Encyclopedia of Sport: Every sport from around the world
Topend Sports Logo

Women's Lacrosse

Women's lacrosse, which is also called wlax or lax, is a limited-contact version of lacrosse. There is also a non-contact version of lacrosse called intercrosse. Lacrosse was derived from an indigenous game of Native Americans, though the modern women’s lacrosse game was first played in Scotland in 1890 at the St. Leonard's School. Men’s field lacrosse and women's lacrosse have different equipment and very different rules.



The aim of the sport is to use a long-handled racket, which is known as a crosse or a lacrosse stick, to carry, catch, and pass a rubber ball to score by hurling the ball to the opposing team's goal. Defenders keep the opposing team from scoring by using body positioning and stick checking to dispossess them of the ball.

Women's Lacrosse is played by two teams with twelve players each (field lacrosse has 10 players in each team). Each team usually consists of three attackers, five midfielders, three defenders, and one goalkeeper.

lacrosse for women a women's lacrosse match

Women's lacrosse rules are specifically designed to limit physical contact between players. Subsequently, the equipment used in women’s lacrosse is also very different from men’s field lacrosse. Women will only wear eyewear or lacrosse goggles, and a mouth guard, although in international rules, the players may not wear eye protection.

Other Versions of Lacrosse



Related Pages

send us a comment Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.

Sport Extra

Check out the 800+ sports in the Encyclopedia of Every Sport. Well not every sport, as there is a list of unusual sports, extinct sports and newly created sports. How to get on these lists? See What is a sport? We also have sports winners lists, and about major sports events and a summary of every year.

 → How to Cite