Men's lacrosse and women's lacrosse are two very different games. The degree of physical contact dictates the protective equipment required, the rules enforced, and the lacrosse sticks used. Lacrosse sticks for men and women vary in length, type, pocket materials and pocket depth.
Evolution of the Lacrosse Stick
Looking back to the history of lacrosse allows a better understanding of how the differences between men's and women's lacrosse sticks evolved. Until the mid-1930s, men's and women's lacrosse was nearly identical, but as physical contact in men's lacrosse emerged, a new game formed. This new men's game required protective gear and sticks designed to maintain ball possession, whereas women's lacrosse retained much of its Native American roots. According to U.S. Lacrosse, the 3-foot-long sticks from northeastern Native American tribes the predecessors of modern lacrosse sticks. They were "characterized by a shaft ending in a sort of crook and a large, flat triangular surface of webbing extending as much as two-thirds the length of the stick."
Stick Components
The basic components of a lacrosse stick, also called a crosse, are universal to the sport and include a shaft, head and pocket. The shaft, where players grip their sticks, are typically constructed of lightweight metal alloy or composite material. Secured to the end of the shaft is the head, strung to create the pocket. The shaft is where the ball is caught and carried. Most stick heads are composed of plastic and have sidewalls that prevent the ball from falling out the side. Lacrosse sticks can be customized by purchasing each stick component separately or bought as a complete, pre-constructed stick.
Types of Sticks
Overall, there are four types of sticks in lacrosse: a women's lacrosse stick, the goalkeeper crosse and the two types used by men--the short crosse and the long crosse. Both men's and women's lacrosse sticks have a triangular shape to the head, whereas the goalkeeper sticks have much broader, rounded heads for more surface area to block shots on goal. Many experienced players opt for specialized sticks, designed for shooting, passing or defense, which are personalized with different stringing techniques, head shapes, sidewall heights, offset heads, color and design choices.
Stick Length
Both men and women have specific rules regulating the length of their crosses. Based on the 2009-10 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Rules, the short crosse, used by men's attack and midfielders, ranges from 40 to 42 inches and the long crosse, used by defensemen, can be 52 to 72 inches in length. According to U.S. Lacrosse, the overall length of a women's crosse must be 35-½ to 43-¼ inches. Goalkeeper crosses range from 35-½ to 48 inches in women's lacrosse and 40 to 72 inches long for men.
Pocket Materials and Depth
One of the most striking differences in men's and women's lacrosse sticks, are the depth and materials of the pockets. According to U.S. Lacrosse, the top of a lacrosse ball must be above the bottom edge of the sidewall when placed in the head of the stick to be designated as a legal pocket depth. Most men's sticks have a pocket composed of a synthetic interwoven mesh and hockey laces. In women's lacrosse, the top of the ball must remain above the top of the sidewall after pressure has been applied to a ball dropped into the pocket, to be considered a legal pocket depth, according to U.S. Lacrosse. Materials incorporated into the pocket of a women's lacrosse stick are leather or synthetic thongs, cross-lacing and shooting strings. No mesh is allowed.
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