The Equipment
Protective Equipment
Because boys' and girls' lacrosse are different - the major difference being that hitting and checking are allowed for boys and not for girls - they use different equipment.
Boys' Lacrosse Equipment
For boys, protective equipment should include:
- A helmet with attached mouth guard
- Rib pads
- Shoulder pads
- Elbow pads
- Gloves
- Protective cup and jock strap
- Cleated lacrosse shoes (outside only)
The following guide may be helpful in selecting the right size youth equipment.
| Height | Weight | Gloves | Shoulder Pads | Arm Pads | Stick |
| From 42" To 50" |
45 lbs 80 lbs |
L-10 | SP-4-J | LAP-7-Y | Recommended: A mesh pocket stick - not a rawhide pocket stick. |
|
From 50" To 58" |
80 lbs 130 lbs |
L-12 | SP-4 | LAP-10-Y | |
|
From 58" To 68" |
130 lbs 160 lbs |
L-14 | SP-4-L | LAP-9-A or LAP-12-A |
Men's Lacrosse Equipment:
Crosse: The crosse (lacrosse stick) is made of wood, laminated wood or synthetic material, with a shaped net pocket at the end. The crosse must be an overall length of 40 - 42 inches for attackmen and midfielders, or 52 - 72 inches for defensemen. The head of the crosse must be 6.5 - 10 inches wide, except a goalie's crosse, which may be 10 - 12 inches wide. The pocket of a crosse shall be deemed illegal if the top surface of a lacrosse ball, when placed in the head of the crosse, is below the bottom edge of the sidewall.
Ball: The ball must be made of solid rubber and can be white, yellow or orange. The ball is 7.75 - 8 inches in circumference and 5 - 5.25 ounces.
Helmet: A protective helmet, equipped with face mask, chin pad and a cupped four point chin strap fastened to all four hookups, must be worn by all men's players. All helmets and face masks should be NOCSAE (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) approved.
Mouthpiece: The mouthpiece/mouth guard must be a highly visible color and is mandatory.
Gloves: All players are required to wear protective gloves. The cutting or altering of gloves is prohibited.
Protective Equipment: All players, with the exception of the goalkeeper, must wear shoulder pads. Arm pads and rib pads are also strongly recommended and often required, as are athletic supporters and protective cups for all players.
The goalkeeper is required to wear a throat protector and chest protector, in addition to a helmet, mouthpiece and gloves.
Other Safety Considerations
- The helmet should be examined for damage before each use and should be worn with an approved mouth guard.
- The chinstrap, mask, and jaw strap should be adjusted to fit.
- The helmet should be cleaned with water only and should not be painted or otherwise altered;; it should not be used if the mask is bent more than one-eighth inch, rusting, or loose.
- Helmets should never be used to butt, ram, or spear an opponent.
- The helmet should be re-certified every year with an approved reconditioner or discarded after three years.
- Helmets should not be passed on to other players.
- Players should adhere to the rules of the game during all practices and competitions.
Women's Lacrosse Equipment and Protective Lacrosse Equipment
For girls, protective equipment for players should include:
- A mouth guard (mandatory)
- Protective eyewear (mandatory)
- Padded gloves (these are optional but recommended)
- Cleats
- Note: female lacrosse players (other than goalies) are not required to wear helmets
Recommended equipment for a female goalie includes:
- A helmet with a face guard and throat protector and attached mouth guard
- A chest protector
- Padded gloves
- Arm pads
- Leg pads
- A protective cup
Crosse: The crosse (lacrosse stick) is made of wood, laminated wood, or synthetic material, with a shaped net pocket at the end. A girl's crosse must be an overall length of 35 1/2 - 43 1/4 inches. The head of the crosse must be seven to nine inches wide. The pocket of the stick must be strung traditionally; no mesh is allowed. The top of the ball when dropped in the pocket must remain even with or above the sidewalls. The goalkeeper's crosse may be 35 1/2 - 48 inches long. The head of the crosse may be mesh and up to 12 inches wide.
Ball: The ball must be yellow and made of solid rubber. The ball must be 7.75 - 8 inches in circumference and weigh 5 - 5.25 ounces.
Mouthpiece: All players must wear mouthguards.
Protective Equipment: Close-fitting gloves, nose guards, soft head gear and eye guards are optional, and may be worn by all players.
Goalkeeper's Equipment: The goalkeeper must wear a facemask and helmet with a mouth guard, throat protector and chest protector. The goalkeeper may wear padding on hands, arms, legs, shoulders and chest which does not excessively increase the size of those body parts.
Other Safety Considerations
- The helmet should be examined for damage before each use and should be worn with an approved mouth guard.
- The chinstrap, mask, and jaw strap should be adjusted to fit.
- The helmet should be cleaned with water only and should not be painted or otherwise altered, it should not be used if the mask is bent more than one-eighth inch, rusting, or loose.
- Helmets should never be used to butt, ram, or spear an opponent.
- The helmet should be re-certified every year with an approved reconditioner or discarded after three years.
- Helmets should not be passed on to other players.
- Players should adhere to the rules of the game during all practices and competitions.
