Women’s Lacrosse
For Centuries lacrosse has been a very popular sport, but one mainly for men to partake in. In the past few decades, women have become recognized as viable participants on the lacrosse field. While this event continues to grow for them, it doesn’t get the coverage or prestige that comes with the game of lacrosse for men. There are also far fewer women who play lacrosse and spectators for it than with the male counterpart.
The game of lacrosse is slightly altered for women, mainly to reduce the amount of physical contact that takes place among the players while on the field. They are still required to wear eyewear and a mouth guard though as injuries can and often do happen. Another significant difference for women’s lacrosse is that the pockets of the sticks are more shallow than those used by the men. The result of this is that the ball is more difficult to catch and it can’t be shot with as much speed.
Women’s lacrosse teams also play with two more players on the field then the men’s teams allow. The team features a goalie, three attackers, five mid fielders, and three defenders. Seven of the players assume either the position of the attacker or the defender depending on who has control of the ball at any given point in time. The other four players and the goalie aren’t’ allowed to cross the restraint line or a penalty will be imposed for the team.
Checking is probably the area of the game that differs the most between women’s and men’s lacrosse. Women are only allowed to check if it is in a direction away from the head of the person carrying the ball. This can only be done using the side of the stick. If women use the flat of the head as the men are allowed to do, the ball will be transferred to the opposing team by the umpire.
Lacrosse continues to be a very interesting sport around the world. Women are now able to play the game professionally, but as you can see the rules have been altered somewhat. Some think this is why women’s lacrosse has not gotten the recognition that it deserves. They feel unless the rules are the same as for the men, then they will never reach the same popularity status. It doesn’t appear that these rules will be changing though any time in the near future.
