Box Lacrosse

By Rob Daniels
Box Lacrosse, also referred to as boxla or boxcrosse is an indoor version of outdoor field lacrosse. The difference between a field game and a box game is like night-and-day. Box is predominantly played in Canada during the summer months. Box 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 is more popular than field from which it was derived. The rules of box and field are very different and of course the surface of play is very different. Box is played indoors, in hockey arenas (without the ice) or on indoor soccer fields. The goal in box is smaller than the goal in field and the attacking team must take a shot on goal within 30 seconds of gaining possession of the ball. Play in box is significantly rougher than in a field game. The rules of box lax encourage



passing and running which improves a players overall skills and athletic ability. Box should not be confused with indoor which is a newer version of the indoor game. Indoor was intended to be less violent than the other indoor version of the game, box lacrosse, on which it is based. Indoor is also played in regions where box is not played. Indoor was designed to combine the most exciting elements of box and field lacrosse. Box is a summer game, while indoor is played in the winter. Professional indoor combines the physical play of hockey with the high scoring, fast pace and play-making style of basketball. Indoor 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 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 allows only sticks with hollow shafts, while box allows solid wooden sticks. Also indoor games consist of four quarters of fifteen minutes each, while box games consist of three periods of twenty minutes in length. The age of indoor is evident when discussions relating to the first World Indoor Championships arise. The first Championships were held in 2003.


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