Throughout the years, lacrosse has become one of the fastest growing sports in North America due to its fast pace and competitiveness. But if you ever catch a men’s lacrosse game one weekend and a women’s game the next, you might catch yourself realizing just how different they are.
Although it’s the same sport, the game of lacrosse has originated and evolved quite differently for men and women. From the noticeable aspects like the gear and field size to the more intricate details like the style of play and strategic IQ, these two different versions of lacrosse showcase the sport in very distinct ways yet are both equally essential for the growth of the game.
Before getting into the differences between men's and women’s lacrosse, let’s dive into where and how the game started for both.
Origins of Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse
With roots in Indigenous cultures from Native American nations like the Iroquois and Cherokee, lacrosse is one of North America’s oldest sports. For these specific communities, the sport was more than just a game, but a spiritual practice. Lacrosse was often played to settle arguments and used as a training ground for warriors. During this time, traditional lacrosse games could last for multiple days involving hundreds of players within miles of terrain.
Men’s lacrosse evolved directly from the style of the Indigenous games. During the mid- 1800s, the European colonists in Canada adopted the sport and eventually created leagues and clubs. The style of play was emphasized on physical dominance, strength, and speed which are all traits that are still emphasized in the men’s game today.
On the other hand, women’s lacrosse had a completely different origin story. Beginning in 1890 in Scotland after watching a men’s lacrosse game in Canada, Louisa Lumsden introduced the game to an all girl’s school. To align with the era’s social norms for how women should behave, the game was molded to a version that minimized the physicality of the sport. This resulted in a game that emphasized strategy, precision, and finesse which are all qualities that are still imperative for women’s lacrosse today.
These two styles of play have grown into extremely distinct games that follow their own rules and rhythm. It is easy to assume that one version of the game looks lighter or tougher than the other which is very far from the truth. The rules and regulations for men’s and women’s lacrosse speak two different languages resulting in two different styles of competition. Let’s break down the differences.
Contact and Physicality
One of the most noticeable differences between men’s and women’s lacrosse is the physicality that is allowed. Checking is a fundamental part of men’s lacrosse as players are allowed to use their sticks and bodies to block and hit the opposing team in order to gain possession of the ball. This results in an extremely physical aggressive style of play that not only requires skill and technique but also an ability to withstand and deliver hits.
In opposition, the contact in women’s lacrosse is much more limited and controlled. Because body checking is prohibited and stick checking is very modified, players must obtain precise stick skills and strategic IQ in order to follow the guidelines of the rulebook for a minimal contact-based game. This results in a different flow of the game as positioning and movement is highlighted more in opposition to brute force and physicality.
Protective Gear
Because of the difference in physical contact, the equipment for men’s and women’s lacrosse are very distinct. Extensive protection like helmets, shoulder pads, arm pads, rib pads, and gloves are worn in men’s lacrosse to shield the players from the game’s contact-heavy nature.
In contrast, women’s lacrosse players wear far less protective gear. Because of the reduced physical contact, women lacrosse players are only required to wear goggles and a mouthguard. The absence of heavy physical contact results in the sport’s emphasis on precision and finesse.
Stick Design and Ball Control
A big difference between these two games is the design of the sticks. Men’s lacrosse sticks have deeper pockets which allows easier control of the ball to pass, catch, and shoot. The pocket of the stick is designed for powerful shooting and quick movements which makes up the fast-paced and physical style of the game.
Women’s lacrosse sticks have a much more shallow pocket which requires more skill and precision to handle the ball. In contrast to the men’s game, women’s lacrosse players rely on accurate and quick passes to keep possession of the ball rather than long runs or powerful shots.
Pace and Strategy
Both versions of lacrosse are extremely fast-paced, especially with the shot clock, yet the style and strategy of play differ. Men’s lacrosse often leads to a more high-speed transition with quick face-offs and end-to-end runs as the game emphasizes on rapid breaks and powerful shots. Although the game is still fast, women’s lacrosse emphasizes precision and technique in order to maintain possession.
At first glance, men’s and women’s lacrosse might look like two completely different games with differentiation in rules, equipment, physicality, and pace. However, this is what makes them both valuable as each version highlights different strategies, skills, and athleticism to reflect what lacrosse has to offer.
Celebrating both men’s and women’s lacrosse increases the growth of the sport as it reaches more athletes and spectators. Whether you’re a player, newcomer, or fan, the understanding and appreciation of both versions of the game helps it to continue to evolve.