Box lacrosse
Indoor lacrosse invented in Canada, popular in North America.
Box lacrosse, also known as boxla, box, or indoor lacrosse, is an indoor version of lacrosse played mostly in North America. It originated in the 1930s in Canada, where it is more popular than field lacrosse, and is traditionally played on an ice hockey rink once the ice has been removed or covered. The game is played between two teams of five runners and one goalie each, using a lacrosse stick to catch, carry, and pass a solid rubber ball into the opponent's goal.
- origin
- Canada, 1930s
- playing_area
- Indoor box (typically an ice hockey rink)
- team_size
- 5 runners and 1 goalie per side
- governing_body
- World Lacrosse (62 members, 15 compete internationally)
- top_international_finishers
- Canada, Haudenosaunee Nationals, United States
- premier_domestic_league
- National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Lore & Background
Box lacrosse was invented in Canada during the 1920s and 1930s. Its invention has been attributed to Paddy Brennan, a field lacrosse player and referee from Montreal, who experimented with indoor games at the Mount Royal Arena in the early 1920s. Joseph Cattarinich and Leo Dandurand, owners of the Montreal Canadiens NHL team, led arena owners to introduce the sport. By the 1930s, 6 v 6 indoor lacrosse was played in summer in unused hockey rinks, and Canadians quickly adopted it, eventually making it more popular than field lacrosse in Canada.
Reader's Guide
Box lacrosse is significant as a modern adaptation of the traditional Indigenous game of lacrosse, which was first encountered by Europeans in the 1630s. It became the dominant form of lacrosse in Canada and is the only sport in which American Indigenous peoples are sanctioned to compete internationally, participating as the Iroquois Nationals (Haudenosaunee Nationals). The game's indoor format allowed it to be played in ice hockey arenas during summer, contributing to its popularity. The NLL, the premier professional league, has seen volatility with teams moving or folding, but the Buffalo Bandits, founded in 1992, remain the most successful club with seven championships. The Canadian Lacrosse Association oversees national championships under box lacrosse rules, including the Mann Cup and Minto Cup. The sport's legacy includes its role in Indigenous cultural identity and its unique indoor adaptation.
Did You Know?
- Box lacrosse was invented in Canada during the 1920s and 1930s, with its invention attributed to Paddy Brennan of Montreal.
- Only Canada, the Haudenosaunee Nationals, and the United States have finished in the top three at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships.
- The Buffalo Bandits, founded in 1992, are the most successful NLL club with seven championships.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Box lacrosse?
Box lacrosse is an indoor variant of lacrosse played on a flat, enclosed surface, most often an ice hockey rink with the ice removed or covered. It goes by several nicknames—boxla, box, or indoor lacrosse—and is the dominant form of the sport across North America.
Where and when did Box lacrosse originate?
The indoor format was developed in Canada during the 1930s. It rapidly overtook field lacrosse in popularity within that country and eventually spread throughout the rest of North America.
How is a Box lacrosse game structured?
Each side fields five runners plus a goalkeeper, and players use a lacrosse stick to catch, carry, and pass a solid rubber ball toward the opposing net. The action takes place inside an enclosed box, which is where the format gets its name.
Who governs Box lacrosse internationally?
World Lacrosse is the global governing body, with sixty-two member nations, fifteen of which compete in international competition. Canada, the Haudenosaunee Nationals, and the United States have historically been the strongest sides on the world stage.
What is the premier professional league for Box lacrosse?
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is the top domestic competition for the sport in North America. It features the fastest-paced, highest-scoring professional box lacrosse action available to fans.
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