2. Thesis Lacrosse, the oldest team sport in North America, is taking off in high schools around the country and is becoming a big part of our culture ; Therefore I am going to prove that
3. Lacrosse Facts Lacrosse is the oldest team sport in North America. There was also a Women’s Version of lacrosse called Amtahcha. ( shorter sticks and bigger heads) Freed, Stanley. "Lacrosse: Yesterday and Today." Lacrosse: Yesterday and Today 23 (Dec. 2006): 44 . E-Library . Web. 1 Dec. 2009. <http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/elibweb/elib/do/ document?set=search&dictionaryClick=&secondaryNav=&groupid=1&requestid=lib_standa rd&resultid=4&edition=&ts=F28A9876F5576E4471968E465047F39B_1259678873042&start=1& publicationId=&urn=urn%3Abigchalk%3AUS%3BBCLib%3Bdocument%3B135311900> http://www.mce.k12tn.net/indians/reports1/lacrosse.jpg
4. History of Lacrosse Lacrosse was invented by native Americans. One of the many stick and ball games they played. Freed, Stanley. "Lacrosse: Yesterday and Today." Lacrosse: Yesterday and Today 23 (Dec. 2006): 44 . E-Library . Web. 1 Dec. 2009. <http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/elibweb/elib/do/ document?set=search&dictionaryClick=&secondaryNav=&groupid=1&requestid=lib_standa rd&resultid=4&edition=&ts=F28A9876F5576E4471968E465047F39B_1259678873042&start=1& publicationId=&urn=urn%3Abigchalk%3AUS%3BBCLib%3Bdocument%3B135311900> http://alax.nl/img/61.jpg
5. Forms of Lacrosse Early lacrosse had three basic forms. The southeastern, Great lakes and Iroquoian Each style was different based on the region they lived and the resources they had to make their equipment. Venum, Thomas, Jr. "American Indian Lacrosse: little brother of war ." American Indian Lacrosse: little brother of war (2007): n. pag. Rpt. in American Indian Lacrosse: little brother of war . By THOMAS VENUM, JR. N.p.: n.p., 2007. N. pag. http://wf2dnvr11.webfeat.org:80/KjNFN12035/ url=http. Web. 1 Dec. 2009. <http:/http://wf2dnvr11.webfeat.org:80/ KjNFN12035/url=http>. http://www.superiorlacrosseclub.org/lax101/images/Indian_Lacrosse.jpg
6. Lacrosse Styles The Plain Indians would play with two sticks that were smaller. While the eastern woodland Native Americans would play with one stick. Venum, Thomas, Jr. "American Indian Lacrosse: little brother of war ." American Indian Lacrosse: little brother of war (2007): n. pag. Rpt. in American Indian Lacrosse: little brother of war . By THOMAS VENUM, JR. N.p.: n.p., 2007. N. pag. http://wf2dnvr11.webfeat.org:80/KjNFN12035/ url=http. Web. 1 Dec. 2009. <http:/http://wf2dnvr11.webfeat.org:80/ KjNFN12035/url=http>. http://www.learnnc.org/lp/media/uploads/2007/09/lacrosse.jpg
7. Native American Pregame Rituals They were very similar to rituals associated with war They would Paint their bodies and decorated their sticks. There were strict rules on what a player could eat before the game. Duffy, Neil. The Spirit in the Stick. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print. http://mountaincabinbythelake.com/images/todo/native.jpg
8. Early Lacrosse As many as 100 to 1,000 men would play from each village. The game would be played on an open plain between each village. On a field that could be miles long. The game could last for several days but it normally went from sun up to sun down. Freed, Stanley. "Lacrosse: Yesterday and Today." Lacrosse: Yesterday and Today 23 (Dec. 2006): 44 . E-Library . Web. 1 Dec. 2009. <http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/elibweb/elib/do/ document?set=search&dictionaryClick=&secondaryNav=&groupid=1&requestid=lib_standa rd&resultid=4&edition=&ts=F28A9876F5576E4471968E465047F39B_1259678873042&start=1& publicationId=&urn=urn%3Abigchalk%3AUS%3BBCLib%3Bdocument%3B135311900>.
9. Early Lacrosse Cont. The rules were decided the day before. There was often no boundaries. The goals were big boulders or trees later they would use wooden poles put into the ground. Freed, Stanley. "Lacrosse: Yesterday and Today." Lacrosse: Yesterday and Today 23 (Dec. 2006): 44 . E-Library . Web. 1 Dec. 2009. <http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/elibweb/elib/do/ document?set=search&dictionaryClick=&secondaryNav=&groupid=1&requestid=lib_standa rd&resultid=4&edition=&ts=F28A9876F5576E4471968E465047F39B_1259678873042&start=1& publicationId=&urn=urn%3Abigchalk%3AUS%3BBCLib%3Bdocument%3B135311900>. http://tilburglax.nl/images/Indian%20lacrosse2.jpg
10. Early lacrosse Continued The Game started when the ball was thrown up in the air and both sides rushed toward it. The game was slow moving because of the massive number of players. Passing was considered a trick and a cowardice move because you wanted to dodge an opposing player. Freed, Stanley. "Lacrosse: Yesterday and Today." Lacrosse: Yesterday and Today 23 (Dec. 2006): 44 . E-Library . Web. 1 Dec. 2009. <http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/elibweb/elib/do/ document?set=search&dictionaryClick=&secondaryNav=&groupid=1&requestid=lib_standa rd&resultid=4&edition=&ts=F28A9876F5576E4471968E465047F39B_1259678873042&start=1& publicationId=&urn=urn%3Abigchalk%3AUS%3BBCLib%3Bdocument%3B135311900>.
11. Significance of the Game Lacrosse was used to settle Inter-tribal conflicts. It is the reason that the six nations of the Iroquois together Duffy, Neil. The Spirit in the Stick. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print http://ryecityschools.milton.schoolfusion.us/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/496886/Image/Webquests/Algonquin%
12. The Stakes Before the game every player made a wager (knives, horses, Goods) Sometimes even wives and children were bet. Items where awarded to the winners of each Quarter http://www.windmilltradingco.com/Images/HomePage%202.jpg
13. After the Game A ceremonial dance took place A feast for all the hungry players http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ohq/106.3/images/williams_fig01b.jpg
14. First Lacrosse Balls Lacrosse balls were made of wood or deer skin stuffed with hair. 3 inches in diameter
15. First Lacrosse Sticks The First lacrosse sticks were basically giant wooden spoons with no netting. A more advanced type had one end bent into a 4 or 5 inch circle which was filled with netting. Freed, Stanley. "Lacrosse: Yesterday and Today." Lacrosse: Yesterday and Today 23 (Dec. 2006): 44 . E-Library . Web. 1 Dec. 2009. <http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/elibweb/elib/do/ document?set=search&dictionaryClick=&secondaryNav=&groupid=1&requestid=lib_standa rd&resultid=4&edition=&ts=F28A9876F5576E4471968E465047F39B_1259678873042&start=1& publicationId=&urn=urn%3Abigchalk%3AUS%3BBCLib%3Bdocument%3B135311900>. http://www.hemplax.com/image/native-american-lacrosse-replica.gif
16. First Lacrosse Sticks Cont. Lengths ranged from 2 to 5 feet. Sticks often had carvings on them to help the player in the game. Venum, Thomas, Jr. "American Indian Lacrosse: little brother of war ." American Indian Lacrosse: little brother of war (2007): n. pag. Rpt. in American Indian Lacrosse: little brother of war . By THOMAS VENUM, JR. N.p.: n.p., 2007. N. pag. http://wf2dnvr11.webfeat.org:80/KjNFN12035/ url=http. Web. 1 Dec. 2009. <http:/http://wf2dnvr11.webfeat.org:80/ KjNFN12035/url=http>. http://www.uwlax.edu/MVAC/images/Games/lacrosse%20stick%20W.jpg
17. Significance of the Stick Lacrosse sticks were considered a extremely valuable piece of property. Most lacrosse players requested to be buried with their stick. Duffy, Neil. The Spirit in the Stick. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print. http://jenssannerud.com/lacrosse%20stick.jpg
19. Modern Lacrosse Played with a small rubber ball. Metal shafts plastic heads. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://blog.syracuse.com/orangelacrosse/2009/
24. Start of Game Each Game starts with a face off on the midline There are only three players from each team that can compete in the face off until possession is determined. After each goal there is also a face off
26. Basic Rules Each team has 10 players on the field There must be 4 players on the defensive side of the field at all times and 3 on the offensive side
27. During Play The Ball must make it over the midline in 20 seconds Then 10 seconds to get it into the box
28. Penalties 30 Sec Technical foul Push with possession Offside Interference 1 min Personal foul Slashing Tripping Illegal Body Check Cross Checking Unsportsmanlike Conduct
29. Change of Possession Failure to advance Lose ball push http://images.veer.com/IMG/PIMG/CCP/CCP0006937_P.JPG
30. Serving the Penalty The player that commits the foul must spend that amount of time in the penalty box. The team that committed the foul has to play one man short until the penalty is served
31. Substitutions Substitutions can be on the fly through the box during play or can be made during breaks in the game If the ball goes out of bounds then the coach can call for a horn which allows then to sub on and off any players.
Editor's Notes
Lacrosse is the oldest team sport in North America. A form of lacrosse was invented in Mexico around the 1100’s. Women’s lacrosse or Amtahcha was very similar to the men’s game except they used shorter sticks and the sticks had a bigger head .
Lacrosse was one of many other stick and ball games that native Americans
Each Style was dictated by the resources that the local native Americans had around them.
Rituals were very important for Native Americans. The called lacrosse little war so many of their rituals were associated with war. They would paint their bodies to intimidate their enemies. Their sticks would be decorated to bring them luck. There where also strict taboos on what a player could eat before a game.
The Game was played with as many as 1000 people on each side. It was very slow moving because of all the players. It was also a very physical game and players would often get injured or even killed. There was little to no passing in a game because it was considered a cowardice move.
Lacrosse was a way for the tribes to settle their conflicts. It was also a very important part of their culture.
The Game of lacrosse was also taken very seriously on a personal level. All the players had to put up a wager and some times they would even bet their own children and wives. The team that one the quarter would receive the items that were wagered.
After the game the tribes would do a ceremonial dance to honor their gods and the lacrosse players. After the ceremonial dance the tribe would prepare a fiest for the hungry lacrosse players. The feast could last the entire night.
Depending on the resources around them it would determine what was used to make the ball. An area rich with deer would often make the ball out of deer skin and stuff it with either animal or human hair. Or the ball would be carved out of wood.
The first sticks were very basic and were made entirely out of wood. These sticks did not have much control over the ball. The more advanced stick was fitted with netting made out of animal hide. This allowed for much more ball control for the players/
The size of the lacrosse stick depended on what area they lived. In the Eastern Woodland Native Americans would use longer sticks. But in the south west plains the Native Americans would use two smaller sticks instead of one bigger one. The carvings often had to do with the culture of the tribe and the family history of the player. The carvings were said to have helped the player.
Players considered their lacrosse sticks as a very personal piece of property. It was very personalized with carvings and meant a lot to them.
Lacrosse is known as the fastest game on two feet because of the speed and pace the game is played at,
Wooden shafts are still legal but they have bin replaced by stronger, lighter alloy.
All the required pieces of equipment prevent vulnerable parts of the body that are most likely to get hit. The Chest protector is required for goalies only and so is the throat protector.
Lacrosse Helmets are designed a lot like bike helmets they are not meant for repeated heavy collisions like football helmets. They were made to stop getting hit with shots or high checks.
The dimensions of a Men’s lacrosse field are 110 yards from end line to end line and a with of 60 yards. The goals are 80 yards apart with 15 yards behind each goal. There are five basic lines on a lacrosse field the midline the two end lines and the two boxes. There is 20 yards between the midline.
Every head has to be at least 10 inches long and 6 inches across at the top. The throat can not be smaller then 3 inches or it can not be bigger then 5 inches. Th
Face off which starts at midfield where only three players from each team can compete in.
Failure in crossing the either of the lines will result in a failure to advance penalty and a loss of possession
The technical fouls are 30 second penalties because they are not considered dangerous. Personal fouls are 1 minute because they can be dangerous to other players on the field
These fouls are minor and are not considered dangerous so the only punishment for this penalty is change in possession.
The Box is located between both of the players bench and the player serving the penalty has to stand in the box till the time is up.
All substitutions have to be through the box unless there is a stoppage of play.
