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Lacrosse has greatly involved over time. The game of the Native Americans differs greatly from the game that is played now. The sport was much less organized back then, and it was often known as a savage, rough, warlike sport. However, lacrosse has become much more safe and enjoyable through basic rules that have been established by the major lacrosse leagues.  They have laid down basic rules that have led to a more enjoyable, safe, and widespread game.

All lacrosse players need the same basic equipment. These are necessary to prevent injury that can often occur due to the hard jabs of the stick, or the hard ball.  The crosse is probably the most important piece of equipment for all players. The crosse is composed of two main parts. The first part is the long rod piece, usually made of metal, wood, or another very hard material. Most professional sticks also have a rubber butt on the end that helps to prevent crudely cut metal or wood from cutting someone. At the top of the crosse, is a net, or basket. This is known as the head of the stick. It has a plastic or another hard material for a shape. Then one side of this is made into a basket by using netting. This allows players to catch the ball, similar to a baseball glove. The head is illegal if it is shorter than 6 and ½ inches wide and longer than 10, unless it is a goalie’s stick, which may be 10-12 inches wide. The netting is illegal if the top of the ball, when placed in the netting is below the side wall of the head. The actual stick itself may only be 40-42 inches long. The defensemen’s stick may be between 52 and 72 inches.

  The ball is also necessary for play. It should be hard rubber. It also must be orange, yellow, or white. The ball must be 7 ¼ -8 inches in circumference. The ball should weigh between 5 and 5 ¼ ounces. All players MUST wear a helmet. This must be a hard, very protective helmet to avoid all head injuries. There should be a chinstrap that should always be fully connected. Players should also have a mouthpiece. Gloves, similar to hockey gloves, must be wore to protect the hands. They should be thick enough so that the ball shouldn’t cause immense pain if thrown at hard speeds. Players must also have shoulder pads. Rib and arm pads are strongly recommended.

Lacrosse has four main positions. There are 3 attackmen, 3 midfielders, 3 defenders, and a goalie. This means that there should be a total of 10 players on the field. The attackmen are the players that are supposed to score. Similar to soccer, they are mainly restricted to the attacking area of the field. This is similar to the forwards on a soccer team, as both are permitted, though not recommended to run the entire field. The defensemen are nearly the exact opposite of the attackmen. They are supposed to help the goalie defend the goal. They often challenge the attacker of the other team in an attempt to dislodge the ball. The midfielders are a mix of both types. They can run the entire field and are used equally as attackers and defenders. This position usually requires the most running and movement as the players must cover the most ground. The goalie, like most sports, is the single player whose sole purpose is to defend the goal.

The lacrosse field is unique from all other fields. It is 60 yards wide and 110 yards long. The midfield line divides the field in half, similar to the case in most sports. Running parallel down the end of the fields are the wing areas. There is a line parallel to the long ends of the field that is ten yards from either side. This line runs all the way down the field. 35 yards from each short ends of the field are two lines call the attack area and the defensive area. Often, you are only supposed to have a certain number of people in this area. The goal area is where the goals are placed on each end of the field. The goal areas are similar to that of hockey, where players can move around behind the net. The goal should be placed __________ yards off of the back line. The goal is _________________ and it has a circle with a 9 yard circumference surrounding it. This area is called the crease. The only person that may enter the crease with their body is the goalie, however, players may put their sticks in it.

In a game of lacrosse, most games are 60 minutes long. It is divided into four quarters of 15 minutes each. There is usually a two minute break between quarters. At the start of each quarter, the teams change sides. To start the game, the team winning the coin flip is allowed to choose what side they would like to defend.

To start a game, the players are all positioned differently. There is a player in the center of the field. This player will take a face-off. This is when the referee drops the ball between two opposing player, and each of them try to get the ball. There are three attackers positioned in the attack area, two people in the wings, one in the center, and three in the defending area. The wingmen are the only people that are allowed to move before one of the players taking the faceoff takes control.

 During the game, players try to score a goal on the other team’s net by passing, catching, running, cradling, and shooting. All of this must be done without using the hands, only by “flinging” your stick. Cradling is what you are supposed to do when you have possession of the ball. This where you move your arms back and forth to swing the ball back and forth in the net of your head. This helps to keep the ball in the head of your crosse when other players try to dislodge it.

They are allowed to take the ball by poke checking, body checking, or slap checking. The poke check is when a player tries to hit the other player’s stick with his as to drive the ball up and out of the pocket. Body checking is when a player makes body contact with another player to knock the ball out of their crosse. This must be done in a controlled manner, as aggressive body checking can become dangerous. A slap check is when a player uses his stick to just tap the opponents stick in an attempt to disrupt the player’s skills.    

When the ball goes out of bounds, the player’s team who played the ball out of bounds does not get the ball. The other team is awarded the ball. However, when a shot attempt fails, the player who is closest to the ball when it goes out of bounds is given the ball.

However, there are many fouls that accompany the game. Personal fouls are fouls that usually involve a violation of physical penalties. Players are given a three minute suspension. If a single player receives more than five personal fouls they are out of the game. Slashing occurs when a player’s stick hits the opposing player in a place other than the glove, crosse, or head of the stick. Cross checking is when a player uses the handle to make contact with another player. Tripping occurs when a player tries to hit player below the waist. Illegal body checking is when a player is body checked when they are not within five years of the ball or they don’t have possession. It can also be a check that occurs substantially after a pass or shot occurs. It could also be when a player checks someone below the waist or from behind. There are also penalties for unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct.  

There are also technical fouls. If the team that committed the foul was not in possession, then the player is given a thirty second suspension. If they are in possession, then the ball is given to the other team. Holding is a foul that occurs when a player blocks or impedes the movement of another player. Interference is when a player blocks or gets in the way of another player while they are trying to catch a ball. If a team doesn’t have three people on the attacking half of the field, or if they don’t have four people on the defensive half of the field, off sides is called. When a player pushes or shoves another player, pushing is called. If an offensive player tries to block or screen a defensive player then they will be penalized for screening. You are not allowed to use a free hand to move or block while in possession of the ball, otherwise, warding will be called. There is also a penalty for stalling, or purposely delaying in order to run down the clock.