The origins of lacrosse can be traced to the early Native Americans. Many different variations of the game existed but the basic principle remained the same: to move a ball toward a target using a stick designed for catching and throwing the ball. In the early 19th century, Europeans began playing the game in Canada, and the first written rules were created by the Montreal Lacrosse Club in the mid-1850s. The game has since reached a global audience and a number of governing bodies have been formed. Equipment regulations can differ somewhat between associations.
Stick Lengths
A lacrosse stick is known as a crosse. There are two types of sticks used by outfield players, the short crosse and the long crosse. The short crosse must have an overall length of 40 to 42 inches and the long crosse a length of 52 to 72 inches, according to Federation of International Lacrosse regulations (FIL). The same regulation lengths are used by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and NCAA regulations also are used by the US Lacrosse association. Only four long crosse sticks can be used per team, excluding the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper's crosse can have an overall length of between 40 and 72 inches.
Lacrosse Stick Heads
According to the Federation of International Lacrosse, the head of the crosse must measure between 4 and 10 inches at its widest point. NCAA regulations allow the crosse head to measure between 6.5 and 10 inches. The side walls of the crosse are not allowed to be more than 2 inches high.
Lacrosse Stick Nets
Both governing bodies agree on the construction materials used to make the net of the crosse. "The net of the crosse shall be constructed of gut, rawhide, clock cord, linen or synthetic material and shall be roughly triangular in shape," says the Federation of International Lacrosse.
Lacrosse Balls
Regulation lacrosse balls are made of solid rubber, and the Federation of International Lacrosse and the NCAA have the same ball dimension regulations. The circumference should measure between 7.75 and 8 inches and the weight of the ball should be between 5 and 5.25 oz. However, the rules do differ in one way: FIL regulations state that the ball should bounce to a height of between 45 and 49 inches when dropped onto a hard wooden floor from a height of 72 inches, while the NCAA states that the ball should be dropped onto a concrete floor and bounce between 43 and 51 inches at a temperature of 65 to 70 degrees F.
Protective Equipment
All lacrosse players are required to wear a protective helmet, protective gloves and suitable boots or shoes. FIL rules state that all helmets should have a face mask, and the NCAA also makes mouthpieces compulsory. "The mouthpieces must cover all upper-jaw teeth," say the NCAA rules. The rules of women's lacrosse do not allow the same degree of physical contact as the men's game. For this reason, protective equipment laws are more relaxed in the women's game. All female players must wear mouthpieces and eye protection, but helmets are not required. However, "Close-fitting gloves, nose guards and soft headgear may be worn by all players," according to the US Lacrosse 2010 Women's Rules.
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