Lacrosse Safety Tips

Lacrosse is a unique sport.  And like all sports has its unique features, gear and injuries. It also has the distinction of being both a boys’ and girls’ sport. However, the gear for boys and girls is different.

Due to the basic nature of the game and how the ball is thrown, using different versions of the lacrosse stick, injuries can be avoided by keeping certain safety concerns in mind.

Boys’ lacrosse is considered a “collision sport.” If a player is carrying the ball, an opposing player can try to dislodge the ball by striking at their stick, known as a “stick check.”

"Body checking” is also allowed in boys’ lacrosse. As long as the attacking players’ stick is held firmly to his chest and not used as a weapon, he can physically run into you, trying to knock you down and dislodge the ball.

In girls’ lacrosse contact is limited to stick checking. However, safety gear is still very important!

Here are the gear recommendations and why it is important to be properly geared up.

Helmets – They are required in boys’ lacrosse. It is a full, hard-shell helmet with a short sun visor and full steel face cage protecting from impact. Girls can elect to wear a helmet at most levels. The helmet design for girls is softer and not a full rigid helmet.

Eye protection – In boys’ lacrosse the steel mesh cage that is built into the helmet covers the entire face and protects the eyes. Girls wear an “eye cage,” which is a steel mesh version of goggles. Some girls opt for plastic goggles for better vision, but the team or club decide whether these are allowed.

Mouthguards – Boys and girls are all required to wear a mouthguard to protect the teeth and gums from injury. In boys’ lacrosse the mouthguard is generally attached to helmet just like in football. Girls wear a standalone mouthguard with no strap.

Gloves – In boys’ lacrosse the gloves are very similar to ice hockey gloves: fairly substantial with thick padding on the outside to protect the hands from impact from other players sticks. Girls are not required to wear gloves but may opt to wear field gloves in colder weather.

Shoulder and elbow pads – Due to the contact and collision nature of boys’ lacrosse, these are almost always required. They are similar to football pads, although smaller and generally do not have the hard outer plastic shell like in football. Some boys also wear full length arm guards and rib pads. Girls do not wear shoulder and elbow pads.

Protective cup – Boys should always wear the cup to protect the genitals.

Goalies – Boys and girls both wear a special goalie helmet with throat protector, padded gloves, chest protector/armor, arm pads and padded shorts. Girls are also required to wear shin guards at the youth and high school levels.

All of this gear is very important. The lacrosse ball is made of a fairly hard rubber and can move very quickly. As a former “middie” (Midfielder) myself both in high school and the Navy, I can attest to what it feels like to get hit with the ball. At the higher levels it can come in up to 90mph!

If you wear the right gear and keep your gear in good shape, lacrosse is a great, fast paced energetic game you can enjoy playing for years.