2. 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
3. The Rules of the Game
Traditional Modern Day
• Decided the day before • 10 players on each side (3
• Generally no out-of-bounds attackmen, 3 midfielders, 3
• Ball cannot be touched by defensemen and 1 goalie)
hands • Starts with a face-off
• Games began with the ball • Idea is to move the ball as
being tossed in the air quickly as possible to score
• Tended to involve huge mob of
players • Unlike the natives dodging is
very important
• Passing the ball was thought of
as a trick • Four 15 minute quarters
• Dodging was seen as cowardly • Team with the most goals wins
4. Purpose of Lacrosse
Traditional Lacrosse Modern Day Lacrosse
• Played to settle inner- - Physical activity
tribal disputes - Being a member of a team
• To toughen young sport
warriors for combat - A way to receive
• Recreational purposes scholarships into
and as part of festivals universities
• Wagers against other - To make a living (Major
tribes League Lacrosse)
5. 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
6. 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
8. Issues: Injury
• The range of injuries
varies from very mild to
sometimes severe
• Concussion
• Ankle Sprain
• Knee Injuries
• Bruised Ribs
• Broken Bones
9. 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
11. 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
12. 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
13. 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
