How has lacrosse head design evolved over time. What materials are used in modern lacrosse heads. Why are different head shapes important for various playing positions. How do lacrosse head regulations impact design and performance. What factors should players consider when choosing a lacrosse head.
The Origins and Early Development of Lacrosse Heads
Lacrosse, a sport with ancient Native American roots, has seen significant evolution in equipment design over the centuries. The lacrosse head, a crucial component of the stick, has undergone particularly dramatic changes.
Traditional lacrosse sticks were crafted entirely from wood, with the head and shaft formed from a single piece. Native American tribes would steam and bend wood to create the distinctive curved shape. These early heads were relatively inflexible and had a much narrower, more closed shape compared to modern designs.
Transition to Synthetic Materials
The introduction of synthetic materials in the mid-20th century marked a turning point in lacrosse head design. Plastic allowed for greater flexibility, durability, and consistency in manufacturing. This shift enabled mass production and standardization of lacrosse heads, contributing to the sport’s growth and accessibility.
- 1970s: Introduction of the first plastic heads
- 1980s: Widespread adoption of synthetic materials
- 1990s: Experimentation with different plastics and composites
Modern Lacrosse Head Design Features
Contemporary lacrosse heads are engineered for optimal performance, incorporating various design elements to enhance player capabilities. What are the key features of modern lacrosse heads? Here’s a breakdown:
- Scoop: The top portion of the head, designed for ground ball pickup
- Sidewalls: The sides of the head, affecting stiffness and ball control
- Face shape: The overall contour of the head, influencing ball retention and release
- Throat: The narrow part connecting the head to the shaft
- String holes: Patterns of holes for customizable pocket stringing
These design elements are carefully optimized to suit different playing styles and positions on the field.
Material Innovations in Lacrosse Head Manufacturing
The evolution of materials used in lacrosse head production has been driven by the pursuit of improved performance and durability. Which materials are commonly used in modern lacrosse heads?
Most contemporary lacrosse heads are made from high-grade polymers, with specific formulations varying between manufacturers. Some popular materials include:
- Nylon: Offers good flexibility and impact resistance
- Polycarbonate: Provides excellent durability and stiffness
- Thermoplastic elastomers: Combine flexibility with strength
- Carbon fiber reinforced plastics: Used in premium models for enhanced stiffness and lightweight properties
These advanced materials allow for precise engineering of head characteristics, such as flex points, weight distribution, and overall durability.
Specialized Head Designs for Different Positions
As lacrosse has evolved, head designs have become increasingly specialized to cater to the unique demands of each position on the field. How do head shapes differ between positions?
Attack Heads
Attack players typically use heads with a narrower face shape and pinched throat. This design facilitates quick ball movement and precise shooting. The tighter face shape also helps with ball retention during dodges and confrontations with defenders.
Midfield Heads
Midfield players often opt for more versatile head designs that balance offense and defense. These heads usually have a moderate face shape and scoop angle, allowing for effective ground ball pickup and all-around play.
Defensive Heads
Defensive players benefit from wider, stiffer head designs. The increased width improves checking and intercepting passes, while the added stiffness provides more power for clearing the ball upfield.
Goalie Heads
Goalie heads are the largest and widest, designed to maximize the stopping area. They often feature reinforced sidewalls and throats to withstand the impact of high-velocity shots.
Regulatory Impact on Lacrosse Head Evolution
The design and manufacturing of lacrosse heads are subject to regulations set by governing bodies such as US Lacrosse and the NCAA. These rules have played a significant role in shaping the evolution of head designs. What are some key regulatory considerations?
- Minimum width requirements at various points along the head
- Restrictions on depth of the pocket
- Specifications for ball retention during play
- Material safety standards
These regulations aim to maintain fair play, player safety, and the integrity of the sport. Manufacturers must innovate within these constraints, leading to creative solutions that push the boundaries of performance while adhering to the rules.
Performance Enhancements Through Head Design
The evolution of lacrosse head design has led to significant improvements in various aspects of play. How do modern head designs enhance player performance?
Ball Control and Retention
Advanced sidewall designs and customizable stringing patterns allow players to fine-tune the pocket for optimal ball control. This enables quicker passes, more accurate shots, and better ball retention during physical play.
Shot Velocity and Accuracy
The stiffness and shape of modern heads contribute to increased shot power and precision. Some designs incorporate flex points that act like a spring, adding extra whip to shots.
Ground Ball Efficiency
Optimized scoop angles and widths make it easier for players to pick up ground balls quickly and smoothly, a crucial skill in lacrosse.
Defensive Capabilities
Wider, more robust head designs for defensive players improve checking and interception abilities, enhancing overall defensive play.
Choosing the Right Lacrosse Head: Factors to Consider
With the wide variety of lacrosse heads available, selecting the right one can be challenging. What factors should players consider when choosing a lacrosse head?
- Playing position: Match the head design to your role on the field
- Skill level: Beginners may benefit from more forgiving designs, while advanced players might prefer specialized heads
- League regulations: Ensure the head meets all applicable rules for your level of play
- Personal preference: Consider factors like weight, stiffness, and stringing options
- Budget: Heads range from affordable entry-level options to premium high-performance models
It’s often helpful to consult with experienced players or coaches when making a selection, as they can provide valuable insights based on firsthand experience with different head designs.
The Future of Lacrosse Head Technology
As materials science and manufacturing techniques continue to advance, the future of lacrosse head design looks promising. What innovations might we see in coming years?
Smart Materials and Adaptive Designs
Research into smart materials could lead to heads that adapt their properties during play, potentially changing stiffness or shape in response to different game situations.
Advanced Composites
New composite materials may offer even better combinations of strength, flexibility, and lightweight properties, pushing the boundaries of head performance.
Customization and 3D Printing
As 3D printing technology improves, we may see more personalized head designs tailored to individual players’ biomechanics and playing styles.
Sustainability Focus
Increasing emphasis on environmental concerns could drive the development of more sustainable materials and manufacturing processes for lacrosse heads.
The evolution of lacrosse heads reflects the sport’s rich history and ongoing innovation. From traditional wooden sticks to high-tech engineered designs, these crucial pieces of equipment continue to shape the way lacrosse is played at all levels.
As the sport grows globally and technology advances, we can expect to see further refinements and innovations in lacrosse head design. These developments will likely focus on enhancing performance, improving player safety, and adapting to the evolving nature of the game.
Players, coaches, and enthusiasts alike can look forward to exciting developments in lacrosse head technology, contributing to the continued evolution and popularity of this dynamic sport.
LACROSSE STICK EVOLUTION Unisex T-shirt Lax Native
Item in the photo is in Primary color: White
Option selected!
This option is sold out.
Item in the photo is in Primary color: Heather Blue
Option selected!
This option is sold out.
Item in the photo is in Primary color: Soft Cream
Option selected!
This option is sold out.
Click to zoom
Price:
from €28.
45
Original Price:
from €35.56 (20% Off)
Loading
VAT included (where applicable), plus shipping
Primary color
Select a color
Heather Blue (€31.18)
Athletic Heather (€28.45)
Soft Cream (€31.18)
Ash (€31.18)
White (€28.45)
Please select a color
Size
Select an option
S US letter
M US letter
L US letter
XL US letter
2X US letter
Please select an option
You can only make an offer when buying a single item
Explore more related searches
laxbro
stx
Listed on Jun 15, 2023
46 favorites
Report this item to Etsy
Choose a reason…There’s a problem with my orderIt uses my intellectual property without permissionI don’t think it meets Etsy’s policiesChoose a reason…
The first thing you should do is contact the seller directly.
If you’ve already done that, your item hasn’t arrived, or it’s not as described, you can report that to Etsy by opening a case.
Report a problem with an order
We take intellectual property concerns very seriously, but many of these problems can be resolved directly by the parties involved. We suggest contacting the seller directly to respectfully share your concerns.
If you’d like to file an allegation of infringement, you’ll need to follow the process described in our Copyright and Intellectual Property Policy.
Review how we define handmade, vintage and supplies
See a list of prohibited items and materials
Read our mature content policy
The item for sale is…
not handmade
not vintage (20+ years)
not craft supplies
prohibited or that use prohibited materials
not properly labeled as mature content
Please choose a reason
Tell us more about how this item violates our policies.
Tell us more about how this item violates our policies.
The Story Behind the 10-Year Evolution of Women’s Lacrosse Headgear
On May 8, 2012, three members of the USA Lacrosse staff arrived in Phoenix, Arizona for the semi-annual meeting of ASTM, an international standards organization that develops and publishes consensus technical standards for a wide range of products.
The USA Lacrosse representatives – CEO Steve Stenersen, vice president Ann Carpenetti, and the women’s game director at the time, Melissa Coyne – had been invited to participate in ASTM’s first-ever discussion about headgear for women’s lacrosse.
As the governing body for lacrosse in the United States, USA Lacrosse playing rules had long allowed for the optional use of soft headgear by female players. However, beyond the descriptor of “soft”, the women’s rules never included any additional specifics about the headgear.
With the explosive growth of girls’ and women’s lacrosse in recent years and the migration of more skilled and athletic players to the game, participants at all age levels were beginning to utilize varied products, ranging from water polo caps to rugby headguards, to help mitigate the force from accidental impacts in the “non-contact” sport.
Fueled in part by growing public and media scrutiny about head injuries in sports, it was becoming increasingly clear to many stakeholders within the sport that a more uniform definition of women’s headgear, with measurable product standards, was needed.
“There were strong concerns resulting from not having any standards associated with the current products,” Carpenetti said. “We needed to face the reality that the game was changing and we needed to consider what we could do to increase safety.”
In fact, USA Lacrosse’s attention to this cause had started long before that day in Phoenix.
Two years earlier, Stenersen and Carpenetti had reached out to NOCSAE (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) to inquire about the development of a unique women’s lacrosse headgear standard. As the organization that oversees the men’s lacrosse helmet standard, NOCSAE appeared to be the logical choice for discussions about a soft protective headgear product for the women’s game.
The response from NOCSAE was somewhat surprising to USA Lacrosse leaders. Despite a willingness to invest research dollars to study the mechanisms of head injury in women’s lacrosse, NOCSAE denied USAL’s request for a unique performance standard, citing the lack of head injury epidemiology that supported the need for a new standard. NOCSAE’s position was that the existing standard being used for men’s lacrosse helmets would be adequate for the types of injuries being seen in women’s lacrosse.
Given that men’s and women’s lacrosse are two distinct versions of the sport, with different rules and allowances for contact, the men’s hard-shell helmet (utilized only by female goalies) was not viewed by USA Lacrosse officials as a viable option for female field players.
“The NOCSAE helmet standards were developed specifically for men’s lacrosse, which is a collision sport,” Carpenetti told the ASTM gathering in Phoenix. “It is designed to prevent catastrophic head injury, such as skull fractures.
”
Citing statistics compiled by the independent National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research at the University of North Carolina, Carpenetti added, “To date, there have been no reported catastrophic or severe brain injuries in women’s lacrosse.”
Moving the Process Forward
Over the course of three days in Phoenix, the USA Lacrosse staffers helped the other attendees – engineering experts, helmet and lacrosse industry representatives, and sports medicine professionals – understand the need for a unique performance standard for women’s lacrosse headgear.
“As first time ASTM meeting attendees, we were pleasantly surprised to be joined by about 65 other attendees for the headgear meeting,” Carpenetti said. “We explained in great detail the differences between men’s and women’s lacrosse and expressed our serious concerns about introducing head protection into women’s lacrosse that was developed for other sports.”
Dr. Trey Crisco, a bio-engineering professor at Brown University and a member of USA Lacrosse’s Sports Science and Safety Committee at the time, presented the ASTM attendees with preliminary data from research he was conducting that examined head acceleration rates in women’s lacrosse.
Significant time was also spent in discussions about completed studies that identified the primary mechanisms of injury in women’s lacrosse as stick-to-head and ball-to-head impacts.
“Without a doubt, the research by Dr. Crisco and some preliminary research being done by others were all central to our understanding of the force of impact that we wanted to mitigate through an equipment standard,” Carpenetti said.
On May 10, the USA Lacrosse leaders left Phoenix knowing that ASTM was establishing a Task Group to evaluate additional research findings and further coordinate the development of a women’s lacrosse-specific standard. Carpenetti accepted the role as co-chair of the task group.
Crisco’s research, funded jointly by USA Lacrosse and NOCSAE, continued through the remainder of 2012 and into 2013. Ultimately, Crisco’s findings about the relationship between head acceleration speeds and resulting head traumas would become a key component in the standards discussion.
Head acceleration includes how fast the head moves and then stops after an impact. It’s a measure associated with brain injuries, including concussions.
“Unlike the boys’ game, where head injuries are dominated by body-to-body or head-to-head contact, in the girls, we don’t see that, but we do see the stick impacting the head,” Crisco said. “The goal of the study was to get an understanding of the relationship between the severity of the stick checks and the resulting head accelerations.”
Eventually, armed with Crisco’s findings and additional data, the ASTM Task Group drafted a performance standard that was presented for review. Dr. Bruce Griffin, who joined USA Lacrosse in 2013 as the organization’s first ever director of health & safety, served as one of the lead authors for the technical draft of the performance standard.
ASTM protocol requires that each proposed standard goes through multiple balloting reviews prior to adoption. The first ballot, launched in 2014, was open only to members of the headgear and helmets subcommittee.
ASTM’s collaborative and open protocol required the Task Group to address all objections, or negative votes, prior to the launch of the second ballot to a larger portion of the ASTM membership.
After objections were addressed, the women’s lacrosse headgear performance standard, known officially as F3137, was approved during ASTM’s semi-annual meeting in May of 2015.
● Women’s Headgear Timeline
Shortly afterwards, USA Lacrosse enacted a rule change, stating that while headgear use remained optional, if used, headgear must meet the new ASTM standard, F3137. In order to allow time for product development by manufacturers, implementation of the rule was set to begin January 1, 2017.
There’s an Approved Standard – Now What?
By the middle of 2016, both Cascade and Hummingbird Sports had introduced women’s headgear products into the marketplace. They continue to be the only two manufacturers who produce headgear that meets certification requirements through the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI).
Meanwhile, USA Lacrosse continues to seek and support research efforts to evaluate the efficacy of women’s headgear use. Having good field data is imperative for an accurate analysis on the effectiveness of the equipment.
One small study which included, as part of the research team, two members of the USA Lacrosse Sports Science and Safety Committee, Dr. Andrew Lincoln and Dr. Shane Caswell, published its findings in December 2020. That research indicated that headgear does appear to reduce the magnitude of head accelerations associated with body impacts but does not change the rate of impacts or how they occur.
Another study with a much larger sample size, with funding support from both NOCSAE and USA Lacrosse and headed by Dr. Daniel Herman at the University of Florida, launched in 2019 and announced its findings in October, 2021. With data collection involving over 350,000 high school athlete exposures, it is one of the largest women’s lacrosse injury studies ever conducted and the most definitive analysis to date on the impact of lacrosse specific women’s headgear.
Findings from the study indicated that concussion rates among high school girls’ lacrosse players not wearing headgear are 59% higher than those wearing headgear. The full results and data were formally presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics’ national conference on October 8, with the published report to follow.
“We are especially grateful for the work that Dr. Herman and his cohorts have done on this important topic,” said Caitlin Kelley, who succeeded Coyne as USA Lacrosse’s women’s game director in 2016. “USA Lacrosse wants to make the most informed decisions possible by utilizing data specific to the women’s game to shape existing rules and equipment.”
The data from Herman’s research study now supplements all the other information about headgear that has been collected and will help guide USA Lacrosse’s future recommendations on the use of women’s headgear. For now, women’s headgear use remains optional in the rules set forth by all the governing bodies for lacrosse – the NCAA, NFHS, and USA Lacrosse.
