General facts:
- Lacrosse was invented by Native Americans but how the game was played is still unknown. The game was originally known as stickball.
- Early lacrosse games were played to toughen warriors for war and for recreational and religious purposes.
- The numbers of players varied; reports say games had anywhere between 100 and 100,000 players participating in a game.
- Balls were originally wooden and were later replaced with deerskin balls with fur.
Women’s Facts:
- Game balls are yellow solid rubber.
- Women play with goggles and a mouthguard. Goalies wear chest protectors and helmets. Some choose to wear shin guards. Women are only allowed to check sticks and are not allowed to body check each other.
- The first women’s lacrosse game was played in Scotland in 1890.
- Women play with twelve players on the field: four attackers, three midfielders, four defenders and one goalie.
- Women start and restart gameplay with a draw. The two players stand at the midline with the ball between sticks. It is then thrown into the air by both players and gameplay has started.
Men’s Facts:
- Game balls are white solid rubber.
- Men play with protective gear. Equipment includes helmets, chest protectors, gloves and arm pads. Men are allowed to body check each other because of the protective gear.
- The first NCAA men’s lacrosse championship was played between Cornell University and University of Maryland.
- The men play with ten players on the field at once: three attack men, three midfielders, three defense men and one goalie.
- To start and restart gameplay, men compete in a face-off. Men crouch on the ground to fight for the ball.