Lacrosse#Positions

{{Main|History of lacrosse}}

{{further|Lacrosse in Canada|Lacrosse in the United States}}

File:George Catlin - Ball-play of the Choctaw--Ball Up - Google Art Project.jpg, {{circa|1846–1850}}]]

Lacrosse is based on games played by various Native American communities as early as 1100 AD.{{cite book |last=Liss |first=Howard |title=Lacrosse |publisher=Funk & Wagnalls |year=1970 |page=13 }} By the 17th century, a version of lacrosse was well-established and was documented by Jesuit missionary priests in the territory of present-day Canada.{{cite book |last=Vennum |first=Thomas |title=American Indian Lacrosse: Little Brother of War |url=https://archive.org/details/americanindianla0000venn |url-access=registration |publisher= Smithsonian Institution |year=2002 |isbn=978-1560983026 |via=Internet Archive }}{{page needed |date=May 2014}}

In the traditional aboriginal Canadian version, each team consisted of about 100 to 1,000 men on a field several miles/kilometers long. These games lasted from sunup to sundown for two to three days straight and were played as part of ceremonial ritual, a kind of symbolic warfare, or to give thanks to the Creator or Master.{{cite web|url=http://www.stxlacrosse.com/theculture/history.cfm |title=Lacrosse History |access-date=February 24, 2007 |publisher=STX |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070524045912/http://www.stxlacrosse.com/theculture/history.cfm |archive-date=May 24, 2007 |url-status=dead }}

Lacrosse played a significant role in the community and religious life of tribes across the continent for many years. Early lacrosse was characterized by deep spiritual involvement, befitting the spirit of combat in which it was undertaken. Those who took part did so in the role of warriors, with the goal of bringing glory and honour to themselves and their tribes.{{cite news|last=Rock |first=Tom |title=More Than a Game |work=Lacrosse Magazine |publisher=US Lacrosse |date=November–December 2002 |url=http://redhawkslax.com/more-than-a-game-lacrosse-at-the-onondaga-nation-connects-the-current-generation-with-its-ancestors/ |access-date=March 18, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822224214/http://www.redhawkslax.com/news.lacrossemag.html |archive-date=August 22, 2007 |url-status=live }} The game was said to be played "for the Creator" or was referred to as "The Creator's Game",{{Cite news|url=http://www.oneidaindiannation.com/lacrosse-the-creators-game/|title=Lacrosse, the Creator's game|work=Oneida Indian Nation|access-date=September 9, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=September 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909222015/http://www.oneidaindiannation.com/lacrosse-the-creators-game/|url-status=live}} and a version of the game was called "baggataway".{{cite web |url=https://timothykestrel.com/baggataway-the-iroquois-lacrosse-game/ |title=Baggataway: The Iroquois Lacrosse Game |publisher=Timothy Kestrel |access-date=December 4, 2022 |archive-date=December 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204170555/https://timothykestrel.com/baggataway-the-iroquois-lacrosse-game/ |url-status=live }}

File:Ball players.jpg

The French Jesuit missionary {{lang|fr|Jean de Brébeuf|italic=no}} saw Huron tribesmen play the game during 1637 in present-day Ontario. He called it {{lang|fr|la crosse}}, "the stick" in French. The name seems to be originated from the French term for field hockey, {{lang|fr|le jeu de la crosse}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.e-lacrosse.com/laxhist4.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991008114420/http://www.e-lacrosse.com/laxhist4.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 8, 1999 |title=Lacrosse: E-Lacrosse Lacrosse History, Links and Sources |publisher=E-lacrosse.com |access-date=February 25, 2011 }}

James Smith described in some detail a game being played in 1757 by Mohawk people "wherein now they used a wooden ball, about {{convert|3|in|cm}} in diameter, and the instrument they moved it with was a strong staff about {{convert|5|ft|m}} long, with a hoop net on the end of it, large enough to contain the ball".{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/accountofremarka00smit#page/76/mode/2up/ |title=An account of the remarkable occurrences in the life and travels of Colonel James Smith |location=Lexington |publisher=John Bradford |date=1799 |oclc=1038782222 |via=Internet Archive |access-date=November 8, 2017 |pages=77–78}}

English-speaking people from Montreal noticed Mohawk people playing the game and started playing themselves in the 1830s. In 1856, William George Beers, a Canadian dentist, founded the Montreal Lacrosse Club.{{cite web |title=Origin & History |url=https://filacrosse.com/fil/origin-history/ |publisher=Federation of International Lacrosse |access-date=November 15, 2017 |editor-last=Claydon |editor-first=Jane |archive-date=April 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429120844/https://filacrosse.com/fil/origin-history/ |url-status=live }} In 1860, Beers codified the game, shortening the length of each game and reducing the number of players to 12 per team. The first game played under Beers's rules was at Upper Canada College in 1867; they lost to the Toronto Cricket Club by a score of 3–1.{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/lacrosse/ |title=Lacrosse |encyclopedia=The Canadian Encyclopedia |first=Barbara K. |last=Adamski |access-date=November 15, 2017 |archive-date=November 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115224805/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/lacrosse/ |url-status=live }}

The new sport proved to be very popular and spread across the English-speaking world; by 1900 there were dozens of men's clubs in Canada, the United States, England, Australia, and New Zealand. The women's game was introduced by Louisa Lumsden in Scotland in 1890. The first women's club in the United States was started by Rosabelle Sinclair at Bryn Mawr School in 1926.{{cite web |url=https://www.brynmawrschool.org/page/about/history |title=History |publisher=Bryn Mawr School |access-date=December 2, 2017 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202034940/http://www.brynmawrschool.org/page/about/history |url-status=dead }}

File:From rattlesnake hunt to hockey page 121 cropped.jpg "Young Canadians" lacrosse team, 1885]]

In the United States, lacrosse during the late 1800s and first half of the 1900s 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 outside this region, and can be currently found in most of the United States. According to a survey conducted by US Lacrosse in 2016, there are over 825,000 lacrosse participants nationwide and lacrosse is the fastest-growing team sport among NFHS member schools.{{cite web |title=2016 Participation Survey |url=https://www.uslacrosse.org/sites/default/files/public/documents/about-us-lacrosse/participation-survey-2016.pdf |publisher=US Lacrosse |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109023232/https://www.uslacrosse.org/sites/default/files/public/documents/about-us-lacrosse/participation-survey-2016.pdf |archive-date=November 9, 2017 |url-status=dead }}

{{Main|Field lacrosse}}

File:Mens lacrosse diagram.svg

Field lacrosse is the men's outdoor version of the sport. There are ten players on each team: three attackmen, three midfielders, three defensemen, and one goalie. Each player carries a lacrosse stick. A short stick measures between {{convert|40|and|42|in|cm}} long and is used by attackmen and midfielders. A maximum of four players on the field per team may carry a long stick which is between {{convert|52|and|72|in|cm}} long and is used by the three defensemen and sometimes one defensive midfielder. The goalie uses a stick with a head as wide as {{convert|12|in|cm}} that can be between {{convert|40|and|72|in|cm}} long.{{cite web|title=Equipment for Boys' and Men's Lacrosse|url=https://www.uslacrosse.org/safety/equipment/player-equipment|publisher=US Lacrosse|access-date=November 8, 2017|archive-date=January 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119093004/https://uslacrosse.org/safety/equipment/player-equipment|url-status=live}}

The field of play is {{convert|110|by|60|yd|m}}. The goals are {{convert|6|by|6|ft|m|abbr=on}} and are {{convert|80|yd|m|abbr=on}} apart. Each goal sits inside a circular "crease", measuring {{convert|18|ft|m|abbr=on}} in diameter.{{cite web|title=Field Diagrams|url=https://www.uslacrosse.org/rules/field-diagrams|publisher=US Lacrosse|access-date=November 9, 2017|archive-date=November 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110114638/https://www.uslacrosse.org/rules/field-diagrams|url-status=live}} The goalie has special privileges within the crease to avoid opponents' stick checks. Offensive players or their sticks may not enter into the crease at any time. The mid-field line separates the field into an offensive and defensive zone for each team. Each team must keep four players in its defensive zone and three players in its offensive zone at all times. It does not matter which positional players satisfy the requirement, although usually the three attackmen stay in the offensive zone, the three defensemen and the goalie stay in the defensive zone, and the three middies play in both zones. A team that violates this rule is offsides and either loses possession of the ball if they have it or incurs a technical foul if they do not.{{cite web |url=https://www.uslacrosse.org/rules/mens-rules |title=Men's Rules |publisher=US Lacrosse |access-date=November 9, 2017 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125060717/https://www.uslacrosse.org/rules/mens-rules |url-status=live }}

File:Face-off.jpg

The regulation playing time of a game is 60 minutes, divided into four periods of 15 minutes each. Play is started at the beginning of each quarter and after each goal with a face-off. During a face-off, two players lay their sticks on the ground parallel to the mid-line, the two heads of their sticks on opposite sides of the ball. At the whistle, the face-off-men scrap for the ball, often by "clamping" it under their stick and flicking it out to their teammates. When one of the teams has possession of the ball, they bring it into their offensive zone and try to score a goal. Due to the offsides rule, settled play involves six offensive players versus six defensive players and a goalie.{{cite web|title=Getting started: Beginners Lacrosse 101|url=http://www.lacrosse.com/guide/getting-started-beginners-lacrosse-101/|website=Lacrosse.com|access-date=November 9, 2017|archive-date=February 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207014924/http://www.lacrosse.com/guide/getting-started-beginners-lacrosse-101/|url-status=dead}}

If the ball goes out of bounds, possession is awarded against the team that touched it last. The exception is when the ball is shot towards the goal. Missed shots that go out of bounds are awarded to the team that has the player who is the closest to the ball when and where the ball goes out. During play, teams may substitute players in and out if they leave and enter the field through the substitution area, sometimes referred to as "on the fly". After penalties and goals, players may freely substitute and do not have to go through the substitution area.{{cite web |url=https://www.uslacrosse.org/rules/boys-rules |title=Boys' Rules |publisher=US Lacrosse |access-date=November 9, 2017 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126120500/https://uslacrosse.org/rules/boys-rules |url-status=live }}

Penalties are awarded for rule violations and result in the offending team losing possession (loss of possession) or temporarily losing a player (time serving). During time serving penalties, the penalized team plays with one fewer player for the duration of the penalty. Time serving penalties are either releasable or non-releasable. When serving a releasable penalty, the offending player may re-enter play if a goal is scored by the opposing team during the duration of the penalty. Non-releasable penalties do not allow this and the player must serve the entire duration. In conjunction with the offsides rule, the opponent may play with six attackers versus the penalized team's five defenders and goalie. The team that has taken the penalty is said to be playing man down, while the other team is man up. Teams will use various lacrosse strategies to attack and defend while a player is being penalized.

There are two classes of rule violations that result in penalties: technical fouls and personal fouls. Technical fouls, such as offsides, pushing, and holding, result in either a loss of possession or a 30-second penalty, depending on which team has the ball. Personal fouls, such as cross-checking, illegal body checking, or slashing, concern actions that endanger player safety. Cross-checking is when a player strikes another player with the shaft of the stick between his hands. A slash is when a player strikes another player with the end of the stick anywhere besides the gloves. These fouls draw 1-minute or longer penalties; the offending player must leave the field.

{{Main|Box lacrosse}}

File:Box Lacrosse.jpg]]

Box lacrosse is played by teams of five runners plus a goalie on an ice hockey rink where the ice has been removed or covered by artificial turf, or in an indoor soccer field. The enclosed playing area is called a box, in contrast to the open playing field of the traditional game.{{cite web | url = http://www.nll.com/about/box-lax-101/ | title = Box Lax 101 | access-date = November 15, 2017 | publisher = National Lacrosse League | archive-date = November 16, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171116030940/http://www.nll.com/about/box-lax-101/ | url-status = live }} This version of the game was introduced in Canada in the 1930s to promote business for hockey arenas outside of the ice hockey season.{{cite book |last= Fisher |first= Donald M. |year= 2002 |title= Lacrosse: A History of the Game |url= https://archive.org/details/lacrossehistoryo0000fish |url-access= registration |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |isbn=0-8018-6938-2 }}{{rp|page=157}} Within several years it had nearly supplanted field lacrosse in Canada.{{rp|page=120}}

The goals in box lacrosse are smaller than field lacrosse, traditionally {{convert|4|ft|m|abbr=on}} wide and tall. Also, the goaltender wears much more protective padding, including a massive chest protector and armguard combination known as "uppers", large shin guards known as leg pads (both of which must follow strict measurement guidelines), and ice hockey-style goalie masks.{{cite web|url=http://www.zone4laxx.com/box_lacrosse_equipment_guideline.htm |title=Box Lacrosse Equipment Guideline |publisher=Zone4Laxx.com |access-date=October 28, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121180039/http://www.zone4laxx.com/box_lacrosse_equipment_guideline.htm |archive-date=November 21, 2008 |url-status=dead }}

The style of the game is quick, accelerated by the close confines of the floor and a shot clock. The shot clock requires the attacking team to take a shot on goal within 30 seconds of gaining possession of the ball. Box lacrosse is also a much more physical game. Since cross checking is legal in box lacrosse, players wear rib pads and the shoulder and elbow pads are bigger and stronger than what field lacrosse players wear. Box lacrosse players wear a hockey helmet with a box lacrosse cage. There is no offsides in box lacrosse, the players substitute freely from their bench areas as in hockey. However, most players specialize in offense or defense, so usually all five runners substitute for teammates as their team transitions between offense and defense.{{YouTube |id=lZon8PxXQU4 |title=The Rules of Indoor Lacrosse / Box Lacrosse - EXPLAINED!}}

For penalties, the offending player is sent to the penalty box and his team has to play without him, or man-down, for the length of the penalty. Most fouls are minor penalties and last for two minutes, major penalties for serious offenses last five minutes. What separates box lacrosse (and ice hockey) from other sports is that at the top levels of professional and junior lacrosse, participating in a fight does not automatically cause an ejection, but a five-minute major penalty is given.

Box lacrosse is played at the highest level in the National Lacrosse League and by the Senior A divisions of the Canadian Lacrosse Association. The National Lacrosse League (NLL) employs some minor rule changes from the Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA) rules. Notably, the goals are {{convert|4|ft|9|in|m}} wide instead of {{convert|4|ft|m}} and the games are played during the winter. The NLL games consist of four fifteen-minute quarters compared with three periods of twenty minutes each in CLA games. NLL players may only use sticks with hollow shafts, while CLA permits solid wooden sticks.{{cite web|url=http://www.nll.com/wp-content/uploads/NLL2017Rulebook.pdf |title=National Lacrosse League 2017 Official Rules |publisher=National Lacrosse League |access-date=November 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606134807/http://www.nll.com/wp-content/uploads/NLL2017Rulebook.pdf |archive-date=June 6, 2017 |url-status=dead }}{{cite book |last= Vennum |first= Thomas |title= American Indian Lacrosse: Little Brother of War |url= https://archive.org/details/americanindianla0000venn |url-access= registration |publisher= Smithsonian Institution |year= 2002 |isbn= 978-1560983026 |page= [https://archive.org/details/americanindianla0000venn/page/287 287]}}

File:2005 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship - Virginia Cavaliers vs Northwestern Wildcats.jpg]]

{{Main|Women's lacrosse}}

The rules of women's lacrosse differ significantly from men's lacrosse, most notably by equipment and the degree of allowable physical contact.{{cite web|title=2015-2018 Women's Official Rules|url=https://filacrosse.com/wp-content/downloads/women/Rules/FIL_WomensRuleBookJuly2017GAONLINE_Aug2017.pdf|publisher=Federation of International Lacrosse|access-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116034547/https://filacrosse.com/wp-content/downloads/women/Rules/FIL_WomensRuleBookJuly2017GAONLINE_Aug2017.pdf|archive-date=November 16, 2017|url-status=dead}} Women's lacrosse rules also differ significantly between the US and all other countries, who play by the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) rules. Women's lacrosse does not allow physical contact; the only protective equipment worn is a mouth guard and eye guard. In the early part of the 21st century, there were discussions of requiring headgear to prevent concussions. In 2008, Florida was the first state to mandate headgear in women's lacrosse.{{Cite web|url=https://www.naplesnews.com/story/sports/high-school/lacrosse/2018/02/19/girls-lacrosse-fhsaa-hopes-helmets-cut-down-concussions/352069002/|title=Girls lacrosse: FHSAA hopes helmets will cut down on concussions|website=Naples Daily News|language=en|access-date=January 18, 2019|archive-date=January 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119123907/https://www.naplesnews.com/story/sports/high-school/lacrosse/2018/02/19/girls-lacrosse-fhsaa-hopes-helmets-cut-down-concussions/352069002/|url-status=live}}

Stick checking is permitted in the women's game, but only in certain levels of play and within strict rules. Women's lacrosse also does not allow players to have a pocket, or loose net, on the lacrosse stick. Women start the game with a "draw" instead of a face-off. The two players stand up and the ball is placed between their stick heads while their sticks are horizontal at waist-height. At the whistle, the players lift their sticks into the air, trying to control where the ball goes.{{cite web|url=https://www.winnerslacrosse.org/blog/drawsvsfaceoffs|title=LACROSSE 101: DRAWS VS. FACEOFFS|date=April 20, 2016|access-date=August 14, 2019|publisher=Winners Lacrosse|author=Lyndsey Munoz|archive-date=August 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814143219/https://www.winnerslacrosse.org/blog/drawsvsfaceoffs|url-status=dead}}

The first modern women's lacrosse game was held at St Leonards School in Scotland in 1890. It was introduced by the school's headmistress Louisa Lumsden after a visit to Quebec, where she saw it played.{{cite web|url=http://www.stleonards-fife.org/Index.asp?MainID=4382 |title=History of Lacrosse at St Leonards |access-date=May 1, 2008 |work=STLeonards-Fife.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506160603/http://www.stleonards-fife.org/Index.asp?MainID=4382 |archive-date=May 6, 2008 }} The first women's lacrosse team in the United States was established at Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore, Maryland in 1926.{{cite news |title=Hall of Fame to induct first woman Sinclair enters posthumously |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1993-02-06-1993037062-story.html |access-date=August 14, 2019 |work=baltimoresun.com |date=February 6, 1993 |ref=Sinclair |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814165843/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1993-02-06-1993037062-story.html |url-status=live }}

File:Women's lacrosse.GIF

Both the number of players and the lines on the field differ from men's lacrosse. There are 12 players in women's lacrosse and players must abide by certain boundaries that do not exist in men's play. The three specific boundaries are the {{convert|8|m|ftin|adj=mid|sp=us}} "fan" in front of the goal ({{convert|11|m|ftin|abbr=on|sp=us|disp=sqbr}} internationally), the {{convert|12|m|ftin|adj=mid|sp=us}} ({{convert|8|m|ftin|abbr=on|sp=us|disp=sqbr}} internationally) half circle that surrounds the 8-meter fan, and the draw circle in the center of the field, which is used for draws to start quarters and after goals. The goal circle is also positioned slightly closer to the end line in women's lacrosse compared to men's. In women's lacrosse on either the offensive or defensive end, the players besides the goaltender are not able to step inside the goal circle; this becomes a "goal-circle violation". However, at the women's collegiate level, defenders may pass through the goal circle.{{cite web |title=2019 Youth Girls' Rulebook |url=https://www.uslacrosse.org/sites/default/files/public/documents/rules/2019-girls-youth-rulebook.pdf |publisher=US Lacrosse |access-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814170219/https://www.uslacrosse.org/sites/default/files/public/documents/rules/2019-girls-youth-rulebook.pdf |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |url-status=dead }}

The 8-meter fan that is in front of the goal circle has a few restrictions in it. Defenders cannot stand inside the 8-meter fan longer than 3 seconds without being a stick-length away from the offensive player they are guarding. This is very similar to the three-second rule in basketball. A three seconds violation results in a player from the other team taking a free shot against the goalie. If you are an attacker trying to shoot the ball into the goal, you are not supposed to take a shot while a defender is in "shooting space". To make sure that you, the defender, are being safe, you want to lead with your lacrosse stick and once you are a sticks-length away, you can be in front of her.{{cite web |url=http://www.uslacrosse.org/sites/default/files/public/documents/rules/2016-womens-rulebook.pdf |title=2016 Women's Rulebook |publisher=US Lacrosse |access-date=November 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919152242/http://www.uslacrosse.org/sites/default/files/public/documents/rules/2016-womens-rulebook.pdf |archive-date=September 19, 2016 |url-status=dead }}

{{main|Lacrosse sixes}}

Lacrosse sixes is a variant of lacrosse played outdoors with six players on each side.{{cite web | last=Graham | first=Pat | title=Lacrosse's new, fast-paced version may be path into LA Games | website=AP News | date=August 13, 2022 | url=https://apnews.com/article/sacred-rivers-winter-olympics-sports-canada-lacrosse-rugby-sevens-4b124510a5f0cbfc484c805d9235ac44 | access-date=November 15, 2023 | archive-date=November 15, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115154419/https://apnews.com/article/sacred-rivers-winter-olympics-sports-canada-lacrosse-rugby-sevens-4b124510a5f0cbfc484c805d9235ac44 | url-status=live }} The game follows similar rules to traditional field lacrosse, with modifications and a shorter game time.{{Cite web |title=World Lacrosse Announces Name, Branding and First Phase of World Lacrosse Sixes |url=https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/usa-insider/international/world-lacrosse-announces-name-branding-and-first-phase-of-world-lacrosse |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=www.usalaxmagazine.com |language=en |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805023352/https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/usa-insider/international/world-lacrosse-announces-name-branding-and-first-phase-of-world-lacrosse |url-status=dead }} It was created in 2021 by World Lacrosse in a bid to achieve lacrosse's participation in the Olympic Games, and will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 edition in Los Angeles.{{cite web | last=Zaccardi | first=Nick | title=A lacrosse legend's unique seat for Olympic addition after decades driving its rise | website=NBC Sports | date=October 23, 2023 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/lacrosse-olympics-2028-los-angeles | access-date=November 15, 2023 | archive-date=November 15, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115154418/https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/lacrosse-olympics-2028-los-angeles | url-status=live }}{{cite web | title=The Inside Story of How Lacrosse Sixes Was Created, and Why It's Paramount to Olympic Inclusion | website=Inside Lacrosse | date=January 30, 2020 | url=https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/the-inside-story-of-how-lacrosse-sixes-was-created-and-why-it-s-paramount-to-olympic-inclusion/62194 | access-date=November 15, 2023 | archive-date=November 15, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115154419/https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/the-inside-story-of-how-lacrosse-sixes-was-created-and-why-it-s-paramount-to-olympic-inclusion/62194 | url-status=live }}

Lacrosse sixes has similar rules for men and women but preserves some differences, such as the amount of contact allowed.{{cite web | title=Inside the Fast-Paced Sixes Discipline: 'The Play Doesn't Stop' | website=USA Lacrosse Magazine | date=September 27, 2021 | url=https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/usa-insider/usa-lacrosse/inside-the-fast-paced-sixes-discipline-the-play-doesnt-stop | access-date=November 15, 2023 | archive-date=November 15, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115154929/https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/usa-insider/usa-lacrosse/inside-the-fast-paced-sixes-discipline-the-play-doesnt-stop | url-status=dead }} The major rule differences as compared to traditional field lacrosse are as follows:{{Cite web |last=Cochrane |first=Ryder |date=November 20, 2020 |title=6v6 Lacrosse - Five Takeaways From the New Format |url=https://laxallstars.com/6v6-lacrosse-five-takeaways-from-the-new-format/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=Lacrosse All Stars |language=en-US |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805023352/https://laxallstars.com/6v6-lacrosse-five-takeaways-from-the-new-format/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web | title=World Lacrosse Sixes Official Playing Rules March 2021 | website=World Lacrosse | date=November 13, 2023 | url=https://worldlacrosse.sport/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Sixes-Rules-March-2021-1st-Edition-1-2.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113102506/https://worldlacrosse.sport/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Sixes-Rules-March-2021-1st-Edition-1-2.pdf | archive-date=November 13, 2023 | url-status=dead | access-date=November 15, 2023}}

• The field of play is smaller, at 70 meters by 36 meters.
• Face-offs only occur at the beginning of each quarter. Play is restarted after goals by the goalie taking the ball out of the net.
• A 30-second shot clock is added.
• Games are played in 4, 8-minute quarters.
• Rosters consist of 12 players.
• Everyone plays both offense and defense.
• There are no long crosses.

{{main|Intercrosse}}

Intercrosse, or soft stick lacrosse, is a non-contact form of lacrosse with a standardized set of rules using modified lacrosse equipment. An intercrosse stick is different from a normal lacrosse stick, the head is made completely of plastic instead of leather or nylon pockets in traditional lacrosse sticks. The ball is larger, softer and hollow, unlike a lacrosse ball, which is solid rubber.{{cite web|title=Competitions|url=http://inter-crosse.com/competitions/|publisher=FIIC|access-date=November 12, 2017|archive-date=November 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112185231/http://inter-crosse.com/competitions/|url-status=live}}

Intercrosse as a competitive adult sport is popular in Quebec, Canada, as well as in many European countries, particularly in the Czech Republic.{{cite web|url=http://www.captain-lax.com/lacrosse-blog/2016/03/intercrosse-what-has-that-got-to-do-with-lacrosse/|title=Intercrosse – What has that got to do with lacrosse?|publisher=Captain Lax|access-date=August 14, 2019|archive-date=August 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814145623/http://www.captain-lax.com/lacrosse-blog/2016/03/intercrosse-what-has-that-got-to-do-with-lacrosse/|url-status=live}} Generally, teams consist of five players per side, and the field size is {{cvt|20|m|ft}} wide and {{cvt|40|m|ft}} long. Goals for adults are the same size as box lacrosse, {{cvt|4|ft|m|disp=or}} in height and width. The international governing body, the Fédération Internationale d'Inter-Crosse, hosts a World Championship bi-annually.{{cite web|title=World Cup / World Championship|url=http://inter-crosse.com/competitions/world-cup/|publisher=Fédération Internationale d’Inter-Crosse|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112185300/http://inter-crosse.com/competitions/world-cup/|archive-date=November 12, 2017|url-status=dead}}

Soft stick lacrosse is a popular way to introduce youth to the sport.{{cite web|last1=Krome|first1=Paul|title=Soft Stick, Big Impact|url=https://www.uslacrosse.org/blog/soft-stick-big-impact|publisher=US Lacrosse|date=June 1, 2016|access-date=November 9, 2017|archive-date=November 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110114627/https://www.uslacrosse.org/blog/soft-stick-big-impact|url-status=dead}} It can be played outdoors or indoors and has a developed curriculum for physical education classes.{{cite web|title=Physical Education Curriculum|url=https://www.uslacrosse.org/coaches/physical-education-curriculum|publisher=US Lacrosse|access-date=November 9, 2017|archive-date=November 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110114430/https://www.uslacrosse.org/coaches/physical-education-curriculum|url-status=live}}

{{Further|List of national lacrosse organizations}}

Lacrosse has historically been played for the most part in Canada and the United States, with small but dedicated lacrosse communities in the United Kingdom and Australia. Recently, however, lacrosse has begun to flourish at the international level, with teams being established around the world, particularly in Europe and East Asia.{{cite web|url=http://www.asiapacificlacrosse.org/aspac-championships/aspac-championship-history/|title=ASPAC Lacrosse Tournament|date=March 23, 2015|access-date=August 14, 2019|publisher=ASPAC|archive-date=August 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811165749/http://www.asiapacificlacrosse.org/aspac-championships/aspac-championship-history/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://europeanlacrosse.org/?page_id=1356|title=A short history of lacrosse in Europe|access-date=August 14, 2019|publisher=European Lacrosse Federation|archive-date=April 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421113019/http://europeanlacrosse.org/?page_id=1356|url-status=live}}

{{main|World Lacrosse}}

In August 2008, the men's international governing body, the International Lacrosse Federation, merged with the women's, the International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations, to form the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL). The FIL changed its name to World Lacrosse in May 2019.{{cite news |last1=Mackay |first1=Duncan |title=Lacrosse launches new name and logo at SportAccord Summit as continues Olympic push |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1078855/lacrosse-launches-new-name-and-logo-at-sportaccord-summit-as-continues-olympic-push |access-date=May 5, 2019 |work=Inside the Games |date=May 5, 2019 |archive-date=April 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411113342/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1078855/lacrosse-launches-new-name-and-logo-at-sportaccord-summit-as-continues-olympic-push |url-status=live }} There are currently 62 member nations of World Lacrosse.{{cite web | url=https://filacrosse.com/fil-members/ | title=FIL Members – Federation of International Lacrosse | date=January 2019 | access-date=January 10, 2019 | archive-date=April 28, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428203644/https://filacrosse.com/fil-members/ | url-status=live }}

World Lacrosse sponsors five world championship tournaments: the World Lacrosse Championship for men's field, the Women's Lacrosse World Championship for women's, the World Indoor Lacrosse Championship for box lacrosse, as well as the Men's Under-20 World Lacrosse Championships and Women's Under-20 World Lacrosse Championships. Each is held every four years.

The World Lacrosse Championship (WLC) began in 1968 as a four-team invitational tournament sponsored by the International Lacrosse Federation. Until 1990, only the United States, Canada, England, and Australia had entered. With the expansion of the game internationally, the 2014 World Lacrosse Championship was contested by 38 countries.{{cite press release|title=Record Field for 2014 FIL World Championship|url=http://worldlacrosse2014.com/news/020714_record_field_for_fil_world_championship|publisher=US Lacrosse|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=July 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704062204/http://worldlacrosse2014.com/news/020714_record_field_for_fil_world_championship|url-status=dead}} The WLC has been dominated by the United States. Team USA has won 11 of the 14 titles, with Canada winning the other three.{{cite web|title=World Championship History|url=https://teamusa.uslacrosse.org/us-men/us-men-history|publisher=US Lacrosse|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115083402/https://teamusa.uslacrosse.org/us-men/us-men-history|url-status=live}}

The Women's Lacrosse World Cup (WLWC) began in 1982. The United States has won 9 of the 11 titles, with Australia winning the other two. Canada and England have always finished in the top five. The 2017 tournament was held in England and featured 25 countries.{{cite web|title=Women's Lacrosse World Cup Playing Schedule|url=http://englacrosse.s3.amazonaws.com/portals/2017/04/PLAYING-SCHEDULE-1.pdf|publisher=England Lacrosse|access-date=November 14, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

The first World Indoor Lacrosse Championship (WILC) was held in 2003 and contested by six nations at four sites in Ontario. Canada won the championship by beating the Iroquois Nationals 21–4 in the final. The 2007 championship hosted by the Onondaga Nation included 13 teams. Canada has dominated the competition, winning all five gold medals and never losing a game.{{cite news |last1=Ditota |first1=Donna |title=Canada dashes Iroquois' dream, continues domination in World Indoor Lacrosse Championship |url=http://www.syracuse.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/09/canada_dashes_iroquois_dream_continues_domination_in_world_indoor_lacrosse_championship.html |access-date=November 13, 2017 |work=Syracuse.com |date=September 27, 2015 |archive-date=November 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114093209/http://www.syracuse.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/09/canada_dashes_iroquois_dream_continues_domination_in_world_indoor_lacrosse_championship.html |url-status=live }}

The Iroquois Nationals are the men's national team representing the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy in international field lacrosse competition. The team was admitted to the FIL in 1987. It is the only First Nations team sanctioned for international competition in any sport.{{cite encyclopedia|title=Lacrosse: From Creator's Game to Modern Sport|url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/lacrosse-from-creators-game-to-modern-sport/|encyclopedia=The Canadian Encyclopedia|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115083026/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/lacrosse-from-creators-game-to-modern-sport/|url-status=live}} The Nationals placed fourth in the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Lacrosse Championships and third in 2014. The indoor team won the silver medal in all four World Indoor Lacrosse Championships. In 2008, the Iroquois women's team was admitted to the FIL as the Haudenosaunee Nationals. They placed 7th at the 2013 Women's Lacrosse World Cup.{{cite web|url=https://worldlacrosse.sport/2013-womens-world-cup-championship-bracket/|title=2013 Women's World Cup Championship Bracket Final|access-date=August 14, 2019|date=July 20, 2013|publisher=World Lacrosse News and Information|archive-date=August 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814145228/https://worldlacrosse.sport/2013-womens-world-cup-championship-bracket/|url-status=dead}}

{{main|Lacrosse at the Summer Olympics}}

File:1904 Winnipeg Shamrocks Lacrosse.jpg Gold Medal winning Winnipeg Shamrocks lacrosse team]]

Field lacrosse was a medal sport in the 1904 and the 1908 Summer Olympics. In 1904, three teams competed in the games held in St. Louis. Two Canadian teams, the Winnipeg Shamrocks and a team of Mohawk people from the Iroquois Confederacy, plus the local St. Louis Amateur Athletic Association team representing the United States participated. The Winnipeg Shamrocks captured the gold medal.{{cite web |url=http://honouredmembers.sportmanitoba.ca/inductee.php?id=304 |title=1904 Winnipeg Shamrocks |publisher=The Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame & Museum |access-date=November 14, 2017 |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803023749/http://honouredmembers.sportmanitoba.ca/inductee.php?id=304 |url-status=live }}{{cite book|last=Brownell|first=Susan |title=The 1904 Anthropology Days and Olympic Games|publisher=University of Nebraska Press|year=2008|page=229|isbn=978-0-8032-1098-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8a0e4SUEyXEC&q=1904+mohawk+olympics&pg=PA229|access-date=April 6, 2009}} The 1908 games held in London, England, featured only two teams, representing Canada and Great Britain. The Canadians again won the gold medal in a single championship match by a score of 14–10.{{cite web|url=http://www.insidethegames.com/show-news.php?id=2202|title=David Owen on the 1908 Olympic celebration|last=Owen|first=David|date=April 25, 2008|publisher=Inside the Games|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502210447/http://www.insidethegames.com/show-news.php?id=2202|archive-date=May 2, 2008|url-status=dead}}

In the 1928, 1932, and the 1948 Summer Olympics, lacrosse was a demonstration sport. The 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam featured three teams: the United States, Canada, and Great Britain.{{cite web|title=Amsterdam Games Olympic Official Report part two|url=http://library.la84.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1928/1928p2.pdf|publisher=LA84 Foundation|pages=907–911|date=1928|access-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027060021/http://library.la84.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1928/1928p2.pdf|archive-date=October 27, 2016|url-status=dead}} The 1932 games in Los Angeles featured a three-game exhibition between a Canadian all-star team and the United States.{{cite web |url=http://library.la84.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1932/1932s.pdf |title=Official Report of the Xth Olympiade Committee in Los Angeles 1932 |year=1932 |publisher=LA84 Foundation |pages=763–766 |access-date=November 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918083527/http://library.la84.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1932/1932s.pdf |archive-date=September 18, 2018 |url-status=dead }} The United States was represented by Johns Hopkins in both the 1928 and 1932 Olympics.{{cite web|url=http://www.uslacrosse.org/teamusa06/olympics.phtml|title=Lacrosse on the Olympic Stage|date=September–October 2004 |work=Lacrosse Magazine|publisher=US Lacrosse|access-date=November 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023081830/http://www.uslacrosse.org/teamusa06/olympics.phtml |archive-date= October 23, 2007}} The 1948 games featured an exhibition by an "All-England" team organized by the English Lacrosse Union and the collegiate lacrosse team from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute representing the United States. This exhibition match ended in a 5–5 tie.{{cite web|title=Official Report of the 1948 London Olympics|url=http://library.la84.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1948/OR1948.pdf|publisher=LA84 Foundation|pages=532–533|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927064939/http://library.la84.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1948/OR1948.pdf|archive-date=September 27, 2013|url-status=dead}}

Efforts were made to include lacrosse as an exhibition sport at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, and the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, but they were not successful.{{cite web|url=http://www.uslacrosse.org/the_sport/internatlacrosse.phtml |title=International Lacrosse History |publisher=US Lacrosse |access-date=November 13, 2008|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920065753/http://www.uslacrosse.org/the_sport/internatlacrosse.phtml |archive-date=September 20, 2008 }}

An obstacle for lacrosse to return to the Olympics has been insufficient international participation. To be considered for the Olympics, a sport had to be played on four continents and by at least 75 countries. Lacrosse is played on all six continents, but as of August 2019 when Ghana joined, there are only 63 countries playing the sport.{{cite web|url=http://worldlacrosse2018.com/schedule-app/|title=FIL Men's Lacrosse World Cup 2018|publisher=World Lacrosse|access-date=August 14, 2019|archive-date=August 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803172015/http://worldlacrosse2018.com/schedule-app/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://worldlacrosse.sport/world-lacrosse-welcomes-ghana-as-its-newest-member-national-governing-body-on-day-one-of-general-assembly/|title=World Lacrosse Welcomes Ghana As Its Newest Member-National Governing Body On Day One Of General Assembly|date=August 12, 2019|access-date=August 14, 2019|publisher=World Lacrosse|archive-date=August 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814115111/https://worldlacrosse.sport/world-lacrosse-welcomes-ghana-as-its-newest-member-national-governing-body-on-day-one-of-general-assembly/|url-status=dead}} However, nowadays numeric criteria about widely practiced sports have been abolished.Centre, The Olympic Studies (2018), [https://library.olympics.com/Default/doc/SYRACUSE/174657/the-olympic-programme-evolution-the-olympic-studies-centre The Olympic programme evolution / The Olympic Studies Centre] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028035134/https://library.olympics.com/Default/doc/SYRACUSE/174657/the-olympic-programme-evolution-the-olympic-studies-centre |date=October 28, 2022 }}, The Olympic Studies Centre. Lausanne, p. 4, retrieved October 28, 2022 The International Olympic Committee granted provisional status to World Lacrosse in 2018.{{cite web | url=https://www.sportsdestinations.com/sports/lacrosse/lacrosse-moving-toward-spot-2028-olympic-program-20689 | title=Lacrosse Moving Toward a Spot in 2028 Olympic Program | website=sportsdestinations.com | access-date=May 25, 2022 | archive-date=May 25, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525180713/https://www.sportsdestinations.com/sports/lacrosse/lacrosse-moving-toward-spot-2028-olympic-program-20689 | url-status=live }} In August 2022, it was announced that nine sports had made the shortlist to be included in the games, among them lacrosse, with presentations expected to be made later that month.{{Cite web|date=August 3, 2022|title=Motorsport, cricket and karate among nine sports on shortlist for Los Angeles 2028 inclusion|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1126540/cricket-los-angeles-2028|access-date=August 4, 2022|website=Inside the Games|archive-date=August 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819172617/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1126540/cricket-los-angeles-2028|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=August 2, 2022|title=ICC Among Nine Sporting Bodies Invited To Make Presentation For Los Angeles Olympics 2028 – Report|url=https://cricketaddictor.com/cricket-news/icc-among-nine-sporting-bodies-invited-to-make-presentation-for-los-angeles-olympics-2028-report/|access-date=August 4, 2022|website=Cricket Addictor|archive-date=August 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812002933/https://cricketaddictor.com/cricket-news/icc-among-nine-sporting-bodies-invited-to-make-presentation-for-los-angeles-olympics-2028-report/|url-status=live}} In October 2023, the LA28 Organizing Committee announced that it had recommended lacrosse as one of five sports that may be added to the program for the 2028 Summer Olympics.{{Cite web |title=LA28 Recommends Lacrosse as One of New Sports for 2028 Summer Olympics |url=https://usalaxmagazine.com/usa-insider/la28-recommends-lacrosse-as-one-of-new-sports-for-2028-summer-olympics |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=usalaxmagazine.com |language=en |archive-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010113622/https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/usa-insider/la28-recommends-lacrosse-as-one-of-new-sports-for-2028-summer-olympics |url-status=dead }} On October 16, 2023, lacrosse received approval from the International Olympic Committee for inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.{{cite news |title=International Olympic Committee approves cricket and four other sports for 2028 Games in Los Angeles |url=https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/15234/12985395/international-olympic-committee-approves-cricket-and-four-other-sports-for-2028-games-in-los-angeles |work=Sky Sports |date=October 16, 2023 |language=en |access-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016081333/https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/15234/12985395/international-olympic-committee-approves-cricket-and-four-other-sports-for-2028-games-in-los-angeles |url-status=live }}

File:Lacrosse dive shot.jpg

The European Lacrosse Federation (ELF) was established in 1995 and held the first European Lacrosse Championships that year.{{cite web|title=A short history of lacrosse in Europe|url=http://europeanlacrosse.org/?page_id=1356|publisher=European Lacrosse Federation|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=November 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113060413/http://europeanlacrosse.org/?page_id=1356|url-status=live}} Originally an annual event, it is now held every four years, in between FIL's men's and women's championships. In 2004, 12 men's and 6 women's teams played in the tournament, making it the largest international lacrosse event of the year. The last men's tournament was in 2016, when 24 countries participated. England won its ninth gold medal out of the ten tournaments played. 2015 was the last women's tournament, when 17 teams participated in the Czech Republic. England won its sixth gold medal, with Wales earning silver and Scotland bronze. These three countries from Great Britain have dominated the women's championships, earning all but three medals since the tournament began in 1996. There are currently 29 members of the ELF, they make up the majority of nations in the FIL.{{cite web|title=ELF Country Membership|url=http://europeanlacrosse.org/?page_id=1345|publisher=European Lacrosse Federation|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115082704/http://europeanlacrosse.org/?page_id=1345|url-status=live}}

The Asia Pacific Lacrosse Union was founded in 2004 by Australia, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan.{{cite web|title=History of the Asia Pacific Lacrosse Union|date=January 30, 2015|url=http://www.asiapacificlacrosse.org/about-aplu/aplu-history/|publisher=Asia Pacific Lacrosse Union|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115020004/http://www.asiapacificlacrosse.org/about-aplu/aplu-history/|url-status=live}} It currently has 12 members and holds the Asia Pacific Championship for both men's and women's teams every two years.{{cite web|title=Member Nations|date=December 2, 2014|url=http://www.asiapacificlacrosse.org/about-aplu/|publisher=Asia Pacific Lacrosse Union|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115015840/http://www.asiapacificlacrosse.org/about-aplu/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=ASPAC Championship History|date=March 23, 2015|url=http://www.asiapacificlacrosse.org/aspac-championships/aspac-championship-history/|publisher=Asia Pacific Lacrosse Union|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115020032/http://www.asiapacificlacrosse.org/aspac-championships/aspac-championship-history/|url-status=live}}

Lacrosse, in 10 x 10 format, was played in the World Games for the first time at the 2017 World Games held in Poland. Only women's teams took part in the competition. The United States won the gold medal defeating Canada in the finals.{{cite news|last1=Vatz|first1=David|title=The 2017 World Games: An Important Step to the Highest Stage|url=http://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/the-2017-world-games-an-important-step-to-the-highest-stage/50271|work=Inside Lacrosse|date=August 11, 2017|access-date=November 10, 2017|archive-date=November 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111042045/http://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/the-2017-world-games-an-important-step-to-the-highest-stage/50271|url-status=live}} Australia won the bronze medal match. The Haudenosaunee Nationals women's lacrosse team could not participate.{{Cite web |last=Deer |first=Ka’nhehsí:io |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Supporters challenge Iroquois Nationals' exclusion from 2022 World Games |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/supporters-challenge-iroquois-nationals-exclusion-from-2022-world-games-1.5662381 |access-date=June 3, 2024 |website=cbc.ca |archive-date=June 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603165038/https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/supporters-challenge-iroquois-nationals-exclusion-from-2022-world-games-1.5662381 |url-status=live }}

Both men and women tournaments, in sixes format, were held in the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, USA.{{Cite web |title=Lacrosse {{!}} IWGA |url=https://www.theworldgames.org/sports/Lacrosse-54 |access-date=October 28, 2022 |website=www.theworldgames.org |archive-date=October 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028040956/https://www.theworldgames.org/sports/Lacrosse-54 |url-status=live }} Women tournament will be played again, in same format, in 2025 World games.

{{main|Lacrosse in the United States}}

{{Main|College lacrosse}}

File:Allegheny vs. Baldwin Wallace Lacrosse - 49599713087.jpg and Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets in 2020]]

Collegiate lacrosse in the United States is played at the NCAA, NAIA and club levels. There are currently 71 NCAA Division I men's lacrosse teams, 93 Division II teams, and 236 Division III teams. Thirty-two schools participate at the NAIA level. 184 men's club teams compete in the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association, including most universities and colleges outside the northeastern United States. The National College Lacrosse League and Great Lakes Lacrosse League are two other lower-division club leagues. In Canada, 14 teams from Ontario and Quebec play field lacrosse in the fall in the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association.[http://www.cufla.org Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515224650/http://www.cufla.org/ |date=May 15, 2009 }} Accessed December 14, 2018.

The first U. S. intercollegiate men's lacrosse game was played on November 22, 1877, between New York University and Manhattan College.{{cite web |title=The History of Lacrosse: The College Game |url=http://sunsetsportsworldwide.com/sports-history/the-history-of-lacrosse-the-college-game/ |website=Sunset Sports |access-date=October 21, 2018 |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122064419/https://sunsetsportsworldwide.com/sports-history/the-history-of-lacrosse-the-college-game/ |url-status=dead }} An organizing body for the sport, the U. S. National Lacrosse Association, was founded in 1879 and the first intercollegiate lacrosse tournament was held in 1881, with Harvard beating Princeton 3–0 in the championship game.{{cite book|url= https://archive.org/details/lacrossetechniqu0000piet|url-access= registration|title= Lacrosse: Technique and Tradition|last1= Pietramala|first1= David G.|last2= Grauer|first2= Neil A.|last3= Scott|first3= Bob|publisher= Johns Hopkins University Press|year= 2006|isbn=0-8018-8371-7}} Annual post-season championships were awarded by a variety of early lacrosse associations through the 1930s. From 1936 to 1972, the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association awarded the Wingate Memorial Trophy to the best college lacrosse team each year.{{cite web|url=https://usila.org/sports/2015/10/27/GEN_1027151106.aspx#Wingate%20Memorial%20Trophy%20Winners%201936-1972|title=National Champions|access-date=August 14, 2019|publisher=USILA|archive-date=May 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529151657/https://usila.org/sports/2015/10/27/GEN_1027151106.aspx#Wingate%20Memorial%20Trophy%20Winners%201936-1972|url-status=live}}

The NCAA began sponsoring a men's lacrosse championship in 1971, when Cornell took the first title over Maryland, 12–6. Syracuse has 10 Division I titles, Johns Hopkins 9, and Princeton 6.{{cite web|title=Championship History|url=https://www.ncaa.com/history/lacrosse-men/d1|publisher=NCAA|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=May 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506002958/https://www.ncaa.com/history/lacrosse-men/d1|url-status=live}} The NCAA national championship weekend tournament draws over 80,000 fans.{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=Edward|title=Attendance increased for NCAA men's lacrosse championships in Philadelphia|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/lacrosse-blog/bal-attendance-numbers-for-ncaa-men-s-lacrosse-championships-in-philadelphia-rose-this-past-weekend-20160603-story.html|access-date=November 14, 2017|work=Baltimore Sun|date=June 3, 2016|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115083207/http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/lacrosse-blog/bal-attendance-numbers-for-ncaa-men-s-lacrosse-championships-in-philadelphia-rose-this-past-weekend-20160603-story.html|url-status=dead}}

There are currently 112 Division I women's lacrosse teams, 109 Division II teams, and 282 Division III teams. There are 36 NAIA women's lacrosse teams. The NCAA started sponsoring a women's lacrosse championship in 1982. Maryland has traditionally dominated women's intercollegiate play, producing many head coaches and U.S. national team players. The Terrapins won seven consecutive NCAA championships from 1995 through 2001. Princeton's women's teams have made it to the final game seven times since 1993 and have won three NCAA titles, in 1993, 2002, and 2003. In recent years, Northwestern has become a force, winning the national championship from 2005 through 2009. Maryland ended Northwestern's streak by defeating the Wildcats in the 2010 final, however, Northwestern won the next two titles in 2011 and 2012. Maryland again claimed the national championship in 2014, 2015, and 2017.{{cite web|title=Championship History|url=https://www.ncaa.com/history/lacrosse-women/d1|publisher=NCAA|access-date=November 14, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115082740/http://www.ncaa.com/history/lacrosse-women/d1|url-status=live}}

The Women's Collegiate Lacrosse Associates (WCLA) is a collection of over 260 college club teams that are organized by US Lacrosse. Teams are organized into two divisions and various leagues.{{cite web|url=https://www.uslacrosse.org/players/college|title=College|access-date=August 14, 2019|publisher=USLacrosse|archive-date=May 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514020045/https://www.uslacrosse.org/players/college|url-status=live}}

{{main|National Lacrosse League}}

The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is a men's semi-professional box lacrosse league in North America. The NLL currently has fifteen teams, ten in the United States and five in Canada. The 18-game regular season runs from December to April; games are always on the weekends. The champion is awarded the National Lacrosse League Cup in early June.{{cite web |date=April 30, 2018 |title=NATIONAL LACROSSE LEAGUE UNVEILS ITS NEW CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY |url=https://www.nll.com/news/national-lacrosse-league-unveils-its-new-championship-trophy/ |access-date=August 14, 2019 |publisher=National Lacrosse League |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814152145/https://www.nll.com/news/national-lacrosse-league-unveils-its-new-championship-trophy/ |url-status=live }}

Games are played in ice rinks with artificial turf covering the ice. Venues range from NHL arenas seating 19,000 to smaller arenas with under 10,000 capacity. In 2017, average attendance ranged from 3,200 per game in Vancouver to over 15,000 in Buffalo. Overall, the league averaged 9,500 people per game.{{cite web |title=League Attendance |url=http://d15k3om16n459i.cloudfront.net/prostats/attendance.html?leagueid=230&seasonid=15914 |publisher=National Lacrosse League |access-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-date=September 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909142801/http://d15k3om16n459i.cloudfront.net/prostats/attendance.html?leagueid=230&seasonid=15914 |url-status=live }}

With an average salary around $20,000 per season, players have regular jobs, mostly non-lacrosse related, and live in different cities, flying into town for games.{{cite news |last1=Flaherty |first1=Ryan |date=March 18, 2016 |title=Professional sports life more than just lacrosse for Rush players |work=Global News |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/2585168/professional-sports-life-more-than-just-lacrosse-for-rush-players/ |access-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110230359/https://globalnews.ca/news/2585168/professional-sports-life-more-than-just-lacrosse-for-rush-players/ |url-status=live }} Canadians and Native Americans make up over 90% of the players.{{cite news |last1=Stamp |first1=Stephen |date=May 13, 2015 |title=Box lacrosse participation in the US is limited from grass roots to NLL level; can ALL help growth? |work=Inside Lacrosse |url=http://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/box-lacrosse-participation-in-the-us-is-limited-from-grass-roots-to-nll-level-can-all-help-growth/32098 |access-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-date=November 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111041728/http://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/box-lacrosse-participation-in-the-us-is-limited-from-grass-roots-to-nll-level-can-all-help-growth/32098 |url-status=live }}

The NLL started in 1987 as the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League. Teams in Philadelphia, New Jersey, Baltimore and Washington, DC, played a 6-game season. The league operated as the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1989 to 1997, when there were six teams playing a 10-game schedule. The current NLL name began in the 1998 season, which included the first Canadian team.{{cite web |title=History |url=http://www.nll.com/about/history/ |publisher=National Lacrosse League |access-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110225201/http://www.nll.com/about/history/ |url-status=live }}

The most successful franchises have been the Toronto Rock and the former Philadelphia Wings (now the Albany FireWolves), each has won six championships.

{{main|Premier Lacrosse League}}

In October 2018, former MLL player Paul Rabil branched away from the MLL and created the Premier Lacrosse League. The PLL focuses on being a traveling lacrosse league that will bring the best players in the world to different cities in the United States.{{Cite web |title=Premier Lacrosse League |url=https://www.premierlacrosseleague.com/ |website=PremierLacrosseLeague |access-date=October 30, 2018 |archive-date=December 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208042648/https://www.premierlacrosseleague.com/ |url-status=live }}

Each player has a minimum salary of $25,000, equity in the league, and medical benefits. The average salary is $35,000.{{Cite web |last=James |first=Adrian |date=January 12, 2022 |title=How Much Do Professional Lacrosse Players Make [2022 Update] |url=https://lacrossepal.com/how-much-do-lacrosse-players-make/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=Lacrosse Pal |language=en-US |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805011909/https://lacrossepal.com/how-much-do-lacrosse-players-make/ |url-status=live }} The most successful team is Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club which has two championships.

Since its inaugural season in 2019, the PLL has expanded to eight teams and merged with the MLL.

Beginning with the 2022 season, the PLL has had a broadcasting deal with ESPN.{{Cite web |last=Ufnowski |first=Amy |date=March 23, 2022 |title=The Premier Lacrosse League and ESPN Announce Multi-Year Media Rights Agreement |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/03/the-premier-lacrosse-league-and-espn-announce-multi-year-media-rights-agreement/ |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=ESPN Press Room U.S. |language=en-US |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404101936/https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/03/the-premier-lacrosse-league-and-espn-announce-multi-year-media-rights-agreement/ |url-status=live }}

Prior to the 2023 season the PLL announced that they would be assigning home-cities to each team for the 2024 season. The touring model would not cease, however, with each team hosting one regular season weekend where they play a doubleheader. There will also be two neutral site weekends.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Kevin |date=May 25, 2023 |title=It's Official: PLL Clubs To Move To Host Cities in 2024 |url=https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/it-s-official-pll-clubs-to-move-to-host-cities-in-2024/61594 |access-date=August 4, 2023 |website=Inside Lacrosse |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803063303/https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/it-s-official-pll-clubs-to-move-to-host-cities-in-2024/61594 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Kinnear |first=Matt |date=July 23, 2023 |title=PLL Announces 26 Finalists For Host Cites — a Mix of Familiar Spots With a Few Surprises |url=https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/pll-announces-26-finalists-for-host-cites-a-mix-of-familiar-spots-with-a-few-surprises/61879 |access-date=August 4, 2023 |website=Inside Lacrosse |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803084004/https://www.insidelacrosse.com//article/pll-announces-26-finalists-for-host-cites-a-mix-of-familiar-spots-with-a-few-surprises/61879 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse}}

Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse was a women's lacrosse league that operated from 2021-2024. Rather than having set teams, at the end of each week, the top four players are determined by a point system and named captains of next week's teams. They then draft their team for the next week. The champion of the league is the player that scores the most points. There were 56 players in the league in 2023.{{Cite web |title=A League of Their Own: Women's Lacrosse Enters New Era with Athletes Unlimited |url=https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/pro/athletes-unlimited/a-league-of-their-own-womens-lacrosse-enters-new-era-with-athletes-unlimited |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=www.usalaxmagazine.com |language=en |archive-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804221250/https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/pro/athletes-unlimited/a-league-of-their-own-womens-lacrosse-enters-new-era-with-athletes-unlimited |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |title=Athletes Unlimited Adds Women's Pro Lacrosse as Third Sports League |url=https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/pro/women/athletes-unlimited-adds-womens-pro-lacrosse-as-third-sports-league |access-date=August 5, 2023 |website=www.usalaxmagazine.com |language=en |archive-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804221331/https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/pro/women/athletes-unlimited-adds-womens-pro-lacrosse-as-third-sports-league |url-status=dead }}

{{main|Major League Lacrosse}}

Major League Lacrosse (MLL) was a semi-professional field lacrosse league started in 2001 with six teams in the Northeastern United States. The leagues final year had six teams, playing a week long round-robin regular season. MLL rules were based on NCAA men's rules with several exceptions, such as a 16-yard 2-point line and a 60-second shot clock.{{cite web|title=About MLL|url=http://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/about-mll/|publisher=Major League Lacrosse|access-date=January 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129115012/http://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/about-mll/|archive-date=January 29, 2014|url-status=dead}}

MLL venues ranged from small stadiums with under 10,000 capacity to an NFL stadium in Denver that seats 76,000. Overall league average attendance is around 4,000 per game, although the leagues Denver Outlaws had averaged around 10,000 per game since their founding in 2006.{{cite web |title=2017 League Attendance |url=http://pointstreak.com/prostats/attendance.html?leagueid=323&seasonid=16530 |publisher=Major League Lacrosse |access-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224090303/http://pointstreak.com/prostats/attendance.html?leagueid=323&seasonid=16530 |url-status=live }}

The rookie salary was $7,000 per season and most players made between $10,000 and $20,000 per season. Therefore, the players had other jobs, often non-lacrosse related, and travel to games on the weekends.{{cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=Ahiza |title=The pro athletes with full-time day jobs |url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/09/28/smallbusiness/major-league-lacrosse-salaries/index.html |work=CNN Money |date=September 28, 2015 |access-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022191721/https://money.cnn.com/2015/09/28/smallbusiness/major-league-lacrosse-salaries/index.html |url-status=live }}

The Chesapeake Bayhawks, who had played in the Annapolis–Baltimore–Washington, DC area since 2001, were the most successful franchise with six championships.{{cite web|url=https://bayhawks.majorleaguelacrosse.com/news/2016/3/21/team-history_00000153-9a91-def8-a7f7-fad9ef8e0000.aspx|title=Bayhawks History|access-date=August 14, 2019|date=May 21, 2016|publisher=Chesapeake Bayhawks|archive-date=August 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814151750/https://bayhawks.majorleaguelacrosse.com/news/2016/3/21/team-history_00000153-9a91-def8-a7f7-fad9ef8e0000.aspx|url-status=dead}}

On December 16, 2020, it was announced that the MLL was merging all operations with the Premier Lacrosse League. The PLL added the Boston Cannons and rebranded them to "Cannons Lacrosse Club". No other MLL teams were added into the PLL.

{{main|United Women's Lacrosse League}}

The United Women's Lacrosse League (UWLX), was a four-team women's lacrosse league, was launched in 2016. The teams are the Baltimore Ride, Boston Storm, Long Island Sound and Philadelphia Force. Long Island won the first two championships.{{cite news|last1=DaSilva|first1=Matt|title=Long Island Sound Repeat as UWLX Champions|url=https://www.uslaxmagazine.com/pro/uwlx/long-island-sound-repeat-as-uwlx-champions|access-date=November 14, 2017|work=US Lacrosse Magazine|date=August 2, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115083121/https://www.uslaxmagazine.com/pro/uwlx/long-island-sound-repeat-as-uwlx-champions|url-status=dead}} The league closed in 2020.

{{Main|Women's Professional Lacrosse League}}

The Women's Professional Lacrosse League was a professional women's lacrosse league with 5 teams that started in 2018.{{cite news|last1=Berri|first1=David|author-link1=David Berri|title=The Women's Professional Lacrosse League Takes Off|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidberri/2018/06/04/the-womens-professional-lacrosse-league-takes-off/#47c384bc2287|access-date=June 9, 2018|work=Forbes|date=June 4, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144304/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidberri/2018/06/04/the-womens-professional-lacrosse-league-takes-off/#47c384bc2287|url-status=live}} It closed in 2020.

{{main|Lacrosse stick}}

File:Womens lacrosse stick head 2.jpg

The lacrosse stick has two parts, the head and the shaft. There are three parts to the head: the scoop, sidewall, and pocket. The scoop is the top of the stick that affects picking up ground ball as well as passing and shooting. The sidewall is the side of the head that affects the depth of the head and the stiffness. The pocket is the leather or nylon mesh attached to the sidewall and scoop. A wider pocket allows an easier time catching balls but will also cause less ball control. A narrower pocket makes catching harder but allows more ball retention and accuracy.{{cite web|url=http://www.lacrosse.com/guide/lacrosse-heads-101/|title=LACROSSE HEADS 101|publisher=lacrosse.com|author=Chris Reid|date=December 1, 2014|access-date=August 13, 2019|archive-date=August 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813214126/http://www.lacrosse.com/guide/lacrosse-heads-101/|url-status=dead}}

Shafts are usually made of hollow metal. They are octagonal, instead of round, in order to provide a better grip. Most are made of aluminum, titanium, scandium, or alloys, but some shafts are made from other materials, including wood, plastic, carbon fiber, or fiberglass.

Stick length, both shaft and head together, is governed by NCAA regulations, which require that men's sticks be from {{convert|40|to|42|in|cm}} long for offensive players, and {{convert|52|to|72|in|cm}} long for defensemen, and {{convert|40|to|72|in|cm}} long for goalies.

Women's sticks must be an overall length of {{convert|35.5|-|43.25|in|cm}}. The head must be seven to nine inches wide and the top of the ball must remain above the side walls when dropped in the pocket. The goalkeeper's stick must be {{convert|35.5|-|48|in|cm}} long. The head of the goalie's stick can up to {{convert|12|in|cm}} wide and the pocket may be mesh.{{cite web|title=Equipment for Girls' and Women's Lacrosse|url=https://www.uslacrosse.org/safety/equipment/player-equipment#women|publisher=US Lacrosse|access-date=November 8, 2017|archive-date=January 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119093004/https://uslacrosse.org/safety/equipment/player-equipment#women|url-status=live}}

{{main|Lacrosse ball}}

The ball is made of solid rubber. It is typically white for men's lacrosse, or yellow for women's lacrosse; but is also produced in a wide variety of colors, such as yellow, orange or lime green according to the Men's Lacrosse Rules and Interpretations.

Men's field lacrosse protective equipment contains a pair of gloves, elbow pads, shoulder pads, helmet, mouthguard, and cleats. Pads differ in size and protection from player to player based on position, ability, comfort and preference. For example, many attack players wear larger and more protective elbow pads to protect themselves from checks thrown at them while defenders typically wear smaller and less protective pads due to their smaller possibility of being checked and goalies usually wear no elbow pads due to the very limited opportunities of being checked. A goalkeeper must also wear a large protective chest pad to cover their stomach and chest and a plastic neck guard that connects to the chin of their helmet to protect them from shots hitting their windpipe. In addition, male goalkeepers are required to wear a protective cup.

Men's box players wear more protective gear than field players due to the increased physical contact and more permissive checking rules. Cross-checking in the back is allowed by the rules. Runners wear larger and heavier elbow pads and stronger shoulder pads that extend down the back of the player. Most players wear rib pads as well.{{cite web |title=Box Lacrosse Equipment - Player Guidelines |url=https://www.mississaugatomahawkslacrosse.com/news_article/show/208112 |website=Mississauga Tomahawks Lacrosse |publisher=Ontario Lacrosse Association |access-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-date=August 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802224625/https://www.mississaugatomahawkslacrosse.com/news_article/show/208112 |url-status=dead }} Box goalies wear equipment very similar to ice hockey goalies, the leg blockers are somewhat smaller, although the shoulder pads are bigger than ice hockey pads.{{cite web |title=Box Lacrosse Equipment - Goalie Guidelines |url=https://www.mississaugatomahawkslacrosse.com/news_article/show/208112 |website=Mississauga Tomahawks Lacrosse |publisher=Ontario Lacrosse Association |access-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-date=August 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802224625/https://www.mississaugatomahawkslacrosse.com/news_article/show/208112 |url-status=dead }}

Women's field players are not required to wear protective equipment besides eyewear and a mouthguard. Eyegear is a metal cage covering the eyes attached with a strap around the back of the head. In recent years, there has been discussion about allowing or requiring padded headgear to protect against concussions. Women goalies wear a helmet, gloves, and chest protector.

• Polocrosse, a version of lacrosse played on horseback
• Hurling, an ancient Gaelic team sport played with sticks and a ball
• Indigenous North American stickball

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book|last= Beers|first= William George|year= 1869|title= Lacrosse: The National Game of Canada|url= https://archive.org/details/cihm_05682|publisher= Dawson Brothers|isbn= 9780665056826}}
• {{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=val_gaufljwC|title= Games of the North American Indians|last= Culin|first= Stewart|publisher= Courier Dover|year= 1975|isbn= 0-486-23125-9}}
• {{cite book |last=Downey |first=Allan |title=The creator's game: Lacrosse, identity, and Indigenous nationhood |publisher=UBC Press |year=2018}}
• {{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=bZLMLmLogIgC|title= Lacrosse: A Guide for Parents and Players|last2= Gaskill|first2= Melissa|publisher= Mansion Grove House|year= 2006|isbn= 9781932421071|last1= Fink|first1= Noah}}
• {{cite book |last=Fisher |first=Donald M. |title=Lacrosse: A history of the game |publisher=JHU Press |year=2002}}
• {{cite book|title= Lacrosse: North America's Game|last2= Keegan|first2= Mike|last3= Sacco|first3= Matthew F.|publisher= Carpenter|year= 2003|isbn= 0-9759834-0-7|location= Towson, MD|first1= John|last1= Jiloty}}
• {{cite book|url= https://archive.org/details/lacrossetechniqu0000piet|url-access= registration|title= Lacrosse: Technique and Tradition|last1= Pietramala|first1= David G.|last2= Grauer|first2= Neil A.|last3= Scott|first3= Bob|publisher= Johns Hopkins University Press|year= 2006|isbn=0-8018-8371-7}}
• {{cite journal | last=Stoikos | first=Alex | title=The Global Growth Of Lacrosse | journal=Academia Letters | date=July 14, 2021 | issn=2771-9359 | doi=10.20935/AL1591}}
• {{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=8QXZFgaZxBgC|title= Women's Lacrosse|last1= Tucker|first1= Janine|last2= Yakutchik|first2= Maryalice|publisher= Johns Hopkins University Press & U.S. Larcrosse|year= 2008|isbn=978-0-8018-8846-5}}
• {{cite journal |last=Wiser |first=Melissa C. |title=Lacrosse History, a History of One Sport or Two? A Comparative Analysis of Men's Lacrosse and Women's Lacrosse in the United States |journal=International Journal of the History of Sport |volume=31|issue=13 |year=2014 |pages=1656–1676|doi=10.1080/09523367.2014.930709 |issn = 0952-3367 }}
• {{cite book|url= https://archive.org/details/ourgamecharacter0000yeag|url-access= registration|title= Our Game: The Character and Culture of Lacrosse|last= Yeager|first= John M.|publisher= Dude|year= 2006|isbn= 1-887943-99-4}}

{{refend}}

{{commons|Lacrosse}}

{{wikisource|Lacrosse: The National Game of Canada}}

• [https://www.usalacrosse.com/ US Lacrosse – The national governing body for lacrosse in the United States.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706230915/https://www.usalacrosse.com/ |date=July 6, 2022 }}

{{Lacrosse topics}}

{{Federation of International Lacrosse}}

{{Team Sport}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Stick sports

Category:First Nations culture in Canada

Category:Native American sports and games

Category:Sports originating in Canada

Category:Sports rules and regulations

Category:Team sports

Category:Former Summer Olympic sports