Men's
History of Men’s Field Lacrosse
Men’s Field Lacrosse is one of the oldest games in North America. The roots of the sport of Lacrosse are traceable to the Iroquois tribes located in southwest Quebec, eastern Ontario and northern New York state. The aboriginal people called the game “Bagataway”. It was in the mid 1800's that Montreal townspeople became interested in this activity, and the first games of lacrosse were played between the townsfolk and the natives. Newcomers from France noticing that the sticks resembled their bishop’s crozier called the game “la crosse”. By the late 1850's and early 1860's lacrosse had its foothold in the sporting society of the time and the first non-native clubs were being formed.
Lacrosse grew in popularity and it wasn’t rare for crowds of over 10,000 to witness a game, surrounding the field six-deep. It was particularly strong on the prairies at the turn of the century and the years leading up to World War I when every rural town had a team, as did each big-city neighbourhood.
Following World War II, a new type of lacrosse became popular across Canada. Players decided to make use of the hockey rinks during the summer season and the result was-“box lacrosse.” As this new game grew in popularity field lacrosse lost many of its supporters in Manitoba. It wasn’t until the mid 80’s that the game was brought back by some ardent “box” players who loved lacrosse in any form.
Men’s Field
Men's Field Lacrosse is played outdoors on a 100m x 55m filed. Teams consist of 10 players of a team roster of 20-23 players. The team on the field consists of goaltender, attack, midfielders and defense.
Men's Field is very similar to Box in the fundamental skills of passing and catching, and the physical nature of the play. The games differ in the style of play and strategy. There is no controlling shot clock in Men's Field and the game is more strategic and relies more heavily on possession and control of the ball.
Every four years the International Lacrosse Federation holds a World Championships at the Junior and Senior levels. Canada is traditionally locked in a battle of supremacy with the United States and Australia. Recent years have seen the emergence of Asian participants and the expansion of the game in Europe.
There is a large cross over between the Men's Field game and the Box players. Over the last three years we have seen a tremendous growth of the high school base of competition and the initiation of minor field lacrosse (10 -16 years old).
Field Lacrosse – What a Game!
Field lacrosse features 10 players aside-a goaltender, three defencemen or “big-sticks,” three midfielders or “middies,” and three forwards or “attack.” A match begins with a face-off (“draw”) at midfield between the two centre middies. On the whistle, the midfield “wingers” can run towards the draw to help their draw man. The attack and defense for both teams must remain behind their “restraining line” until the referee whistles a “possession.” That frees the other positions up-to a point!
At all times a team must have four players on its defensive side of centre. Usually, that is the goalie and three defencemen. A defenceman, however, can advance with the offence if a midfielder stays back and takes his spot as one of the four defenders. Conversely, a team must always have three attacking players on the offensive side of centre. A forward may come back into the defensive half of the field only if he is replaced in the offensive zone by a midfielder.
The Manitoba Lacrosse Association sanctions a High School Field Lacrosse League and Provincial Championships. As well the MLA organizes and oversees Provincial Field programs for Under 16, Under 19 and Senior Men’s.
The High School Field Lacrosse runs from the end of April to the end of May and culminates with the MLA Provincial Championships in early June. The convenor of the High School Field Lacrosse League is Shaun Bright and he can be contacted at 786-1401 or email kooliokat@hotmail.com.
Our Provincial Field programs run from approximately the end of June to the beginning of October.
The Alumni Cup is the National Tournament for Under 16. The Alumni Cup was donated by the Manitoba Lacrosse Alumni Association in 2000, the first year the Alumni Cup was in existence. The National Tournament is an annual competition held the September long weekend. For more information about Manitoba’s Under 16 Provincial Field program please contact Donna McCartney, Manager at 334-5094 or email dmccartn@escape.ca.
The First Nations Trophy is the National Championship for Under 19. This National Championship is an annual competition as well and is held the September long weekend. At the present the Alumni Cup and First Nations Trophy are held the same weekend and in the same location. For more information about Manitoba’s Under 19 Provincial Field program please contact Kim Knowles, MLA VP Development at 668-1147 or email kimlar@shaw.ca.
The National Championship for Division I Senior Men’s Field is the Ross Cup. The Division 2 National Championship is called the Victory Cup. Historically the Senior Men’s National has been held the October Thanksgiving weekend. For more information about Manitoba’s Senior Men’s Field program please contact Mike Chapman at 256-6396 or email mikec@outfitters.ca.
