Playing a sport is always a good thing as not only does it help people become physically fit, but also hone their skills and minds when it comes to their craft. It also helps that sports are fun to play, especially when you play as part of a team. There are the usual suspects for team sports such as baseball, football, and basketball. But why not try something new; have you ever heard about lacrosse?

Lacrosse Gear reviews

Lacrosse Shoulder Pads: All players, with the exception of the goalkeeper, must wear shoulder pads. Arm pads are required and rib pads are strongly recommended, and often required, as are athletic supporters and protective cups for all players.

Best Lacrosse Shoulder Pads are:

What is Lacrosse?

But what exactly is lacrosse? For those who like team contact sports, this is the game for you. In lacrosse, there are

two teams with each team being composed of 10 members, with one of them acting as the goalkeeper. Each member wields a long stick that has a mesh net at the end of it which they use to pass, catch, carry, and shoot a rubber ball the size of a fist past their opponent’s goal. If that isn’t enough action for you, it should be pointed out that lacrosse is quite a rough game as you can defend and even get the ball from your opponent by stick or body checking them.

To help give you a picture of how the game goes, it is much like soccer, only instead of using your feet, you use lacrosse sticks, and in defending or stealing the ball, you play it a lot like football wherein contact is required.

History of Lacrosse

This sport has actually been around for a very long time, as the game was already being played in the 1400s by those who have conceived it – the Indian tribes in North America. Starting out as more of a religious ceremony/training for the people of the tribes, it was played in really large open spaces. Unlike the sport that it is today, the goals back then could run as far as half a mile long with no clear sidelines being defined; teams could be composed of hundreds of members; and finally, games could run for as long as a few days with only the nighttime giving everyone a rest.

When the 1840s rolled in, the French who have settled in Canada became interested in the game and thus a friendly match between the French and the Indian tribes ensued. In the late 1850s, a set of rules was officially made for the sport by the Montreal Lacrosse Club. This gave the game a solid foundation, giving rise to the dimensions of the field on which it will be played and the number of members on each team.

But it was only in 1867 that the rules and regulations of modern-day lacrosse as we know it was established by George Beers, a dentist who is now known as the father of the modern version of the sport. He made the rules that were accepted and recognized by the National Lacrosse Association of Canada.

From the establishment of its fixed and fine-tuned rules and regulations, its popularity boomed and it became the national sport of Canada. It became so popular that it spread to different countries such as Australia, England, Ireland, Scotland, and the United States.

Lacrosse Gear

Before you can play lacrosse, you will need a few things. From equipment to the gear and the ball, everything must be of regulation size and quality.

1. Lacrosse stick/cross – the lacrosse stick is made of wood or some other type of synthetic material and has a pocket made from a net at its end. The length of the cross varies: with 40 to 42 inches for the midfielders and the attackmen, and 52 to 72 inches for the defensemen. The net pocket should be as wide as 6.5 to 10 inches for each member with the exception of the goalies’ cross which should be 10 to 12 inches wide.
2. Ball – the ball is made out of solid rubber, and its color can vary from white, orange, or yellow. It should have a circumference of 7.75 to 8 inches and should weigh 5 to 5.25 ounces.
3. Protective gear – players should wear protective gear such as arm, rib, and shoulder pads, as well as supporters and protective cups. Other equipments needed for players’ safety are the gloves and the helmet which should have a face mask with a chin pad and a four-point chin strap which should be worn and fastened. Finally, a mouthpiece for dental protection is also required.

How to play lacrosse?

While the game can be compared to both soccer and football, it should be pointed out that its rules and regulations are far from those sports. For one thing, the match is set to for 60 minutes and the game could be divided into quarters or halves, depending on the players, male and female, respectively. Another technicality that should be noted is that at the center circle of the field, there is a faceoff with each game, quarter, and every after a goal is scored.

There was talk of attackmen and defensemen earlier and each of them have their own respective positions when it comes to the field. Defensemen are required to stay in the opponent’s offensive zone, while the attackmen are required to stay in their team’s offensive zone. There is also a rule about attackmen staying away from the area of the goal which is known as the crease, a 9-foot semicircle that goes from one goalpost to another.

Because the game can be quite physical and rough, there are referees who monitor the action. These referees ensure that no player will suffer from any injury due to some physical play fouls. Each foul, both technical and personal, will give a player a penalty, which can last anywhere from 30 seconds to 3 minutes. Incurring five penalties will result in ejecting the player from the game.

Play Lacrosse!

While this covers just some basic information to appreciate and understand what the game is, what the game requires, and how to play the game, there is still more to learn. Lacrosse is a fun and great sport that is action-packed builds physical prowess and discipline. Try it out for yourself and discover why this sport has been around for hundreds of years and has been so popular!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the best lacrosse brand?

Best Lacrosse Brands
Nike Lacrosse
Epoch Lacrosse
StringKing Lacrosse.
Cascade Lacrosse
Maverik Lacrosse.
STX Lacrosse.
Warrior Lacrosse.

What should I know before playing lacrosse?

• Catch the ball as if catching an egg. As you catch the ball in the lacrosse stick head, let the stick give as it receives the pass. …
• Always face the passer when receiving a pass. …
• Practice ‘cradling’ the ball. …
• Don’t face the receiver directly when passing. …
• Throwing and catching. …
• Keep it simple. …
• Go to the ball. …
• Communicate well.

Is Lacrosse hard for beginners?

Lacrosse is easy to learn, and a great sport because of total control. In every other sport, such as basketball, you can control the ball, but you’re dribbling the ball, and it’s more difficult to keep it and shoot it. Even when you do, it’s either a shot or a dunk.

How long are lacrosse practices?

Generally, games run about 70 minutes including stoppages and warmups. When are practices? Boys teams generally practice once or twice during the week and on Saturdays. Girl’s teams generally have team practices once or twice during the week, and individual skills practice on Saturdays.

What is the hardest position in lacrosse?

goalkeeper. The goalkeeper is the hardest position in lacrosse. You face the fastest shots, you usually receive the most bruises and injuries, and the whole team is counting on you during a few high-intensity moments of every match.

Is lacrosse an expensive sport?

Overall, lacrosse is an expensive sport, but if you go about it the right way, you can find gear for cheaper prices and not give into the hype of having the most expensive lacrosse equipment

Do they not wear shoulder pads in the PLL?

Shoulder pads don’t do anything. If you die from a shot to the chest wearing them, then why wear them. It is not required equipment for field players under PLL rules. … They wear these gigantic pads to “protect their shoulders”

What are the lacrosse rules?

Basic Lacrosse Rules
There are 10 players allowed on the field – 3 attacks, 3 middies, 3 defenders, and 1 goalie.
For each goal in boys lacrosse, the scoring team is awarded one point. …
There can be a maximum of 4 long poles on the field per team.
A lacrosse ball may not be touched by a player’s hand except by the goalie.

What are the positions in lacrosse?

The 4 Main Lacrosse Positions:
Attackmen – The “forwards” of lacrosse. …
Midfielders – The runners of lacrosse that play both offense and defense.
Defenseman – The players in charge of stopping the offense from scoring and have extra long 6 foot lacrosse poles.
Goalies – The last line of defense.

Why is lacrosse so dangerous?
Overall, lacrosse is a moderate-risk sport in which the vast majority of injuries are minor strains, sprains, and bruises. However, more significant injuries can occur. Non-contact, ankle and knee ligament sprains, sustained while cutting and dodging are common in both girls and boys lacrosse.

Is lacrosse an easy sport to pick up?
For most folks, lacrosse is a relatively easy game to pick up. The rules are fairly simple, with ten players on the field for a team (four defenders, three offensive, three midfielders, and a goalie). The flow of the game is incredibly fast-paced, with transitions moving quickly.

At what age should you start lacrosse?
7. It’s recommended that players start lacrosse at the age of 7. Around this age, children gain the necessary strength and coordination needed to hold a lacrosse stick and perform fundamental skills. Starting lacrosse early is the best way for players to fully reach their playing potential.