Lacrosse has had many variations, its roots are deep in North American culture with its origins starting in indigenous cultures. Over the centuries the game has evolved into a fast-paced competitive game played at all ages. Lacrosse originated in various Indigenous tribes in North America during the 12th century. It was originally referred to as Baggataway and “little brother war”. They used sticks bent out of hickory wood, and the game had a spiritual belief behind it. The next big change in the sport was when the European settlers encountered the game. Brébeuf’s 1637 writings wrote about the game and referred to it as “la crosse” which would later be translated into lacrosse.
The Europeans adapted the game by removing the spiritual and religious meanings behind it, but rather, they adapted it to fit the standard of European sports. After the Europeans adapted the game it turned into what we now know as modern lacrosse. Credited for the modernization of the sport is a Canadian inventor Dr. William George Beers, who founded the Montreal Lacrosse Club in 1867. This club founded the rules of the game played today. A few years later in 1876, the first ever international match took place between the United States and Canada. After this match lacrosse grew fast with clubs popping up all over the continent in countless cities. In the 1900’s lacrosse was even featured in the Olympic games.
The sticks grew steadily with the game until the late 20th century and early 21st century when stick manufacturing boomed with the stick technology increasing greatly. This was amazing for the sport because sticks could become lighter and stronger allowing faster game-play and more exciting games. The safety of the sport has also evolved with gear becoming much safer for all players. Helmets have been produced to prevent concussions or other head injuries. In conclusion, Lacrosse has evolved greatly throughout its lifetime and it continues to grow to this day with countless new products for the sport being produced every year.
RELATED STORIES:
https://worldlacrosse.sport/the-game/origin-history/
https://www.history.com/news/lacrosse-origins-native-americans
https://www.usalacrosse.com/lacrosse-history
https://www.britannica.com/sports/lacrosse
https://www.brooklynlacrosse.org/lacrosse-history
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