Box lacrosse, also known as indoor lacrosse, is a high-intensity indoor sport played with six players on each team. It is derived from the traditional field lacrosse game but is adapted for an enclosed arena, and was developed in Canada in the 1920s and 1930s.
The game takes place in a specialized arena, commonly referred to as the “box,” which features boards and glass surrounding the playing area. The reduced space intensifies the action, making box lacrosse a fast-paced and physical sport. Players use short-handled sticks with mesh pockets to catch, carry, and pass a small rubber ball.
Box lacrosse has its own set of rules tailored to the indoor environment. The playing surface is significantly smaller than the outdoor field, allowing for more rapid transitions and tight defensive play. Additionally, box lacrosse permits aggressive physical contact. Goalkeepers also wear distinctive protective gear with upper body padding and large shin guards.
With its roots in traditional field lacrosse, box lacrosse offers a unique indoor variant of the sport. It provides an exhilarating experience for participants and fans, highlighting the speed, skill, and physicality that define this captivating form of lacrosse. The highest level of box lacrosse is the National Lacrosse League.
News
- World Lacrosse’s Top Five Games of 2024: United States surges past Canada in timeless thriller to claim first women’s box championship
- World Lacrosse’s Top Five Games of 2024: United States men’s box team survives a breathless fourth quarter against the Haudenosaunee for a historic semifinal win
- World Lacrosse’s Top Five Games of 2024: Ireland and Australia duel in playoffs at men’s box championship
- Fast-paced, physical, and electric: My first NLL experience in Albany