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Women's lacrosse

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Women's field lacrosse is a fast-paced sport played with sticks and a ball.

Lacrosse catch1
Lacrosse catch1

The game focuses on precision and athletic skill. Players use a long-handled stick called a crosse to move the ball. The head of the crosse contains a net made of mesh or leather. Players use this net to catch, pass, and carry a solid rubber ball. The primary goal is to hurl the ball into the opponent's goal. To keep the ball in the stick while running, players use a technique called cradling. This involves moving the wrists and arms in a semi-circular motion. This motion uses centripetal force to keep the ball tucked in the pocket.

Women's lacrosse
Women's lacrosse

Rules in women's lacrosse ensure the game remains fair and safe. The equipment requirements differ from the men's game. In the United States, players must wear mouth guards and goggles. The stick itself must follow strict regulations regarding its shape and depth. A referee performs a stick check to ensure the pocket is not too deep. To do this, the referee holds the stick at eye level. If the ball is not visible over the side-wall, the pocket is illegal. The referee may also tilt the stick at a 45-degree angle. If the ball remains stuck in the pocket, the stick must be adjusted.

OCHS Girls LAX vs Lake Oswego-57
OCHS Girls LAX vs Lake Oswego-57

There are several different ways the game is organized. In international play, the sport is governed by World Lacrosse. This group sponsors the Women's Lacrosse World Cup every four years. In the United States, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) manages college play. The NCAA holds three separate championships every spring for its different divisions. Team sizes also change based on the level of competition. International teams consist of 10 players on the field. In U.S. collegiate play, a full team includes 12 players, including the goalkeeper.

The history of lacrosse reaches back to the indigenous peoples of the Americas. These early games were massive events that could last for several days. Some matches involved between 100 and 1,000 men from different tribes. In the 1630s, French Jesuit missionaries introduced the game to Europeans. The modern women's version began in 1890 at St Leonard's School in Scotland. A teacher named Louisa Lumsden introduced it after watching a men's game. Later, Rosabelle Sinclair established the first women's team in the U.S. in 1926. In 1941, the first women's intercollegiate game was played between Sweet Briar College and The College of William and Mary.

Modern rules have evolved to increase the speed and safety of play. One important rule is called shooting space. This rule prevents a defender from running into the shooting lane of an attacker. The shooting lane is a space between two lines extending from the ball carrier. A defender can only enter this space if they are within one stick's length of the shooter. Other recent changes include the use of a 90-second possession shot clock in NCAA Division I. Players are also allowed to kick the ball to move it out of traffic. Furthermore, the game now uses four 15-minute quarters instead of two 30-minute halves.

Specific regulations help maintain the flow of the game. For example, the rules for the "draw" limit how many players can be in the midfield. Currently, only three members per team may be within the restraining lines during the draw. In the U.S., the ball used in the game is yellow. A game typically lasts 60 minutes in total. Teams are allowed three 2-minute timeouts per game. If a player scores a goal in collegiate play, the referee must check their stick. This ensures the player did not use an illegal, deep pocket to gain an advantage.

Women's lacrosse is a sport that celebrates high-level skill and tradition. While men's lacrosse often involves brute strength, the women's game emphasizes technical ability. This distinction is noted in historical accounts of the sport. Since 2001, the Tewaaraton Award has been given annually to the best college players. This award recognizes the most outstanding male and female athletes in the United States. The sport continues to grow through organized international and collegiate competitions.

2005 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship - Virginia Cavaliers vs Northwestern Wildcats
2005 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship - Virginia Cavaliers vs Northwestern Wildcats
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File:Lacrosse catch1.jpg
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File:OCHS Girls LAX vs Lake Oswego-57.jpg
OCHS Girls LAX vs Lake Oswego-57.jpg
File:2005 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship - Virginia Cavaliers vs Northwestern Wildcats.jpg
2005 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship -...
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