The game Now

Today the game of lacrosse is very different than the game played by Native Americans but some things are similar. For instance, the Natives had strict rituals before each game and so do players now. Today players have strict eating requirements before each game to make sure they perform up to par. Also traditional lacrosse was played with no protective equipment, and these days kids and pro players alike try to wear as little padding as possible. Kids take the arm shoulder pads of the shoulder pads making it so they only protect your stomach. Also some kids don’t were any elbow pads and the ones who do wear them have tiny ones. The thing most different about the sport is that there is a set number of players that can be on the field at once. Also the technology of the game has improved much from the high tech aluminum shafts to helium inside a lacrosse head to make it lighter. Plus the technique of play has evolved a lot from running through people to passing around and complex plays. The overall game as a whole has changed but so has the way people treat the players. Now instead of being banned by foraners, people are being recruited to a division 1 college at the age of 14 or 15. This is viewed by most as outrageous but there is nothing they can do about it.

The Game Then

Back in the day when Native Americans first started the game of lacrosse, they played very differently than how they do now. The games that they played could last several days between two tribes. The playing field could range from 500 yards to several miles or have no out of bounds at all. Also unlike today there could be from 100 men to 1,000 men from each tribe participating in the game. Plus, the thing most different is the fact that to pass the ball was considered a trick and to dodge which is thought of as extremely necessary today was thought of as cowardly back then. During the game the medicine man acted as the coach and the women gave out water and other things to keep the players going. The reason these games were played was not because they were fun but to settle tribal disputes, to toughen young men and get them ready for combat and “for the pleasure of the Creator”. Before the game, the rituals were very close to the ones for war. Also before the game, each player was required to place a wager on what the outcome would be. The ball they played with was either wooden or made out of deerskin stuffed with hair.

The Game as a Whole

The history of lacrosse comes from Native Americans and because of this it is one off the oldest team sports in north America. The evolution of the game has changed throughout time due to the fact that the world has changed. For instance, They used to use wooden balls and have no netting in the stick but as technology changed around them for other things they applied their knowledge to the sport. The first "outsiders" to witness the game condemned it because it was too violent, involved betting and was part of the religion that they were trying to eradicate. Fortunately, the game was preserved and is now one of the fastest growing sports.