Vince Schiffert, defenseman for Iroquois Nationals, using a traditional wooden stick. Vince is also a Tuscarora Language teacher at the Tuscarora School.
This is a page to find out about lacrosse. Learn the history of lacrosse, the basics of the game, and how traditional wooden lacrosse sticks are made here at the Tuscarora Nation.
History of Lacrosse
Lacrosse originated among Native Americans possibly as early as the 15th century. It was not only a form of recreation but also a method of settling disagreements between tribes, and a way of training for war. Participants varied in number. Sometimes games lasted for many days, starting at sunrise and ending at sunset.
Lacrosse is played by men and women, on grass fields and in enclosed arenas,also know as box lacrosse.
Lacrosse is one of the two national sports of Canada.
Lacrosse is truly an international sport. The Iroquois Nationals, United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Japan. and Australia, play lacrosse at an international level of competition . It is also played among other countries at national levels.
The Tuscarora Nation is home to the largest producer of wooden sticks in North America. Tuskewe Krafts, founded by John "Wesley" Patterson, Jr. has marketed hand crafted sticks under the "Patterson" name for the last 28 yrs.
Iroquois National Teams
The Iroquois National men competed in the 1998 World Field Lacrosse Championships in Baltimore, MD. Eleven nations battled for this championship. The Iroquois took a fourth place, the best showing for a National team. The National team also participated in the 1990 and 1994 World Championships. The next World Championship tournament is in 2002, in Perth, Australia.
Lacrosse Basics
A lacrosse ball weighs 5 to 5.3 ounces and is 8 inches in circumference.
Goals are similar in shape to a hockey goal. Lacrosse goals are 6 ft by 6 ft poles with a pyramid-shaped netting stretched at its apex 7 ft behind the goal line.
Sticks are generally 40-72 inches long for men and 36-44 inches long for women. Stick material includes wood, aluminum, graphite, or titanium. Goalie sticks are allowed to exceed 10 inches wide at the head.
Men's field lacrosse has 10 players each side. A natural or artificial turf field is 60 yards wide by 110 yards long. The goal is 15 yards from the end boundaries.
Men's box lacrosse has 6 players on each side. The hard playing surface is 90 feet wide by 180-200 feet long. Box lacrosse is played mostly indoors in hockey arenas.
Women's field lacrosse has 12 players on each side. The field is 70 yards by 120 yards. Women's lacrosse is a non-contact sport requiring more finesse and skill.
Lacrosse links
Purchase hand-made wooden lacrosse sticks at Tuskewe Krafts