Lacrosse is a full contact team sport played using a small solid rubber ball and long handled racket called a crosse or lacrosse stick. Finland, officially the Republic of Finland ( is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe. Many Sports involve a degree of player-to-player and/or player-to-object contact Team sport refers to Sports that are practiced between opposing teams where the players interact directly and simultaneously between them to achieve an objective A lacrosse stick or crosse is a long handled racket that is used in the sport of Lacrosse to handle the ball and to strike at opposing players The head of the crosse has a loose net strung into it that allows the player to hold the lacrosse ball. A lacrosse ball is the solid rubber ball that is used to play Lacrosse. Offensively the object of the game is to use the stick to catch, carry, and pass the ball in an effort to score by ultimately hurling the ball into an opponent's goal. Defensively the object is to keep the opposing team from scoring and to dispossess them of the ball through the use of stick checking and body contact. There are two main versions of the game; outdoor or field lacrosse and indoor or box lacrosse. The two versions of the sport differ in that field lacrosse is played with ten players to a side on a field roughly the size of a soccer pitch while box lacrosse is played with six players per side in an enclosure similar to that of an ice hockey rink. Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered

Contents 1 History of lacrosse 2 Rules 2.1 Playing Field and Equipment measurments 2.2 Positions 2.2.1 Attackmen 2.2.2 Midfielder 2.2.3 Defensemen 2.2.4 Goalkeeper 3 Box lacrosse 4 Women's lacrosse 5 International lacrosse 6 Governing bodies 7 See also 8 References 9 External links 10 Further reading

History of lacrosse

Main article: History of lacrosse

It has often been assumed that the name lacrosse stems from the resemblance that a traditional wooden lacrosse stick bears to a bishop's crosier. Lacrosse has its origins in a tribal game played by Plains Indians and Woodlands Natives in what is now the United States and Canada. A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight A crosier ( crozier, pastoral staff, paterissa, pósokh) is the stylized staff of office ( Pastoral staff) carried by high-ranking Jesuit missionary Jean-de-Brébeuf noted this resemblance in the Relation des Jésuites around 1640. However, the word crosse in the French of that time period was a general term used for any type of staff. The name lacrosse is simply a reflection of this and is perhaps shorthand for the phrase "le jeu de la crosse" (the game of the hooked stick). ^[1]

In Native American society lacrosse served several different purposes. The sport was used for conflict resolution, the training of young warriors, and as a religious ritual. Games could be played on a pitch over a mile wide and sometimes lasted for days. Early lacrosse balls were made out of deerskin, clay, stone, and sometimes wood. Lacrosse has played a significant role in the community and religious life of tribes across the continent for many years. Early lacrosse was characterized by deep spiritual involvement, befitting the spirit of combat in which it was undertaken. Those who took part did so in the role of warriors, with the goal of bringing glory and honor to themselves and their tribes. ^[2] The game was said to be played "for the pleasure of the Creator. "

Lacrosse has witnessed significant modifications since its origins in the 17th century, but many aspects of the sport remain the same. As a means of recording the passage of Time, the 17th Century was that Century which lasted from 1601 - 1700 in the Gregorian calendar In the traditional Native American version, each team consisted of about 100 to 1,000 men on a field that stretched from about 500 yards to a couple of miles long. For indigenous peoples in the United States other than Hawaii and Alaska see also Native Americans in the United States. ^[3] These lacrosse games lasted from sunup to sundown for two to three days. These games were played to settle inter-tribal disputes, to toughen young warriors in preparation for future combat and to give thanks to the Creator. The Alqonquin tribes referred to the sport as "baggatway". ^[3] The game became known to Westerners when a French Jesuit Missionary, Jean de Brébeuf, saw the Iroquois Natives play it in 1636. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The Society of Jesus ( Latin: Societas Iesu, SJ and SI or SJ, SI) is a Catholic religious order Saint Jean de Brébeuf ( 25 March 1593 &ndash 16 March 1649) was a Jesuit Missionary, Martyred in The Iroquois Confederacy (also known as the "League of Peace and Power" the "Five Nations" the "Six Nations" or the "People of the Longhouse ^[4]

In 1856, Dr. William George Beers, a Canadian dentist, founded Montreal Lacrosse Club and in 1867 he codified the game, shortening the length of each game and reducing the number of players to ten per team. Year 1856 ( MDCCCLVI) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Dr William George Beers, ( May 5, 1843 &ndash Dec 26, 1900) is sometimes referred to as the "father of modern Lacrosse " Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Dentistry' is the "evaluation diagnosis prevention and/or treatment (nonsurgical surgical or related procedures of diseases disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity The Montreal Lacrosse Club was a Lacrosse club in the Canadian city of Montreal, Quebec. Year 1867 ( MDCCCLXVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting ^[3] The first game played under Beers' rules was at Upper Canada College in 1867, with Upper Canada College losing to the Toronto Cricket Club by a score of 3–1. Upper Canada College (UCC is a private elementary and Secondary school for boys in downtown Toronto, Canada. Year 1867 ( MDCCCLXVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting By the 1900s, high schools, colleges, and universities began playing the game. High school is the name used in some parts of the world (in particular Scotland, North America and Australia) to describe an institution College ( Latin collegium) is a term most often used today to denote an Educational Institution. A university is an institution of Higher education and Research, which grants Academic degrees in a variety of subjects Lacrosse was contested as a medal sport in the 1928 and 1932 Olympics. The 1928 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the IX Olympiad, was an International Multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1928 The 1932 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the X Olympiad, were an International Multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1932 The Summer Olympic Games or the Games of the Olympiad are an International Multi-sport event, usually quadrennial organised by the International On both occasions, rather than holding tryouts and sending an All-star amalgamation, the U. S. chose to be represented by the Johns Hopkins University Blue Jays. Modern women's lacrosse was started at St Leonards School in Scotland in 1890. St Leonards School and Sixth Form College, formerly St Leonards School for Girls, is an independent school, founded by the University of St Andrews Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. It was introduced by the school's headmistress Louisa Lumsden. Dame Louisa Innes Lumsden, DBE (1840 - 1935 was a lecturer in classics at Girton College and the first Headmistress of St Leonards, Fife. ^[5]

In the United States, lacrosse had been primarily been a regional sport centered in and around New England,upstate New York, Long Island and the Mid-Atlantic States. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the History See also History of New England New England's earliest inhabitants were Algonquian -speaking Native Americans including the New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Long Island is an island located in southeastern New York, USA, its western shores directly across from Manhattan, from which the island stretches The Mid-Atlantic States (also called Middle Atlantic States or simply Mid Atlantic) form one of the nine geographic divisions within the United States that In recent years however, its popularity has started to spread south to Georgia and Florida, as well as west to Colorado, California, Texas, and the Midwest, spurred by the sport's increasing visibility in the media, the growth of college, high school, and youth (or "pee wee") programs throughout the country. The State of Georgia ( is a state in the United States and was one of the original Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the The State of Colorado ( or chiefly by nonresidents) is a state located in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States of America. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. Texas ( is a state geographically located in the South Central United States and is also known as the Lone Star State. College ( Latin collegium) is a term most often used today to denote an Educational Institution. High school is the name used in some parts of the world (in particular Scotland, North America and Australia) to describe an institution The NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship is the most attended NCAA Championship, outdrawing the Final Four of men's basketball. The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single elimination Tournament held each spring featuring 65 College basketball teams in the The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single elimination Tournament held each spring featuring 65 College basketball teams in the ^[6] The growth of lacrosse was also facilitated by the introduction of plastic heads in the 1970s by Baltimore-based STX. This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. STX (a contraction of the word " Sticks quot but commonly called "S-T-X" is a sports manufacturer based in Baltimore Maryland. This innovation reduced the weight and cost of the lacrosse stick, and allowed for faster passes and game play than traditional wooden sticks.

Up until the 1930s all lacrosse was played on large fields outdoors. The 1930s were described as an abrupt shift to more radical and conservative lifestyles as countries were struggling to find a solution to the Great Depression. Around this time the owners of Canadian hockey arenas invented a reduced version of the game, called box lacrosse, as a means to make more profit from their arena investments. Box lacrosse ( boxla, boxcrosse, or indoor lacrosse) is an indoor version of Lacrosse played in Canada and the United States Through this commercialization, in a short period of time, box lacrosse became the dominant form of the sport in Canada. More recently field lacrosse has witnessed a revival in Canada as the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association began operating a collegiate men's league in 1985 that now includes 12 varsity teams.

In 1987 a professional box lacrosse league was started called the Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League. Box lacrosse ( boxla, boxcrosse, or indoor lacrosse) is an indoor version of Lacrosse played in Canada and the United States Eventually this league would change its name to the National Lacrosse League and grow to encompass lacrosse clubs in twelve cities scattered throughout the United States and Canada. The National Lacrosse League (NLL is the league of men's indoor lacrosse in North America. In the summer of 2001 a professional field lacrosse league known as Major League Lacrosse (MLL) was inaugurated. Major League Lacrosse is a professional outdoor Lacrosse league that is made up of teams within the United States. Initially starting with six teams the MLL has grown to a total of ten clubs located in major metropolitan areas throughout the United States. In July of 2007 Major League Lacrosse set the professional lacrosse attendance record when nearly 20,000 fans attended a game at Invesco Field in Denver, Colorado. Invesco Field at Mile High is a Stadium in Denver, Colorado. Invesco Field at Mile High replaced the identically sized but commercially obsolete

Rules

Outdoor men's lacrosse involves two teams, each competing to project a small ball of solid rubber into the opposing team's goal. A lacrosse ball is the solid rubber ball that is used to play Lacrosse. Each team starts with ten players on the field: a goalkeeper or "goalie"; three defenders in the defensive end; three midfielders free to roam the whole field; and three attackers attempting to score goals in the offensive end.

Each quarter starts with a “face-off” in which the ball is placed on the ground and two “face-off-men” lay their stick horizontally next to the ball, head of the stick inches from the ball and the butt-end pointing down the midfield line. ^[7] Face-off-men scrap for the ball, often by “clamping” it under their stick and flicking it out to their midfielders, who start on the wing restraining line near the sideline and sprint in when the whistle is blown to start play. Attackers and defenders cannot cross their “restraining line” until one player from the midfield takes possession of the ball. ^[7] A face-off also restarts the game after each goal.

Players scoop the ball off the ground with their stick and may run carrying the ball in their stick, pass the ball through the air to other players, or throw it at the goal. In men's lacrosse, players may kick the ball, as well as cover it with their sticks, provided they do not withhold it from play.

Time continues to run in dead ball situations such as in between goals, with two exceptions: when the referees deem it necessary to avoid a significant loss of playing time, for example when chasing a ball shot far away or during care of an injured player; and in the last three minutes of the fourth quarter of any men’s game. ^[8]

Play is quite fast and fluid with typical games totaling ten to twenty goals.

Playing Field and Equipment measurments

The field of play is 110 yards (100 m) long and 60 yards (54 m) wide. ^[7] The goals are 6 feet (1. 8 m) by 6 feet, containing a mesh netting similar to an ice hockey goal. Ice hockey, often referred to simply as hockey, is a team Sport played on Ice. The goal sits inside a circular "crease", measuring 18 feet (5. 5 m) in diameter. ^[7] Behind the crease is the area designated simply as "X". One Attackman will remain at "X" in most types of offensive setups, such as chasing after a shot in which the first player to the spot where the ball went out gets possession of the ball. Settled offense the 2-3-1 The most common offense used in settled situations is known as the "2-3-1" (sometimes counted in the opposite direction as a 1-3-2 or shortened

Each player carries a lacrosse stick measuring between 40 inches (101. A lacrosse stick or crosse is a long handled racket that is used in the sport of Lacrosse to handle the ball and to strike at opposing players 6 centimeters) and 42 inches (106. 68 centimeters) long (a "short crosse"), or 52 inches (132. 08 centimeters) to 72 (182. 88 centimeters) long (a "long crosse"). ^[7] The designated goalkeeper is allowed to have a stick from 40 inches (101. 6 centimeters) to 72 inches (182. 88 centimeters) long. The head of the crosse on both long and short crosses must be 6. 5 inches or larger at its widest point and 2. 5 inches wide or wider at its narrowest point. ^[7]

The head of a goalkeeper's crosse may measure up to 15 inches (38. 1 centimeters) wide, significantly larger than field players' heads to assist in blocking shots. ^[7] Goalies at the youth levels commonly use shorter crosses. Although most attackmen and midfielders utilize short crosses, defensemen carry long crosses, and one midfielder on defense may carry a long crosse. ^[7] Some teams choose to distribute their sticks differently, not uncommon because a team may only have 4 long crosses on the field during live play, excluding penalty boxes. Most modern sticks have a metal shaft, usually made of aluminum,titanium or alloys while the head is made of hard plastic. Metal shafts must have a plastic or a more popular rubber cap at the end. The heads are strung with string, leather, and mesh. The strings in the "pocket" are called shooting strings and accuracy or "v" strings.

Lacrosse players must wear helmets (or eye protection for women) and gloves and also typically wear shoulder and elbow pads and sometimes they wear rib pads. A lacrosse glove is one of the two protective Gloves worn by men's Lacrosse players ^[8] Athletic supporters and protective cups for all players are also strongly recommended and often required. A jockstrap (also known as a jock jock strap strap supporter or athletic supporter is an Undergarment designed for supporting the Male genitalia during the ^[9]

Positions

Attackmen

There are six Attackmen on the field at one time, three for each team. The Attackmen use "short-sticks"(40 inches). Attackmen must demonstrate good stick-handling with both hands. Attackmen must be able to handle the pressure of the opposing defenseman which are equipped with long sticks. Depending on the defensive scheme of the opposing team they are also the players who score most of the goals. An attackman must have a good sense of what is going on around him and where his teammates are at all times. The attackmen are also responsible for setting up in fast or slow break formation when a "middie" or clearing defenseman has a breakaway. This generally looks like an "L" with two at goal line extended (GLE) and one up towards the midfield away from the "middie" coming down. "Riding" takes place when the ball is turned over on the offensive end and the Attackmen are forced to defend the other teams defense from "Clearing" the ball to the field's opposite end. ^[10]

Midfielder

Commonly referred to as "middies" six Midfielders are allowed on the field at once, three for each team. They are allowed to move anywhere on the field as they play both offense and defense. There are two types of Midfielders, the defensive and offensive. The two can rotate by running off the sidelines. The Midfielders are allowed to use short-sticks and up to one long-pole. While on offense three short-sticks are generally used for their superior stick-handling. While on defense two short-sticks are used with one long-pole. Some teams have a designated face-off middie (fogo-face off get off) that takes the majority of face-offs and is usually quickly substituted after the face-off is complete.

Defensemen

In the men's game defensive players are allowed to use "long poles"(which are six feet long), while in women's lacrosse defensive players use the same type of stick as the other players on the field. The Defensemen uses his stick to throw checks and try to dislodge the ball. The "long-poles" may also play mid-field as a strategic defender, a. k. a. a Long-stick middie (LSM). Teams usually use this to anticipate losing the face-off and be stronger on defense. There are three Defensemen per team and one long stick midfielder allowed on the field at a time in NCAA and High School competition.

Goalkeeper

Main article: Goalkeeper (field lacrosse)

The goalkeeper's job is to prevent the ball from getting into the goal. In field Lacrosse, the Goalkeeper, also referred to as goalie or keeper is the last line of defense between the opposing offense and his team's goal Goalies also direct the team defense. Goalies need to be tough both physically and mentally. Also the Goalie needs to be the loudest player on the field calling the position of the ball at all times so the defense can concentrate on the man they are covering instead of where the ball is. The Goalie needs to be able to keep his composure on the field while enduring shots that are capable of reaching over 100 MPH. The Goalie is the head of the defense and usually the entire team.

Box lacrosse

Main article: Box lacrosse

Canadians most commonly play box lacrosse, an indoor version of the game played by teams of six on ice hockey rinks where the ice has been removed or covered by artificial turf. Box lacrosse ( boxla, boxcrosse, or indoor lacrosse) is an indoor version of Lacrosse played in Canada and the United States Box lacrosse ( boxla, boxcrosse, or indoor lacrosse) is an indoor version of Lacrosse played in Canada and the United States The enclosed playing area is called a box, in contrast to the open playing field of the traditional game. ^[11] This version of the game was introduced in the 1930s to promote business for hockey arenas, and within a several years had nearly supplanted field lacrosse in Canada.

In box lacrosse the goal is smaller than in outdoor lacrosse, and the goaltender wears much more protective padding. ^[11] There is a shot clock and the attacking team must take a shot on goal within 30 seconds of gaining possession of the ball. Cross-checking is legal in box lacrosse in contrast to the field game where it is considered a penalty. ^[11]

Indoor lacrosse is a version of box lacrosse played by the National Lacrosse League, which employs slight rule changes from the traditional box game. The National Lacrosse League (NLL is the league of men's indoor lacrosse in North America. Notably, the games are played during the winter,^[11] not only in regions where summer lacrosse is popular but also in regions where lacrosse is rarely played in summer. This version of the game was intended to be less violent than box lacrosse, although changes in box lacrosse rules have reduced some of its violent play and a change in indoor lacrosse rules to permit cross-checking (hitting another player with the stick with one's hands apart on the shaft) have made it more violent. The chief differences between the two forms of the indoor game now are that indoor lacrosse games consist of 4 x 15 minute quarters compared with 3 x 20 minute periods in box lacrosse, and that indoor lacrosse players may use only sticks with hollow shafts, while box lacrosse permits solid wooden sticks. ^[12] Indoor lacrosse is always played on artificial turf (sometimes called "carpet"), while box lacrosse is usually played on bare concrete. ^[11]

Women's lacrosse

Main article: Women's lacrosse

The rules of women's lacrosse differ significantly from men's lacrosse, most notably by equipment and the degree of allowable physical contact. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The annual NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship tournament determines the top women's Lacrosse team in the NCAA Division I, Division II, Origins and history The school colors adopted in 1888 are orange and navy blue The Northwestern Wildcats are the athletic teams that represent Northwestern University, a founding member of the Big Ten Conference, and the only private ^[13]

The first modern women's lacrosse game was held at St Leonards School in Scotland in 1890. St Leonards School and Sixth Form College, formerly St Leonards School for Girls, is an independent school, founded by the University of St Andrews Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. It was introduced by the school's headmistress Louisa Lumsden. Dame Louisa Innes Lumsden, DBE (1840 - 1935 was a lecturer in classics at Girton College and the first Headmistress of St Leonards, Fife. ^[5] The first women's lacrosse team in the United States was established at Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore, Maryland. See Bryn Mawr (disambiguation for other possibilities The Bryn Mawr School (BMS is an independent, nonsectarian college-preparatory Men’s and women’s lacrosse were played under virtually the same rules, with no protective equipment, until the mid-1930s.

NCAA women's Lacrosse Division I began play in 1982. The National Collegiate Athletic Association ( NCAA, often pronounced "N-C-Double-A" is a voluntary association of about 1200 institutions conferences organizations The University of Maryland, College Park has traditionally dominated the women's intercollegiate play, producing many head coaches across the country and many U. The University of Maryland College Park (often referred to as The University of Maryland UMD, UMCP or simply Maryland) is a public research College athletics refers primarily to Sports and athletic competition organized and funded by institutions of tertiary education ( Colleges or universities S. national team players. The Lady Terps won seven consecutive NCAA championships, from 1995 through 2001. The annual NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship tournament determines the top women's Lacrosse team in the NCAA Division I, Division II, Princeton University's women's teams have made it to the final game seven times since 1993 and have won three NCAA titles, in 1993, 2002, and 2003. Princeton University is a private Coeducational research university located in Princeton, New Jersey. In recent years, Northwestern University has become a force, winning the national championship from 2005 through 2008. ^[14]

Internationally, the game is commonly played in British girls' independent schools, and while only a minor sport in Australia, it is played to a very high standard at the elite level, where its national squad won the 2005 Women's Lacrosse World Cup. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located An independent school is a school which is not dependent upon national or local Government for financing its operation and is instead operated by tuition charges gifts and For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The next Women's World Cup will be played in 2009 hosted by Prague, Czech Republic. Prague (ˈprɑːg Praha (ˈpraɦa see also other names) is the Capital and Largest city of the Czech Republic. ^[15]

International lacrosse

Lacrosse has been played for the most part in Canada and the United States, with small but dedicated lacrosse communities in Great Britain and Australia. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The United States of America —commonly referred to as the See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Recently, however, lacrosse has begun to flourish at an international level with the sport establishing itself in many new and far-reaching countries, particularly in Europe and east Asia.

With lacrosse not having been an official Olympic sport since 1908, the pinnacle of international lacrosse competition consists of the quadrennial World Championships. The Olympic sports comprise all the Sports contested in the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. The World Lacrosse Championship ( WLC) began as a four-team invitational tournament which coincided with Canada's centennial Lacrosse celebration in 1967 Currently, there are world championships for lacrosse at senior men, senior women, under 19 men and under 19 women level. The World Lacrosse Championship ( WLC) began as a four-team invitational tournament which coincided with Canada's centennial Lacrosse celebration in 1967 The Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships ( U-19's) are held separately for men and women about every 4 years to find the world champions for the under-19 age group in Lacrosse The Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships ( U-19's) are held separately for men and women about every 4 years to find the world champions for the under-19 age group in Lacrosse Until 1986, lacrosse world championships had only been contested by the United States, Canada, England and Australia, with Scotland and Wales also competing in the women's edition. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. The expansion of the game internationally saw the 2005 Women's World Cup competed for by ten nations, and the 2006 Men's World Championship was contested by 21 countries. The 2006 Warrior World Lacrosse Championship, held in London Ontario from 13&ndash22 July 2006 was won by Team Canada and

In 2003, the first World Indoor Lacrosse Championship was contested by six nations at four sites in Ontario, Canada. The inaugural World Indoor Lacrosse Championship ( WILC) was held in Hamilton, Kitchener, Mississauga, and Oshawa, Canada won the championship in a final game against the Iroqouis, 21-4. The 2007 WILC was held in Halifax, Canada on from May 14-20. Teams from Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, England, Ireland, Iroquois Nationals, Scotland and the United States competed.

The next largest international field lacrosse competition is the European Lacrosse Championships. The European Lacrosse Championships are held every four years and have been held since 1995 to determine the best national Lacrosse team of Europe. Held for both men and women, the European Lacrosse Federation (ELF) has been running the European Championships since 1995. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Before 2001 the Championships were an annual event, but in 2001 the ELF changed the format to every four years between the World Championship. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Before 2004, only 7 nations had ever participated, but in 2004 there was a record number of participating countries, with 12 men's and 6 women's, which made it the largest international lacrosse event of 2004. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The next European Lacrosse Championships will be held in Lahti, Finland in 2008.

The World Lacrosse Championships have been dominated by the United States, particularly in the men's game, where the only world championship game losses at either level was in the 1978 final to Canada and 2006 final to Canada. Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) The 2006 Warrior World Lacrosse Championship, held in London Ontario from 13&ndash22 July 2006 was won by Team Canada and The USA has won 8 of the 10 senior men's and all five under 19 men's tournaments to date. In the women's game, Australia have provided stiffer competition, even holding a winning record against the USA of 6 wins to 5 at senior world championships, plus one draw. Despite this, the USA has won 5 of the 7 senior women's and 2 of the 3 under 19 women's tournaments to date, with the other world championships won by Australia, including the 2005 senior women's trophy.

The Iroquois Nationals are a team consisting of members of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. The Iroquois Nationals are a Lacrosse team consisting of members of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy that competes in international competition The Iroquois Confederacy (also known as the "League of Peace and Power" the "Five Nations" the "Six Nations" or the "People of the Longhouse The team was admitted to the International Lacrosse Federation (ILF) in 1990. International Lacrosse Federation was founded in 1974 to promote and develop the game of men's Lacrosse throughout the world Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) It is the only Native American team sanctioned to compete in any sport internationally. For indigenous peoples in the United States other than Hawaii and Alaska see also Native Americans in the United States. The Nationals placed fourth in the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Lacrosse Championships. The World Lacrosse Championship ( WLC) began as a four-team invitational tournament which coincided with Canada's centennial Lacrosse celebration in 1967

Governing bodies

• World - International Lacrosse Federation / International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations
  • Asia
    • China - Beijing Lacrosse Development Committee
    • Hong Kong - Hong Kong Lacrosse Association
    • India - Indian National Lacrosse Federation (English)
    • Japan - Japanese Lacrosse Association (Japanese)
    • Korea - Korean Lacrosse Association (Korean)
  • Europe - European Lacrosse Federation
    • Austria - Austrian Lacrosse Association (German)
    • Czech Republic - Czech Lacrosse Union (Czech)
    • Denmark - Danish Lacrosse Federation
    • England - English Lacrosse Association
    • Finland - Finnish Lacrosse Association (Finnish)
    • France - French Lacrosse Association (French)
    • Germany - German Lacrosse Association (German)
    • Ireland - Irish Lacrosse Foundation
    • Italy - Italian Federation of Lacrosse
    • Latvia - Latvian Lacrosse Federation
    • Netherlands - Dutch Lacrosse Association
    • Norway - Norwegian Lacrosse/Norges Lacrosseforbund
    • Scotland - Lacrosse Scotland
    • Slovakia - Slovak Lacrosse Association (Slovak)
    • Slovenia - Slovenian Lacrosse Association
    • Switzerland - Swiss Lacrosse Federation
    • Spain - Spanish Lacrosse Federation
    • Sweden - Swedish Lacrosse Association (Swedish)
    • Wales - Welsh Lacrosse Association
  • Oceania
    • Australia - Lacrosse Australia
    • New Zealand - Lacrosse New Zealand
  • North America
    • Bermuda - Bermuda Lacrosse Association
    • Canada - Canadian Lacrosse Association
    • Iroquois Confederacy - Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse
    • Mexico - Mexico Lacrosse
    • United States - US Lacrosse
  • South America
    • Argentina - Lacrosse Argentina (Spanish)

See also

• History of lacrosse
• Box lacrosse
• Intercrosse
• Women's lacrosse
• Lacrosse stick
• Lacrosse ball
• Ontario Lacrosse Referees Association
• Lacrosse strategy
• College lacrosse

References

External links

• CBC Digital Archives - Lacrosse: A History of Canada's Game
• Inside Lacrosse: Magazine, Website and TV show for the world of lacrosse.
• Lax United: Exclusive Video Coverage for the Sport of Lacrosse.
• MCLA: The Lax Mag, The Official Magazine of the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association.
• Major League Lacrosse - The professional outdoor lacrosse league.
• National Lacrosse League - The professional indoor lacrosse league.
• US Lacrosse: Magazine and Website of the National Governing Body for Lacrosse in the United States.

Further reading

• Inside Lacrosse (2003). Lacrosse: North America's Game. Baltimore, Maryland [(Inside Lacrosse)] Press. ISBN 0-9759834-0-7
• Fisher, Donald M (2002). Lacrosse: A History of the Game. Baltimore, Maryland Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-8018-6938-2
• Scott, Bob (1978). Lacrosse: Technique and Tradition. Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-8018-2060-X
• Vennum, Thomas Jr. "Lacrosse". Encyclopedia of North American Indians.
• Cramer, James. Lacrosse Equipment. Information on Lacrosse Equipment for Men and Women.
• Fink, Noah & Melissa Gaskill. Lacrosse for Parents, Lacrosse: A Guide for Parents and Players.

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