Native American Baggataway
The history of lacrosse begins around 1636 of Early America, when a Jesuit Missionary first documented the game of lacrosse. It was a sport dominated by all males.
Early data on the origins of lacrosse are very conflicting. There is no written documentation of the rules used or the strategy involved in playing lacrosse.
Most early explorers do report on the field size, equipment used and duration of the games.
The evolution of the rubber ball is unknown in lacrosse history. Some believe that the ball originally came from a type of animal hide, but this is unconfirmed.
Native American Lacrosse had three basic forms.
Southeastern: A version of the game was played with double sticks. Unknown to many, this version of lacrosse is still practiced by Southeastern tribes today. Two-and-a-half foot sticks are held in both hands, and the deerskin ball is held between them. Tribes included - Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, Semiole. Yuchi and others.
Great Lakes: These players used a single three foot stick. The pocket of the stick is about 3 to 4 inches in diameter, which is scarcely larger than the ball. Tribes included - Ojibwe, Menominee, Potawatomi, Sauk, Fox, Miami, Winnebago, Santee Dakota and others.
Iroquoian: Played with the northeastern stick, which was the originator of the modern day lacrosse stick. This stick is usually more than 3 feet long, it was known for its triangular, shallow head.
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