://library.olympics.com/Default/doc/SYRACUSE/174657/the-olympic-programme-evolution-the-olympic-studies-centre |date=October 28, 2022 }}'', The Olympic Studies Centre. Lausanne, p. 4, retrieved October 28, 2022</ref> The [[International Olympic Committee]] granted provisional status to [[World Lacrosse]] in 2018.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sportsdestinations.com/sports/lacrosse/lacrosse-moving-toward-spot-2028-olympic-program-20689 | title=Lacrosse Moving Toward a Spot in 2028 Olympic Program | website=sportsdestinations.com | access-date=May 25, 2022 | archive-date=May 25, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525180713/https://www.sportsdestinations.com/sports/lacrosse/lacrosse-moving-toward-spot-2028-olympic-program-20689 | url-status=live }}</ref> In August 2022, it was announced that nine sports had made the shortlist to be included in the games, among them lacrosse, with presentations expected to be made later that month.<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 3, 2022|title=Motorsport, cricket and karate among nine sports on shortlist for Los Angeles 2028 inclusion|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1126540/cricket-los-angeles-2028|access-date=August 4, 2022|website=Inside the Games|archive-date=August 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819172617/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1126540/cricket-los-angeles-2028|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=August 2, 2022|title=ICC Among Nine Sporting Bodies Invited To Make Presentation For Los Angeles Olympics 2028 – Report|url=https://cricketaddictor.com/cricket-news/icc-among-nine-sporting-bodies-invited-to-make-presentation-for-los-angeles-olympics-2028-report/|access-date=August 4, 2022|website=Cricket Addictor|archive-date=August 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812002933/https://cricketaddictor.com/cricket-news/icc-among-nine-sporting-bodies-invited-to-make-presentation-for-los-angeles-olympics-2028-report/|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2023, the LA28 Organizing Committee announced that it had recommended lacrosse as one of five sports that may be added to the program for the [[2028 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=LA28 Recommends Lacrosse as One of New Sports for 2028 Summer Olympics |url=https://usalaxmagazine.com/usa-insider/la28-recommends-lacrosse-as-one-of-new-sports-for-2028-summer-olympics |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=usalaxmagazine.com |language=en |archive-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010113622/https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/usa-insider/la28-recommends-lacrosse-as-one-of-new-sports-for-2028-summer-olympics |url-status=dead }}</ref> On October 16, 2023, lacrosse received approval from the [[International Olympic Committee]] for inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics in [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{cite news |title=International Olympic Committee approves cricket and four other sports for 2028 Games in Los Angeles |url=https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/15234/12985395/international-olympic-committee-approves-cricket-and-four-other-sports-for-2028-games-in-los-angeles |work=Sky Sports |date=October 16, 2023 |language=en |access-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016081333/https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/15234/12985395/international-olympic-committee-approves-cricket-and-four-other-sports-for-2028-games-in-los-angeles |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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===Other=== |
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[[File:Lacrosse dive shot.jpg|right|thumb| A player taking a "dive shot"]] |
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The [[European Lacrosse Federation]] (ELF) was established in 1995 and held the first [[European Lacrosse Championships]] that year.<ref>{{cite web|title=A short history of lacrosse in Europe|url=http://europeanlacrosse.org/?page_id=1356|publisher=European Lacrosse Federation|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=November 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113060413/http://europeanlacrosse.org/?page_id=1356|url-status=live}}</ref> Originally an annual event, it is now held every four years, in between FIL's men's and women's championships. In 2004, 12 men's and 6 women's teams played in the tournament, making it the largest international lacrosse event of the year. The last men's tournament was in [[2016 European Lacrosse Championship|2016]], when 24 countries participated. England won its ninth gold medal out of the ten tournaments played. [[2015 Women's Lacrosse European Championship|2015]] was the last women's tournament, when 17 teams participated in the Czech Republic. England won its sixth gold medal, with Wales earning silver and Scotland bronze. These three countries from Great Britain have dominated the women's championships, earning all but three medals since the tournament began in 1996. There are currently 29 members of the ELF, they make up the majority of nations in the FIL.<ref>{{cite web|title=ELF Country Membership|url=http://europeanlacrosse.org/?page_id=1345|publisher=European Lacrosse Federation|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115082704/http://europeanlacrosse.org/?page_id=1345|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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The Asia Pacific Lacrosse Union was founded in 2004 by Australia, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of the Asia Pacific Lacrosse Union|date=January 30, 2015|url=http://www.asiapacificlacrosse.org/about-aplu/aplu-history/|publisher=Asia Pacific Lacrosse Union|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115020004/http://www.asiapacificlacrosse.org/about-aplu/aplu-history/|url-status=live}}</ref> It currently has 12 members and holds the Asia Pacific Championship for both men's and women's teams every two years.<ref>{{cite web|title=Member Nations|date=December 2, 2014|url=http://www.asiapacificlacrosse.org/about-aplu/|publisher=Asia Pacific Lacrosse Union|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115015840/http://www.asiapacificlacrosse.org/about-aplu/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=ASPAC Championship History|date=March 23, 2015|url=http://www.asiapacificlacrosse.org/aspac-championships/aspac-championship-history/|publisher=Asia Pacific Lacrosse Union|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115020032/http://www.asiapacificlacrosse.org/aspac-championships/aspac-championship-history/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Lacrosse was played in the [[World Games]] for the first time at the [[2017 World Games]] held in Poland. Only women's teams took part in the competition. The United States won the gold medal defeating Canada in the finals.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Vatz|first1=David|title=The 2017 World Games: An Important Step to the Highest Stage|url=http://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/the-2017-world-games-an-important-step-to-the-highest-stage/50271|work=Inside Lacrosse|date=August 11, 2017|access-date=November 10, 2017|archive-date=November 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111042045/http://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/the-2017-world-games-an-important-step-to-the-highest-stage/50271|url-status=live}}</ref> Australia won the bronze medal match. The [[Haudenosaunee Nationals women's lacrosse team]] could not participate.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deer |first=Ka’nhehsí:io |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Supporters challenge Iroquois Nationals' exclusion from 2022 World Games |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/supporters-challenge-iroquois-nationals-exclusion-from-2022-world-games-1.5662381 |access-date=June 3, 2024 |website=cbc.ca |archive-date=June 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603165038/https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/supporters-challenge-iroquois-nationals-exclusion-from-2022-world-games-1.5662381 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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Both [[Lacrosse at the 2022 World Games|men and women tournaments]] consisting of the 6v6 version played on smaller fields were held in the [[2022 World Games]] in Birmingham, Alabama, USA.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lacrosse {{!}} IWGA |url=https://www.theworldgames.org/sports/Lacrosse-54 |access-date=October 28, 2022 |website=www.theworldgames.org |archive-date=October 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028040956/https://www.theworldgames.org/sports/Lacrosse-54 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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==Lacrosse in the United States== |
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{{main|Lacrosse in the United States}} |
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===College lacrosse=== |
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{{Main|College lacrosse}} |
{{Main|College lacrosse}} |
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Lacrosse in the [[United States]] is played at the collegiate level in both the club and sanctioned team sport. There are currently 88 [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] sanctioned [[NCAA Division I|Division I]] men's lacrosse teams, 46 [[NCAA Division II|Division II]] men's lacrosse teams, and 208 [[NCAA Division III|Division III]] men's lacrosse teams. There are also currently 91 Division I women's lacrosse teams, 57 Division II women's lacrosse Teams, and 201 Division III women's lacrosse teams. 209 men's teams compete at the [[Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association]] level, including most major universities in the United States. Another 107 schools have club teams in the [[National College Lacrosse League]]. |
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===={{anchor|Men's college lacrosse}}Men's college lacrosse==== |
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The first U. S. intercollegiate game was played on November 22, 1877 between [[New York University]] and [[Manhattan College]]. Lacrosse had been introduced in upstate New York in the 1860s. Lacrosse was further introduced to the Baltimore area in the 1890s. These two areas continue to be the hotbeds of college lacrosse in the U.S. The first intercollegiate lacrosse tournament was held in 1881, with [[Harvard]] beating [[Princeton University|Princeton]], 3-0, in the championship game. |
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[[File:Allegheny vs. Baldwin Wallace Lacrosse - 49599713087.jpg|thumb|right|A men's college lacrosse match between the [[Allegheny Gators]] and [[Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets]] in 2020]] |
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Collegiate lacrosse in the United States is played at the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]], [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]] and club levels. There are currently 71 [[NCAA Division I]] men's lacrosse teams, 93 [[NCAA Division II|Division II]] teams, and 236 [[NCAA Division III|Division III]] teams. Thirty-two schools participate at the NAIA level. 184 men's club teams compete in the [[Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association]], including most universities and colleges outside the northeastern United States. The National College Lacrosse League and Great Lakes Lacrosse League are two other lower-division club leagues. In Canada, 14 teams from Ontario and Quebec play field lacrosse in the fall in the [[Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association]].<ref>[http://www.cufla.org Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515224650/http://www.cufla.org/ |date=May 15, 2009 }} Accessed December 14, 2018.</ref> |
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The first U. S. intercollegiate men's lacrosse game was played on November 22, 1877, between [[New York University]] and [[Manhattan College]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The History of Lacrosse: The College Game |url=http://sunsetsportsworldwide.com/sports-history/the-history-of-lacrosse-the-college-game/ |website=Sunset Sports |access-date=October 21, 2018 |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122064419/https://sunsetsportsworldwide.com/sports-history/the-history-of-lacrosse-the-college-game/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> An organizing body for the sport, the U. S. National Lacrosse Association, was founded in 1879 and the first intercollegiate lacrosse tournament was held in 1881, with [[Harvard]] beating [[Princeton University|Princeton]] 3–0 in the championship game.<ref>{{cite book|url= https://archive.org/details/lacrossetechniqu0000piet|url-access= registration|title= Lacrosse: Technique and Tradition|last1= Pietramala|first1= David G.|last2= Grauer|first2= Neil A.|last3= Scott|first3= Bob|publisher= Johns Hopkins University Press|year= 2006|isbn=0-8018-8371-7}}</ref> Annual post-season championships were awarded by a variety of early lacrosse associations through the 1930s. From 1936 to 1972, the [[United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association]] awarded the [[Wingate Memorial Trophy]] to the best college lacrosse team each year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://usila.org/sports/2015/10/27/GEN_1027151106.aspx#Wingate%20Memorial%20Trophy%20Winners%201936-1972|title=National Champions|access-date=August 14, 2019|publisher=USILA|archive-date=May 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529151657/https://usila.org/sports/2015/10/27/GEN_1027151106.aspx#Wingate%20Memorial%20Trophy%20Winners%201936-1972|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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The NCAA men's Lacrosse Division I in 1971, when Cornell took the first championship over Maryland, 12–6. Johns Hopkins has 9 championships with three consecutive wins from 1978 to 1980. The other two teams that have three consecutive wins are Syracuse from 1988 to 1990 and Princeton from 1996 to 1998. Syracuse also holds the NCAA record of championships with 11, the last occurring in 2009. In 2013 Duke beat Syracuse to claim the NCAA Division I Championship in Philadelphia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laxpower.com/laxnews/news.php?story=35664|title=Lacrosse News|publisher=|accessdate=June 16, 2015}}</ref> The Division I national championship tournament draws one of the largest crowds of any Division I NCAA sport. |
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The NCAA began sponsoring a men's lacrosse championship in 1971, when [[Cornell Big Red men's lacrosse|Cornell]] took the first title over [[Maryland Terrapins men's lacrosse|Maryland]], 12–6. [[Syracuse Orange men's lacrosse|Syracuse]] has 10 Division I titles, [[Johns Hopkins Blue Jays men's lacrosse|Johns Hopkins]] 9, and [[Princeton Tigers men's lacrosse|Princeton]] 6.<ref>{{cite web|title=Championship History|url=https://www.ncaa.com/history/lacrosse-men/d1|publisher=NCAA|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=May 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506002958/https://www.ncaa.com/history/lacrosse-men/d1|url-status=live}}</ref> The NCAA national championship weekend tournament draws over 80,000 fans.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=Edward|title=Attendance increased for NCAA men's lacrosse championships in Philadelphia|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/lacrosse-blog/bal-attendance-numbers-for-ncaa-men-s-lacrosse-championships-in-philadelphia-rose-this-past-weekend-20160603-story.html|access-date=November 14, 2017|work=Baltimore Sun|date=June 3, 2016|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115083207/http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/lacrosse-blog/bal-attendance-numbers-for-ncaa-men-s-lacrosse-championships-in-philadelphia-rose-this-past-weekend-20160603-story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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The NCAA men's Lacrosse Division III is growing at a much faster rate than Division I. There are currently 208 Division III teams playing in 25 different conferences in 2013,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laxpower.com/update13/binmen/rating03.php|title=Computer Rating|publisher=|accessdate=June 16, 2015}}</ref> compared to 130 teams in 2005. Stevenson University was the 2013 Division III national champion. |
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====Women's college lacrosse==== |
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In non-hotbed areas, the [[Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association]] (MCLA) is the dominant league for men's teams. MCLA schools cannot also have an NCAA men's program, so the league's balance of power lies with teams such as Colorado, Colorado State, Arizona State, and several University of California campuses. Though considered a "club" league due to the MCLA's status outside traditional NCAA jurisdiction, most perennial top-20 teams in the league compete at a high Division III or low Division I level, as evidenced by a growing tide of MCLA/NCAA scrimmages. |
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There are currently 112 Division I women's lacrosse teams, 109 Division II teams, and 282 Division III teams. There are 36 NAIA women's lacrosse teams. The NCAA started sponsoring a women's lacrosse championship in 1982. [[Maryland Terrapins women's lacrosse|Maryland]] has traditionally dominated women's [[College athletics|intercollegiate play]], producing many head coaches and U.S. national team players. The Terrapins won seven consecutive [[NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship|NCAA championships]] from 1995 through 2001. [[Princeton Tigers women's lacrosse|Princeton's]] women's teams have made it to the final game seven times since 1993 and have won three NCAA titles, in 1993, 2002, and 2003. In recent years, [[Northwestern Wildcats women's lacrosse|Northwestern]] has become a force, winning the national championship from 2005 through 2009. Maryland ended Northwestern's streak by defeating the Wildcats in the 2010 final, however, Northwestern won the next two titles in 2011 and 2012. Maryland again claimed the national championship in 2014, 2015, and 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Championship History|url=https://www.ncaa.com/history/lacrosse-women/d1|publisher=NCAA|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115082740/http://www.ncaa.com/history/lacrosse-women/d1|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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The [[Women's Collegiate Lacrosse Associates]] (WCLA) is a collection of over 260 college club teams that are organized by [[US Lacrosse]]. Teams are organized into two divisions and various leagues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uslacrosse.org/players/college|title=College|access-date=August 14, 2019|publisher=USLacrosse|archive-date=May 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514020045/https://www.uslacrosse.org/players/college|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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[[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] women's Lacrosse Division I began play in 1982. The [[Maryland Terrapins women's lacrosse|University of Maryland, College Park]] has traditionally dominated women's [[College athletics|intercollegiate play]], producing many head coaches across the country and many U.S. national team players. The Terrapins won seven consecutive [[NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship|NCAA championships]], from 1995 through 2001. [[Princeton University]]'s women's teams have made it to the final game seven times since 1993 and have won three NCAA titles, in 1993, 2002, and 2003. In recent years, [[Northwestern Wildcats women's lacrosse|Northwestern University]] has become a force, winning the national championship from 2005 through 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncaa.com/history/default.aspx?id=88006|title=NCAA Women's Division I Lacrosse History|publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association|accessdate=June 11, 2008}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Maryland ended Northwestern's streak by defeating the Wildcats in the 2010 final, however Northwestern has since won the 2011 and 2012 national titles. Maryland again claimed the national championship in 2014. The University of North Carolina has also become a common sight in the NCAA tournament, winning the 2013 championship, and almost beating Maryland in the 2015 championship game. |
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===Professional lacrosse=== |
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==Major League Lacrosse== |
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[[Major League Lacrosse]] (MLL) is a Professional lacrosse league founded in 1999 in the United States that showcases the world's best players. The season consists of 56 games running from April to August. MLL uses standard lacrosse rules with several exceptions, such as a 16-yard 2-point line and a 60-second shot clock.<ref>{{cite web|title=About MLL|url=http://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/about-mll/|publisher=Major League Lacrosse|accessdate=January 31, 2014}}</ref> Regular season play began in 2001 with 6 teams, with plans to expand to 19 teams. The MLL currently has 8 teams: [[Boston Cannons|Boston]], [[Chesapeake Bayhawks|Annapolis]], [[New York Lizards|New York City]], [[Rochester Rattlers|Rochester]], [[Denver Outlaws|Denver]], [[Ohio Machine|Columbus]], [[Charlotte Hounds|Charlotte]], and [[Florida Launch|Palm Beach County]] (formerly [[Hamilton Nationals|Hamilton]]). A ninth team, the Atlanta Blaze, are joining the MLL in April 2016. |
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==== Active leagues ==== |
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==International lacrosse== |
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{{Further|List of national lacrosse organizations}} |
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===== National Lacrosse League ===== |
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Lacrosse has been played for the most part in [[Lacrosse in Canada|Canada]] and the United States, with small but dedicated lacrosse communities in the United Kingdom and Australia. Recently, however, lacrosse has begun to flourish at an international level, with teams being established particularly in Europe and east Asia. |
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{{main|National Lacrosse League}} |
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The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is a men's semi-professional [[box lacrosse]] league in North America. The NLL currently has fifteen teams, ten in the United States and five in Canada. The 18-game regular season runs from December to April; games are always on the weekends. The champion is awarded the [[National Lacrosse League Cup]] in early June.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 30, 2018 |title=NATIONAL LACROSSE LEAGUE UNVEILS ITS NEW CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY |url=https://www.nll.com/news/national-lacrosse-league-unveils-its-new-championship-trophy/ |access-date=August 14, 2019 |publisher=[[National Lacrosse League]] |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814152145/https://www.nll.com/news/national-lacrosse-league-unveils-its-new-championship-trophy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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Games are played in ice rinks with artificial turf covering the ice. Venues range from NHL arenas seating 19,000 to smaller arenas with under 10,000 capacity. In 2017, average attendance ranged from 3,200 per game in [[Vancouver Stealth|Vancouver]] to over 15,000 in [[Buffalo Bandits|Buffalo]]. Overall, the league averaged 9,500 people per game.<ref>{{cite web |title=League Attendance |url=http://d15k3om16n459i.cloudfront.net/prostats/attendance.html?leagueid=230&seasonid=15914 |publisher=National Lacrosse League |access-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-date=September 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909142801/http://d15k3om16n459i.cloudfront.net/prostats/attendance.html?leagueid=230&seasonid=15914 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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With an average salary around $20,000 per season, players have regular jobs, mostly non-lacrosse related, and live in different cities, flying into town for games.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Flaherty |first1=Ryan |date=March 18, 2016 |title=Professional sports life more than just lacrosse for Rush players |work=Global News |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/2585168/professional-sports-life-more-than-just-lacrosse-for-rush-players/ |access-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110230359/https://globalnews.ca/news/2585168/professional-sports-life-more-than-just-lacrosse-for-rush-players/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Canadians and Native Americans make up over 90% of the players.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stamp |first1=Stephen |date=May 13, 2015 |title=Box lacrosse participation in the US is limited from grass roots to NLL level; can ALL help growth? |work=Inside Lacrosse |url=http://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/box-lacrosse-participation-in-the-us-is-limited-from-grass-roots-to-nll-level-can-all-help-growth/32098 |access-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-date=November 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111041728/http://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/box-lacrosse-participation-in-the-us-is-limited-from-grass-roots-to-nll-level-can-all-help-growth/32098 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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The NLL started in 1987 as the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League. Teams in Philadelphia, New Jersey, Baltimore and Washington, DC, played a 6-game season. The league operated as the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1989 to 1997, when there were six teams playing a 10-game schedule. The current NLL name began in the [[1998 NLL season|1998 season]], which included the first Canadian team.<ref name="nll">{{cite web |title=History |url=http://www.nll.com/about/history/ |publisher=National Lacrosse League |access-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110225201/http://www.nll.com/about/history/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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The most successful franchises have been the [[Toronto Rock]] and the former [[Philadelphia Wings (1987–2014)|Philadelphia Wings]] (now the [[Albany FireWolves]]), each has won six championships.<ref name="nll" /> |
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===== Premier Lacrosse League ===== |
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{{main|Premier Lacrosse League}} |
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In October 2018, former MLL player [[Paul Rabil]] branched away from the MLL and created the Premier Lacrosse League. The PLL focuses on being a traveling lacrosse league that will bring the best players in the world to different cities in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Premier Lacrosse League |url=https://www.premierlacrosseleague.com/ |website=PremierLacrosseLeague |access-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208042648/https://www.premierlacrosseleague.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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Each player has a minimum salary of $25,000, equity in the league, and medical benefits. The average salary is $35,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Adrian |date=January 12, 2022 |title=How Much Do Professional Lacrosse Players Make [2022 Update] |url=https://lacrossepal.com/how-much-do-lacrosse-players-make/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=Lacrosse Pal |language=en-US |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805011909/https://lacrossepal.com/how-much-do-lacrosse-players-make/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The most successful team is [[Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club]] which has two championships. |
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Since its inaugural season in 2019, the PLL has expanded to eight teams and merged with the MLL. |
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Beginning with the 2022 season, the PLL has had a broadcasting deal with ESPN.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ufnowski |first=Amy |date=March 23, 2022 |title=The Premier Lacrosse League and ESPN Announce Multi-Year Media Rights Agreement |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/03/the-premier-lacrosse-league-and-espn-announce-multi-year-media-rights-agreement/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=ESPN Press Room U.S. |language=en-US |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404101936/https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/03/the-premier-lacrosse-league-and-espn-announce-multi-year-media-rights-agreement/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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With lacrosse not having been an official [[Olympic sport]] since 1908, the pinnacle of international lacrosse competition consists of the quadrennial [[World Lacrosse Championship|World Championships]]. Begun in 1968, world championships began as a four-team invitational tournament sponsored by the International Lacrosse Federation. Until 1986, lacrosse world championships had been contested only by the US, Canada, England, and Australia. Scotland and Wales had teams competing in the women's edition. They are now held for lacrosse at [[World Lacrosse Championship|senior men]], [[Women's Lacrosse World Cup|senior women]], [[Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships|under 19 men]] and [[Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships|under 19 women]] levels. |
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Prior to the 2023 season the PLL announced that they would be assigning home-cities to each team for the 2024 season. The touring model would not cease, however, with each team hosting one regular season weekend where they play a doubleheader. There will also be two neutral site weekends.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Kevin |date=May 25, 2023 |title=It's Official: PLL Clubs To Move To Host Cities in 2024 |url=https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/it-s-official-pll-clubs-to-move-to-host-cities-in-2024/61594 |access-date=August 4, 2023 |website=Inside Lacrosse |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803063303/https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/it-s-official-pll-clubs-to-move-to-host-cities-in-2024/61594 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kinnear |first=Matt |date=July 23, 2023 |title=PLL Announces 26 Finalists For Host Cites — a Mix of Familiar Spots With a Few Surprises |url=https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/pll-announces-26-finalists-for-host-cites-a-mix-of-familiar-spots-with-a-few-surprises/61879 |access-date=August 4, 2023 |website=Inside Lacrosse |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803084004/https://www.insidelacrosse.com//article/pll-announces-26-finalists-for-host-cites-a-mix-of-familiar-spots-with-a-few-surprises/61879 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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With the expansion of the game internationally, the [[2006 World Lacrosse Championship|2006 Men's World Championship]] was contested by 21 countries and the [[Iroquois Nationals]], representing the Six Nations of the [[Iroquois Confederacy]]. They are the only Native American/First Nations team to compete internationally. The [[2009 Women's Lacrosse World Cup|2009 Women's World Cup]] was competed for by 16 nations. |
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==== Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse ==== |
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In 2003, the first [[World Indoor Lacrosse Championship]] was contested by six nations at four sites in [[Ontario]]. Canada won the championship in a final game against the Iroquois Nationals, 21–4. The 2007 WILC was held in [[Halifax, Nova Scotia|Halifax]] from May 14–20, and also won by Canada. Competition included the Iroquois Nationals and teams from Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, England, Ireland, Scotland, and the United States. |
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{{Main|Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse}} |
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[[Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse]] is a women's lacrosse league that had its inaugural season in 2021. Rather than having set teams, at the end of each week, the top four players are determined by a point system and named captains of next week's teams. They then draft their team for the next week. The champion of the league is the player that scores the most points. There are 56 players in the league as of 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A League of Their Own: Women's Lacrosse Enters New Era with Athletes Unlimited |url=https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/pro/athletes-unlimited/a-league-of-their-own-womens-lacrosse-enters-new-era-with-athletes-unlimited |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=www.usalaxmagazine.com |language=en |archive-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804221250/https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/pro/athletes-unlimited/a-league-of-their-own-womens-lacrosse-enters-new-era-with-athletes-unlimited |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Athletes Unlimited Adds Women's Pro Lacrosse as Third Sports League |url=https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/pro/women/athletes-unlimited-adds-womens-pro-lacrosse-as-third-sports-league |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=www.usalaxmagazine.com |language=en |archive-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804221331/https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/pro/women/athletes-unlimited-adds-womens-pro-lacrosse-as-third-sports-league |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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The World Lacrosse Championships have been dominated by the United States, particularly in the men's game. Its only world championship game losses at either level was in the 1978 final and [[2006 World Lacrosse Championship|2006 final]], both to Canada. The USA has won 9 of the 11 senior men's and all six under-19 men's tournaments to date. |
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==== Defunct leagues ==== |
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In the women's game, Australia has provided stiffer competition, having won 6 of 14 games against the USA at senior world championships, including one draw. The USA has won 6 of the 8 senior women's, and 2 of the 3 under-19 women's tournaments to date, with the other world championships won by Australia. |
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===== Major League Lacrosse ===== |
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The [[Iroquois Nationals]] are a team with members representing the Six Nations of the [[Iroquois Confederacy]]. The team was admitted to the International Lacrosse Federation (ILF) in 1990. It is the only [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|First Nations]] team sanctioned to compete in any sport internationally. The Nationals placed fourth in the 1998, 2002 and 2006 [[World Lacrosse Championship]]s. In 2008, the Iroquois were admitted as the Haudenosunee Nation to the International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations (IFWLA), since merged with the FIL (see below). |
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{{main|Major League Lacrosse}} |
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Major League Lacrosse (MLL) was a semi-professional field lacrosse league started in 2001 with six teams in the [[Northeastern United States]]. The leagues final year had six teams, playing a week long round-robin regular season. MLL rules were based on NCAA men's rules with several exceptions, such as a 16-yard 2-point line and a 60-second shot clock.<ref>{{cite web|title=About MLL|url=http://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/about-mll/|publisher=Major League Lacrosse|access-date=January 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129115012/http://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/about-mll/|archive-date=January 29, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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MLL venues ranged from small stadiums with under 10,000 capacity to an [[Sports Authority Field at Mile High|NFL stadium in Denver]] that seats 76,000. Overall league average attendance is around 4,000 per game, although the leagues [[Denver Outlaws]] had averaged around 10,000 per game since their founding in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=2017 League Attendance |url=http://pointstreak.com/prostats/attendance.html?leagueid=323&seasonid=16530 |publisher=Major League Lacrosse |access-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224090303/http://pointstreak.com/prostats/attendance.html?leagueid=323&seasonid=16530 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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===Federation of International Lacrosse=== |
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One obstacle to the international development of lacrosse had been separate governing bodies for the men's and women's versions of the sport.{{who|date=July 2015}} Men's lacrosse was governed by ILF and the women's version by IFWLA. In August 2008, after four years of negotiation, the two bodies merged to form a single unified body, the [[Federation of International Lacrosse]] (FIL). All championships previously operated by the ILF and IFWLA were taken over by the FIL. The FIL hosted the [[2010 World Lacrosse Championship]] in [[Manchester, England]], between July 15 to 24, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=2010 World Lacrosse Championship Official Website|url=http://www.2010worldlacrosse.com|accessdate=March 31, 2010}}</ref> The [[2014 World Lacrosse Championship]] were held in [[Denver, Colorado|Denver]], United States. |
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The rookie salary was $7,000 per season and most players made between $10,000 and $20,000 per season. Therefore, the players had other jobs, often non-lacrosse related, and travel to games on the weekends.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=Ahiza |title=The pro athletes with full-time day jobs |url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/09/28/smallbusiness/major-league-lacrosse-salaries/index.html |work=CNN Money |date=September 28, 2015 |access-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022191721/https://money.cnn.com/2015/09/28/smallbusiness/major-league-lacrosse-salaries/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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Internationally, as of 2013, a total of 47 members belong to the [[Federation of International Lacrosse]] (FIL). Only the United States, Canada, Australia, and the Iroquois Nationals have finished in the top three places at the World Lacrosse Championships. |
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The [[Chesapeake Bayhawks]], who had played in the Annapolis–Baltimore–Washington, DC area since 2001, were the most successful franchise with six championships.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bayhawks.majorleaguelacrosse.com/news/2016/3/21/team-history_00000153-9a91-def8-a7f7-fad9ef8e0000.aspx|title=Bayhawks History|access-date=August 14, 2019|date=May 21, 2016|publisher=[[Chesapeake Bayhawks]]|archive-date=August 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814151750/https://bayhawks.majorleaguelacrosse.com/news/2016/3/21/team-history_00000153-9a91-def8-a7f7-fad9ef8e0000.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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The [[World Indoor Lacrosse Championship]]s are held every four years and are also sponsored by the FIL. Only eight nations have competed so far. Canada, the Iroquois Nationals and the United States have finished in the top three places at these events. |
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On December 16, 2020, it was announced that the MLL was merging all operations with the Premier Lacrosse League. The PLL added the Boston Cannons and rebranded them to "Cannons Lacrosse Club". No other MLL teams were added into the PLL. |
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===European Lacrosse Foundation=== |
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[[File:Lacrosse dive shot.jpg|right|200px|thumb| A player taking a "dive shot".|right]] |
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===== United Women's Lacrosse League ===== |
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The next largest international Nae Naeing competition are the [[European Lacrosse Championships]], held for both men and women's teams. Since 1995, the [[European Lacrosse Federation]] (ELF) has been running the European Championships. Before 2001 they held the Championships annually, but that year the ELF changed the format to every four years, between the World Championships. Before 2004, only seven nations had ever participated. |
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{{main|United Women's Lacrosse League}} |
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The United Women's Lacrosse League (UWLX), was a four-team women's lacrosse league, was launched in 2016. The teams are the [[Baltimore Ride]], [[Boston Storm (UWLX)|Boston Storm]], [[Long Island Sound (UWLX)|Long Island Sound]] and [[Philadelphia Force (UWLX)|Philadelphia Force]]. Long Island won the first two championships.<ref>{{cite news|last1=DaSilva|first1=Matt|title=Long Island Sound Repeat as UWLX Champions|url=https://www.uslaxmagazine.com/pro/uwlx/long-island-sound-repeat-as-uwlx-champions|access-date=November 14, 2017|work=US Lacrosse Magazine|date=August 2, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115083121/https://www.uslaxmagazine.com/pro/uwlx/long-island-sound-repeat-as-uwlx-champions|url-status=dead}}</ref> The league closed in 2020. |
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===== Women's Professional Lacrosse League ===== |
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In 2004 a record number of countries participated, fielding 12 men's and 6 women's teams, making it the largest international lacrosse event of the year. In 2008 the European Lacrosse Championships were held in [[Lahti, Finland]], with 18 competing countries. England placed first with the Netherlands and Germany placing second and third, respectively. The most recent ELF Championships were held in [[Amsterdam]] in 2012. England was victorious over Ireland in the championship game, and Sweden took third place. 32 nations compete now in the international lacrosse |
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{{Main|Women's Professional Lacrosse League}} |
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championships for the year 2014 |
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The [[Women's Professional Lacrosse League]] was a professional women's lacrosse league with 5 teams that started in 2018.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Berri|first1=David|author-link1=David Berri|title=The Women's Professional Lacrosse League Takes Off|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidberri/2018/06/04/the-womens-professional-lacrosse-league-takes-off/#47c384bc2287|access-date=June 9, 2018|work=[[Forbes]]|date=June 4, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144304/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidberri/2018/06/04/the-womens-professional-lacrosse-league-takes-off/#47c384bc2287|url-status=live}}</ref> It closed in 2020. |
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==Equipment== |
==Equipment== |
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===Stick=== |
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{{main|Lacrosse stick}} |
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[[File:Womens lacrosse stick head 2.jpg|thumb|170px|Women's lacrosse stick]] |
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The lacrosse stick has two parts, the head and the shaft. There are three parts to the head: the scoop, sidewall, and pocket. The scoop is the top of the stick that affects picking up ground ball as well as passing and shooting. The sidewall is the side of the head that affects the depth of the head and the stiffness. The pocket is the leather or nylon mesh attached to the sidewall and scoop. A wider pocket allows an easier time catching balls but will also cause less ball control. A narrower pocket makes catching harder but allows more ball retention and accuracy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lacrosse.com/guide/lacrosse-heads-101/|title=LACROSSE HEADS 101|publisher=lacrosse.com|author=Chris Reid|date=December 1, 2014|access-date=August 13, 2019|archive-date=August 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813214126/http://www.lacrosse.com/guide/lacrosse-heads-101/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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Shafts are usually made of hollow metal. They are octagonal, instead of round, in order to provide a better grip. Most are made of [[aluminum]], [[titanium]], [[scandium]], or alloys, but some shafts are made from other materials, including wood, plastic, carbon fiber, or [[fiberglass]]. |
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In order to play lacrosse a complete set of equipment is needed. Each set of lacrosse equipment should contain a pair of gloves, arm pads, shoulder pads, helmet and a stick at minimum. Pads differ in size and protection from player to player based on position, ability, comfort and preference. For example, many attack players wear larger and more protective pads in order to protect themselves from defensemen and checks thrown at them while defenders typically wear smaller and less protective pads due to their smaller possibility of being checked. Goalies also have the option to skip arm pads entirely, since they are in the goal throughout the duration of the game. Not using arm pads also maximizes flexibility due to no fabric or pad hindering them. A goalkeeper will also wear a very large and protective chest pad to cover their stomach and chest. They also wear a plastic neck guard that connects to the chin of their helmet, this protects them from shots hitting their neck and or windpipe. |
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Stick length, both shaft and head together, is governed by NCAA regulations, which require that men's sticks be from {{convert|40|to|42|in|cm}} long for offensive players, and {{convert|52|to|72|in|cm}} long for defensemen, and {{convert|40|to|72|in|cm}} long for goalies.<ref name=equipment /> |
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The lacrosse stick has two parts, the head of the stick and the shaft. There are many varieties and types of each. There are different heads for different positions and different playing style. An attack may desire a more narrow head to keep control of the ball more easily. A defenseman may want a flatter and wider head in order to scoop up ground balls more easily. There are various shafts that can be used based on position and preference. An attackman may prefer a lighter shaft in order to move quickly while cradling the ball and pass/shooter faster. A defenseman may want a stronger, heavier and more durable for the checks that they throw on attackmen. |
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Women's sticks must be an overall length of {{convert|35.5|-|43.25|in|cm}}. The head must be seven to nine inches wide and the top of the ball must remain above the side walls when dropped in the pocket. The goalkeeper's stick must be {{convert|35.5|-|48|in|cm}} long. The head of the goalie's stick can up to {{convert|12|in|cm}} wide and the pocket may be mesh.<ref>{{cite web|title=Equipment for Girls' and Women's Lacrosse|url=https://www.uslacrosse.org/safety/equipment/player-equipment#women|publisher=US Lacrosse|access-date=November 8, 2017|archive-date=January 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119093004/https://uslacrosse.org/safety/equipment/player-equipment#women|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===Stick heads=== |
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===Ball=== |
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There are typically three parts to every lacrosse head, the scoop, sidewall, and pocket. The scoop is the top of the stick that affects picking up groundballs and passing/shooting. The scoop can be more of a flat shape so that it is easier to pick up ground balls as that part of the head has a larger volume of plastic on the ground or it can be more of a U shape where it is harder to pick groundballs up due to less plastic on the ground. They both have pro's and con's, where a flatter scoop allows an easier time picking up a groundball but less ball retention/accuracy whereas U shaped scoops are harder to use to pick up groundballs but have more ball retention and accuracy. |
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{{main|Lacrosse ball}} |
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The ball is made of solid [[rubber]]. It is typically white for men's lacrosse, or yellow for women's lacrosse; but is also produced in a wide variety of colors, such as yellow, orange or lime green according to the Men's Lacrosse Rules and Interpretations. |
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===Men's field protective equipment=== |
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The sidewall is the side of the head that affects the depth of the head and the stiffness. More stiff sidewalls and heads are better to use for defensemen in order to throw more viable checks. More flexible sidewalls are better use for groundballs, faceoffs and fast movements. |
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Men's field lacrosse protective equipment contains a pair of [[lacrosse glove|gloves]], elbow pads, shoulder pads, [[lacrosse helmet|helmet]], mouthguard, and [[Cleat (shoe)|cleats]]. Pads differ in size and protection from player to player based on position, ability, comfort and preference. For example, many attack players wear larger and more protective elbow pads to protect themselves from checks thrown at them while defenders typically wear smaller and less protective pads due to their smaller possibility of being checked and goalies usually wear no elbow pads due to the very limited opportunities of being checked. A goalkeeper must also wear a large protective chest pad to cover their stomach and chest and a plastic neck guard that connects to the chin of their helmet to protect them from shots hitting their windpipe. In addition, male goalkeepers are required to wear a protective cup.<ref name=equipment /> |
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===Men's box protective equipment=== |
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The pocket is the mesh of the head and the width of the head at the base. A wider pocket allows and easier time catching balls, but will also cause less ball control. A more narrower pocket makes catching harder, but allows more ball retention and accuracy. |
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Men's box players wear more protective gear than field players due to the increased physical contact and more permissive checking rules. Cross-checking in the back is allowed by the rules. Runners wear larger and heavier elbow pads and stronger shoulder pads that extend down the back of the player. Most players wear rib pads as well.<ref name="player gear">{{cite web |title=Box Lacrosse Equipment - Player Guidelines |url=https://www.mississaugatomahawkslacrosse.com/news_article/show/208112 |website=Mississauga Tomahawks Lacrosse |publisher=Ontario Lacrosse Association |access-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-date=August 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802224625/https://www.mississaugatomahawkslacrosse.com/news_article/show/208112 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Box goalies wear equipment very similar to ice hockey goalies, the leg blockers are somewhat smaller, although the shoulder pads are bigger than ice hockey pads.<ref name="goalie gear">{{cite web |title=Box Lacrosse Equipment - Goalie Guidelines |url=https://www.mississaugatomahawkslacrosse.com/news_article/show/208112 |website=Mississauga Tomahawks Lacrosse |publisher=Ontario Lacrosse Association |access-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-date=August 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802224625/https://www.mississaugatomahawkslacrosse.com/news_article/show/208112 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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===Women's field protective equipment=== |
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===Shaft types=== |
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Women's field players are not required to wear protective equipment besides eyewear and a mouthguard. Eyegear is a metal cage covering the eyes attached with a strap around the back of the head. In recent years, there has been discussion about allowing or requiring padded headgear to protect against concussions. Women goalies wear a helmet, gloves, and chest protector.<ref name=equipment/> |
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*Aluminum alloy: Strong, lightweight, and a good shaft for developing players |
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*Composite: Very strong, very light, solid grip, good for intermediate/elite players |
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*Titanium: Strong and light, good for both receiving and delivering checks |
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*Scandium: Highest strength-weight ratio out of all the sticks, very durable |
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*Wood: Quite strong and heavy, tough to bend, good for delivering hard checks |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{Wikipedia books|Lacrosse}} |
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* [[Lacrosse in Canada]] |
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* [[Intercrosse]], a version of lacrosse popular in school [[physical education]] classes, it is played with plastic sticks and hollow balls. |
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* [[Polocrosse]], a version of lacrosse played on horseback |
* [[Polocrosse]], a version of lacrosse played on horseback |
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* [[Hurling]], an ancient [[Gaelic games|Gaelic]] team sport played with sticks and a ball |
* [[Hurling]], an ancient [[Gaelic games|Gaelic]] team sport played with sticks and a ball |
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* [[Indigenous North American stickball]] |
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* [[Red Hat]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==Further reading== |
==Further reading== |
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{{refbegin}} |
{{refbegin}} |
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* {{cite |
* {{cite book|last= Beers|first= William George|year= 1869|title= Lacrosse: The National Game of Canada|url= https://archive.org/details/cihm_05682|publisher= Dawson Brothers|isbn= 9780665056826}} |
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* {{cite book |
* {{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=val_gaufljwC|title= Games of the North American Indians|last= Culin|first= Stewart|publisher= Courier Dover|year= 1975|isbn= 0-486-23125-9}} |
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* {{cite book | |
* {{cite book |last=Downey |first=Allan |title=The creator's game: Lacrosse, identity, and Indigenous nationhood |publisher=UBC Press |year=2018}} |
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* {{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=bZLMLmLogIgC|title= Lacrosse: A Guide for Parents and Players|last2= Gaskill|first2= Melissa|publisher= Mansion Grove House|year= 2006|isbn= 9781932421071|last1= Fink|first1= Noah}} |
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* {{cite book |first1= John |last1= Jiloty |first2= Mike |last2= Keegan |first3= Matthew F. |last3= Sacco |year= 2003 |title= Lacrosse: North America's Game |location= Towson, MD |publisher= Carpenter |isbn= 0-9759834-0-7}} |
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* {{cite book |last= |
* {{cite book |last=Fisher |first=Donald M. |title=Lacrosse: A history of the game |publisher=JHU Press |year=2002}} |
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* {{cite book|title= Lacrosse: North America's Game|last2= Keegan|first2= Mike|last3= Sacco|first3= Matthew F.|publisher= Carpenter|year= 2003|isbn= 0-9759834-0-7|location= Towson, MD|first1= John|last1= Jiloty}} |
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* {{cite book |last= Tucker |first= Janine |first2= Maryalice |last2= Yakutchik |year= 2008 |title= Women's Lacrosse |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=8QXZFgaZxBgC |publisher= Johns Hopkins University Press & U.S. Larcrosse |isbn=978-0-8018-8846-5 |accessdate= }} |
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* {{cite book|url= https://archive.org/details/lacrossetechniqu0000piet|url-access= registration|title= Lacrosse: Technique and Tradition|last1= Pietramala|first1= David G.|last2= Grauer|first2= Neil A.|last3= Scott|first3= Bob|publisher= Johns Hopkins University Press|year= 2006|isbn=0-8018-8371-7}} |
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* {{cite book |last= Yeager |first= John M. |year= 2006 |title= Our Game: The Character and Culture of Lacrosse |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=A_FcMiscWi0C |publisher= Dude |isbn= 1-887943-99-4 |accessdate= }} |
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* {{cite journal | last=Stoikos | first=Alex | title=The Global Growth Of Lacrosse | journal=Academia Letters | date=July 14, 2021 | issn=2771-9359 | doi=10.20935/AL1591}} |
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* {{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=8QXZFgaZxBgC|title= Women's Lacrosse|last1= Tucker|first1= Janine|last2= Yakutchik|first2= Maryalice|publisher= Johns Hopkins University Press & U.S. Larcrosse|year= 2008|isbn=978-0-8018-8846-5}} |
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* {{cite journal |last=Wiser |first=Melissa C. |title=Lacrosse History, a History of One Sport or Two? A Comparative Analysis of Men's Lacrosse and Women's Lacrosse in the United States |journal=International Journal of the History of Sport |volume=31|issue=13 |year=2014 |pages=1656–1676|doi=10.1080/09523367.2014.930709 |issn = 0952-3367 }} |
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* {{cite book|url= https://archive.org/details/ourgamecharacter0000yeag|url-access= registration|title= Our Game: The Character and Culture of Lacrosse|last= Yeager|first= John M.|publisher= Dude|year= 2006|isbn= 1-887943-99-4}} |
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{{refend}} |
{{refend}} |
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{{commons|Lacrosse}} |
{{commons|Lacrosse}} |
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{{wikisource|Lacrosse: The National Game of Canada}} |
{{wikisource|Lacrosse: The National Game of Canada}} |
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* [ |
* [https://www.usalacrosse.com/ US Lacrosse – The national governing body for lacrosse in the United States.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706230915/https://www.usalacrosse.com/ |date=July 6, 2022 }} |
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* [http://articles.baltimoresun.com/keyword/lacrosse Lacrosse news archive] at ''[[Baltimore Sun]]'' |
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* [http://www.cbc.ca/archives/categories/sports/lacrosse/lacrosse-a-history-of-canadas-game/not-just-a-game-for-boys.html CBC Digital Archives – Lacrosse: A History of Canada's Game] |
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* [http://www.laxmap.org/ Lacrosse Map – Interactive team and tournament map documenting the growth of lacrosse since 1850.] |
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* [http://www.e-lacrosse.com/laxicon.html The "Official" Lacrosse Dictionary from E-Lacrosse.com] |
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* [http://laxforums.co.uk UK Lacrosse Forum] |
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* [http://www.sportsunlimitedinc.com/how-to-buy-a-lacrosse-stick.html Lacrosse Stick Buying Guide] |
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* [http://www.lacrosseunlimited.com Lacrosse Unlimited] |
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* [http://www.lax.com Lax.com] |
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* [http://www.eastcoastdyes.com East Coast Dyes] |
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* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/336566863045285/ College Lacrosse Discussion Page] |
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* [http://www.americanlacrosseleague.com American Lacrosse League - Post-Collegiate Men's Lacrosse League] |
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{{Lacrosse topics |
{{Lacrosse topics}} |
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{{Federation of International Lacrosse}} |
{{Federation of International Lacrosse}} |
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{{World Lacrosse Championship}} |
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{{Team Sport}} |
{{Team Sport}} |
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[[Category:Lacrosse| ]] |
[[Category:Lacrosse| ]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Stick sports]] |
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[[Category:First Nations culture]] |
[[Category:First Nations culture in Canada]] |
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[[Category:National symbols of Canada]] |
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[[Category:Native American sports and games]] |
[[Category:Native American sports and games]] |
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[[Category:Sports originating in Canada]] |
[[Category:Sports originating in Canada]] |
Latest revision as of 19:19, 11 December 2024
Highest governing body | World Lacrosse |
---|---|
Nicknames |
|
First played | 12th century, modified by Europeans in the 17th century |
Characteristics | |
Contact | Yes |
Type | Team sport, stick sport, ball sport |
Equipment | Lacrosse stick and ball in addition to various body armor or pads. Different protective gear for different versions of the game |
Venue | Outdoor lacrosse field or indoor lacrosse rink |
Presence | |
Olympic | Men's field at the Summer Olympics in 1904 and 1908. Demonstrated in 1928, 1932 and 1948 Men's and women's sixes in 2028 |
World Games | Women's field in 2017 Men's and women's sixes in 2022 |
Lacrosse is a contact team sport played with a lacrosse stick and a lacrosse ball. It is the oldest organized sport in North America, with its origins with the indigenous people of North America as early as the 12th century.[2][3][4][5] The game was extensively modified by European colonists, reducing the violence, to create its current collegiate and professional form.[6]
Players use the head of the lacrosse stick to carry, pass, catch, and shoot the ball into the goal. The sport has five versions that have different sticks, fields, rules and equipment: field lacrosse, women's lacrosse, box lacrosse, lacrosse sixes and intercrosse. The men's games, field lacrosse (outdoor) and box lacrosse (indoor), are contact sports and all players wear protective gear: helmet, gloves, shoulder pads, and elbow pads.[7] The women's game is played outdoors and does not allow body contact but does allow stick to stick contact.[8] The only protective gear required for women players is eyegear, while goalies wear helmets and protective pads. Lacrosse sixes is played by both men and women on a smaller field and is the most common version at multi-sport events. Intercrosse is a mixed-gender non-contact sport that uses an all-plastic stick and a softer ball.[9]
The modern sport is governed by World Lacrosse and is the only international sport organization to recognize First Nations bands and Native American tribes as sovereign nations.[10] The organization hosts the World Lacrosse Championship for men, the Women's Lacrosse World Cup, the World Indoor Lacrosse Championship for box lacrosse, and the Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships for both men and women.[11] Each is held every four years.[11] Lacrosse at the Summer Olympics has been contested at two editions of the Summer Olympic Games, 1904 and 1908.[12][13][14] It will be contested at the 2028 Olympic Games in the lacrosse sixes format.[15] It was also held as a demonstration event at the 1928, 1932, and 1948 Summer Olympics.[16][17]
History
Lacrosse is based on games played by various Native American communities as early as 1100 AD.[18] By the 17th century, a version of lacrosse was well-established and was documented by Jesuit missionary priests in the territory of present-day Canada.[19]
In the traditional aboriginal Canadian version, each team consisted of about 100 to 1,000 men on a field several miles/kilometers long. These games lasted from sunup to sundown for two to three days straight and were played as part of ceremonial ritual, a kind of symbolic warfare, or to give thanks to the Creator or Master.[20]
Lacrosse played a significant role in the community and religious life of tribes across the continent for many years. Early lacrosse was characterized by deep spiritual involvement, befitting the spirit of combat in which it was undertaken. Those who took part did so in the role of warriors, with the goal of bringing glory and honour to themselves and their tribes.[21] The game was said to be played "for the Creator" or was referred to as "The Creator's Game",[22] and a version of the game was called "baggataway".[23]
The French Jesuit missionary Jean de Brébeuf saw Huron tribesmen play the game during 1637 in present-day Ontario. He called it la crosse, "the stick" in French.[24] The name seems to be originated from the French term for field hockey, le jeu de la crosse.[25]
James Smith described in some detail a game being played in 1757 by Mohawk people "wherein now they used a wooden ball, about 3 inches (7.6 cm) in diameter, and the instrument they moved it with was a strong staff about 5 feet (1.5 m) long, with a hoop net on the end of it, large enough to contain the ball".[26]
English-speaking people from Montreal noticed Mohawk people playing the game and started playing themselves in the 1830s.[24] In 1856, William George Beers, a Canadian dentist, founded the Montreal Lacrosse Club.[27] In 1860, Beers codified the game, shortening the length of each game and reducing the number of players to 12 per team. The first game played under Beers's rules was at Upper Canada College in 1867; they lost to the Toronto Cricket Club by a score of 3–1.[24]
The new sport proved to be very popular and spread across the English-speaking world; by 1900 there were dozens of men's clubs in Canada, the United States, England, Australia, and New Zealand. The women's game was introduced by Louisa Lumsden in Scotland in 1890. The first women's club in the United States was started by Rosabelle Sinclair at Bryn Mawr School in 1926.[28]
In the United States, lacrosse during the late 1800s and first half of the 1900s was primarily a regional sport centered around the Mid-Atlantic states, especially New York and Maryland. However, in the last half of the 20th century, the sport spread outside this region, and can be currently found in most of the United States. According to a survey conducted by US Lacrosse in 2016, there are over 825,000 lacrosse participants nationwide and lacrosse is the fastest-growing team sport among NFHS member schools.[29]
Versions of lacrosse
Field lacrosse
Field lacrosse is the men's outdoor version of the sport. There are ten players on each team: three attackmen, three midfielders, three defensemen, and one goalie. Each player carries a lacrosse stick. A short stick measures between 40 and 42 inches (100 and 110 cm) long and is used by attackmen and midfielders. A maximum of four players on the field per team may carry a long stick which is between 52 and 72 inches (130 and 180 cm) long and is used by the three defensemen and sometimes one defensive midfielder. The goalie uses a stick with a head as wide as 12 inches (30 cm) that can be between 40 and 72 inches (100 and 180 cm) long.[30]
The field of play is 110 by 60 yards (101 by 55 m). The goals are 6 by 6 ft (1.8 by 1.8 m) and are 80 yd (73 m) apart. Each goal sits inside a circular "crease", measuring 18 ft (5.5 m) in diameter.[31] The goalie has special privileges within the crease to avoid opponents' stick checks. Offensive players or their sticks may not enter into the crease at any time. The mid-field line separates the field into an offensive and defensive zone for each team. Each team must keep four players in its defensive zone and three players in its offensive zone at all times. It does not matter which positional players satisfy the requirement, although usually the three attackmen stay in the offensive zone, the three defensemen and the goalie stay in the defensive zone, and the three middies play in both zones. A team that violates this rule is offsides and either loses possession of the ball if they have it or incurs a technical foul if they do not.[32]
The regulation playing time of a game is 60 minutes, divided into four periods of 15 minutes each.[32] Play is started at the beginning of each quarter and after each goal with a face-off. During a face-off, two players lay their sticks on the ground parallel to the mid-line, the two heads of their sticks on opposite sides of the ball. At the whistle, the face-off-men scrap for the ball, often by "clamping" it under their stick and flicking it out to their teammates. When one of the teams has possession of the ball, they bring it into their offensive zone and try to score a goal. Due to the offsides rule, settled play involves six offensive players versus six defensive players and a goalie.[33]
If the ball goes out of bounds, possession is awarded against the team that touched it last. The exception is when the ball is shot towards the goal. Missed shots that go out of bounds are awarded to the team that has the player who is the closest to the ball when and where the ball goes out. During play, teams may substitute players in and out if they leave and enter the field through the substitution area, sometimes referred to as "on the fly". After penalties and goals, players may freely substitute and do not have to go through the substitution area.[34]
Penalties are awarded for rule violations and result in the offending team losing possession (loss of possession) or temporarily losing a player (time serving). During time serving penalties, the penalized team plays with one fewer player for the duration of the penalty. Time serving penalties are either releasable or non-releasable. When serving a releasable penalty, the offending player may re-enter play if a goal is scored by the opposing team during the duration of the penalty. Non-releasable penalties do not allow this and the player must serve the entire duration. In conjunction with the offsides rule, the opponent may play with six attackers versus the penalized team's five defenders and goalie. The team that has taken the penalty is said to be playing man down, while the other team is man up. Teams will use various lacrosse strategies to attack and defend while a player is being penalized.[32]
There are two classes of rule violations that result in penalties: technical fouls and personal fouls. Technical fouls, such as offsides, pushing, and holding, result in either a loss of possession or a 30-second penalty, depending on which team has the ball. Personal fouls, such as cross-checking, illegal body checking, or slashing, concern actions that endanger player safety. Cross-checking is when a player strikes another player with the shaft of the stick between his hands. A slash is when a player strikes another player with the end of the stick anywhere besides the gloves. These fouls draw 1-minute or longer penalties; the offending player must leave the field.[32]
Box lacrosse
Box lacrosse is played by teams of five runners plus a goalie on an ice hockey rink where the ice has been removed or covered by artificial turf, or in an indoor soccer field. The enclosed playing area is called a box, in contrast to the open playing field of the traditional game.[35] This version of the game was introduced in Canada in the 1930s to promote business for hockey arenas outside of the ice hockey season.[36]: 157 Within several years it had nearly supplanted field lacrosse in Canada.[36]: 120
The goals in box lacrosse are smaller than field lacrosse, traditionally 4 ft (1.2 m) wide and tall. Also, the goaltender wears much more protective padding, including a massive chest protector and armguard combination known as "uppers", large shin guards known as leg pads (both of which must follow strict measurement guidelines), and ice hockey-style goalie masks.[35][37]
The style of the game is quick, accelerated by the close confines of the floor and a shot clock. The shot clock requires the attacking team to take a shot on goal within 30 seconds of gaining possession of the ball.[35] Box lacrosse is also a much more physical game. Since cross checking is legal in box lacrosse, players wear rib pads and the shoulder and elbow pads are bigger and stronger than what field lacrosse players wear. Box lacrosse players wear a hockey helmet with a box lacrosse cage. There is no offsides in box lacrosse, the players substitute freely from their bench areas as in hockey. However, most players specialize in offense or defense, so usually all five runners substitute for teammates as their team transitions between offense and defense.[38]
For penalties, the offending player is sent to the penalty box and his team has to play without him, or man-down, for the length of the penalty. Most fouls are minor penalties and last for two minutes, major penalties for serious offenses last five minutes. What separates box lacrosse (and ice hockey) from other sports is that at the top levels of professional and junior lacrosse, participating in a fight does not automatically cause an ejection, but a five-minute major penalty is given.[35]
Box lacrosse is played at the highest level in the National Lacrosse League and by the Senior A divisions of the Canadian Lacrosse Association. The National Lacrosse League (NLL) employs some minor rule changes from the Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA) rules. Notably, the goals are 4 feet 9 inches (1.45 m) wide instead of 4 feet (1.2 m) and the games are played during the winter.[35][39] The NLL games consist of four fifteen-minute quarters compared with three periods of twenty minutes each in CLA games. NLL players may only use sticks with hollow shafts, while CLA permits solid wooden sticks.[39][40]
Women's lacrosse
The rules of women's lacrosse differ significantly from men's lacrosse, most notably by equipment and the degree of allowable physical contact.[41] Women's lacrosse rules also differ significantly between the US and all other countries, who play by the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) rules. Women's lacrosse does not allow physical contact; the only protective equipment worn is a mouth guard and eye guard. In the early part of the 21st century, there were discussions of requiring headgear to prevent concussions. In 2008, Florida was the first state to mandate headgear in women's lacrosse.[42]
Stick checking is permitted in the women's game, but only in certain levels of play and within strict rules. Women's lacrosse also does not allow players to have a pocket, or loose net, on the lacrosse stick. Women start the game with a "draw" instead of a face-off. The two players stand up and the ball is placed between their stick heads while their sticks are horizontal at waist-height. At the whistle, the players lift their sticks into the air, trying to control where the ball goes.[43]
The first modern women's lacrosse game was held at St Leonards School in Scotland in 1890. It was introduced by the school's headmistress Louisa Lumsden after a visit to Quebec, where she saw it played.[44] The first women's lacrosse team in the United States was established at Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore, Maryland in 1926.[45]
Both the number of players and the lines on the field differ from men's lacrosse. There are 12 players in women's lacrosse and players must abide by certain boundaries that do not exist in men's play. The three specific boundaries are the 8-meter (26 ft 3 in) "fan" in front of the goal (11 m [36 ft 1 in] internationally), the 12-meter (39 ft 4 in) (8 m [26 ft 3 in] internationally) half circle that surrounds the 8-meter fan, and the draw circle in the center of the field, which is used for draws to start quarters and after goals. The goal circle is also positioned slightly closer to the end line in women's lacrosse compared to men's. In women's lacrosse on either the offensive or defensive end, the players besides the goaltender are not able to step inside the goal circle; this becomes a "goal-circle violation". However, at the women's collegiate level, defenders may pass through the goal circle.[46]
The 8-meter fan that is in front of the goal circle has a few restrictions in it. Defenders cannot stand inside the 8-meter fan longer than 3 seconds without being a stick-length away from the offensive player they are guarding. This is very similar to the three-second rule in basketball. A three seconds violation results in a player from the other team taking a free shot against the goalie. If you are an attacker trying to shoot the ball into the goal, you are not supposed to take a shot while a defender is in "shooting space". To make sure that you, the defender, are being safe, you want to lead with your lacrosse stick and once you are a sticks-length away, you can be in front of her.[47]
Lacrosse sixes
Lacrosse sixes is a variant of lacrosse played outdoors with six players on each side.[48] The game follows similar rules to traditional field lacrosse, with modifications and a shorter game time.[49] It was created in 2021 by World Lacrosse in a bid to achieve lacrosse's participation in the Olympic Games, and will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 edition in Los Angeles.[50][51]
Lacrosse sixes has similar rules for men and women but preserves some differences, such as the amount of contact allowed.[52][51] The major rule differences as compared to traditional field lacrosse are as follows:[49][53][54]
- The field of play is smaller, at 70 meters by 36 meters.
- Face-offs only occur at the beginning of each quarter. Play is restarted after goals by the goalie taking the ball out of the net.
- A 30-second shot clock is added.
- Games are played in 4, 8-minute quarters.
- Rosters consist of 12 players.
- Everyone plays both offense and defense.
- There are no long crosses.
Intercrosse
Intercrosse, or soft stick lacrosse, is a non-contact form of lacrosse with a standardized set of rules using modified lacrosse equipment. An intercrosse stick is different from a normal lacrosse stick, the head is made completely of plastic instead of leather or nylon pockets in traditional lacrosse sticks. The ball is larger, softer and hollow, unlike a lacrosse ball, which is solid rubber.[55]
Intercrosse as a competitive adult sport is popular in Quebec, Canada, as well as in many European countries, particularly in the Czech Republic.[56] Generally, teams consist of five players per side, and the field size is 20 m (66 ft) wide and 40 m (130 ft) long. Goals for adults are the same size as box lacrosse, 4 ft or 1.2 m in height and width. The international governing body, the Fédération Internationale d'Inter-Crosse, hosts a World Championship bi-annually.[57]
Soft stick lacrosse is a popular way to introduce youth to the sport.[58] It can be played outdoors or indoors and has a developed curriculum for physical education classes.[59]
International lacrosse
Lacrosse has historically been played for the most part in Canada and the United States, with small but dedicated lacrosse communities in the United Kingdom and Australia. Recently, however, lacrosse has begun to flourish at the international level, with teams being established around the world, particularly in Europe and East Asia.[60][61]
World Lacrosse
In August 2008, the men's international governing body, the International Lacrosse Federation, merged with the women's, the International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations, to form the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL). The FIL changed its name to World Lacrosse in May 2019.[62] There are currently 62 member nations of World Lacrosse.[63]
Tournaments
World Lacrosse sponsors five world championship tournaments: the World Lacrosse Championship for men's field, the Women's Lacrosse World Championship for women's, the World Indoor Lacrosse Championship for box lacrosse, as well as the Men's Under-20 World Lacrosse Championships and Women's Under-20 World Lacrosse Championships. Each is held every four years.[11]
Tournament | Editions | First (# teams) |
Most recent (# teams) |
Most golds (# golds) |
Most silvers (# silvers) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
World Lacrosse Championship | 14 | 1967 (4) | 2023 (30) | United States (11) | Canada (7) |
Women's Lacrosse World Championship | 11 | 1982 (6) | 2022 (30) | United States (9) | Australia (4) |
World Lacrosse Men's U20 Championship | 9 | 1988 (4) | 2022 (23) | United States (9) | Canada (7) |
World Lacrosse Women's U20 Championship | 7 | 1995 (7) | 2019 (22) | United States (5) | Australia (4) |
World Indoor Lacrosse Championship | 5 | 2003 (6) | 2019 (13) | Canada (5) | Haudenosaunee (5) |
The World Lacrosse Championship (WLC) began in 1968 as a four-team invitational tournament sponsored by the International Lacrosse Federation. Until 1990, only the United States, Canada, England, and Australia had entered. With the expansion of the game internationally, the 2014 World Lacrosse Championship was contested by 38 countries.[64] The WLC has been dominated by the United States. Team USA has won 11 of the 14 titles, with Canada winning the other three.[65]
The Women's Lacrosse World Cup (WLWC) began in 1982. The United States has won 9 of the 11 titles, with Australia winning the other two. Canada and England have always finished in the top five. The 2017 tournament was held in England and featured 25 countries.[66]
The first World Indoor Lacrosse Championship (WILC) was held in 2003 and contested by six nations at four sites in Ontario. Canada won the championship by beating the Iroquois Nationals 21–4 in the final. The 2007 championship hosted by the Onondaga Nation included 13 teams. Canada has dominated the competition, winning all five gold medals and never losing a game.[67]
The Iroquois Nationals are the men's national team representing the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy in international field lacrosse competition. The team was admitted to the FIL in 1987. It is the only First Nations team sanctioned for international competition in any sport.[68] The Nationals placed fourth in the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Lacrosse Championships and third in 2014. The indoor team won the silver medal in all four World Indoor Lacrosse Championships. In 2008, the Iroquois women's team was admitted to the FIL as the Haudenosaunee Nationals. They placed 7th at the 2013 Women's Lacrosse World Cup.[69]
Olympic Games
Field lacrosse was a medal sport in the 1904 and the 1908 Summer Olympics. In 1904, three teams competed in the games held in St. Louis. Two Canadian teams, the Winnipeg Shamrocks and a team of Mohawk people from the Iroquois Confederacy, plus the local St. Louis Amateur Athletic Association team representing the United States participated. The Winnipeg Shamrocks captured the gold medal.[70][71] The 1908 games held in London, England, featured only two teams, representing Canada and Great Britain. The Canadians again won the gold medal in a single championship match by a score of 14–10.[72]
In the 1928, 1932, and the 1948 Summer Olympics, lacrosse was a demonstration sport. The 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam featured three teams: the United States, Canada, and Great Britain.[73] The 1932 games in Los Angeles featured a three-game exhibition between a Canadian all-star team and the United States.[74] The United States was represented by Johns Hopkins in both the 1928 and 1932 Olympics.[75] The 1948 games featured an exhibition by an "All-England" team organized by the English Lacrosse Union and the collegiate lacrosse team from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute representing the United States. This exhibition match ended in a 5–5 tie.[76]
Efforts were made to include lacrosse as an exhibition sport at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, and the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, but they were not successful.[77]
An obstacle for lacrosse to return to the Olympics has been insufficient international participation. To be considered for the Olympics, a sport had to be played on four continents and by at least 75 countries. Lacrosse is played on all six continents, but as of August 2019 when Ghana joined, there are only 63 countries playing the sport.[78][79] However, nowadays numeric criteria about widely practiced sports have been abolished.[80] The International Olympic Committee granted provisional status to World Lacrosse in 2018.[81] In August 2022, it was announced that nine sports had made the shortlist to be included in the games, among them lacrosse, with presentations expected to be made later that month.[82][83] In October 2023, the LA28 Organizing Committee announced that it had recommended lacrosse as one of five sports that may be added to the program for the 2028 Summer Olympics.[84] On October 16, 2023, lacrosse received approval from the International Olympic Committee for inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.[85]
Other
The European Lacrosse Federation (ELF) was established in 1995 and held the first European Lacrosse Championships that year.[86] Originally an annual event, it is now held every four years, in between FIL's men's and women's championships. In 2004, 12 men's and 6 women's teams played in the tournament, making it the largest international lacrosse event of the year. The last men's tournament was in 2016, when 24 countries participated. England won its ninth gold medal out of the ten tournaments played. 2015 was the last women's tournament, when 17 teams participated in the Czech Republic. England won its sixth gold medal, with Wales earning silver and Scotland bronze. These three countries from Great Britain have dominated the women's championships, earning all but three medals since the tournament began in 1996. There are currently 29 members of the ELF, they make up the majority of nations in the FIL.[87]
The Asia Pacific Lacrosse Union was founded in 2004 by Australia, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan.[88] It currently has 12 members and holds the Asia Pacific Championship for both men's and women's teams every two years.[89][90]
Lacrosse was played in the World Games for the first time at the 2017 World Games held in Poland. Only women's teams took part in the competition. The United States won the gold medal defeating Canada in the finals.[91] Australia won the bronze medal match. The Haudenosaunee Nationals women's lacrosse team could not participate.[92]
Both men and women tournaments consisting of the 6v6 version played on smaller fields were held in the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, USA.[93]
Lacrosse in the United States
College lacrosse
Men's college lacrosse
Collegiate lacrosse in the United States is played at the NCAA, NAIA and club levels. There are currently 71 NCAA Division I men's lacrosse teams, 93 Division II teams, and 236 Division III teams. Thirty-two schools participate at the NAIA level. 184 men's club teams compete in the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association, including most universities and colleges outside the northeastern United States. The National College Lacrosse League and Great Lakes Lacrosse League are two other lower-division club leagues. In Canada, 14 teams from Ontario and Quebec play field lacrosse in the fall in the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association.[94]
The first U. S. intercollegiate men's lacrosse game was played on November 22, 1877, between New York University and Manhattan College.[95] An organizing body for the sport, the U. S. National Lacrosse Association, was founded in 1879 and the first intercollegiate lacrosse tournament was held in 1881, with Harvard beating Princeton 3–0 in the championship game.[96] Annual post-season championships were awarded by a variety of early lacrosse associations through the 1930s. From 1936 to 1972, the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association awarded the Wingate Memorial Trophy to the best college lacrosse team each year.[97]
The NCAA began sponsoring a men's lacrosse championship in 1971, when Cornell took the first title over Maryland, 12–6. Syracuse has 10 Division I titles, Johns Hopkins 9, and Princeton 6.[98] The NCAA national championship weekend tournament draws over 80,000 fans.[99]
Women's college lacrosse
There are currently 112 Division I women's lacrosse teams, 109 Division II teams, and 282 Division III teams. There are 36 NAIA women's lacrosse teams. The NCAA started sponsoring a women's lacrosse championship in 1982. Maryland has traditionally dominated women's intercollegiate play, producing many head coaches and U.S. national team players. The Terrapins won seven consecutive NCAA championships from 1995 through 2001. Princeton's women's teams have made it to the final game seven times since 1993 and have won three NCAA titles, in 1993, 2002, and 2003. In recent years, Northwestern has become a force, winning the national championship from 2005 through 2009. Maryland ended Northwestern's streak by defeating the Wildcats in the 2010 final, however, Northwestern won the next two titles in 2011 and 2012. Maryland again claimed the national championship in 2014, 2015, and 2017.[100]
The Women's Collegiate Lacrosse Associates (WCLA) is a collection of over 260 college club teams that are organized by US Lacrosse. Teams are organized into two divisions and various leagues.[101]
Professional lacrosse
Active leagues
National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is a men's semi-professional box lacrosse league in North America. The NLL currently has fifteen teams, ten in the United States and five in Canada. The 18-game regular season runs from December to April; games are always on the weekends. The champion is awarded the National Lacrosse League Cup in early June.[102]
Games are played in ice rinks with artificial turf covering the ice. Venues range from NHL arenas seating 19,000 to smaller arenas with under 10,000 capacity. In 2017, average attendance ranged from 3,200 per game in Vancouver to over 15,000 in Buffalo. Overall, the league averaged 9,500 people per game.[103]
With an average salary around $20,000 per season, players have regular jobs, mostly non-lacrosse related, and live in different cities, flying into town for games.[104] Canadians and Native Americans make up over 90% of the players.[105]
The NLL started in 1987 as the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League. Teams in Philadelphia, New Jersey, Baltimore and Washington, DC, played a 6-game season. The league operated as the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1989 to 1997, when there were six teams playing a 10-game schedule. The current NLL name began in the 1998 season, which included the first Canadian team.[106]
The most successful franchises have been the Toronto Rock and the former Philadelphia Wings (now the Albany FireWolves), each has won six championships.[106]
Premier Lacrosse League
In October 2018, former MLL player Paul Rabil branched away from the MLL and created the Premier Lacrosse League. The PLL focuses on being a traveling lacrosse league that will bring the best players in the world to different cities in the United States.[107]
Each player has a minimum salary of $25,000, equity in the league, and medical benefits. The average salary is $35,000.[108] The most successful team is Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club which has two championships.
Since its inaugural season in 2019, the PLL has expanded to eight teams and merged with the MLL.
Beginning with the 2022 season, the PLL has had a broadcasting deal with ESPN.[109]
Prior to the 2023 season the PLL announced that they would be assigning home-cities to each team for the 2024 season. The touring model would not cease, however, with each team hosting one regular season weekend where they play a doubleheader. There will also be two neutral site weekends.[110][111]
Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse
Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse is a women's lacrosse league that had its inaugural season in 2021. Rather than having set teams, at the end of each week, the top four players are determined by a point system and named captains of next week's teams. They then draft their team for the next week. The champion of the league is the player that scores the most points. There are 56 players in the league as of 2023.[112][113]
Defunct leagues
Major League Lacrosse
Major League Lacrosse (MLL) was a semi-professional field lacrosse league started in 2001 with six teams in the Northeastern United States. The leagues final year had six teams, playing a week long round-robin regular season. MLL rules were based on NCAA men's rules with several exceptions, such as a 16-yard 2-point line and a 60-second shot clock.[114]
MLL venues ranged from small stadiums with under 10,000 capacity to an NFL stadium in Denver that seats 76,000. Overall league average attendance is around 4,000 per game, although the leagues Denver Outlaws had averaged around 10,000 per game since their founding in 2006.[115]
The rookie salary was $7,000 per season and most players made between $10,000 and $20,000 per season. Therefore, the players had other jobs, often non-lacrosse related, and travel to games on the weekends.[116]
The Chesapeake Bayhawks, who had played in the Annapolis–Baltimore–Washington, DC area since 2001, were the most successful franchise with six championships.[117]
On December 16, 2020, it was announced that the MLL was merging all operations with the Premier Lacrosse League. The PLL added the Boston Cannons and rebranded them to "Cannons Lacrosse Club". No other MLL teams were added into the PLL.
United Women's Lacrosse League
The United Women's Lacrosse League (UWLX), was a four-team women's lacrosse league, was launched in 2016. The teams are the Baltimore Ride, Boston Storm, Long Island Sound and Philadelphia Force. Long Island won the first two championships.[118] The league closed in 2020.
Women's Professional Lacrosse League
The Women's Professional Lacrosse League was a professional women's lacrosse league with 5 teams that started in 2018.[119] It closed in 2020.
Equipment
Stick
The lacrosse stick has two parts, the head and the shaft. There are three parts to the head: the scoop, sidewall, and pocket. The scoop is the top of the stick that affects picking up ground ball as well as passing and shooting. The sidewall is the side of the head that affects the depth of the head and the stiffness. The pocket is the leather or nylon mesh attached to the sidewall and scoop. A wider pocket allows an easier time catching balls but will also cause less ball control. A narrower pocket makes catching harder but allows more ball retention and accuracy.[120]
Shafts are usually made of hollow metal. They are octagonal, instead of round, in order to provide a better grip. Most are made of aluminum, titanium, scandium, or alloys, but some shafts are made from other materials, including wood, plastic, carbon fiber, or fiberglass.
Stick length, both shaft and head together, is governed by NCAA regulations, which require that men's sticks be from 40 to 42 inches (100 to 110 cm) long for offensive players, and 52 to 72 inches (130 to 180 cm) long for defensemen, and 40 to 72 inches (100 to 180 cm) long for goalies.[30]
Women's sticks must be an overall length of 35.5–43.25 inches (90.2–109.9 cm). The head must be seven to nine inches wide and the top of the ball must remain above the side walls when dropped in the pocket. The goalkeeper's stick must be 35.5–48 inches (90–122 cm) long. The head of the goalie's stick can up to 12 inches (30 cm) wide and the pocket may be mesh.[121]
Ball
The ball is made of solid rubber. It is typically white for men's lacrosse, or yellow for women's lacrosse; but is also produced in a wide variety of colors, such as yellow, orange or lime green according to the Men's Lacrosse Rules and Interpretations.
Men's field protective equipment
Men's field lacrosse protective equipment contains a pair of gloves, elbow pads, shoulder pads, helmet, mouthguard, and cleats. Pads differ in size and protection from player to player based on position, ability, comfort and preference. For example, many attack players wear larger and more protective elbow pads to protect themselves from checks thrown at them while defenders typically wear smaller and less protective pads due to their smaller possibility of being checked and goalies usually wear no elbow pads due to the very limited opportunities of being checked. A goalkeeper must also wear a large protective chest pad to cover their stomach and chest and a plastic neck guard that connects to the chin of their helmet to protect them from shots hitting their windpipe. In addition, male goalkeepers are required to wear a protective cup.[30]
Men's box protective equipment
Men's box players wear more protective gear than field players due to the increased physical contact and more permissive checking rules. Cross-checking in the back is allowed by the rules. Runners wear larger and heavier elbow pads and stronger shoulder pads that extend down the back of the player. Most players wear rib pads as well.[122] Box goalies wear equipment very similar to ice hockey goalies, the leg blockers are somewhat smaller, although the shoulder pads are bigger than ice hockey pads.[123]
Women's field protective equipment
Women's field players are not required to wear protective equipment besides eyewear and a mouthguard. Eyegear is a metal cage covering the eyes attached with a strap around the back of the head. In recent years, there has been discussion about allowing or requiring padded headgear to protect against concussions. Women goalies wear a helmet, gloves, and chest protector.[30]
See also
- Polocrosse, a version of lacrosse played on horseback
- Hurling, an ancient Gaelic team sport played with sticks and a ball
- Indigenous North American stickball
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- ^ DaSilva, Matt (August 2, 2017). "Long Island Sound Repeat as UWLX Champions". US Lacrosse Magazine. Archived from the original on November 15, 2017. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
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Further reading
- Beers, William George (1869). Lacrosse: The National Game of Canada. Dawson Brothers. ISBN 9780665056826.
- Culin, Stewart (1975). Games of the North American Indians. Courier Dover. ISBN 0-486-23125-9.
- Downey, Allan (2018). The creator's game: Lacrosse, identity, and Indigenous nationhood. UBC Press.
- Fink, Noah; Gaskill, Melissa (2006). Lacrosse: A Guide for Parents and Players. Mansion Grove House. ISBN 9781932421071.
- Fisher, Donald M. (2002). Lacrosse: A history of the game. JHU Press.
- Jiloty, John; Keegan, Mike; Sacco, Matthew F. (2003). Lacrosse: North America's Game. Towson, MD: Carpenter. ISBN 0-9759834-0-7.
- Pietramala, David G.; Grauer, Neil A.; Scott, Bob (2006). Lacrosse: Technique and Tradition. Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-8018-8371-7.
- Stoikos, Alex (July 14, 2021). "The Global Growth Of Lacrosse". Academia Letters. doi:10.20935/AL1591. ISSN 2771-9359.
- Tucker, Janine; Yakutchik, Maryalice (2008). Women's Lacrosse. Johns Hopkins University Press & U.S. Larcrosse. ISBN 978-0-8018-8846-5.
- Wiser, Melissa C. (2014). "Lacrosse History, a History of One Sport or Two? A Comparative Analysis of Men's Lacrosse and Women's Lacrosse in the United States". International Journal of the History of Sport. 31 (13): 1656–1676. doi:10.1080/09523367.2014.930709. ISSN 0952-3367.
- Yeager, John M. (2006). Our Game: The Character and Culture of Lacrosse. Dude. ISBN 1-887943-99-4.