Lacrosse is a game with ancient origins. Players use a pocketed stick to carry a ball to score goals, while at the same time defending against another team attempting to score. U.S. Lacrosse, a national organization representing men's and women's lacrosse in the United States, was established January 1, 1998 in Baltimore, Maryland. The organization is responsible for regulations of game rules, including equipment requirements. The museum is home to a lacrosse museum that exhibits historic equipment.
Sticks
The early stick (or crosse) was made of hand-carved wood. In 1937, Robert Pool popularized the "double-walled" wooden stick that revolutionized the basic design and is the prototype for modern synthetic and aluminum sticks. Players take special care in selecting sticks, and the type is usually determined by personal choice and the player's position. Many female players, however, continue to use wooden sticks.
Handles
Handles are sold in square and round shapes with smooth or textured surfaces. The thickness of the handle is determined by the player's position and personal preference. Defensive players use thicker handles to aid in checking opponents (checking requires players to counter an opponent's move by locking sticks in rapid cross movements). Thin handles are frequently bent or broken, and, for this reason, young players usually carry sticks with plastic handles.
Shafts
The overall stick design allows for detachment of the head (with an official width of 6 1/2 to 10 inches for men and up to 12 inches for women) and pocket for easy repair. The design also allows players to change the shaft to play different positions, usually transferring between midfield and attack positions. Players in the rear section of the field, defending the goal, use longer shafts so that the stick has a greater range. The official stick range for defense players is 52 to 72 inches. Attacking players, requiring greater running range, use shorter sticks that are easily manipulated against counterattack. The average stick size for both attack players and midfield positions is 40 to 42 inches. The shaft of the women's crosse measures between 35 1/2 and 43 1/4 inches.
Pockets
The basic stick also incorporates a plastic head at the top and a net or woven pocket. The size of the pocket varies by position. The goaltender may legally use the largest pocket in the play to defend the goal and move the ball back on the playing field. The type of pocket material used is based on the experience of the player. Skilled players use leather and woven laces to create the pocket. Novice players, or those seeking a low-maintenance pocket, use webbing or mesh. Official rules outlaw use of mesh by female players. Pocket design should not be so loose that the ball is able to rest in the pocket. The ball should stay in the pocket only by the player's action of rocking the stick back and forth for balance.
Ball
Dr. William George Beers, the father of the modern game, substituted hard balls for wound hair balls in 1867. Early Native American players in Mexico used balls made of natural rubber.
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