Lacrosse

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Lacrosse
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History of Lacrosse

• History----Lacrosse comes from the Indian game
  "Baggataway" played by the North American Indians
  as a means to condition their warriors for war.
  Today's version of the game, though rough and
  fast, little resembles the Indian version. From
  800 to 1000 would play at one time over several
  miles. Broken bones and even deaths were common
  results.
• The game was renamed "la crosse" which is the
  French translation for "the stick." It became the
  national sport of Canada. Enthusiasm for the game
  spread to the British Isles, Australia, and the
  United States. Of course, the rules were changed
  from those of Baggataway to become a more
  civilized game and safer skill techniques
  developed. It still is one of the more rough and
  dangerous games. Lacrosse is not consider a major
  sport in most areas of the U.S. Its popularity
  lies mainly in the East at prep schools and
  colleges.

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Terminology

• Catching One hand at the head of the stick the
  other at the bottom (top hand can slide). Allow
  the ball to come to you and cushion it.
• Cushion The act of giving a little by bending
  your elbow when receiving the pass.
• Cradling The act of running with the ball.
  Position hands the same as catching, then use a
  curling motion with arms and wrists. Keep two
  hands on the stick. Using this skill will help
  keep the ball in the basket while moving.
• Dodging Weaving in and out of traffic in order
  to improve your position on the floor.
• Passing Bring the head of the stick back. Keep
  eyes on the target. Keep the hands and the
  wrists relaxed when gripping the handle. Wrists
  should break on follow-through. Head of
  stick should point to target at the end of the
  throw.

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More Terms

• Scooping The act of picking the ball up off the
  floor. Position hands at the top and bottom of
  stick, bend your knees and back, keeping the
  basket low to the ground. Scoop through the
  ball like you are shoveling snow.
• Shooting The act of throwing the ball at the
  goal, with a snap of the wrist at the end. Do
  not push the ball, throw it.
• Trapping Use instead of scooping in order to
  control the ball. Simply cover the ball with
  the basket of your stick and keep it on the
  ground. The play stops, the player who traps
  the ball receives a free pass.

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Positions

• Attack men Offensive player, must stay on
  offensive end of the field.
• Defensemen Defensive player, must stay on the
  defensive end of the field.
• Goalie The player who stays inside the crease
  and tries to stop the ball from going into the
  goal.
• Midfielder Plays both offense and defense.
  Only player on the field that can go on both
  sides of the field.

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Basic Rules of Play

• The team is divided into thirds one third of the
  team is defensemen, attackmen or midfielders.
• Game is started by a faceoff (two opponents face
  each other with the ball placed between their two
  sticks). Whistle is blown and players try to gain
  control of the ball.
• The ball must be thrown over the center line
  (cannot be carried).
• After the ball is advanced past the center line,
  there must be two more passes before a shot is
  taken (no goal can be scored from the defensive
  side of the field).

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Rules Continued

• Both hands must be kept on the stick at all times
  with no rough housing or using the stick as a
  weapon.
• The Goalie is allowed to roll the ball to his
  teammates, but no other player is allowed to pick
  up the ball.
• A goal is scored when the ball is thrown in (may
  not be kicked in or hit with the stick in the
  goal).
• After a goal is scored a faceoff will start play
  in the center of the court.