The game of lacrosse involves carrying, catching, throwing and passing a ball using a long wooden stick. This stick has a basket-like net used to cradle the ball. Lacrosse has become quite popular in many countries, and the original version of lacrosse dates back hundreds of years. The Iroquois Nation's lacrosse history stretches from its early traditions to its current national team.
Invention
The history of lacrosse dates back hundreds of years. The Iroquois Nationals website explains that the sport was invented even before North America was settled by Europeans, possibly as early as the 12th century. During its early years, lacrosse was viewed as more than just an enjoyable game. In the Iroquois tribe, the game was used to praise the gods and to provide entertainment for the creator. The sport was also used to prepare for war, settle disputes and ask for divine intervention in the healing process.
Original Games
The early game of lacrosse was played with very few concrete rules. In fact, lacrosse games occasionally lasted for several days, with the players simply taking a break from sunset to sunrise. The original lacrosse field had no boundaries, and goals were often marked by a tree or boulder. Points were scored by hitting the goal with the ball, and the game often continued until one team scored two or three goals. No rules dictated the amount of players -- some lacrosse games were played with hundreds of Indians. Players did not wear protective equipment, and virtually nothing was against the rules. As such, early Iroquois lacrosse games often resulted in many injuries.
Over the Years
Although the sport's popularity diminished among many Indian tribes over the years, the Iroquois have never stopped playing the game. In fact, the Athletic Scholarship website notes that the Iroquois are credited with bringing the game of lacrosse to European settlers hundreds of years ago. The Iroquois played their first international lacrosse game against the Canadians in 1844. This game initiated a tremendous winning streak for the Iroquois, which lasted 17 years. In the late 1860s and early 1870s, the Iroquois traveled through England and Australia to further promote the game.
Professional Team
In 1983, the Iroquois created a professional lacrosse team: the Iroquois Nationals. However, it was not until 1987 that the Iroquois Confederacy was accepted as a member nation of the Federation of International Lacrosse. The team played its first game in 1990 and received sponsorship from Nike in 2008. In 2010, the Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team was denied entry into England for the Lacrosse World Championship. According to the British government, the players' Iroquois Confederacy passports were not approved for entry into the country. Although United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attempted to intervene, the team was never given the opportunity to compete in the championship. As of 2011, the Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team remains the only Native American national team allowed to play international sports.
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