Lacrosse

Lacrosse is a fast-paced team sport played by two teams of ten players each who use netted sticks (called crosses) in order to pass and catch a rubber ball with the aim of scoring goals by propelling the ball into the opponent's goal.

In its modern incarnation, lacrosse is played by three attackmen, three midfielders, three defencemen, and one goaltender on a grass or artificial turf field. Men wear helmets and other protective equipment as body checking is an integral part of the game. Women wear protective eyewear (except for the goalie, who wears an over-the-head goalie mask), but less overall equipment because hitting is not permitted in the women's game.

The sport has American Indian origins. Its name was dehuntshigwa'es in Onondaga ("men hit a rounded object") da-nah-wah'uwsdi in Eastern Cherokee ("little war"), Tewaarathon in Mohawk language ("little brother of war"), and baggataway First Nations language "The Creator's game". It was usually played over the range of 3-10 miles. Since there was only one ball, players would concentrate on injuring their opponent with the sticks. Sometimes the game would last for days. Today, lacrosse is popular mainly in North America. The World Lacrosse Championship for men and women is played every four years.