LACROSSE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 205, 23 May 1908, Page 7

LACROSSE.

(By Cover-Point.) , -The, origin , of. tho: Game ' of lacrosse' is '.'shrouded in mystery, but wo'know that' it" originated amongst the North American Indians in Canada., .;.Tho! white men'improved." tho game as originally played by tho Lilians, iuid limited tho playing .spaco, and also tho | number of players,. .Tho origins) players wero parctically unlimited, sometimes' two hundred took, part, and they "played on a ground two miles in length. Tho gamo is now played on a-ground I'so yards between tho goals and. ,100 yards wide. , A full team ooftsists. of twelvo players, who are placed' according to the following diagram ' . - Homo. ' Sccond Home. • 1 Third Home.' • Left Attack. '- . .•: Right Attack. Centre. Left Defence. Third Man.' Right Defence. • Cover-Point. ■ , ' Point." ■ , G0a1.,.. •• The goal po3ts are 6ft. high and 6ft. apart, Thoro is a goal crease 6ft. in front and behind, and on each sido of tho goal,: posts, making a space 18ft. by."l 2, inside which no attacking player is allowed to stand or check tho goal-keeper until tlw ball is within the spaco defined. Any player violating this rule is out of play, and no goals count if thrown ' 1 by him. The game is started by the two centres facing, off: :That is, thoy place thentwo crosses, as lacrosse sticks are called, back to back on the ground, each man facing tho goa] ho is attacking! ' Tho referee places tho ball- on tho ground between the crosses, and, at the word "Play," each man draws his crosso' outwards, and endeavours to got the ball from liis opponent, and the player who gets it either nins or passes to one of ' liis own side. Each player, except the goalkeeper, is marked by an opponent. There are no loose players or rovers, and. oach playor endeavours by dodging or passing to got tho ball to the opponent's goal. No foul play is allowed, such'as interfering in any way with an opponent wlicir in' pursuit of tho ball. Lacrosse is essentially an unselfish game. Tho moro freely a team will pass amongst themselves the more cer-' tain thoy aro of victory. It is a gamo that i has all tho' exorcise, all tho freedom, and all . the manliness of football, and ono in which skill and activity are more tlihn a match for more brute strength. • : Tho gamo has caught on hero in Wellington, and is played on. the Basin Reserve every Saturday afternoon. Owing to the small area, the play is necessarily somewhat restricted, and there is not much room fqr long throws. The world's record, 160 yds., is held by a Melbourno player. Although thord are only two clubs in existence, the prospects are very bright, arid next season should see at least four clubs. There are 37 teams playing in Victoria this winter. The writer was ono of'the first to play tho gamo in Melbourno over 25 years ago, and the gamo has been making steady progress in Australia over sinco. The Senior players aro very proficient,' and in the second test' match actually beat a crack Canadian team in Melbourno last season. It may bo some time before wo have a visit from a Canadian team to New Zealand, but a lacrosse playor is over hopeful,, and lias implicit faith iirtlio gamp no loves.