The Game of Lacrosse
Introduction
History
of Lacrosse
The Game of Lacrosse
Box Lacrosse
Defensive Strategy in Box Lacrosse
Offensive Strategy in Box Lacrosse
Penalties and Infractions in
Box Lacrosse
Lacrosse has long been referred to as the fastest-game-on-two-feet. The sport is characterized by intense action, strategy, finesse and power. To make long looping passes at one end of the floor and short bullet like shots at the other end; to catch a pass over the shoulder while running at full stride; to hit the top corner of the net while in full flight; or to stop a shot aimed low through a maze of players requires a range of skills unsurpassed in any other sport. The promotion of speed, stamina, sportsmanship and team play in Lacrosse provides excellent conditioning for other sports like hockey, basketball and soccer. The wide open nature of the game makes it a very good spectator sport. [Top]
Lacrosse originated among the First Nations of North America and was referred to by a variety of names such as Baggataway or Tewaarathon. Originally the game included upwards of 100 players per side with boundaries several kilometers apart. Games often lasted for several days while chiefs and elders kept score. The ball was made of deer hair tightly wrapped with deerskin and the sticks were made of hickory, steamed, bent and carved into shape. In the 1800's European settlers took an interest in the sport. In 1867 the Canadian Lacrosse Association was formed and in 1869 Lacrosse became Canada's National Sport. [Top]
There are three forms of Lacrosse: Box , Field and Inter-Lacrosse. Box Lacrosse is the most common form played in Canada. Six players per team compete on an arena floor with three periods of play. Field Lacrosse is more common internationally. Ten players per side compete on a 100 meter by 55 meter field with four quarters of play. Inter-Lacrosse may be played indoors or out and is aimed at younger aged players. It uses a softer ball and plastic sticks and encourages fitness, fair play, cooperation and safety. [Top]
Box Lacrosse is a sport that is most like basketball and hockey. It has the checking, shooting and goal-tending of hockey and the one-on-one play, ball control and offense and defense of basketball. Each team is allowed six players on the floor at a time: a goaltender, G, and five runners, R, as shown below. [Top]
Defensive Strategy in Box Lacrosse
Once a team loses possession of the ball, it immediately retreats to its defensive zone. Most defensive play involves man-to-man coverage. Hockey style fore-checking does not exist for the same reason as basketball: the ball carrier has such good control that it is very unlikely that ball control is lost. Only near the end of very close games will a team press an offensive team, hoping for a turn-over. [Top]
Offensive Strategy in Box Lacrosse
The offensive strategy in Lacrosse is similar to that of basketball. Once a team has possession of the ball, it may operate a fast break offense or it may operate a ball-controlled offense and walk the ball down the floor. Once a team has the ball in the offensive zone, the team will be looking for a good one-on-one situation where a player can gain a scoring opportunity or the team will be attempting to pass to a player in the prime scoring area. [Top]
Penalties and Infractions in Box Lacrosse
Penalties in Lacrosse take three forms: possession change, minor penalty, major penalty and misconduct. If a possession infraction occurs then the offending team loses possession of the ball. Possession changes commonly occur for shooting the ball out of the playing area, body contact while chasing a loose ball, warding off opponents using a free hand and a 30-second shot clock violation. Two minute minor penalties are assessed to players for infractions such as slashing, elbowing, unnecessary roughness, cross-checking, charging, tripping, deliberate hand contact with the ball and contact with an opposing goaltender in the crease. Five minute major penalties and misconduct penalties may be assessed for more serious infractions such as checking from behind and instances where there is a deliberate attempt to injure. [Top]