Where it All Began: Native Americans

The Eastern Woodlands Native Americans first began playing the game, thus developing the sport's reputation as one of the oldest team sports in North America. Original lacrosse games were oftentimes major events that could last for up to several days. The average number of players who would participate ranged from 100 to as much as 1,000 men from opposing villages or tribes. The games were played in open, flat fields located between the two villages. The width of the field from goal to goal ranged from 500 yards to as much as several miles apart. Rules for the game were usually decided the day before and there were usually no out-of-bounds, but players were not allowed to touch the ball with their hands at any point while the game was playing.

The Native Americans used trees or large rocks as goals, as apposed to the modern, triangular-shaped base goals that we use today. In later years, they began to use wooden posts and netting to catch the ball after taking a shot. Games usually were an all-day event, from sunrise to sundown. At the start of the game, the ball was tossed into the air and the two opponents would run to obtain possession of it. Because so many players were usually involved, the game included large masses of people after one ball and therefore caused the game to slow down. At first, passing the ball was thought of as a trick to escaping the idea of having to dodge opponents. 

What were some of the original purposes for playing the game? Below are just a few:

• To settle inter-tribal disputes
• To strengthen younger warriors for war and recreation
• To collectively pray for something (religious reasons)