Hibercrosse

Hibercrosse - a version of the Native American sport lacrosse played on ice - is the national sport of New Francy. Based on the sport played by the Natives in and around Ville-Marie, hibercrosse is also popular in the North American League provinces surrounding New Francy, and other sufficiently icey parts of the world. It has in recent years spread southward with the development of inside ice-rinks, noteable with the creation of the New Orleans Saints team.

History

a game of hibercrosse in the early 20th century

The modern game of Hibercrosse is the direct descendant of an amerindian game variously known in their various language as "little war" or "men hit a round object while bumping hips". The french missionaries who first named this game "jeu de la crosse" described it as a game played between tribes for prestige, conflict resolution and training of young warriors. It was originaly played with teams of over a hundred players on a field that could measure up to mile. Due to the violent nature of the game and the enthusiasm of the players, fatalities were not unknown.

The modern version of the game was created in the late 19th century by Lacrosse players eager to find an even quicker form of play. They did so by playing on an ice rink.

Players

Attackers

They use short stick but are allowed to go all over the rink.

Defenders

They are equiped with Long stick that allow them to check players or dislodge the ball. They must stay within the defence zone

Goalkeeper

Is equiped with more padding and a stick with a larger basket.

Equipment

Goals

a four feets by four feets frame from which a net is instaled

Sticks

There are 3 types of sticks: Short Stick, Long Stick & Goalkeeper stick

Rules

Checking

Checking means hitting another player with one's stick. This action is not only allowed but often required when trying to get the ball from another player.

Foul

Unnecessary Roughness: Hitting or kicking an opponent while he is down
spearing: hitting an oponent with the point of the crosse
boxing: hitting an oponent with one's fist not holding the crosse
illegal equipement: when the equipment has been modified to give an advantage or when it could cause injury to an opponent
stalling: holding the ball longer then 30 second without passing or shooting

Time

A Game is divided in four 15 minutes quarters. Time is stopped when the referee calls a foul or after a goal is made. for this reason, a full game actualy last more then an hour.

Professional League

The largest professional league of Hibercrosse is the Ligue d'hibercrosse de l'intendance (LHI). Currently, the ligue is composed of the following teams: