The history of Lacrosse
“Sioux Playing Ball” (by Charles Deas, 1843)
Lacrosse, with roots dating back to 1100, has undergone a remarkable transformation from its original form known as tewaraathon or baggataway, played by the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois people). In its early days, the game unfolded on vast battlefield-like grounds, spanning miles, featuring deer-hide balls and wooden sticks with attached pockets. Some matches extended for days, serving purposes ranging from preparation for war to conflict resolution and social events—a multifaceted endeavor with roots in peace, as per the Legend of Lacrosse.
The evolution into the modern sport we recognize today began with the arrival of European settlers in North America. Intrigued by Indigenous play, early settlers embraced the game, introducing modifications to both rules and equipment. As lacrosse gained momentum, organizations emerged to refine rules and establish governance, ushering in a new era of consistency for the sport.
modern lacrosse timeline
RESOURCES
“Innovation and Evolution: How Lacrosse Sticks Have Changed.” USA Lacrosse Magazine, www.usalaxmagazine.com/fuel/industry/innovation-and-evolution-how-lacrosse-sticks-have-changed.
Kennedy, Lesley. “The Native American Origins of Lacrosse.” HISTORY, 12 July 2023, www.history.com/news/lacrosse-origins-native-americans.
“Sixes - World Lacrosse.” World Lacrosse, 12 Oct. 2023, worldlacrosse.sport/the-game/disciplines/sixes/#:~:text=It%20was%20created%20in%202018%20to%20accelerate%20global,cost%20and%20complexity%20of%20participation%20and%20event%20staging.
Team, Just Lacrosse. “The History of Lacrosse: Origins, Evolution, and Modern Day Significance - Just Lacrosse.” Just Lacrosse, 23 Nov. 2023, www.justlacrosse.com/history-of-lacrosse.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Lacrosse | History, Rules and Equipment.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 Oct. 2023, www.britannica.com/sports/lacrosse.
The Tewaaraton Award. “History - the Tewaaraton Award.” The Tewaaraton Award, 29 Apr. 2021, tewaaraton.com/history.
USA Lacrosse. “Spirit of the Stick.” YouTube, 8 Nov. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIBzSuVxJDg.