Lacrosse sixes
{{Short description|Variant of lacrosse}}
{{Infobox sport
| image =
| imagesize =
| caption =
| union = World Lacrosse
| nickname =
| first = 2021
| contact =
| team = 6 per team, including goaltender
| equipment =
| category = Outdoor
| venue = 70x36m lacrosse field
| olympic = 2028 Summer Olympics
}}
Lacrosse sixes (also known as World Lacrosse Sixes) is a version 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=2022-08-13 | url=https://apnews.com/article/sacred-rivers-winter-olympics-sports-canada-lacrosse-rugby-sevens-4b124510a5f0cbfc484c805d9235ac44 | access-date=2023-11-15}} The game follows similar rules to traditional field lacrosse, with modifications and a shorter game time, and is considered to be more fast-paced. Sixes has been described as a hybrid discipline of field and box lacrosse{{cite web | title=Inside the Fast-Paced Sixes Discipline: 'The Play Doesn't Stop' | website=USA Lacrosse Magazine | date=2021-09-27 | url=https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/usa-insider/usa-lacrosse/inside-the-fast-paced-sixes-discipline-the-play-doesnt-stop | access-date=2023-11-15}}{{cite web | last=Russell | first=Josh | title=I Watched Sixes Lacrosse and This Is What I Thought | website=Lacrosse All Stars | date=2021-08-18 | url=https://laxallstars.com/i-watched-sixes-lacrosse-and-this-is-what-i-thought/ | access-date=2023-11-15}}{{cite web | title=Olympic inclusion will make lacrosse a truly global sport | website=TSN | date=2023-10-16 | url=https://www.tsn.ca/lacrosse/olympic-inclusion-will-make-lacrosse-a-truly-global-sport-1.2021689 | access-date=2023-11-15}} as well as a different sport entirely.{{cite magazine | last=Coffin | first=Nelson | title=Lacrosse's inclusion in 2028 Summer Olympics will fuel game's growth | magazine=Sports Illustrated | date=2023-10-23 | url=https://highschool.si.com/boys-lacrosse/2023/10/23/lacrosses-inclusion-in-the-summer-olympics-will-fuel-games-growth | access-date=2023-11-15}}{{cite web | title=Next Time, It's Real: Shay, Men's Sixes Team Set for The World Games | website=USA Lacrosse Magazine | date=2022-07-08 | url=https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/usa-insider/sixes/next-time-its-real-shay-mens-sixes-team-set-for-the-world-games | access-date=2023-11-15}}
Lacrosse sixes was created in 2021 by World Lacrosse, the global governing body for lacrosse, in a bid to achieve lacrosse's participation in the Olympic Games.{{cite web | last=Palmer | first=Dan | title=World Lacrosse officially launches new sixes discipline with one eye on Olympics | website=insidethegames.biz | date=2012-10-30 | url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1107934/world-lacrosse-sixes-launched | access-date=2023-11-15}} It will make its Olympic debut in 2028.{{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=2023-10-23 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/lacrosse-olympics-2028-los-angeles | access-date=2023-11-15}}{{cite web | title=The Inside Story of How Lacrosse Sixes Was Created, and Why It's Paramount to Olympic Inclusion | website=Inside Lacrosse | date=2020-01-30 | 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=2023-11-15}}
History
On May 18, 2021, World Lacrosse announced a version of field lacrosse that would be formally known as "World Lacrosse Sixes". Sixes was developed in order to reduce barriers to entry for lacrosse (such as cost and field size), encourage global growth, and to fit within the framework of future Olympic participation. World Lacrosse has also stated that the format would provide more parity in international lacrosse.{{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=2023-08-05 |website=www.usalaxmagazine.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Cochrane |first=Ryder |date=2020-11-20 |title=6v6 Lacrosse - Five Takeaways From the New Format |url=https://laxallstars.com/6v6-lacrosse-five-takeaways-from-the-new-format/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=Lacrosse All Stars |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-12 |title=Sixes |url=https://worldlacrosse.sport/disciplines/sixes/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=World Lacrosse |language=en-US}}
The format's first use at a major international sporting event came at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama.{{Cite web |last=Lacrosse |first=World |date=2023-02-27 |title=The speed of sixes takes the PLL by storm |url=https://worldlacrosse.sport/article/the-speed-of-sixes-takes-the-pll-by-storm/ |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=World Lacrosse |language=en-US}}
In 2023, lacrosse sixes was added to the program of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, marking the first time any variety of lacrosse has been a medal event since 1908. Lacrosse sixes' Olympic inclusion parallels that of rugby sevens and 3x3 basketball, also smaller-scale versions of established sports.
In 2026, the first world championship events in lacrosse sixes will be held for both men and women. World Lacrosse has also announced plans for an annual Sixes World Series held across different continents.{{cite web | title=What's Next? Key Dates For International Lacrosse From Now to Olympics | website=Inside Lacrosse | date=2023-10-27 | url=https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/what-s-next-key-dates-for-international-lacrosse-from-now-to-olympics/62196 | access-date=2023-11-15}}
Beginning in 2023, the Premier Lacrosse League has run a lacrosse sixes event known as the Championship Series.{{Cite web |title=PLL Introduces New Championship Series; Will Feature Sixes Format |url=https://www.usalaxmagazine.com/pro/pll/pll-introduces-new-championship-series-will-feature-sixes-format |access-date=2023-08-05 |website=www.usalaxmagazine.com |language=en}}
Rules
Lacrosse sixes has similar rules for men and women but preserves some minor differences, such as the amount of contact allowed.
The major rule differences as compared to traditional field lacrosse are as follows:{{cite web | title=World Lacrosse Sixes Official Playing Rules March 2021 | website=World Lacrosse | date=2023-11-13 | 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=2023-11-13 | url-status=dead | access-date=2023-11-15}}
- The field of play is smaller, at 70 meters by 36 meters.
- Face-offs only occur at the beginning of each quarter and overtime: play is restarted after goals with the goalie taking the ball out of the net.
- There is a 30-second shot clock.
- Games are played with four eight-minute quarters, plus multiple three-minute sudden death periods if a tie remains after regulation.
- There is a 15-minute halftime intermission.
- Rosters consist of 12 players.
- Everyone plays both offense and defense.
- There are no long crosses.
Lacrosse sixes is viewed as less accessible for defensive field lacrosse players due to the lack of long poles, as well as for face-off specialists.{{cite web | last=Arestia | first=Dan | title=The Next Team USA: College lacrosse players who could be Olympic Sixes Stars | website=Sticks In Lacrosse | date=2023-10-20 | url=https://www.sticksinlacrosse.com/post/the-next-team-usa-college-lacrosse-players-who-could-be-olympic-sixes-stars | access-date=2023-11-15}}
See also
- Twenty20, a shorter variant of cricket