Indoor lacrosse is also known as box lacrosse. The game was invented in the 1930s by owners of hockey arenas in Canada who wanted to do business in the summer months. Indoor lacrosse is a game that features quick passes and attacks. It requires the skill to shoot the lacrosse ball accurately.
Players and Equipment
Indoor lacrosse is played by a team of six players. Each team has a goaltender and five other players called runners. The player positions include forwards, transition players and defenders, but they can move all over the field and are not restricted to staying on their part of the lacrosse field. This is different than the outdoor game. Players use lacrosse sticks that measure between 40 and 46 inches. Players must wear protective equipment, including a helmet, gloves and shoulder pads.
Field of Play
Indoor lacrosse has a very similar look and feel to ice hockey. The field is 200 feet long by 80 feet wide, which are the same dimensions as an ice hockey arena. In some cases, the field is smaller depending on the size of the arena where the indoor lacrosse game will be played. The field can be as small as 180 feet long. The goal is 4 feet by 4 feet and is protected by the goaltender.
Length of Game and Penalties
Indoor lacrosse games are 60 minutes long. In some leagues, the teams play three 20-minute periods, similar to professional hockey. In other leagues, the game consist of four 15-minute periods. Penalties are assessed to players for certain rule violations. Players can be called for roughing, high sticking, elbowing, slashing and tripping. These are all two-minute penalties that leave the offending team short-handed. Another similarity to hockey is that players who fight get five-minute penalties. Hockey and indoor lacrosse are the only sports that don't eject players for fighting.
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