How long has lacrosse been around

The first official game played under these rules took place in In the early stages of this growth, Native teams were active participants. By the s, however, Native teams were routinely banned from international competitions due to their dominance. Box lacrosse was invented in Canada during the s and s. Canadian field lacrosse players experimented with indoor games at unused ice hockey rinks during the summer, with strong support from arena owners. Canadian players enthusiastically adopted the new six-man indoor format.

It quickly became the more popular version of the game in Canada, supplanting field lacrosse. Also, Native peoples adopted box lacrosse as the primary version of the game played in their territories, both in the United States and Canada. In the United States, lacrosse during the late s and first half of the s was primarily a regional sport centered around the Mid-Atlantic states, especially New York and Maryland.

However, in the last half of the 20th century, the sport spread rapidly outside this region, and can be currently found in most of the United States.

The total number of players at all levels at the end of was 3. Some 22 U. Each holds a world championship tournament every four years. Lacrosse has a history at the Olympic Games, having been a medal sport more than a century ago and a demonstration sport on other occasions.

Given its international growth, lacrosse likely also has a future at the Olympics, and the governing bodies of the sport are working to make that dream a reality, with current ambitions set on the Olympic games. For players, coaches, officials, and fans in the United States and, increasingly, across the world, a fundamental truth about the game deserves emphasis: Lacrosse is a Native game.

In the Great Lakes region, Native nations such as the Ojibwe, Menominee, Sauk, Fox, Potawatomi, Winnebago, Santee Dakota, and others traditionally played with a single three-foot stick that had a rounded head about four inches in diameter. Stories are told that each player made his own stick from white ash, decorated with symbols of personal meeting.

In the Southeastern region, which includes the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, Seminole, and Yuchi peoples, players used two small lacrosse sticks — one in each hand — usually carved from hickory and adorning symbols e. Many of these traditional games continue to be played in Native communities today.

The modern field version of lacrosse, however, traces its roots most closely to the Northeastern region, which is home to the Iroquois, or Haudenosaunee, people. These nations were — and continue to be — principally located in what is now known as upstate and western New York, and the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, Canada.

These nations enjoy a government-to-government relationship with the United States and, as sovereigns recognized under the U. It is important to appreciate that the Haudenosaunee contributions to the United States extend well beyond their status as the original stewards of the game of lacrosse.

Of particular importance are the Haudenosaunee contributions to the principles of democratic governance. In the 12th century, the five Haudenosaunee nations came together to form an alliance, often referred to as the League of the Iroquois or, more commonly, the Iroquois or Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

The confederacy was formed to ensure peace among the five nations, and established a sophisticated set of democratic laws and processes by which the nations would interact with each other and outsiders. Constitution, which was signed in Several years later, a sixth Native nation, the Tuscarora, joined the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. The Haudenosaunee flag is a representation of the Hiawatha wampum belt, commemorating the union of the five original nations in the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

From west to east — or left to right — they are the Seneca keepers of the western door , Cayuga, Onondaga which is the capitol of the confederacy and is represented by the Great Tree of Peace , Oneida, and Mohawk keepers of the eastern door. This confederacy remains active to this day, and the flag is often featured on Haudenosaunee lacrosse gear and uniforms, and donned by those — both Native and non-Native — to honor the Native roots of the game.

According to the Haudenosaunee oral tradition, the very first game of lacrosse was not played between humans, but rather was a game between the winged animals i. And while the story is told in slightly different ways among the various Haudenosaunee communities, one version is as follows:. Our Grandfathers told us many stories that would relate to lacrosse and how one should conduct themselves and the importance of the individual to the game.

Lacrosse was a gift to us from the Creator, to be played for his enjoyment and as a medicine game for healing the people. The Haudenosaunee people know that all creatures, no matter how big or small, are significant and have a contribution to make to the overall cycle of life.

Long ago we were told the following story about a great ball game that took place between the four-legged animals and the winged birds The captains for the four-legged animals were: The Bear - whose weight overpowers all opposition, The Deer - whose speed and agility to stop and go made him invaluable to the team, and The Great Turtle - who could withstand the most powerful blows and still be able to advance towards the opposition.

The captains for the winged birds were: The Owl - who excelled in the ability to keep his eye on the ball, no matter what position or direction the ball may be traveling. The Hawk and Eagle - both excel in quick, swift movements. These three represented all the winged animals. While the birds were preparing for the game, they noticed two small creatures, hardly larger than a feather, climbing up a tree where the winged leaders were perched.

Upon reaching the top, they humbly asked the captains to be allowed to join the lacrosse game. The Eagle, easily noticing that they were a squirrel and a mouse, inquired as to why they didn't ask to join the animal team. Native American ball games often involved hundreds of players. Traditional lacrosse games were sometimes major events that could last several days.

As many as to 1, men from opposing villages or tribes would participate. The games were played in open plains located between the two villages, and the goals could range from yards m to several miles apart.

Rules for these games were decided on the day before. Generally there was no out-of-bounds, and the ball could not be touched with the hands. The goals would be selected as large rocks or trees; in later years golden posts were used. Playing time was often from sun up until sun down. The game began with the ball being hit against the refs head and the two sides rushing to capture it. The game received additional notoriety in when Jim Brown from Syracuse University scored six goals for the North in the North-South Lacrosse game.

Brown later become one of the most accomplished running backs in the NFL and was heard to say that he preferred lacrosse over football. The NCAA eventually took over the reigns of college lacrosse and the first collegiate championship was held in Today, the sport continues to gain tremendous popularity throughout the country. While the traditional hotbeds of the sport are Long Island and Baltimore, lacrosse has spread like wildfire across the nation and is now played in almost every corner of the US.

To read a good article on the history of lacrosse and its impact in our region, click HERE.