Women's lacrosse, which is also called wlax or lax, is a limited-contact version of lacrosse. There is also a non-contact version of lacrosse called intercrosse. Lacrosse was derived from an indigenous game of Native Americans, though the modern women’s lacrosse game was first played in Scotland in 1890 at the St. Leonard's School. Men’s field lacrosse and women's lacrosse have different equipment and very different rules.
The aim of the sport is to use a long-handled racket, which is known as a crosse or a lacrosse stick, to carry, catch, and pass a rubber ball to score by hurling the ball to the opposing team's goal. Defenders keep the opposing team from scoring by using body positioning and stick checking to dispossess them of the ball.
Women's Lacrosse is played by two teams with twelve players each (field lacrosse has 10 players in each team). Each team usually consists of three attackers, five midfielders, three defenders, and one goalkeeper.
Women's lacrosse rules are specifically designed to limit physical contact between players. Subsequently, the equipment used in women’s lacrosse is also very different from men’s field lacrosse. Women will only wear eyewear or lacrosse goggles, and a mouth guard, although in international rules, the players may not wear eye protection.
Other Versions of Lacrosse
- Intercrosse — a non-contact version of lacrosse.
- Box Lacrosse — a version of lacrosse that is played in a smaller indoor arena (box), with six players in each team.
- Field Laccrosse — a full-contact outdoor men's version of lacrosse.
- Sixes Lacrosse — a new smaller team faster-paced lacrosse format making the sport more accessible.
Related Pages
- See also about Lacrosse Sports
- Complete list of sports
- The Encyclopedia of Sports