Box Lacrosse, also referred to as boxla or boxcrosse is an indoor version of outdoor field lacrosse. The difference between a field lacrosse game and a box lacrosse game is like night-and-day. Box Lacrosse is predominantly played in Canada during the summer months. Box Lacrosse started in the 1930's as a means to bring revenue to hockey rinks in the off season. Additionally it kept players fit during the summer months. In Canada box lacrosse is more popular than field lacrosse from which it was derived. The rules of box lacrosse and field lacrosse are very different and of course the surface of play is very different. Box lacrosse is played indoors, in hockey arenas (without the ice) or on indoor soccer fields. The goal in box lacrosse is smaller than the goal in field lacrosse and the attacking team must take a shot on goal within 30 seconds of gaining possession of the ball. Play in box lacrosse is significantly rougher than in a field lacrosse game. The rules of box lax encourage passing and running which improves a players overall lacrosse skills and athletic ability. Box lacrosse should not be confused with indoor lacrosse which is a newer version of the indoor game. Indoor lacrosse was intended to be less violent than the other indoor version of the game, box lacrosse, on which it is based. Indoor lacrosse is also played in regions where box lacrosse is not played. Indoor lacrosse was designed to combine the most exciting elements of box and field lacrosse. Box lacrosse is a summer game, while indoor lacrosse is played in the winter. Professional indoor lacrosse combines the physical play of hockey with the high scoring, fast pace and play-making style of basketball. Indoor lacrosse is played with six men per side, a rougher and faster derivative of the outdoor game. There are more scoring opportunities, and far more big hits, making indoor lacrosse an intense experience for players as well as fans. The two indoor games have become increasingly similar in recent years with the primary difference being the equipment used in game play. Indoor lacrosse allows only sticks with hollow shafts, while box lacrosse allows solid wooden sticks. Also indoor lacrosse games consist of four quarters of fifteen minutes each, while box lacrosse games consist of three periods of twenty minutes in length. The age of indoor lacrosse is evident when discussions relating to the first World Indoor Lacrosse Championships arise. The first Championships were held in 2003. |
