Selecting Lacrosse Protective Equipment
Choosing your protective Lacrosse equipment comes down to knowing what position you are playing, your skill level, and understanding the benefits of protective gear.
First, establish what position you will be playing on the field to determine what kinds of protection apply to your game. Second, determine your playing style and experience level. Whichever protective equipment you choose, make sure it adheres to the specific league rules and guidelines for their respective divisions. You can check with your coach or local league association for details. It's time to find the equipment for your success on the lacrosse field...
Men's Equipment
At Dick's Sporting Goods, we know that confidence on the field can't be gained until you are confident with your equipment. Our mission is to provide you with lightweight, ventilated equipment to keep you safe without weighing you down.
Understanding Protective Makeup of a Lacrosse Player
Helmet
The protective makeup of a lacrosse player starts with the helmet. The goal of a lacrosse helmet is to provide safety, security and a comfortable fit. Helmets are made of a hard plastic to protect the head with a mask to protect the front of the face. They come in a variety of styles with customizable options and colors.
- In regard to sizing, most helmets utilize "One Size Fits Most" which provides an adjustable ratchet to change sizes to find the perfect fit.
- Goalie helmets will also need a throat protector.
- A lacrosse specific helmet is required; hockey and football helmets are illegal for lacrosse.
To ensure a player's safety, it is important that his/her helmet fit properly. Always try on your helmet before competitive play to ensure the proper fit.
5 Helpful Helmet Tips
- The helmet should be examined for damage before each use.
- Be sure there is a four-point chin-strap attached to the helmet. The chin-strap should be tightened so that there is no slack. The chinstrap should be adjusted to fit snug.
- A helmet should lean squarely on the head, with the front of the helmet approximately one finger width above the eyebrows. This way, the helmet will protect the forehead and chin.
- Proper helmet fit should never cause headaches.
- Padding of the helmet shall give firm and uniform pressure about the head. The skin of the forehead should move as the helmet is moved from left to right and front to back.
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Selecting Your Lacrosse Pads
Gloves, shoulder pads, and arm protection are essential protective pads to wear while playing lacrosse to ensure the best protection from any type of hit, check, or collision. To insure optimal performance, each variety is designed to balance protection and mobility while keeping you cool.
Lacrosse Gloves
Lacrosse gloves have heavy padding on the tops of the fingers, the backhand, and around the wrist to protect against checks. Synthetic and/or mesh materials allow for good grip and let your hands breath during a game. A good fitting glove should protect you without compromising your stick handling ability.
- Having gloves that are well ventilated is a helpful advantage to keep you cool.
- The most important factors to consider when choosing a glove are size and fit, protective features, material, ventilation, and dexterity.
Although all protective equipment should be tried on before use in competitive play, the following charts can help get you started in selecting the right size for you:
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Arm Protection
There are four types of arm protection that can be used while playing lacrosse. Each have different advantages that will benefit every type of player:
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Arm Pad: Arm Pads are popular with beginners. Easy to slide on and off, they are held by adjustable VELCRO straps.
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Arm Guard: Arm guards have longer upper arm protection without restricting the ability to scoop, cradle, and catch.
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Elbow Pad: Elbow Pads are popular with defensemen who like minimal coverage.
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Elbow Guard: Elbow guards provide the most protection for the arm and elbow for attackers and aggressive mid-fielders, while completely covering the elbow, lower bicep, and upper forearm.
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Shoulder Pads & Liners
Shoulder pads slide over the head and rest on shoulders to protect the shoulders, chest and back. They come with adjustable straps that loop or Velcro underneath the players armpits onto the chest. Many have hard plastic shells on the high impact areas for maximum protection. Any shoulder pads should fit tightly to the body without restricting mobility.
- Defense may want to try pads that are both light and minimal.
- Attack should look for as much protection as possible.
- Midfield should look for a balance in between the two.
Shoulder Pad Liners
Lacrosse shoulder pad liners are worn by players who want upper-body protection without the weight of full shoulder pads. Liners are lighter and smaller allowing you to move easier, while providing protection to the upper body. Liners are not suggested for first time players, and are typically used by advanced defensemen.
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Rib Pads (Optional)
- Rib pads consist of durable, well ventilated foam which fit comfortably around the body and allow you to play at full speed with maximum mobility.
- Some rib pads wrap around to protect the lower back and kidney area to protect your ribs, hips, and sides.
- Extremely aggressive players should wear rib pads.
Mouth Guards
- Most attach to the face mask area of the helmet by a plastic strap.
- Mouth guards come molded to the mouth, or can be molded by softening in boiling water and then formed by biting down on them.
- Dick's Sporting Goods offers a wide variety of styles and sizes of mouth guards for every level of player.
Women's Equipment
The women's lacrosse game is one of speed, agility, and finesse. The rules of women's lacrosse were designed to allow less physical contact between players. As a result of the lessened contact, the only protective equipment required are eye protection/goggles and a mouth guard. Gloves are recommended and used by the majority of players.
Women's Gloves
Women's gloves are designed to offer protection and mobility. The typically offer padding on the back of the hand and thumb but are thin enough to stay flexible. They also add grip to prevent dropping the stick in cold or wet conditions.
- Women's gloves offer secure wrist closure for a safe fit.
- Women's players should wear lightweight gloves for maximum flexibility.
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Eye Protection
- Eye protection/goggles should fit comfortably and provide visibility.
- Vented, silicone padding provides comfort and a secure fit while playing.
- Dick's Sporting Goods carries eyewear to meet the legal specifications.
- Eye protection comes in both youth and adult sizes
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Mouthguards
- Women are required to use strapless mouthguards.
- Mouth guards come molded to the mouth, or can be molded by softening in boiling water and then formed by biting down on them.
- Dick's Sporting Goods offers a wide variety of styles and sizes of mouth guards for every level of player.
Men's and Women's Goalie Equipment
In addition to having a different stick, lacrosse goalies also wear different pads and protection. Every goalie is required to wear a chest protector and throat guard as well as a helmet and gloves. A chest protector covers from the bottom of your neck and shoulders all the way down to your waist to protect against shots that may not be stopped by a stick. All goalie throat guards are made of dense and durable plastic and provide great protection without compromising mobility.
Body Pads
- Body pads provide extra protection from shots on goal.
- Super-ventilated, anti-microbial fabric wicks moisture away from the skin, keeping you cool and dry.
- Pelvic protectors or goalie pants are designed with dual density composite foam for low-profile protection and superior comfort.
Goalie Gloves
Goalie gloves look just like field gloves except they have added protection for the thumb to provide better impact dispersion.
- Higher end gloves offer more protection, flexibility, durability, and comfort, which leads to better play for the intermediate to enthusiast level player.
- For beginners, the opening price gloves will offer protection while a player gets used to the game.
Beginner Tips
Lacrosse is unquestionably a contact sport and it requires specific protective equipment to ensure player safety. Having the right equipment that both fits and functions properly is imperative to the safe enjoyment of the sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does a goalie need different equipment? Yes, every goalie is required to wear a chest protector and throat guard in addition to a helmet and gloves. Many goalies also choose to wear goalie pants.
2. Do protective equipment needs vary by league or skill level? Generally, protective equipment requirements are consistent throughout leagues but always check with your local coach or league for any regulations or specifications.
3. How are boys' and girls' lacrosse different? The primary difference between the two is the physicality and level of contact. The women's game stresses finesse, body positioning, and stick skills with no body checking. Additionally, women play on a larger field with 12 players per side. The men's game is played with a helmet, gloves, elbow pads, and shoulder pads in addition to the stick. There are 10 players to a side and, depending on age, body checking is allowed.
4. Are players required to wear a mouthguard? Yes, all leagues require mouthguards. Men's mouthguards are allowed to have a strap while women's are not.
5. Are athletic cups required? Athletic Cups, while not required, are strongly recommended. Check with your local league if you are unsure.
6. How should a Lacrosse helmet fit? Helmets should sit squarely on the head and fit snug so that the skin of the forehead will move if the helmet is shifted left or right, up or down. Chinstraps should be tightened beneath a player's chin so they leave no slack.
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