Lacrosse is the oldest sport in North America, dating back to the 1400s. In 1636, Jean de Brebeuf, a Jesuit missionary, witnessed Huron Indians playing a game with a ball carried and hurled from a curved stick with a pouch at the top. The Hurons called the game 'bagataway' but, since the stick was similar to a bishop's crosier (la crosse in French), it became known as la crosse and, eventually, lacrosse.

Field lacrosse is played on a grass field about as long as a soccer field and box lacrosse is played indoors. It is the national sport of Canada but is also played in many other countries.