It is a game that comes close to equaling football and ice hockey in intensity and competitiveness. It is also a game that involves tremendous strategy. When a team is in possession of the eight-ounce hard rubber ball, it is trying to get the ball by a goaltender who is standing in front of a relatively small net. In order to get good scoring opportunities, the ball must travel from one side of the lacrosse field to another. The idea is to get the defense overloaded so the offensive team can register a solid scoring opportunity. This is done with deception and it is also done with hard passes. In order to make those passes, the stick moves quickly and that means players have to be protected. Not only can a player easily get struck by the ball, but the stick also comes into play. Following through on a pass or reaching to catch one can often put stick into contact with an opponent's head. Therefore a hard, plastic lacrosse helmet is required.
What to Look for
That helmet cannot be a piece of armor. It cannot be too heavy or it will prevent a player from being able to run up and down the field without slowing down in a short period. But, since the entire head is vulnerable at almost all times, the head needs to be protected from the follow through of a stick or from the hard rubber ball itself. Helmets are made of hard plastic and have a metal cage in front to allow the player visual acuity in order to make accurate shots and passes. Helmets themselves have become fashion statements with artistic designs that are eye-catching. That's not a bad thing, but the most important aspect of the helmet is that it provides adequate protection.
Common Pitfalls
It's one thing to try on a helmet in a training room and say it fits; it's quite another to wear it on the field and run at full speed and have the helmet sit comfortably. Most veteran players will say that a lacrosse helmet is not overly comfortable and that players just have to get used to it. The other aspect is that helmets must be constantly inspected and adjusted. Take a hard pass off the mask or a stick to the helmet and it almost always has to be adjusted. Failing to do so can result in serious injuries in the future.
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