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 Lacrosse FAQ |
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1. What Is Lacrosse?
With a history that spans centuries, lacrosse is the oldest sport in North America. Rooted in Native American religion, lacrosse was often played to resolve conflicts, heal the sick, and develop strong, virile men. To Native Americans, lacrosse is still referred to as "The Creator's Game." Ironically, lacrosse also served as a preparation for war. Legend tells of as many as 1,000 players per side, from the same or different tribes, who took turns engaging in a violent contest. Contestants played on a field from one to 15 miles in length, and games sometimes lasted for days. Some tribes used a single pole, tree or rock for a goal, while other tribes had two goalposts through which the ball had to pass. Balls were made out of wood, deerskin, baked clay or stone. The evolution of the Native American game into modern lacrosse began in 1636 when Jean de Brebeuf, a Jesuit missionary, documented a Huron contest in what is now southeast Ontario, Canada. At that time, some type of lacrosse was played by at least 48 Native American tribes scattered throughout what is now southern Canada and all parts of the United States. French pioneers began playing the game avidly in the 1800s. Canadian dentist W. George Beers standardized the game in 1867 with the adoption of set field dimensions, limits to the number of players per team and other basic rules. New York University fielded the nation's first college team in 1877, and Philips Academy, Andover (Massachusetts), Philips Exeter Academy (New Hampshire) and the Lawrenceville School (New Jersey) were the nation's first high school teams in 1882. There are 400 college and 1,200 high school men's lacrosse teams from coast to coast. The first women's lacrosse game was played in 1890 at the St. Leonard's School in Scotland. Although an attempt was made to start women's lacrosse at Sweet Briar College in Virginia in 1914, it was not until 1926 that Miss Rosabelle Sinclair established the first women's lacrosse team in the United States at the Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore, Maryland. Men's and women's lacrosse were played under virtually the same rules, with no protective equipment, until the mid-1930s. At that time, men's lacrosse began evolving dramatically, while women's lacrosse continued to remain true to the game's original rules. Men's and women's lacrosse remain derivations of the same game today, but are played under different rules. Women's rules limit stick contact, prohibit body contact and, therefore, require little protective equipment. Men's lacrosse rules allow some degree of stick and body contact, although violence is neither condoned nor allowed. Field lacrosse is sometimes perceived to be a violent and dangerous game, however, injury statistics prove otherwise. While serious injuries can and do occur in lacrosse, the game has evolved with an emphasis on safety, and the rate of injury is comparatively low.
2) What are the Equipment Requirements for Girls Lacrosse?
Girls require a lacrosse stick, eye guards (goggles), mouthpiece and cleats (soccer). Gloves are optional.
- The Stick: Similar to other sports' equipment, there is a wide variety of styles & prices for lacrosse sticks, the differrence is, with lacrosse, you don't have to spend a lot of money to get a good stick. The most popular brands for Women's lacrosse sticks are DeBeers, STX, and Brine. All offer sticks starting around $30 - $40.
- The Goggles: As of Jan.1,2005, protective eyeware is mandatory for all levels of play. The cost will run from $30 - $60 and are manufactured by many of the big names in lacrosse, (again - Brine, STX,etc.). Many of the Maidens players use the "STX 4Sight"($45) for comfort and visability.
- Mouthgard & Cleats: Whatever type mouthgard your player is comfortable with will work. We don't spend more that $1.50 on them because they tend to get lost! While there are manufacturers who offer an actual lacrosse cleat, any soccer-type cleat that is comfortable will do.
3) What are the Positions in Girls Lacrosse?
Women's Lacrosse Positions
ATTACK POSITIONS:
- First Home: The first home's responsibility is to score. Located in front of the goal, the first home must continually cut toward the goal for a shot, or cut away from the goal to make room for another player. She should have excellent stickwork.
- Second Home: The second home is considered the playmaker. She should be able to shoot well from every angle and distance from the goal.
- Third Home: The third home's responsibility is to transition the ball from defense to attack. She should be able to feed the ball to other players and fill in wing areas.
- Attack Wings: The wings are also responsible for transitioning the ball from defense to attack. Wings should have speed and endurance and be ready to receive the ball from the defense and run or pass the ball.
DEFENSIVE POSITIONS:
- Point: The point's responsibility is to mark first home. She should be able to stick check, body check and look to intercept passes.
- Coverpoint: The coverpoint's responsibility is to mark second home. She should be able to receive clears, run fast and have good footwork.
- Third Man: The third man's responsibility is to mark third home. She should be able to intercept passes, clear the ball, run fast and have good footwork.
- Center: The center's responsibility is to control the draw and play both defense and attack. She should have speed and endurance.
- Defense Wings: The wings are responsible for marking the attack wings and bringing the ball into the attack area. Wings should have speed and endurance.
- Goalkeeper: The goalkeeper's responsibility is to protect the goal. She should have good stickwork, courage and confidence.
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