Lacrosse is a thrilling, fast-paced sport the popularity of which has grown significantly over the past few years, specifically in the Northeast. While the basic concept of the sport is the same in both boys’ and girls’ lacrosse – use a stick to throw and catch a ball – ask any player and they will say that they are two completely different sports.
The main differences in the game come from the rules that govern it.
Contact
The most obvious of these is the amount of body contact allowed. While both boys’ and girls’ lacrosse yield bruises and breaks for the players, in boys’ lacrosse, contact is allowed and even encouraged. Players often use their bodies to check other players, creating what can be a violent game. However, in girls’ lacrosse, the game is supposed to be non-contact. Players are not allowed to make direct contact with each other and must instead rely on their stick skills and strategy. The emphasis in girls’ lacrosse is on skillful play and avoiding collisions.
Along with physical contact comes rules about checking. In boys’ lacrosse, checking is a central part of the game; players are permitted to use their own stick to attempt to steal the ball from an opponent. In contrast, checking in girls’ lacrosse is regulated and only allowed in certain situations.
Set Up
The timing of the game also varies between genders. Boys’ games typically consist of 12-minute quarters, while girls’ games entail 25 to 30 minute halves. These differences affect the pace of the game and change the amount of rest players can get.
Equipment
Because there is less contact in girls’ lacrosse, there is also less protective gear used. Instead of a helmet like boys’ lacrosse uses, girls wear a small face guard shielding their eyes. And instead of the heavy pads, girls’ lacrosse players are exposed to any contact that might occur. Haldane senior Martha McBride, who plays on the varsity girls lacrosse team, said that she believes a change is needed. “Girls lacrosse does need more protection,” McBride stated. “Though it is less violent, it is still a fast paced and aggressive game.”
A very challenging equipment difference between boys’ and girls’ teams is the variation of sticks. While boys’ sticks have a deeper pocket, making it easier to catch a ball, girls’ sticks have a tighter, smaller pocket, affecting the skill it takes to simply pass and throw. Girls’ varsity lacrosse senior Amelia Alayon said that the difference between boys’ and girls’ games are very apparent in the equipment worn and used by each. “[The boys] get a lot more freedom as a whole,” Alayon stated.
Style of Play
In addition to rules and equipment, the style of play differs significantly between the two different versions of the game.
Normally, boys’ lacrosse is fast-paced with more emphasis on contact, physicality, and quick transitions. Teams often use the strategy of pushing the ball up the field and using aggressive checks. Defense usually includes even more physicality as defensive players do everything in their power to protect the goal.
With less of a focus on the physical aspect of the game, girls’ lacrosse emphasizes the skillwork of the players.
In other words, the girls play a more strategic and deliberate game. Players must prioritize precise passing (which is made harder by the stick differences), quick footwork, and well-executed plays. While these are all important aspects of the boys game as well, the lack of contact in the girls game makes this the main objective.
The officiating of the game affects the style of play differences between genders. With less room for physical fouls in girls lacrosse, officials focus on checking, positioning, and fouls related to stick handling and obstruction. The rules for stick handling specifically become very restrictive when it comes to girls’ lacrosse. They are hard to follow, meaning girls must be precise when picking up a ball, or making a move with their stick. This furthers the emphasis on skill and precision. McBride also stated that this difference in rules makes the game more difficult. “We can’t be as dominant or aggressive,” she said. “We need to be mindful of not actually making illegal moves or actually hurting someone while still being tough.”
However, in boys’ lacrosse, the amount of contact present can make the game more dangerous, and heat up the emotional side of the game. This can draw the attention of the refs who make sure all contact is safe and legal.
While both girls’ and boys’ lacrosse share the same fundamental rules and structure, the difference of the game such as in rules, equipment, setup, and style of play, makes the games almost unrecognizable in the faces of each other. Despite their differences, each version offers a unique and exciting experience for players and spectators alike. Fans can attend one of the many Haldane boys’ and girls’ varsity lacrosse games coming up this spring season to see the differences for themselves.
