Lacrosse Training Tools

According to the U.S. Lacrosse website, lacrosse is growing faster than any other sport in the country as of 2010. For children or adults drawn to fast-moving team sports like soccer and basketball, lacrosse's similar format and focus on hand-eye coordination might provide another alternative for athletic participation. Basic equipment includes the crosse, ball, goal and cleats.

Crosse

Players use the stick that they hold, termed the crosse, to catch, throw and scoop the ball from the ground. The crosse consists of the head, the shaft and the butt. The head includes a plastic frame and an interior netting or string that helps hold the ball in place when resting on the head of the crosse. Players should try a variety of styles of lacrosse head to determine which style of netting they prefer. Men and women have different specifications when it comes to the length of the crosse, so make sure you purchase a crosse for your age group and sex. The butt of the crosse consists of a rubber or metal cap on the end of the shaft.

Ball

Men's and women's home teams may choose a yellow or orange ball made of solid rubber. Men's teams have the option of using a lime green or a white ball as well. The ball must measure 7 3/4 to 8 inches in circumference and must weigh 5 to 5 1/4 oz. You may run with the ball in the crosse head, and if you throw or hit the ball into the net, you score a point for your team.

Cleats

Lacrosse is played on a soccer-sized playing field on grass. In order to quickly change direction and gain traction on the grass surface, you must wear cleats. Purchase light weight shoes with wide, plastic cleats rather than sharp metal cleats.

Goal

The goal is where the action happens. Even if you end up playing defense, your entire focus revolves around keeping the ball out of the goal. Practicing and learning lacrosse will require you to practice on and around the goal for a better understanding of the game. In men's and women's lacrosse, the goal consists of two vertical posts and one horizontal crossbar at the top, linking the two vertical posts. Both posts and the crossbar measure six feet in length, forming a perfect six-by-six square opening.