acshully, Aramis, lacrosse was a deadly game when played "properly" and serious injuries and deaths were frequent.

"Early players concentrated on first injuring their opponents with their sticks, and then moving easily to the goal. Games could be played on a pitch over a mile wide and sometimes lasted for days. Often players were gravely injured or even killed. Early balls were made out of the heads of the enemy, deerskin, clay, stone, and sometimes wood. Lacrosse has played a significant role in the community and religious life of tribes across the continent for many years. Early lacrosse was characterized by deep spiritual involvement, befitting the spirit of combat in which it was undertaken. Those who took part did so in the role of warriors, with the goal of bringing glory and honor to themselves and their tribes, and as a religious ritual[7]. The game was said to be played 'for the pleasure of the Creator.'"

I read somewhere that the way the Indians played the game there were no boundaries, with games rambling around over several square miles, though that's not reflected in the wikipedia excerpt above. And it was frequently used as a combat to settle disputes.

TEd