Lacrosse, a sport that combines basketball, hockey and soccer, is considered to be the oldest sport in North America. Originally played by Native Americans as a means to solve conflict and prepare men for war, the only equipment used were the ball and sticks. Today, as the game has advanced to one for fitness and entertainment purposes, many pieces of equipment are used to protect the athletes and provide for enjoyable play.
Sticks
The stick is called a crosse and it is what gives the sport it's name. Sticks consist of a shaft and a head. Stick shafts are made of wood or other synthetic material. The head is made of a net pocket that is no deeper than the diameter of a lacrosse ball. Shaft length and head width vary by position.
Helmets
Helmets are used in men's lacrosse and goggles are worn in women's lacrosse, although female goalies do wear helmets. Men's helmets must include a face mask and chin strap. Men's lacrosse is a more physical game than women's lacrosse and is the reason for the difference in helmet requirements. Goalies in both the men's and women's game must also wear a throat protector. Helmets must be approved by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment. All players must wear highly visible mouth guards.
Gloves
Gloves are required for the men's game. This is due to the amount of stick play in men's lacrosse. Male lacrosse gloves are heavily padded and include a wrist support similar to hockey gloves. Women, except for the goalie, may choose not to wear gloves. If women do select to wear gloves, they must be close fitting similar to the batting gloves a baseball player may use. Goalie gloves for both men and women are of the heavily padded variety, but they also contain plates to protect the hand fingers, especially the thumb.
Shoulder Pads
Shoulder pads and arms pads are worn in men's lacrosse. Body contact is frequent occurrence for must male lacrosse athletes other than the goalies thus shoulder pads are required equipment for all male players except for the goalie. Goalie's in both men's and women's lacrosse may choose to wear shoulder pads and often do so. Lacrosse shoulder pads are similar to those worn in football, but slimmer measuring less than 1-inch thick.
Goalie Gear
Goalies must protect themselves from the oncoming shots of opponents and thus wear gear that varies from that of any other position. Goalies wear much more protective gear and have much larger stick heads. In addition to sticks, helmets, gloves, and shoulder pads, goalies also wear chest protectors, arm and leg padding, as well as athletic supports and pelvic guards.
Member Comments