Lacrosse, a combination of hockey, soccer, rugby and basketball, is a fast-paced, full of action exhilarating sport. Long sprints with abrupt starts and stops, precision throws and dodges are just a routine part of both men's and women's lacrosse. The diverse action what makes it the fastest growing sport in the United States. Today's lacrosse is played with ten players per side on a field 60 yards wide and 110 yards long. Generally, but not necessarily, the women's field is larger, 120 by 70 yards.
Like hockey the object of the game is to send the ball through the goal posts of the opposing team. After the starting face off, teams move the ball by throwing it and/or running with it. Quickness is a desired skill. So is accurate passing and catching with the lacrosse stick head (a "basket" on the head of the lacrosse stick). Hands are not allowed to touch the ball. The lacrosse stick must be used to move the ball. Men's lacrosse involves a lot of body contact --- pushing, shoving, hitting the opponent's lacrosse stick, maneuvering to get the ball. The rules are different for women's lacrosse and it is a quick passing running game with less body contact.
Today lacrosse is played by professional leagues, colleges, high schools, amateur clubs, youth clubs and pewee clubs. A recent count names over 600 colleges and 2,000 high school programs. Not all of these are a varsity sport; some a cub sports. But there is a movement growing to increase the number of varsity programs. In 2009 more fans watched the National Lacrosse finals than the NCAAB finals.
About the author
Will Keeney owns www.slingshotlax.com
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