In lacrosse, the stick is the most important piece of equipment for each player. Also called the crosse, it is used to propel the ball around the field, to attempt to score points, to intercept an opponent's passes, and to force turnovers by checking opponents. Sticks differ in size and dimension; which you need depends on what position you play. Men's lacrosse sticks also differ from those for women. However, all have the same basic makeup: shaft, head and net, or pocket.
Men's Position Player Sticks
The length of the shaft for lacrosse sticks for male position players ranges from 30 to 60 inches. Attack players, who concentrate mainly on attempting to score goals, use the shortest sticks, because they are the easiest to maneuver. Midfielders, who cover the widest range ground, use slightly longer sticks, which allow them to maneuver the ball, and pass it to other players. Defenders, who focus on keeping the opposing team from scoring, use the longest sticks, which allow them to pass the ball as far as possible. The shaft for men's lacrosse sticks is typically made of aluminum or some other lightweight metal, according to Simply Lacrosse, though wood shafts are not uncommon.
The width of the stick head and net, which the player uses to cradle the ball before taking a shot or making a pass, must also meet strict specifications. As of 2010, the upper, or scoop, portion of a stick head was set at 6.5 inches wide, and the lower, or throat, portion at 3 inches wide to be legal for play in both the National Federation of State High School Associations and the National Collegiate Athletic Association, according to U.S. Lacrosse, the sport's governing body in the United States.
Women's Position Player Sticks
Women play the same positions as men in lacrosse, but the sticks they use are much different. The length of lacrosse sticks for women position players varies from 36 to 44 inches, with attack players using the shortest sticks, and defenders the longest. Many women use sticks with traditional wooden shafts, although lighter materials are becoming more common, according to Simply Lacrosse.
The head of the stick for women position players also differs greatly from that for men position players. The head of a woman position player's lacrosse stick is shallower and narrower than that for a male position player, Simply Lacrosse notes. As of May 2010, U.S. Lacrosse stated that the exact specifications for the measurements and stringing of the head of women's sticks would be reconsidered after the 2010 spring season.
Goaltender Sticks
Male and female lacrosse goaltenders use sticks with wider heads than those used by position players. The head of a goalie stick for both men and women can be up to 12 inches wide, AthleticScholarships.net and Lacrosse Central confirm. The goalkeeper's stick may be up to 42 inches long for men, according to Simply Lacrosse. The goalkeeper's stick for women may be up to 48 inches long, notes Lacrosse Central.
References
- LacrosseCentral: Women's Lacrosse Sticks Overview
- SimplyLacrosse.com: Lacrosse Stick Guide
- U.S. Lacrosse: 2010 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Stick Specification Changes
- U.S. Lacrosse: Pocket Stringing of Field Crosses (Women's Lacrosse Sticks)
- AthleticScholarships.net: Lacrosse Information and History -- Lacrosse Sticks
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