ABOUT THE GAME
THE PLAYERS USE NETTED STICKS KNOWN AS THE "CROSSE". THE PURPOSE OF THE GAME IS TO USE THE "CROSSE" TO PASS AND CATCH A BALL (MADE OF RUBBER), AND GOALS ARE SCORED BY SHOOTING THE BALL INTO THE OPPOSITION'S NET. IT IS POPULAR MOSTLY IN NORTH AMERICA, AND IS THE CONTINENT'S OLDEST AND POSSIBLY FASTEST GROWING SPORT. LACROSSE IS ACTIVELY PLAYED AT HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, YOUTH AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS. THE SPORT IS ESPECIALLY POPULAR IN AMERICA'S NORTHWESTERN REGION; IT IS ALSO CANADA'S NATIONAL SUMMER SPORT. THE FIELD IS USUALLY GRASS OR ARTIFICIAL TURF. SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS NECESSARY, AS BODY-CHECKING IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE GAME. LACROSSE IS CONSIDERED A COMBINATION OF HOCKEY, FOOTBALL, AND SOCCER, INTEGRATING PARTS OF ALL THREE OF THOSE SPORTS INTO ITS RULES.
ORIGINALLY CALLED BAGGATAWAY, LACROSSE WAS PLAYED BY NATIVE AMERICANS FOR MANY PURPOSES: RELIGIOUS RITUALS, TRAINING OF WARRIORS, OR TO SETTLE INTER-TRIBAL DISPUTES. OFTEN GAMES WERE PLAYED WITHOUT ANY BOUNDARIES AND WITH GOALS SEPARATED BY MANY MILES. IT WAS NOT UNUSAL TO HAVE PLAYERS INJURED OR KILLED. THE GAME ACQUIRED ITS PRESENT NAME BECAUSE THE STICKS ORIGINALLY RESEMBLED STAFFS, OR CROZIERS, CARRIED BY THE FRENCH JESUIT MISSIONARIES WHO FIRST OBSERVED THE GAME. THUS, WE HAVE LACROSSE.
CHECK OUT THIS INFORMATIVE VIDEO ALL ABOUT LACROSSE.
ATTACKMEN - ATTACKMEN USE THE SHORTEST STICK SO AS TO LIMIT THE CHANCE OF LOSING THE BALL. THEY GENERALLY STAY ON THE OFFENSIVE HALF OF THE FIELD AND COORDINATE THE OFFENSE. THEY ARE USUALLY THE BEST STICK HANDLERS AND MUST BE QUICK AND AGILE.
ILLEGAL BODY CHECKING - OCCURS WHEN A PLAYER HITS AN OPPONENT FROM THE REAR, BELOW THE WAIST, ABOVE THE SHOULDERS, OR WHEN THE OPPONENT NEITHER HAS THE BALL NOR IS WITHIN 5 YARDS OF A LOOSE BALL.
CROSSCHECKING - OCCURS WHEN A PLAYER USES THE HANDLE OF HIS CROSSE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH AN OPPONENT.
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT - OCCURS WHEN ANY PLAYER/COACH COMMITS AN ACT WHICH IS CONSIDERED UNSPORTSMANLIKE BY AN OFFICIAL, INCLUDING TAUNTING, OBSCENE LANGUAGE OR GESTURES, AND ARGUING.
UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS - OCCURS WHEN A PLAYER STRIKES AN OPPONENT WITH HIS STICK OR BODY USING EXCESSIVE OR VIOLENT FORCE.
ILLEGAL CROSSE - OCURRS WHEN A PLAYER USES A CROSSE THAT DOES NOT CONFORM TO REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS. A CROSSE MAY BE FOUND ILLEGAL IF THE POCKET IS TOO DEEP OR IF THE CROSSE WAS ALTERED TO GAIN AN ADVANTAGE.
ILLEGAL EQUIPMENT - OCCURS WHEN A PLAYER USES GLOVES THAT DO NOT CONFORM TH REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS. A GLOVE WILL BE FOUND ILLEGAL IF THE FINGERS AND PALMS ARE CUT OUT OF THE GLOVES, OR IF THE GLOVE HAS BEEN ALTERED IN A WAY THAT COMPROMISES ITS PROTECTIVE FEATURES. ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT REQUIRED INCLUDES AN APPROVED HELMET, COLORED MOUTHPIECE, SHOULDER PADS, AND ARM PADS. THE GOALIE IS REQUIRED TO WEAR A THROAT PROTECTOR AND CHEST PROTECTOR, IN ADDITION TO A HELMET, MOUTHPIECE, AND GLOVES.
