Dating back to the 1400s, lacrosse is the oldest known sport in North America. The game, played by the Native Americans, was seen by a Jesuit missionary in the 1600s. He named the sport Lacrosse because the sticks looked like the crosses carried by priests. Indian lacrosse was played with 100 to 1000 natives on each team, and would be played for two or three days, with half a mile between goals. It was played mainly to train the players for real battle, and sometimes to settle disputes between tribes. In the early 1900s, lacrosse became a recognized sport as it was played in the Olympics, and the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA).
Each team must have at least four players, goalie also, in the defensive half of the field. Three players in its offensive half and three midfielders may move through the entire field. High school games are usually 48 minutes long, 12 minutes each quarter. Each team is given a two minute break between the first, second, third, and fourth quarters. Half-time is ten minutes long. Teams change sides between periods, and each team is permitted two time-outs each half. The team winning the coin toss chooses the end of the field it wants to defend first. Players can run with the ball in the crosse, and pass and catch the ball. Only the goalie can touch the ball with his hands. .
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Skills.
Elementary Middle High.
Cradling the ball Shooting Slap check.
Throwing, catching Checking Screening.
How to scoop Cutting Wrap check.
Equipment Needed to Play.
• Jock strap, cup.
• Stick/Crosse.
• Arm pads, shoulder pads, gloves, helmet.
• Mouth guard.
• Cleats.
Lacrosse is a sport that is very demanding on the body. To be a good lacrosse player, one must have strength in all five aspects of physical fitness. Lacrosse incorporates a lot of running, so one must be strong in cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance.
