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Intercrosse

Intercrosse is much different than both field lacrosse and box lacrosse. The game in non-contact and has its own standardized rules and different equipment. The game is played for the most part in European countries and in Quebec, Canada. The stick used is different since the head or pocket is made of plastic. The ball is larger than a normal lacrosse ball and is hollow and softer. The teams normally have five players and the field is a square shape that is about 120 feet wide and long. The goals are the same size as they are in box lacrosse.

The biggest difference between intercrosse and normal lacrosse is there is absolutely no physical contact in intercrosse. The sport is played either indoors or outdoors making it a year round sport wherever it is played. Since there is not contact there is a time limit that each player can maintain possession and that is between four and five seconds. In the 1980s a standardized set of rules were developed for intercrosse and those included the equipment that can be used as well as the different game rules that must be followed.

Internationally there are two major intercrosse competitions. An annual event held is the World Games where teams for all over the world meet to compete. There are divided into different groups by a draw and the teams play group matches and then elimination matches. Every two years the World Cup for intercrosse is held and only the best players of each country are chosen to represent the team.

Lacrosse Pads

Pads in today's game of lacrosse are also very important and essential in order to protect the players from the constant physical contact. The players generally wear pads that are similar to those in American football and ice hockey. There are shoulder pads that protect the shoulder area and will also come down to protect the chest area and the upper back area of the player. They also use elbow pads on each arm since opponents like to check with their sticks and are constantly poking and prodding try to take the ball away.

The goalie uses both shoulder pads and elbow pads but also has two pieces of equipment that the other players do not. They have a chest protector to use to protect against the shots that can come at them at over 100mph and they also have shin protectors to help deflect shots with their legs and protect against the hard rubber ball that is used. Generally the pads that are worn by the goalie are bulkier and more protective since the goalies does not have to run up and down the field like the other players. He is just required to stand in front of the goal and protect the goal post. The women's game is not a physical one therefore pads are not used like they are in the men's game with the exception of the goalie. She will wear protective gear since the ball is shot a number of times in her direction.

Box Lacrosse

Box lacrosse is played indoors within the confines of a hockey rink and was originally invented in Canada so players could play year round due to the harsh winters. The game is played with six players including the goalie. The area where the game is played is called a box, hence the sport's name. The game originated in the 1930s and has grown to become a much more popular sport in Canada than field lacrosse. There is a National Lacrosse League in Canada and that league as well has changed some rules such as the length of the games and the number of periods played. The goals in the game of box lacrosse are much smaller than in field lacrosse measuring just four feet wide and four point six feet high. The goalie is also allowed much more protection including shin pads, armguards and ice hockey style masks if desired.

The game is much quicker than field lacrosse due to the closed in confines of the rink. There is a shot clock that requires the offensive team to take a shot within 30 seconds after taking possession. And the ball must also be advanced from the defensive end to the offensive end in just ten seconds, similar to basketball. The game is much more physical than that of field lacrosse because in box lacrosse they allow cross checking with the stick so players must wear rib pads and a different helmet as well. Today there are even World Indoor Lacrosse Championships that are contested every four years.

Field Lacrosse

Field lacrosse is played outdoors on a large field measuring 110 yards long and 60 years wide. The goals are six feet high and six feet wide in are in a circular crease that is off limits to offensive players. The game is started with a face off and there is a face off for the start of each quarter and after each goal. Players that face off use their strength to clamp their stick on top of the other players and let the ball be free until one of their wing players can take possession. Attackers and defensive players cannot cross into the area just the midfielders.

Substitutions are done on a very liberal basis much like ice hockey. As long as a player that is being replaced does not touch the ball then they are not considered still a part of play. The substitutions however must be in the designated area of exchange or are not considered legal.

Penalties are common and most result in a player being sent to the penalty box for a period of time and his team plays shorthanded. If the opposing team scores the man in the penalty box is normally released back into play unless it was not a releasable penalty. Today field lacrosse is played by many high schools, universities and there is a professional league called Major League Lacrosse but they have changed some of the official rules in order to increase the scoring and make it more popular for spectators to watch.

Lacrosse Helmet and Gloves

The helmets used in lacrosse are somewhat similar to those that American footballers wear but are light weight. They are required to be worn by all players including the goalie. Since there is a great deal of body contact, checking and stick movement around the players, it is necessary for the protection of the players that they wear helmets. The helmets help to protect from concussion, abrasions and other injuries to the head, neck and face area.

Each helmet has a wire face mask attached to protect the players eyes, mouth and face from being hit with sticks, the ball or opponents body parts such as an elbow, hand or shoulder. In women's lacrosse the game is not physical and helmets are optional. The women generally will only use mouth guards and sometimes a face guard but the majority do not.

Gloves are worn to protect the player's hands, wrists and forearms. The men wear heavy protective leather gloves that protect against the constant hitting players receive as their opponent try to steal the ball from their stick or dislodge it. The contact is always present so the gloves act as an important protective device for the players. The goalie uses gloves as well and is able to catch the balls that are shot towards goal as well. In the women's game since there is not physical contact between players, there is no requirement to wear gloves and many players will only wear thin gloves to get a better grip on their stick.

Lacrosse Goalie Stick and Regular Stick

There are two sticks used in lacrosse. The one used by the nine players in the field and the one used by the goalie. The stick is also known as the crosse and up to four players on each team can use a long crosse that is between 52 and 72 inches long. Players that play in the midfield area and defensive area are usually the players that use the longer crosses. The other players on the field use shorter crosses that measure 40 to 42 inches in length.

The goalie can use a crosse that is anywhere in length between 40 inches and 72 inches. For women and youth players there are other sizes as well. Sticks also differ as far as the pockets are concerned. Many of the attackers like to use what are referred to as pinched heads so the ball will not fall out as easily as with other sticks and they want to have a stick that is easy for them to shoot with and shorter in length.

The goalie stick has a much larger pocket for catching the shots, up to 12 inches in width. This is obviously because of all the shots that are directed towards goal in the course of a game. Many players like to string their own sticks and will do so by placing the stringing in a bucket of water for a day then stretching it to string the stick and once it dries the string will reduce in size until it is taught and strong.