The oldest North American sport, lacrosse can be traced back to the 1400s, with North American Indians waging contests that often featured hundreds of players competing over fields as large as a mile in length. It wasn't until 1867 when Canadian dentist W. George Beers wrote official rules and formed the Canadian National Lacrosse Association that the modern game of lacrosse began to take shape. Beers' original rules for lacrosse had several key points.
Field
While early lacrosse matches featured fields 500 yards or longer, Beers advised that the field length should be limited to 200 yards. Beers also declared the goal posts should be 6 feet high, with a flag attached to the top of each pole. The goal posts were to be set 6 feet apart. Before these rules, lacrosse goal posts were often 9 feet or more apart. Beers also created the goal crease, which was a line 6 feet in front of the goal. Players weren't allowed to cross the line until the ball passed it.
Team
According to Beers, only 12 players could be on the field at once for each team. Beers also designated the player positions: goalkeeper, first defense, second defense, third defense, point, cover point, first attack, second attack, third attack, center, out home and in home.
Equipment
In lacrosse, players carry a stick called a crosse that has a net pocket at the end in which to carry the ball. Beers placed no limit on the length of the crosse. He did, however, state that the netting had to be flat when not holding a ball. And the ball, which had previously been made from hair-stuffed deerskin, was to be made from India-rubber and not be smaller than eight inches or larger than 9 inches in circumference.
Match
Unless otherwise agreed upon by the team captains, Beers suggested the winning team would be the first to score three goals. Teams exchanged ends after each goal, with an accompanying rest period lasting between five and 10 minutes.
Illegal
Beers' official rules prohibited certain activities. Players were not allowed to touch the ball with their hands. The only exception was the goalkeeper, who was permitted to block a shot with his hand. Players were prohibited from throwing their crosse at a player or at the ball. Holding, striking, tripping and threatening were also illegal. And for increased safety, players were not allowed to wear spiked shoes.
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