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.
History of Lacrosse
Lacrosse in present day is played with 10 people on the field for each team. There is one goalie, three defensemen, three middies, and three attack for each team. The middies roam free around the field except in the opposing teams crease around their goal. The defense and attack have to stay on their side of the field. The ball is thrown from person to person using sticks and whoever has the most goals in the end wins.
Lacrosse Video
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Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Monday, November 19, 2012
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.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
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.
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