Lacrosse, the original North American sport, was originally played by Native Americans as early as the 14th century A.D. The game was often played as military training, and teams could have thousands of players on a side, with goals placed several miles apart. Games could last up to three days. Players often never got near the ball or the goal, so they practiced their skills by injuring opposing players with the sticks.
Earliest Sticks and Heads
Two types of sticks were used by Native Americans. Southeastern tribes used two 2 1/2-foot sticks. Players attempted to trap and control the ball between the two sticks. In the Great Lakes region, a single 3-foot stick was used, with a wooden cup, about the size of the deerskin ball, on the end. This cup was made of charred wood that was scooped out and shaped, forming a closed pocket just large enough to hold the ball.
The Northeastern Stick
The stick used by the northeastern tribes is the progenitor of the modern stick and pocket. Longer than 3 feet, with a crook at the end, the stick ended in a flat triangular webbed surface. This pocket could be as much as two-thirds the length of the stick. Made out of woven leather hide, this webbed pocket allowed for great ball control. The crooked shape, reminiscent of a bishop's crosier, led French settlers to call the game "la crosse," French for "the cross."
Modern Traditional Pockets
Although most contemporary lacrosse players use pockets made out of modern materials, traditionalists still use the woven leather pocket. With a slight bow to modernity, these pockets are now woven together with nylon string and come in a pattern woven of eight diamonds. A six-diamond pattern is also used by those who want a pocket with more whip. Whip is the amount of downward force as the ball leaves the stick on an overhead shot. It is the result of contact with the shooting strings.
Modern Hybrid Pockets
Although the hybrid pocket might still use traditional leather strings, the webbing pattern has been replaced by nylon strings forming a deep pocket in the center of the stick.
Modern Pockets
A soft mesh pocket now is recommended for beginners as it is easy to catch with and simple to adjust. These pockets, made of nylon strings, became popular in the 1990s. They were built to replace the traditional pockets, which were difficult to maintain in bad weather. Although they are easy to catch with, they are more difficult to throw with. For this reason, more experienced players prefer hard, or dura-mesh, pockets. Still made of nylon, these pockets are coated to make them harder. They provide the reliability and easy catching of soft mesh with the passing and shooting strengths of traditional pockets.
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