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Originally invented by Native Americans, lacrosse is North America's oldest team sport. During the 1600's, French missionaries chronicled the game which the native peoples called baggataway. Those same missionaries called the game la crosse because the stick used to play the game resembled the cross that bishops carried. Today, lacrosse is played by men and women, boys and girls at ages as young as 3rd grade. Upwards of 5,500 women play lacrosse at over 240 American universities and colleges. It's estimated that 125,000 children in the United States play the game in over 4,500 programs across the country. Seemingly complicated, lacrosse rules are slightly different for women's and men's leagues. Studying a lacrosse game might remind the viewer of American football, field hockey and soccer all rolled together. Perhaps the native game of baggataway influenced these younger team sports. Basics of Lacrosse: Players pass and carry a rubber ball, the size of a standard baseball, using special sticks. The stick utilizes a head at one end that's strung with cording like nylon to make a pocket that holds the ball. All the players have a stick and pass (throw) the ball, catch the ball and run with the ball around the field. When running, players cradle the ball in the pocket, a much practiced technique. As in soccer, each lacrosse team guards a goal. The goalie carries a stick with a large head to help block shots at the goal net. In simple terms, each team is attempting to score more goals on the opposition. The game has a regulation time that is divided into quarters. The actual length of the entire game differs by level from middle grade to high school and college. Men's lacrosse players wear protective padding. The shoulders, ribs and arms are covered and they wear padded gloves. Physical contact is permitted in men's games with some blocking, tackling and shoulder checks though not as hard core as American football. Women's lacrosse does not allow physical contact so no padding is required. Many female players choose to wear nose guards, eye protection and non padded gloves. Men wear helmets but women do not. Lacrosse games start with a face off at midfield. The team consists of attackmen, defensemen, midfielders and a goalie. Depending on whether it is a men's or women's team, there will be 10 men or 12 women on the field at any given time. Women's lacrosse games are played on a larger field than men's and therefore require more players. There are three officials in the field of play, an umpire, field judge and referee. The officials follow the game watching for personal and technical fouls and general adherence to the rules of play. As with most team games, there are strict rules about how many players can be on the field, and which players are allowed to cross the mid-line. Lacrosse is a fast-paced sport that develops good hand-eye coordination and endurance. The added benefit of team sports is the development of teamwork and cooperation. More schools across the country are developing lacrosse programs which means seeing a game will become easier. Then you'll have first hand knowledge on why lacrosse is growing in popularity across the U.S. Article Source: http://www.articlewheel.com
To learn more about the popular game of lacrosse, visit K.L. Amadio's website, Lacrosse-Information for all-inclusive insight to this rapidly growing game. Parents, get more info on lacrosse positions for your kids.
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