WHAT IS LACROSSE?

Lacrosse is a modern sport developed from the original Native American Indian game of “Baggataway”. It can be played outdoors or indoors and there a number of different versions being played today. It is a fast and dynamic game requiring Athleticism, Skill and Teamwork. The primary equipment used in the game is the ball (Rubber coated and slightly smaller than a hockey ball in size) and Stick (Comprising of a narrow shaft with a triangular-shaped head and netted pocket), correctly referred to as a Crosse. Is is also the Crosse (Stick) which gives the game its modern name. The object of the game is to score in the opponent’s goal by throwing the ball from the stick. In the modern game the action is almost non-stop. In the top games today you will see Amazing stick handling skills, Breathtaking dodges, Extreme reaction saves, Fantastic takeaway stick checks, Huge body checks (Men's game only) and High speed rocket shots. The top players in the world today can shoot the ball at over

100mph !

The game is now becoming truly international and is being played by more people, in more countries, every year. In some countries it has even developed into a professional sport. The original Native American Indian name for the game was “Baggataway”, which translates as “The Little Brother of War". The Native Indian tribes originally played it as a method of training their men for war. It was thought that if you could survive a game of Baggataway (Lacrosse), you could survive in battle. The game was also used a method of settling disputes between different tribes.

Games were often played with minimal rules. Various stories suggest the games were played on open ground with the goals (Which could be almost anything from rocks to trees) being placed anywhere from 100 yards to 2 miles apart from one another. The team sizes also varied enormously. Some games had only 5 players per side and in others there were 800 to 1000. Each team would dress as if going into battle (Including wearing war paint) and a traditional dance would precede the game. The ball would then be thrown into the air signalling the start of the game. There were no hard boundaries and some games even went on for days. Because of the brutal nature of the game then, injuries were common. In fact there were even stories of deaths occuring during some games.

The Native Indians believe that the game was given to them by the Creator. They also believe, that by playing it, they are honouring the Creator. This is why Baggataway (Lacrosse) is also sometimes referred to as "The Creator's Game”. Even today, the game still has a very strong spiritual importance for the Native Indians. From its early origins the game developed over time into a modern team sport. More rules were added to help govern the game and prevent injuries. The equipment used in the game also adapted and developed as technology improved. Whilst looking different from the original native game, the modern game has retained its fast paced and dynamic nature. Many people have described the sport of Lacrosse as “The fastest game on two feet”.

Current figures indicate that there are approximately 500,000 players actively playing in the USA and Canada at the moment. It is one of the fastest growing team sports in the USA and the number of participants is increasing every year. The teams that play in international competition, at present, are: - USA, Canada, Australia, Iroquois Nationals (Native American team), Japan, England, Scotland, Germany, Sweden, Czech Republic, South Korea, Wales, Ireland, Hong Kong and New Zealand. There are also Lacrosse development programs underway in the following countries: - Argentina, Austria, Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, New Zealand, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Tonga and Switzerland.

In England there are approximately 20,000 players actively playing the game. Out of those figures approximately 15000 female and 500 male players play Lacrosse in the South of England. In the North of the country (in particular around the Manchester area) the ratios are reversed. There are approx 4000 male and about 500 female players actively playing.