|
|
|
|
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Understand the Girls Game of Lacrosse
St. Paul, MN
|
|
|
Only a little over a decade ago, Minnesota did not have any lacrosse programs. It wasn’t until three women from the east coast moved to Minnesota and began programs in their communities of Hopkins, St. Louis Park (The Breck School) and Eden Prairie that the sport began in this State. Because of the substantial and quick growth, the Minnesota State High School League sanctioned the sport in 2002. The sport is now the fastest growing sport in Minnesota with 39 varsity girls programs sanctioned by the MSHSL and 19 club programs governed by the Northcentral Schoolgirls Lacrosse Association.
Although the sport is new to the midwest, it is considered the oldest sport in America. Lacrosse was created by Native Americans in the northeastern part of North America over four hundred years ago. The game, with no set field dimensions or number of players, served as a component of religious practices and also as a way to prepare for war.
In the 1600’s French pioneers picked up the game and in 1867, Canadian George W. Beers standardized the game with specific field dimensions, number of players per team, and basic rules. The first mens’ collegiate team formed at New York University in 1877 and the first men’s high school team in 1882. The women’s game was quick to follow at the college level with the first team beginning in Scotland in 1890. Girls high school teams weren’t in existence until 1926 when a team was started in Baltimore, Maryland.
As for rules, girls and boys lacrosse were very similar until the 1930s when the games started to diverge. Nowadays, the girls and boys games are very different and to properly watch either game, it is important to know the top rules and fouls.
The girls’ fouls fall into one of two categories: a major foul or a minor foul. Major fouls are fouls that have a greater impact on the game than minor fouls and usually are more dangerous. If a girl commits a major foul, she must move 4 meters behind the opposing player she fouled at the location of the incident. If a player commits a minor foul, she must move 4 meters from the direction she came in relation to the player she fouled. If a girl commits a major foul within the 8 meter arc (which is marked on the field as the arc coming out from the goal posts) the attack player that was fouled is set up on the 8 meter arc and gets a free shot on goal. If a minor foul is committed in the 8 meter arc, the attack player lines up on the 8 meter arc but cannot take a direct shot on goal; the ball must be played by another player before a shot can be taken.
Top Seven Fouls to Know in the
Girls Game
Illegal Check (Major Foul): A check that comes in contact with the opponent’s body and/or holds the opponent’s stick down.
Shooting Space (Major Foul): A defender steps into the direct line of a girl preparing/taking a shot on goal. This foul is called within the critical scoring area of the goal – which is the space 15 meters out from the goal. If this foul happens inside the 8 meter arc, the opponent is set up for a free shot on goal.
3 Seconds (Major Foul): A defender is not marking an attack player, but stays in the 8 meter arc for 3 seconds or more.
Goal Circle/Crease Violation (Major Foul): A player steps into the goal circle.
Empty Stick Check (Minor Foul): A player checks an opponent’s stick when the opponent does not have the ball.
Dangerous Propelling (Major Foul): When a player takes a dangerous shot on goal and misses. A dangerous shot is considered a shot with high velocity over a short distance with little to no control. If the shot were to hit the goalie, the call would be dangerous shot (major foul).
Warding (Major Foul): When a player uses any part of her arm/hand to purposefully ward off an opponent in such a way that is causes the opponent to have a disadvantage.
To view the full rules of the game, visit www.uslacrosse.org and/or order a rulebook from US Lacrosse.
|
|
| No comments added! Click [ add a comment ] to be the first! |
|
|
|
|
|
Eastview's Matt Garin
by: Bryan Horwath
Putting the words “knee” and “injury” together is enough to send a shiver down the spine of any athlete.
Especially...
More 
Archives
|
|
|
|
|
What would you like your student-athletes to say about you five years after they graduate? ...
More
Archives
|
|
|
|
|
You need to upgrade your Flash Player to version 9 or newer.
|
|
|
|
™
™
