LACROSSEBy: Tyler Haines

Ryan Serio

History of Lacrosse• Lacrosse was originally a game to prepare the Cherokee

Indians for war• One of the oldest team sports in America dating back to the

17th century• Traditional lacrosse were major events that could last several

days• As many as 100-1000 men from opposing villages or tribes

would participate• Played in open plains located between the two villages• Opposing goals could range from 500 yards to several miles

apart

The Rules of the Game

Traditional • Decided the day before• Generally no out-of-bounds• Ball cannot be touched by

hands• Games began with the ball

being tossed in the air• Tended to involve huge mob of

players• Passing the ball was thought of

as a trick• Dodging was seen as cowardly

Modern Day• 10 players on each side (3

attackmen, 3 midfielders, 3 defensemen and 1 goalie)

• Starts with a face-off• Idea is to move the ball as

quickly as possible to score• Unlike the natives dodging is

very important• Four 15 minute quarters• Team with the most goals wins

Purpose of Lacrosse

• Played to settle inner-tribal disputes

• To toughen young warriors for combat

• Recreational purposes and as part of festivals

• Wagers against other tribes

Traditional Lacrosse Modern Day Lacrosse

- Physical activity- Being a member of a team

sport- A way to receive

scholarships into universities

- To make a living (Major League Lacrosse)

Cost is an Issue

• Very expensive sport • Equipment can be expensive even with the lower

lever padding

-Helmet: $150-250

-Shafts: $60-215-Heads: $60-120-Shoulder/Elbow pads: $60-120-Gloves: $60-200- Avg Total Spent: $730.00

• Each piece of equipment varies in price due to the amount of weight, durability, brand and style

Issue: Lack of Knowledge

• Mainly played in the Northern/ East coast of USA and Canada

• Beginning to spread to the Western coast• Mid-western has not been introduced to the sport• Lacrosse is rapidly increasing popularity wise

NCAA Division 1 Lacrosse Schools

Issues: Injury

• The range of injuries varies from very mild to sometimes severe

• Concussion • Ankle Sprain• Knee Injuries• Bruised Ribs• Broken Bones

Population of Lacrosse

• Unlike football and baseball, lacrosse has not been mainstreamed as a major sport

• NCAA Lacrosse Teams-Division 1: 61 teams-Division 2: 42 teams-Division 3: 179 teams

• Major League- 6 teams: Boston, Denver, Long Island, Chesapeake, Rochester and Hamilton

- Ticket prices range from $10-$135

Weather Considerations

• Lacrosse is a sport played rain or shine (except lightning)

• Here at Frostburg we play outside in blizzards 80 percent of our practice day with no complaints

• Dress accordingly to weather

New Project• Denver Pioneers Men's Lacrosse Team • The University of Denver Created a NCAA Division 1 Lacrosse

Team in 2010Head Coach Bill Tierney left Princeton University to come coach

• In 2011 their 2nd season They won their first NCAA Tournament game 13–10 against Villanova in 2011

• Advanced to the Final Four after beating Johns Hopkins University, 14-9 in the NCAA regional

• This shows how new programs with the right members can become successful

Trends/ Interesting Facts

• Lacrosse has begun to grow rapidly beginning in the youth leagues

• Native American players would decorate their bodies with paint and charcoal

• Players would give their sticks to one know as “the medicine man” who would perform rituals to prepare the players and their sticks

• Night before the game players held ceremonies where sacrifices were done

• Wore ceremonial costumes and held a special dance

References

• http://www.laxpower.com/• http://www.lacrosse.com/• http://laxfunews.com/2011/06/02/2011-ncaa-

lacrosse-championship-attendance-lowest-since-2002/