Old time Lacrosse vs. Modern Lacrosse

By: Jack Mansueti

Lacrosse Stick Shafts

Old time lacrosse stick shafts were traditionally made out of wood. Now lacrosse stick shafts are made out of aluminum. A professional stick is made out of titanium and graphite alloys. Children lacrosse sticks are made out of plastic. These are easier to handle and make less injury. You can also get a smooth or rough shaft. It all depends on the grip you like.

Lacrosse Stick Pocket• You can get a mesh pocket and you can also get a traditional pocket• The mesh pocket has a simple nylon lining • Mesh pockets are easiest to use• Mesh pockets have loose pockets so are better for beginner players• Traditional pockets are for experienced players of lacrosse and they allow

more precision and control• Traditional pockets consist of nylon laces woven around four adjustable

leather straps• The strips can be tightened or loosened for greater control but out faster• Traditional are stiffer than mesh pockets• Greater accuracy for shots but less control when running• Deeper pocket has more ball control• Shallow pocket gives a quicker release for shots and passes

Stick Length• Size of stick depends of position in game• Attackers emphasize mobility and speed• Attackers use short sticks close to the length of 30 inches• Defenders at the other side of the field are supposed to use long

sticks• Defenders use sticks that are around 60 inches to maximize reach• Midfielders use medium sized sticks • This makes it so midfielders can switch through defense and

offence• Goaltender sticks differ greatly from other sticks• Big pockets for blocking and defending the goal

Lacrosse Stick Rules

• Lacrosse stick made of wood, laminated wood or syntheic material

• Shaped neck pocket at the end of the shaft• Stick must be overall 40-42 inches for attackmen and

midfielders• 52-72 inches for defensemen• Head must be 6.5-10 inches wide• Goalies stick can be 10-12 wide• Illigal if the top surface of a lacrosse ball is below the

bottom edge of the side wall

Old and Modern Lacrosse Compared

• Old lacrosse was brutal• Modern lacrosse rules say you can’t physically

hurt another player on purpose• Old lacrosse the winners or losers were

sacrificed after the game• Games could go 3 days long• There can be up to thousands of people

playing the game at one time

Webpage

http://www.lacrossecentral.com/lacrosse-sticks/mens/index.html

I used this webpage for all of the facts and the whole powerpoint