Lacrosse Stick Regulations

The game of lacrosse has been played in North America longer than any other sport. It was first played by Native American tribes, and the game has continued to thrive for centuries. The lacrosse stick is a unique piece of equipment consisting of the shaft, the head and the net. Players use different size sticks depending on the position played.

History

Lacrosse was originally played using tree branches that were converted to catch a small item and hurl it at a goal. When French explorers first came to this continent and saw the game, they thought the sticks used resembled a bishop's crozier, which is called "la crosse" in French.

Attacking Players

Attacking players use a short stick that is easy to pass the ball with and to take a shot on goal. The stick must be at least 40 inches long and cannot be longer than 42 inches. The base of the stick may be made of aluminum, titanium or graphite. The head is made of hard plastic and the pocket is a woven net. The head of the stick must be at least 6 1/2 inches and cannot be more than 10 inches wide.

Defensive Players

Defensive players can use a longer stick to prevent opponents from completing passes or taking shots on goal. A defensive player's stick must be at least 52 inches long and not more than 72 inches. Generally, defensive players use a stick that is closer to the maximum length. The plastic head is 6 1/2 to 10 inches wide; most of the defensive players use the 10-inch head.

Goalies

Goalies' sticks are similar to defensive players' sticks and are of the same 52- to 72-inch length. However, goalies' sticks can be significantly wider, up to 15 inches. This gives the goalie the opportunity to catch and deflect shots as he protects the goal.

Indoor Lacrosse

Indoor lacrosse, also known as box lacrosse, has become quite popular since the 1970s. In indoor lacrosse, most players, including defensive players, must use sticks that are in the 40- to 42-inch range. Goalies can use the same size sticks they wield in the outdoor game. The smaller indoor lacrosse playing area forced the change. Longer sticks used by defenders would limit scoring opportunities and the game's arbiters wanted higher-scoring games to create excitement.