Origins

Lacrosse has its origins in a tribal game played by all eastern Woodlands Native Americans and by some Plains Indians tribes in what is now Canada. European immigrants have modernised the game to create its current form.

Modern-day lacrosse descends from and resembles games played by various Native American communities. These include 

Lacrosse is one of the oldest team sports in North America. There is evidence that a version of lacrosse originated in Mesoamerica or Canada as early as the 17th century.

While Native American lacrosse was played throughout modern Canada, it was most popular around the Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic seaboard, and American South.

Game Play

Native American ball games often involved hundreds of players.

Traditional lacrosse games were sometimes major events that could last several days, with 100 to 1,000 men from opposing villages or tribes participating. The games were played in open plains between the two villages, and the goals could range from 500 yards (460 m) to several miles apart.

Rules for these games were decided on the day before. Generally, there was no out-of-bounds, and the ball could not be touched with the hands. The goals would be selected as large rocks or trees; in later years, goal posts were used. Playing time was often from sun up until sundown.

The game began with the ball being hit against the refs head and the two sides rushing to capture it. Because of the large number of players involved, these games generally tended to involve a huge mob of players swarming the ball and slowly moving across the field. Passing the ball was thought of as a trick, and it was seen as cowardly to dodge an opponent.

The medicine men acted as coaches, and the women of the tribe were usually limited to serving refreshments to the players. (There was also a women’s version of lacrosse called amtahcha, which used much shorter sticks with larger heads.)

Purpose

Lacrosse traditionally had many different purposes. Some games were played to settle inter-tribal disputes. This function was essential to keeping the Six Nations of the Iroquois together. 

Lacrosse was also played;


From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_lacrosse, Image George Catlin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons