As many as five sporting disciplines were added in the 141st session International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Mumbai for the Los Angeles Olympics 2028. Cricket, Squash, Lacrosse, Baseball-softball and Flag football are the sports that have been added to LA28 Olympics. While cricket is arguably the most popular sport in India and is massively followed with ODI World Cup also in progress in the country at the moment, not many are aware of the sports that have been added. Perhaps, squash is also known to a few with India winning multiple medals at the recent Asian Games in Hangzhou. However, many might not have even heard about sports like lacrosse or flag football.
For the same reason, we will decode how to play these sports and their basic rules. Let us start with how to play lacrosse:
Lacrosse is a field game in which players from both teams use long-handled stick. At the end of this stick, there is a net-like basket or pocket which is used to carry, throw, catch and shoot the ball. Lacrosse is the oldest ogranised sport in North America and is being played since the 12th century. Moreover, the game has been modified extensively by the European colonists as they created its professional form in the years to come.
Versions of lacrosse
There are four different versions of lacrosse - Field lacrosse, Box lacrosse, Women's lacrosse and Intercrosse. However, for the Olympics, the field lacrosse (in men and women) will be played.
Field lacrosse
Field lacrosse is outdoor version of the sport for men. A total of 10 players take part in each team - 3 attacking players, 3 midfielders, 3 defenders and 1 goalkeeper. Each player carries a lacrosse stick (aforementioned). There are two types of sticks - short and long. A short stick is used by attackers and midfielders and is measured between 40 and 42 inches. Maximum of four players in a team are allowed to use a long stick on the field and is measured between 52 and 72 inches. Three defenders and one midfielders use the long stick while the goalkeeper uses a stick that can be between 40 and 72 inches with a 12-inch wide head.
What is the duration of play?
A single lacrosse playing time is 60 minutes divided into four quarters of 15 minutes each. The team which scores more goals during this period is declared the winner.
What are different types of penalties?
Time serving penalties are imposed on players for rule violation. During this period, the offending team plays with one fewer player for the duration of the penalty. Now these time serving penalties are of two types - Releasable and non-releasable.
In the case of releasable time serving penalty, the offending player is allowed to enter the field if the opponent team scores a goal during the duration of the penalty.
In the case of non-releasable time serving penalty, the offending player mandatorily has to serve the entire duration of penalty irrespective of the number of goals scored during this period.
What are different types of rule violations?
There are two different types of rule violations that result in the aforementioned penalties - Technical fouls and Personal fouls.
Offsides, pushing and holding come under technical fouls and they result in either loss of possession for the offending team or a 30-second penalty.
Cross-checking, illegal body checking and slashing (striking the other player with the end of the stick anywhere besides the gloves) are classified under personal fouls. These fouls result in 1-minute or longer penalties and the offending player has to leave the field for the said period.
When was lacrosse played at the Olympics?
Lacrosse has been included in the Olympics for the sixth time but for the first time since 1908 Summer Olympics in London, it will be a medal sport.
In 1904 Summer Olympics, only two nations participated - Canada (2 teams) and United States while at the 1908 summer olympics, Canada and Great Britain participated.
Canada has won two gold and one bronze medal so far while Great Britain and United States won a silver each.
