Youth, Watching Lacrosse Game, Woodland Indians, The Raid on St. Francis, 1759

Jesuit missionaries from France in the 17th Century first observed the Huron Indians playing a game. They called it "La Crosse" because the Natives' sticks resembled the Crosier carried by French Bishops as a symbol of office.  Although the Europeans initially saw the game as savage, they soon began to enjoy watching it and often placed bets among themselves on the winner of a match.

Lacrosse is one of the oldest team sports in North America.  There is evidence that a version of lacrosse originated in what is now Canada as early as the 17th century. Traditional lacrosse games were sometimes major events that could last several days.  As many as 100 to 1,000 men from opposing villages or tribes would participate.  The games were played in open plains located between the two villages, and the goals could range from 500 yards to 6 miles apart! There are traditionally three areas of scoring on the stickball pole.  There is a mark, about chest high on the pole, and when scored above, awards one point.  Contact below that point is not scored.  The top half of the pole, well above arms reach, is worth two points when hit.  The very top of the pole, usually embellished with a large figure of a fish, is worth three points.  In recreational games, scoring is loosely kept, most times by the audience or a few players. Games typically reach around twenty points before concluding.  Lacrosse traditionally had many different purposes.  Some games were played to settle inter-tribal disputes.  This function was essential to keeping the Six Nations of the Iroquois together. Lacrosse was also played to toughen young warriors for combat, for recreation, as part of festivals, and for the bets involved.

Info: Youth, Watching Lacrosse Game, Woodland Indians, The Raid on St. Francis, 1759