Mens Lacrosse Equipment
Equipment
Helmet: A lacrosse helmet is a cross between a football helmet and hockey helmet Cascade (www.cascade.com) and Ridell (www.ridell.com) are reputable helmet manufacturers.
Mouth Guard (mouthpiece): A mouth guard protects your teeth but more importantly helps in the prevention of concussions.
Shoulder pads: Lacrosse shoulder pads are very similar to hockey shoulder pads. It is important that the shoulder pads cover the sternum, clavicle, and shoulders properly.
Rib Pads: Rib pads are not mandatory in lacrosse but are highly recommended at the youth level.
Elbow Pads (arm pads): Lacrosse elbow pads are similar to hockey arm pads and should cover directly below the side deltoid all the way to the middle of the forearm. Good elbow pads have a hard shell directly over the elbow for added protection.
Gloves: Lacrosse gloves are also similar to hockey gloves. The cuffs of the gloves should cover the wrist area and reach the bottom part of the elbow pads. The palm side of the glove is usually made of leather and has ventilated areas to give the player a more tactile sense when holding the lacrosse stick.
Athletic Supporter and Cup: An athletic supporter is not mandatory in lacrosse but highly recommended. The athletic supporter should fit snugly around the waist and the cup should cover the entire genital region.
Cleats: Cleats give you more traction on grass and dirt. Although they make lacrosse cleats, football and soccer cleats are okay to use as well.
Sticks
Midfield/Attack Stick: A midfield/attack stick can be 40" to 42" in length.
Defense Stick: A defense stick can be 52" to 72" in length. The advantage of a defense stick is its reach. Only 4 defense sticks per team may be on the field at one time.
Goalie Stick: A goalie stick resembles a large fishing net. A goalie stick is much larger than an attack/midfield stick or defense stick.
Womens Lacrosse Equipment
The 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 side walls. The 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.
The Mouthpiece: All players must wear mouthguards.
Protective Equipment: Eyewear is mandatory! Close-fitting gloves, nose guards, soft head gear are optional, and may be worn by all players.
The Goalkeeper's Equipment: The goalkeeper must wear a face mask 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. 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.