According to research posted in the Sports Business Journal, it was stated participation in high school lacrosse from 1990 to 2008 increased by 528 percent. The most recognizable piece of equipment in lacrosse is the stick. The traditional sticks used by the Native Americans who originated the game differ from its modern-day cousin.
History
The origins of lacrosse can be traced to a variety of stick-based games played by Native Americans. While the game itself was similar, the equipment varied depending on the region. Tribes that resided in the Northeast used three lengths and a triangle-shaped net that formed the pocket. In the Southeast, tribes played with a stick in each hand, while in the Great Lakes region, tribes used a stick with a much smaller pocket.
The Stick
Native Americans made their own sticks, most commonly out of hickory. The stick was steamed until it could be bent to form the frame for the pocket. Carving the stick helped to complete the bend. Tribes in the Northeast played with sticks of varying lengths. In the Southeast, two sticks roughly 2½ feet long are used. The tribes of the Great Lakes used one longer stick that measured 3 feet long.
The Pocket
A traditional pocket was woven with animal sinew. The pocket used in the Northeast most typically resembled the modern stick. It is woven around the bend of the stick to form a triangle shape. Tribes in the Southeast held the ball between two sticks, one in each hand. The stick used by the Great Lakes tribes employed a small, round pocket barely bigger than the ball.
Significance
Several Native American tribes considered their game to be a gift from the Creator. The game was part of a tribe’s social makeup. It was more than sport; the game carried spiritual significance. Therefore, many considered the stick a very personal possession, perhaps even sacred. Those who made the sticks took great pride in their craft.
Modern Sticks
While Native Americans made their own lacrosse sticks out of wood, the modern stick is created from several materials, including titanium and graphite. Whatever the material, the goal of any manufacturer is to make a stick that is light and durable. Pockets are typically made with a nylon mesh. These are typically less accurate when shooting or passing but allows the player better control while running.
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