Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing team sports in the United States. The sport involves many aspects of our country's better known sports, including football, basketball, soccer and hockey. While it has many similarities to other sports, lacrosse has an identity of its own. That certainly goes for the sticks that are used to play the game. In fact, there is a difference between offensive and defensive lacrosse sticks.
History
Lacrosse was first documented being played in the mid 1600s. Since that time lacrosse has evolved into the fastest growing sport in the United States today. American Indians played on fields that were miles long and the games would continue for days at a time. With the introduction of modern rules in the late 1800s, lacrosse began to develop into a competitive team sport, pitting offense against defense.
Offensive Vs. Defensive Lacrosse Sticks
There are two primary types of lacrosse sticks. The short stick is for the offense and long stick is for the defense. The short stick is used by the attack and midfielders, while the long stick is used by the defense and long stick midfielders. The shorter the stick the better handle and control you will have when passing and shooting. The longer the stick, the better you can defend another player and check the ball out of his stick.
Specifications
There are rulebook specifications for offensive and defensive sticks in lacrosse. An offensive stick must be between 40 to 42 inches long and the defensive stick must be between 52 to 72 inches, according to the 2009-2010 NCAA lacrosse rules. Different rules apply to different levels of play. If you are looking for youth or men's league guidelines, visit www.uslacrosse.org.
Deciding Which is Right For You
The sport of lacrosse is a fast and action-packed game. If you enjoy playing both offense and defense, then midfielder is the position for you and you will use a short stick. If you like to score goals and feed your teammates to help them score, then attack, which uses a short stick, is where you want to be. If you like a little extra contact and are proud to protect your team, then goalie and defense, with a long stick, is where you should be. The best way to decide is to play all the positions and see how you feel with either the offensive or defensive sticks in your hands.
Conclusion
Lacrosse is a sport that is highly active, no matter what position or stick you decide to use. Different people will be attracted to different positions on the lacrosse field. Coaches and past or current players are all great resources when trying to decide what is right for you. Grab a lacrosse stick and learn how to play wall ball. You will soon find the right stick for you.
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