As the sport of lacrosse has evolved over the past 80 years, the protective equipment required to play has changed as well. Up until the 1930s, men's lacrosse and women's lacrosse were essentially the same, but as men's lacrosse began to develop into a game with more physical contact, men's and women's lacrosse diverged. Men's lacrosse is now considered a contact sport, while women's lacrosse is a noncontact sport. Each requires distinct forms of protective equipment.
Head Protection
Women's and girls' youth lacrosse requires no head protection; however, men's and youth boys' lacrosse requires a helmet approved by NOCSAE, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment. Helmets must have a face mask, a chin pad and a fastened four-point chin strap based on US Lacrosse equipment guidelines. Helmets are designed to reduce head injuries, such as concussions, which are primarily associated with player-to-player contact along with stick contact, according to the Journal of Athletic Training.
Face Protection
Lacrosse at all levels requires a visibly colored mouth guard. Mouth guards can help prevent jaw, mouth and teeth injuries caused by a collision or fall in addition to providing protection from injuries from ball and stick contact. Women's and youth girls' lacrosse requires eye protection, called goggles or eye masks. A face mask attached to the helmet offers face protection in men's and youth boys' lacrosse.
Torso Protection
All men's lacrosse players are required to wear shoulder pads, athletic supporters and protective cups, with rib pads strongly recommended by US Lacrosse. According to the Journal of Athletic Training, a total of 45.9 percent and 12.9 percent of game injuries were associated with player contact and stick contact, respectively, illustrating the importance of bodily protection. Women's and youth girls' lacrosse does not require any torso protection, due to minimal physical contact allowed.
Arm and Leg Protection
Neither women's nor youth girls' lacrosse requires arm or leg protection because it is considered a no-contact sport. Due to the physical body and stick contact during play, padding on the arms is necessary to play men's and boys' youth lacrosse. According to research from the Journal of Athletic Training, upper extremity injuries accounted for 26.2 percent of game injuries and 16.9 percent of practice injuries.
Hand Protection
Thick, padded gloves are necessary for participation in men's and youth boys' lacrosse, adding protection from stick-to-stick and bodily contact. Players of women's and youth girls' lacrosse have the option of wear close-fitting gloves, which can enhance grip on the stick and provide slight padding in case any contact occurs.
Goalkeeper Protection
All goalkeepers in all levels of lacrosse play must wear a NOCSAE-approved helmet with added throat protector, padded gloves, a chest protector and a visibly colored mouth guard. Shoulder, arm and leg padding is optional for adults. Players at the high school level and younger are required to wear padding on the thighs and shins, and youth must wear some form of abdominal and pelvic protection, according to US Lacrosse. Goalkeepers are required to wear such equipment due to the speed of the ball when a shot is propelled toward them and any additional contact that may occur with other players.
Member Comments