UHS Physical Education
Lacrosse Study Guide
History
Lacrosse is the oldest sport in North America. It was originally played by Native Americans in what is now New York and Canada. Called baggataway (little brother of war), the tribal game was on a much larger scale. It was played by hundreds of players, games often lasted several days, and goals were placed up to 15 miles apart. French missionaries thought the shaped stick resembled a bishop’s Crozie (la crosse) and that became the popular name for this game.
The first lacrosse club was founded in Montreal in 1842 and by 1860, standard rules for play and equipment were established. That is the basis of today’s sport.
Enthusiasm for the game extended to most English-speaking countries and lacrosse was often an Olympic event. Organized lacrosse is played today by high school, college, and club teams. There has been particular growth of the sport among girls and women. The Lacrosse Foundation was charted in 1959 to develop, promote, and coordinate all aspects of the game.
Key Terms
-There are 11 players.
-Center Point is marked with a cross at the middle of the centerline.
-Goal line is 6 feet long and centered 15 yards from and parallel to the end lines.
-Goal area line runs 20 yards from the centerline and parallel to it.
-Goal crease is a circle, 18 feet in diameter with a 9 foot radius, centered at the goal line
midpoint.
-The goal is netted structure, 6 feet wide between the posts and 6 feet in height from the
crossbar to the goal line. The net extends 7 feet behind the crossbar. The goals
are 80 yards apart.
-Crosse is a stick of laminated wood or synthetic material with a shaped net pocket at the head.
It can be 40 to 72 inches long and 6 ½ to 10 inches wide.
-The ball is made of solid rubber and is approximately 8 inches in circumference; it weighs just
over 5 ounces.
How to Play
The ball is put into play with a face-off. Two opposing players crouch, facing each other across the centerline, their sticks (crosse) on the ground and their backs to their goals. The referee puts the ball on the ground. On the referee’s whistle the two people pick up their sticks and try to gain control of the ball.
Once a player has possession of the ball all players move. At least two people must pass the ball before taking a shot on goal. (Ex: player A gets the ball following the face-off and passes it to player B. Player B then passes it to player C, now a shot on goal may be attempted.)
Play is continuous with no stalling. Players must keep two hands on their sticks while in possession of the ball.
If the ball goes out of the designated plating area (out of bounds) the nearest player is awarded possession. If two opposing players are equal distance from the ball a throw occurs.
Throw In- the two players stand side by side with their backs to the center field. The ball is thrown in by the referee. The two players attempt to gain control of the ball.
As in hockey’s offside rule, no player can proceed into the offensive zone ahead for the ball. Defense must be played in a passive manner. Ex: No pushing, tripping, or slapping sticks. An offensive player may make a passive screen, like in basketball.
Scoring
A goal (1 point) is scored when the ball has been thrown from the crosse and crosses the goal
line and enters the net.
The Crease
This is the area around the goal. Only the goalie is allowed inside the crease. A player may
reach their stick into the crease to retrieve the ball.
Technical Fouls
- Off sides
- Touching the ball with the hands (except the goalie)
- Pushing or holding an opponent or limiting their movement.
Terminology
Body Check – Defensive move used to slow an opponent who has the ball; must be above waist
and below neck
Breakaway – One-on-one (shooter vs. goalie) scoring opportunity
Clear – An attempt by the team in possession to transition the ball from defense to offense
Cradle – Method used to keep the ball inside the pocket of the stick by rocking it back and forth
Crease – The 9 foot radius containing the goal in which offensive players cannot enter. Shooters
or their teammates cannot stand on (or inside) the line or their goals won’t count.
Crosscheck – Defensive strategy by using shaft of stick to push an opponent to force a missed or
bad shot
Fast Break – A transition from a defense-type offense in which the team with the ball gains a
man advantage during the transition
Ground Ball – Occurs when there is no possession and the ball is bouncing, rolling, or deflected
off the goaltender
Man Down – When a team has at least one player in the penalty box
Offensive Pick – The legal interference by an offensive player from a set position on a defensive
player who is trying to defend the ball carrier
Outlet Pass – The first pass from the goaltender that begins the transition from defense to
offense
Penalty Box – Where a player sits while serving a penalty
Power Play – When a team has a man advantage because the other team has at least one player
in the penalty box
Ride or Riding – Defending a clear; an attempt to stop the team in possession from clearing the
ball.
Roll Dodge - More typical of an attack man’s move; driving with the stick in one hand, while
rolling with back to the defender to free hands for a pass or shot on goal.
Screen Shot – When the goaltender can’t see a shot because someone is in the way.
Shorthanded – When one team has one or more players in the penalty box and the opponent is
at full-strength, or has one less penalized player on the turf.
Split Dodge – When an offensive player with the ball changes direction by moving the stick form
one hand to the other in a crossover motion, to lead the defender in the opposite direction
Takeaway Check – An attempt to strip the offensive player of the ball using the defenseman’s
stick.