2011

8 minutes

Fun Factso Considered the first sport in North America, played by regional Native American

tribes (Iroquois, Algonquin, Cherokee, Choctaw, Seminole)

o They Bump Hips - "baggataway” or The Little Brother of War - “tewaarathon” were names assigned by different Native American tribes

o Alternative to war to settle intertribal disputes - often with thousands of people participating and goals spread miles apart.

o Iroquois believe lacrosse was a gift from the Creator & played for the Creator’s enjoyment. Lacrosse served a spiritual, religious and educational purpose in the lives of Native Americans

o 1636 is the first on record documentation by Jesuit missionary, Jean de Brebeuf. They referred to the stick used to play as a “crosse” — French for a “bishop’s staff”

o Canadian dentist, W. George Beers, established the rules in 1867. This is when the contemporary game of lacrosse started to evolve.

Attackmeno Attackmen are specialized offensive players. The position behind the

goal is known as “X”.

Midfielderso Midfielders play both offense and defense and typically are the ones to transition the ball from one end of the field to the other.

Defensemeno Defensemen are specialized defensive players + use 6’ long sticks.o Long-Stick Midfielders are specialized defensive players who substitute

on the fly for midfielders when the team is on defense.

Goalieso Goalies are tasked with keeping the ball out of the goal. Goalies play

with a specialized “goalie” stick that are wider than those of field players.

Games are 4 quarters Teams change sides between periods Team winning coin toss chooses the end of the field it

wants to defend first Each team has an offensive + defensive end of the

field. Each team must have 3 players in its offensive end of

the field and 4 players in its defensive end of the field at all times (offside explanation)

This leads to settled play being 6 on 6 plus a goalie for defense (man advantage explanation)

o Lacrosse play is started at the beginning of each period and after each goal by facing off the ball at the center of the field. If a player or team commits a penalty before or during any faceoff, the ball is automatically awarded to the opposing team.

o The sticks are on the ground along the center line. The ball is placed in the center of the two stick heads.

o After the official blows the whistle, the player moves his stick and body to gain control of the ball.

o If the ball or a player in possession of the ball goes out of bounds, the other team is awarded possession

o If the ball goes out of bounds after an unsuccessful shot, the player nearest to the ball when and where it goes out of bounds is awarded possession.

oClear: When a team takes possession in its own end, it will attempt to “clear” the ball upfield

oRide: the offensive team who lost the ball will “ride” the clearing team in an attempt to win the ball back. Is the lacrosse equivalent of fore checking.

o Penalties are often the most confusing aspect of the game. The referee’s whistle blows often and explanations are few and far between

o There are two types of penalties: technical fouls and personal fouls

o Additionally, penalties may result in change of possession or in a player being removed from the game (“time-serving”) and his team being placed at a disadvantage (“man down”). Players who are serving a penalty must kneel in front of the scorer’s table.

Technical fouls are minor infractions of the rules. Enforced differently depending on possession

o If the ball is loose (neither team possesses it), the ball is awarded to the team who did not commit the foul

o If the ball is possessed by the team committing the foul, the ball is awarded to the other team

o If the ball is possessed by the opponent of the team committing the foul, the team committing the foul is assessed a 30 second penalty (youth - time + ½)

o Examples of technical fouls: Offsides, pushing, interference, illegal procedure (faceoff)

Personal fouls are more major breaches of the rules and often (though not always) have to do with contact

oPersonal fouls are always time-serving. The amount of time can be 1-3 minutes depending on the referee’s discretion (youth – time + ½)

oExamples: Slashing, tripping, illegal body check, unnecessary roughness, cross-checking

1minute of hits that show unnecessary roughness

Typically, time-serving penalties are released when one of two circumstances occurs. The first is that the penalty time expires. The second is that a goal is scored

Some penalties are time-serving and unreleasable. This means that the penalized player will serve the entire penalty time regardless of whether a goal is scored

Examples: illegal stick, no mouth guard, flagrant personal fouls, simultaneous personal fouls on both teams

There are several rules to speed up the play of the game.

◦ Goalies have 4 sec. to move the ball out of the crease after making a save

◦ Defensive teams have 20 sec. to clear the ball over midfield

◦ Offensive teams may only possess the ball outside of the offensive box for 10 sec. at a time. Teams may touch the ball into the box then take it back out and get a new 10 sec. count

◦ Teams that exceed these time limits will be called for “Failure to Advance” which is a Technical Foul

-  National participation was up 8.4%

- 568,021 players were on organized teams from youth to professional. -  Youth participation (under 15) saw a 12.1% increase with more than 30,000 additional youths picking up the sport -  HS participation grew by 4% with 227,624 players vs. 2001 where there were 74,000 playing lacrosse -  College participation grew by 6% with 557 men's and women's programs competing in the NCAA -  Since 2001, the number of people playing lacrosse has increased by over 120 percent , projection is the number will double again within 10 years  Key to growth - tireless efforts of volunteers, coaches, officials & parents that enable young athletes all around the country to participate in this great game PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR VOLUNTEER TIME FOR THE KCYLL LACROSSE PROGRAM NEAREST YOU!!!! Visit: kcyll.org OR uslacrosse.org