Choosing the proper lacrosse equipment can have a dramatic impact on your game. Some gear is standard and designed for safety; However, sticks have a variety of components that must be suited to a player's preference. Cost is another factor -- a dedicated player might be willing to spend more to get exactly what he wants, while a beginner should invest less until he decides if lacrosse is a sport he wants to continue with.
Sticks
Your lacrosse stick will vary depending on the position you play, but basic sticks have three interchangeable parts, enabling you to customize your own according to your needs. The handle or shaft is generally aluminum-alloy. The head is hard plastic, and the pocket can either be woven or mesh. Children's sticks are usually made of plastic for better durability and lighter weight. Attackers do better with pinched heads to help prevent the ball from falling out. Defenders use longer sticks to ward off advances by the other team. Regulation sticks must be between 40 and 42 inches for attackers and 52 and 72 inches for defenders. Many experienced players prefer to customize their pockets by soaking them in water, then stretching or pounding them out with a lacrosse ball until, when dry, they assume the preferred shape for best play.
Balls
Made of hard rubber, lacrosse balls should bounce between 45 and 49 inches when dropped on a hard surface. A lacrosse ball is similar in size to a baseball, but a bit smaller, and it weights approximately 5 oz. AthleticScholarships, a recruitment website for excellence in competitive sports, suggests the brands of Warrior, Brine or Voit.
Pads and Protectors
Safety equipment includes shoulder pads and elbow pads designed for lacrosse play. Elbow pads cover both the upper arm and forearm. Additional forearm slash pads that protect against contact from a stick are optional. Some leagues also require rib pads covering the lower back and kidney area. Goalies also require chest protectors. Some players prefer to continue using their pads once they are broken in, but advances are continually being made in their overall safety, so the investment in new pads may protect you better.
Helmets, Gloves and Shoes
Lacrosse players also require helmets, gloves and shoes. Helmets include attachable mouth guards which cover the teeth and protect not only against breakage but can soften concussive blows to the face, as well. Lacrosse gloves are thicker around the wrist and at the top of the fingers to protect the hands from hits from a stick. Many players once wore soccer or football cleats to play lacrosse, but Warrior and Brine now manufacturer shoes specifically made for the sport.
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