Lacrosse 101

Canada's National Summer Sport

Lacrosse is the oldest and fastest growing sport in North America, and is one of our true connections to our native people. The First Nations began playing the "Creator's Game" more than 500 years ago. Today Lacrosse remains a distinctive part of our native culture, and is Canada's national summer sport.

Types of Lacrosse Box Lacrosse - Played on a standard sized arena floor. Features 6 players (goal tender and 5 runners). Similar to basketball with all 5 runners involved in the offense and the defense. Speed and excitement are created by a 30-second shot clock.

Men's Field Lacrosse - Played outdoors on a 100m x 55m field. Teams consist of 10 players: a goal tender, 3 attackers, 3 mid-fielders and 3 defenders. Differs from box lacrosse in the style of play and strategy. There isn't a 30-second shot clock - thus the game is more strategic and relies more heavily on possession and control of the ball.

Women's Field Lacrosse - A quick, free flowing game. Played on a 100m x 55m field with 12 players per side. Women's field lacrosse is a non-contact sport. No aggressive checking with either the stick or the body is allowed.

Inter-Lacrosse - The newest form of the game. Participants use a moulded plastic stick and a soft, air-filled ball. Easy to play and adaptable to many environments, participants quickly learn the fundamental lacrosse skills of scooping, carrying, passing and catching the ball. An ideal activity and game for the educational and recreational systems.

Big or small, anyone can play Lacrosse. The game requires and rewards coordination and agility, not brawn. There are two main versions of the game - Field Lacrosse and Box Lacrosse.

Toronto Beaches Lacrosse Club operates various Field and Box Lacrosse programs from April through to October. Please take a moment to find out more in the Parents Guide , required Equipment and to visit our Gallery, to see our players in action.