Lacrosse sixes
Highest governing bodyWorld Lacrosse
First played2021
Characteristics
Team members6 per team, including goaltender
TypeOutdoor
Venue70x36m lacrosse field
Presence
Olympic2028 Summer Olympics

Lacrosse sixes (also known as World Lacrosse Sixes) is a variant of lacrosse played outdoors with six players on each side.[1] The game follows similar rules to traditional field lacrosse, with modifications and a shorter game time, and is considered to be more fast-paced.[2] Sixes has been described as a hybrid discipline of field and box lacrosse[3][4][5] as well as a different sport entirely.[6][7]

Lacrosse sixes was created in 2021 by World Lacrosse, the global governing body for lacrosse, in a bid to achieve lacrosse's participation in the Olympic Games.[8] It will make its Olympic debut in 2028.[9][10]

History

On May 18, 2021, World Lacrosse announced a version of field lacrosse that would be formally known as "World Lacrosse Sixes". Sixes was developed in order to reduce barriers to entry for lacrosse (such as cost and field size), encourage global growth, and to fit within the framework of future Olympic participation. World Lacrosse has also stated that the format would provide more parity in international lacrosse.[2][11][12]

The format's first use at a major international sporting event came at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama.[13] In 2023, lacrosse sixes was added to the program of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, marking the first time any variety of lacrosse has been a medal event since 1904.[9] Lacrosse sixes' Olympic inclusion parallels that of rugby sevens and 3x3 basketball, also smaller-scale versions of established sports.[1]

In 2026, the first world championship events in lacrosse sixes will be held for both men and women. World Lacrosse has also announced plans for an annual Sixes World Series held across different continents.[14]

Beginning in 2023, the Professional Lacrosse League has run a lacrosse sixes event known as the Championship Series.[15]

Rules

Lacrosse sixes has similar rules for men and women but preserves some differences, such as the amount of contact allowed.[3][10] The major rule differences as compared to traditional field lacrosse are as follows:[2][11][16]

  • The field of play is smaller, at 70 meters by 36 meters.
  • Face-offs only occur at the beginning of each quarter. Play is restarted after goals by the goalie taking the ball out of the net.
  • A 30-second shot clock is added.
  • Games are played in 4, 8-minute quarters.
  • Rosters consist of 12 players.
  • Everyone plays both offense and defense.
  • There are no long crosses.

Lacrosse sixes is viewed as less accessible for defensive field lacrosse players due to the lack of long poles, as well as for faceoff specialists.[17]

References

  1. 1 2 Graham, Pat (2022-08-13). "Lacrosse's new, fast-paced version may be path into LA Games". AP News. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  2. 1 2 3 "World Lacrosse Announces Name, Branding and First Phase of World Lacrosse Sixes". www.usalaxmagazine.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  3. 1 2 "Inside the Fast-Paced Sixes Discipline: 'The Play Doesn't Stop'". USA Lacrosse Magazine. 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  4. ↑ Russell, Josh (2021-08-18). "I Watched Sixes Lacrosse and This Is What I Thought". Lacrosse All Stars. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  5. ↑ "Olympic inclusion will make lacrosse a truly global sport". TSN. 2023-10-16. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  6. ↑ Coffin, Nelson (2023-10-23). "Lacrosse's inclusion in 2028 Summer Olympics will fuel game's growth". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  7. ↑ "Next Time, It's Real: Shay, Men's Sixes Team Set for The World Games". USA Lacrosse Magazine. 2022-07-08. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  8. ↑ Palmer, Dan (2012-10-30). "World Lacrosse officially launches new sixes discipline with one eye on Olympics". insidethegames.biz. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  9. 1 2 Zaccardi, Nick (2023-10-23). "A lacrosse legend's unique seat for Olympic addition after decades driving its rise". NBC Sports. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  10. 1 2 "The Inside Story of How Lacrosse Sixes Was Created, and Why It's Paramount to Olympic Inclusion". Inside Lacrosse. 2020-01-30. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  11. 1 2 Cochrane, Ryder (2020-11-20). "6v6 Lacrosse - Five Takeaways From the New Format". Lacrosse All Stars. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  12. ↑ "Sixes". World Lacrosse. 2023-06-12. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  13. ↑ Lacrosse, World (2023-02-27). "The speed of sixes takes the PLL by storm". World Lacrosse. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  14. ↑ "What's Next? Key Dates For International Lacrosse From Now to Olympics". Inside Lacrosse. 2023-10-27. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  15. ↑ "PLL Introduces New Championship Series; Will Feature Sixes Format". www.usalaxmagazine.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  16. ↑ "World Lacrosse Sixes Official Playing Rules March 2021" (PDF). World Lacrosse. 2023-11-13. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-11-13. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  17. ↑ Arestia, Dan (2023-10-20). "The Next Team USA: College lacrosse players who could be Olympic Sixes Stars". Sticks In Lacrosse. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
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