When was lacrosse started

Brown later become one of the most accomplished running backs in the NFL and was heard to say that he preferred lacrosse over football. The NCAA eventually took over the reigns of college lacrosse and the first collegiate championship was held in Today, the sport continues to gain tremendous popularity throughout the country.

While the traditional hotbeds of the sport are Long Island and Baltimore, lacrosse has spread like wildfire across the nation and is now played in almost every corner of the US. In a painting by George Catlin, he shows how a Choctaw lacrosse game in had hundreds of players on the field at the same time.

Instead of a ten-player team playing a one-hour game, originally there was no set number of players. Rumour has it there were games where up to 1, players from many villages would participate over a period of many days.

The field length changed to suit whatever area was available. Instead of the current length of metres, the field could be metres or many kilometres long. Lacrosse games were huge events! Although women didn't participate in these games, they did have their own version called amtahcha , which had shorter sticks. Lacrosse isn't just a cool sport, it's also a very important part of Indigenous culture.

According to an Ojibwa legend — Why Birds go South in Winter — lacrosse also plays a special role in nature. The legend goes like this:. Long ago, there was only summer. Native American ball games often involved hundreds of players. Traditional lacrosse games were sometimes major events that could last several days. As many as to 1, men from opposing villages or tribes would participate.

The games were played in open plains located between the two villages, and the goals could range from yards m to several miles apart. Rules for these games were decided on the day before. Generally there was no out-of-bounds, and the ball could not be touched with the hands.

The goals would be selected as large rocks or trees; in later years golden posts were used. The British were at war with the French and controlled all the trading in the Upper Midwest. The date for the game was set to coincide with the English kings birthday when the soldiers would be free from their duties and ready to be entertained by the public wagering on the game.

On the day of the game, the plan had the women of both tribes line up along the wall in front of the main gate with tomahawks, knives, and war clubs under their shawls and blankets. As the game moved closer to the main gate, the ball was thrown into the fort. There are four types of lacrosse being played today. Minilacrosse or soft lacrosse is played by beginners and primarily taught in gym class. It is an inexpensive modified version of the game that stresses the basic skills without the body contact and stick checking.

Box or indoor lacrosse invented in Canada is played 6 on 6 in cement or turf-covered hockey rinks in the summer with many of the same rules and equipment of hockey.