Lacrosse was the most popular team sport among the Atlantic and Great Lakes Plains Indian tribes and was played in the south and west. Lacrosse is considered one of North America’s oldest team sports, with evidence that it was played as early as the 17th century. Because so many different Native American people played some form of lacrosse, the game went by many different names. For example, the Onondaga people called their version dehuntshigwa’es, which meant “men hit a rounded object.” The Eastern Cherokee people called their version da-nah-wah’uwsdi, and the Mohawks called their game began, which both translated to “little (brother of) war.” The Ojibwe called the version bagaa’adowe, and the Choctaw called their sport Kabucha, which both translated to “bump hips.” Games consisted of many players per team ranging from 100 to 1000, and the playing field could span miles.

The final rules were settled the day before the game. Traditionally scoring was marked by where the ball hit on the tree or pole being used as the goal. It was one point if the ball hit the pole at chest level. If the ball hit above arm’s length, it was two points. If the ball hit some type of ornament on the top of the pole (usually an animal carving), that was worth three points. Games would be played from sunup until sundown or when a team scored twenty points, whichever came first. The game began with tossing the ball into the air and both teams rushing toward the ball. Original versions of the game encouraged hitting and violence; passing the ball was not seen as a legitimate play (more as a coward’s trick). The ball was made of buckskin or wood. The sticks were elaborately carved with an open net at the end.

Lacrosse served many purposes within Native American society: dispute settlement, youth war training, recreation, betting, festivals, and religion. Ceremonial paint was worn on the body, and the sticks were adorned before the game. Many rituals were also held before, during, and after the game. This also included discussion on strategy, placing bets, blessing and cursing individuals, and honoring the tradition of the game. During the early 1600s, Jesuit missionaries witnessed the game. They denounced it because of its violence and connection to the old religion. However, it took only a short time for other Europeans to become interested in the game. The name lacrosse comes from French, which came from terms used to describe field hockey and may have been a reference to witnessing sticks cross each other during gameplay. Over the next several hundred years, the game became more popular as some violent aspects were reduced. It was introduced into schools and eventually became an Olympic sport. Equipment was standardized, so only one type of stick (there used to be three different styles) with a large net at the end. Instead of a pole, nets protected by goalies are used for scoring.

Some historians consider Stickball to be North America’s oldest original sport. The game is meant to represent the traits and spirit of a warrior: speed, strength, endurance, and bravery. The Cherokee have a story that the game was initially played between the land animals and birds. The land animals (especially the bear) were overconfident because they thought their strength and size compared to the small birds. However, the birds had overpowering speed and tactics, which garnered victory.

The Choctaw called this game Ishtaboli, the Little Brother of War. The game was also played by the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Seminole, and Yuchi people. This game settled disputes that could have led to war if left unchecked. This game has been described as more violent than lacrosse. A significant difference is that each player carries two sticks instead of one. The sticks are called Kabocca, and they both look like mini-lacrosse sticks. There are two poles on either side of the field. The goal the players are trying to hit with the ball. Depending on the tribe, the sticks ranged from two and a half feet up to three feet in length. It was common to see slightly different shapes for the basket, whether oval, egg-shaped, or similar to a modern lacrosse hoop.

The ball they use, Towa, is about the size of a golf ball and is hard to catch. With the ball inside the pouch of the stick, a score happens either by throwing or touching the pole. Modern Stickball has a fish ornament on top of a 25-foot pole. I wonder if the fish had symbolism in the Cherokee story. A food source that both land animals and birds crave? If the fish is hit with the ball, that is worth 3 points. Suppose the pole is hit anywhere else, 1 point. If a ball goes out of bounds, the referee throws another one immediately back into the game to keep the action going.

One stick is used for catching the ball; the other is for carrying and throwing. Sticks were commonly made of hickory because of their hardness, strength, and availability in the eastern woodlands of North America. Sticks would be handmade, which meant better quality and craftsmanship would give an advantage to the player. The ball is never to be touched by the hands. The ball has a spiritual essence that can only be channeled by the sticks, which represent the Earth. The tradition of the game was meant to guide morality.

Before the game begins, burning or smudging tobacco is a spiritual cleansing that reminds the players of the life cycle and that they are also connected to their opponents with that cycle. Then the players line up, with the leader standing slightly ahead of everyone else. He does a warrior call, and all his teammates respond with the same call back (similar to a haka war cry). During the game, a steady drumbeat was often played in the background. At the end of the game, everyone brings his sticks to the middle to symbolize unity.

This series of lessons is best used to integrate with the classroom while studying Native Americans. These units usually last for a month or so. This will provide you plenty of time to play many if not all, mini-games to build the practical skills of this sport. After each week’s lesson, you should review an aspect of how lacrosse and Stickball were essential to the cultures that played them.

Materials: 

·      An ample open space (such as a gym or field)

·      Depending on the age/or resources

o   Ball toss handles or junior lacrosse sticks

§  The ball handle set I recommend also comes with colored Wiffle balls that work well in game #2 of this series

·      Tennis balls

·      Long poles or portable basketball hoops to serve as the goals

·      Portable soccer nets

·      Colored jerseys or pennies

·      Lots of Cones

·      Rubber disc dots

·      Yoga Balls (optional)

·      A container to chuck balls out of (bucket)

Minimum Amount of Students Needed: Many games could have as few as four students, but having an entire class (20+) would be much better.

Age: All Ages