by Adam Jacquet

Created on: April 23, 2009

Women's and men's lacrosse differs in several aspects of the game, particularly in the level of contact permitted. Men's lacrosse allows for a large amount of heavy physical contact, while women's restricts contact to only striking the stick (striking is called a 'check' in lacrosse). Men are permitted to strike anywhere between the shoulder and waist of their opponent, including the opponent's stick and arms/hands. Women are allowed only to strike the stick of an opposing player, and even that is severely limited to avoid any injury. This is the fundemental difference between the two genders' respective versions of lacrosse, and it is the varied restrictions on physical contact which drives amost all other differences in the sports.

The sticks used in men's lacrosse are known for their crafted pockets, designed to keep the ball in while the player is under physical attack, and for the strength and durability of the heads, which must stand up to both giving and recieving heavy poke and slap checks. Women's heads have very shallow pockets, because any depth in the pocket would make it nearly impossible to reverse possession of the ball.

Obviously, the amount of required protective equipment is much less in women's lacrosse as in men's. Female players need only goggles and mouthguard, whereas men need a chest guard, helmet, mouthguard, protective cup, elbow pads, and padded gloves.

Because women's sticks have very little pocket to hold and cusion the ball while catching, throwing, running and dodging the defense, women's lacrosse focuses more heavily on technique and ball skills than on force and speed. The difficulty involved to catch the ball, make hard shots, and keep the ball in one's pocket makes it necessary for players to employ cautious and evasive maneuvers, twisting through the defensive players. Male lacrosse players use deep pockets to hold onto the ball, a necessary measure to combat the contact allowed between players. Men's lacrosse uses speed, agility, and more speed to open the defense and blast toward the goal.

Finally, the two sports use slightly different arrangements of players. Men's teams have ten players on the field at a time: a goalie, three defenders, three midfielders, and three attackmen. At least four players (usually the three defenders and the goalie) must remain on their team's defensive half of the field, while three players (usually the three attackmen) must remain on their opponent's half of the field. Midfielders are usually the transition players, running with the ball from one half of the field into the other. The players are generally interchangeable between positions if the situation so calls for it. Women's teams have twelve players: a goalie, five defenders, and six attack players. The players are usually assigned to specific positions, and each position has specific tasks allotted to it. Certain attack players always move to arranged places around the goal, and certain defenders always guard their corresponding opposing offenders.

Women's lacrosse requires finesse and tactical vision to play well. Men's lacrosse players are usually aggressive and tough. Female players move around the field by twisting and dodging through other players, excelling in agility and coordination to avoid penalties and injury while still managing to score. Male players excel in their sport by using their speed, strength, and reflexes to overpower and thwart their opponents and drive into the goal.

Learn more about this author, Adam Jacquet.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.