Lacrosse

Lacrosse is a team sport, played by men, women and children. It is popular in Canada, North American and in other parts of Europe. Lacrosse is primarily an amateur sport played at the high school and college level.

Lacrosse originated in the Native American culture. Tribal members would play lacrosse in the hopes that they would become stronger warriors. Now, lacrosse is governed by sanctioned organizations, like the NCAA, and many players join lacrosse leagues that have specific rules about how the game is to be played and what equipment must be used.
Players use a lacrosse stick that has structured netting, like a basket, at the one end of the stick that is used to scoop up, catch and throw a small rubber ball to other teammates or shoot it into a goal at the opposite end of the field. Players must have stamina since the game involves a lot of running, although players do not have to be particularly big or strong as required in other sports. Each lacrosse team has 10 players including a goalie. The other positions include defensemen, midfielders and attackers. A typical game lasts about an hour with a 10 minute break for half-time. Men’s lacrosse is a contact sport and players are required to wear protective clothing including helmets, gloves and padding. Although it is a contact sport, players can be penalized for technical and personal fouls for unusual roughness. Women’s lacrosse is non-contact meaning that the only contact allowed is contact between the lacrosse sticks.

NCAA Lacrosse

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) governs men’s and women’s lacrosse at the collegiate level. Playing college level lacrosse is extremely competitive. Approximately 25,000 men play lacrosse at over 400 colleges, however, that figure includes men playing at the varsity level under the NCAA and the collegiate club level. For example, not all colleges and universities have varsity level men’s lacrosse, but many of those colleges have club teams since students remain interested in playing lacrosse at any level. Over 240 colleges sponsor varsity or club level lacrosse for women. Whether it is varsity or club level lacrosse, a lacrosse team can usually be found on most college campuses.

Lacrosse Cleats

As with any footwear, the most important thing about lacrosse cleats is to find a cleat that fits and is comfortable. Youth players or recreational players can usually wear soccer cleats, or cleats with rubber spikes.