The origins of lacrosse can be traced back to numerous Native American civilisations as far back as 1100 AD. In the region of modern-day Canada, lacrosse was well-established by the 17th century and was recorded by Jesuit missionary missionaries. With roots dating back to the 12th century among the Native Americans of North America, it is the oldest organised sport in the continent. The game’s present collegiate and professional forms were created after considerable modifications by European colonists that lessened the violence.
To carry, pass, grab and shoot the ball into the goal, players use the head of the lacrosse stick. Field lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, box lacrosse and intercrosse are the four variations of the game, each with its own sticks, fields, rules and equipment. Field lacrosse and box lacrosse are contact sports in which all participants must wear protective equipment, including helmets, gloves, shoulder pads and elbow pads. In the women’s game, which is played outside, stick-to-stick contact is permitted but not body contact.
The only international sporting body that recognises First Nations bands and Native American tribes as independent states are World Lacrosse, which oversees the modern sport. In addition to the Women’s Lacrosse World Cup, the World Indoor Lacrosse Championship for box lacrosse, and the Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships for both sexes, the organisation also hosts the World Lacrosse Championship for men. Every four years, each is held.
A game must be played for a minimum of 60 minutes, which are broken up into four periods of 15 minutes each. Each quarter’s play begins with a face-off, and each goal is followed by a face-off. Two players place their sticks on the floor parallel to the midline during a face-off, with the two heads of their sticks on the opposing sides of the ball. The face-off men compete for the ball at the whistle, frequently “clamping” it under their stick and flicking it to their teammates. One of the sides will aim to score a goal when they have the ball and move it towards their offensive zone. In the settled play, there are six attacking players vs six defence players plus a goaltender because of the offsides rule.
