The Essential Lacrosse Equipment List For Players

The Essential Lacrosse Equipment List For Players

Essential Protective Lacrosse Helmets

Whether you’re a seasoned attack player or a beginner goalie just strapping on your gear for the first time, a helmet is the most vital piece of protection for any lacrosse player. I remember the excitement of getting my first helmet – it made me feel like a real lacrosse player! But along with that excitement came the responsibility to wear it correctly each and every practice and game. After all, the helmet’s purpose is to protect your head and brain from the impact of checks, errant sticks, and hard balls whizzing by at high speeds.

When shopping for a new brain bucket, look for a helmet that meets NOCSAE standards to ensure proper protection. These feature thicker padding on the crown, sides and rear for cushioning from all directions. Most are made from durable polymers with compressed foam padding inside. Straps should be adjustable for a snug fit. Remember – no helmet fully prevents concussions, so focus on developing defensive skills as well!

Proper helmet fit is crucial. When worn correctly, your forehead should be covered and it shouldn’t shift around easily. Don’t forget to attach a facemask lined up with your eyes. Goalies, make sure yours allows full peripheral vision. It takes some getting used to at first, but soon that helmet will feel like an extension of you on the field. Wear it with confidence and pride as you develop your lacrosse skills this season!

Essential Shoulder Pads for Lacrosse

After getting a proper helmet, lacrosse shoulder pads are the next vital piece of protective gear. These padded shirts help defend your shoulders, collarbone, chest, and back from the bumps and blows dished out during games and practice. I remember my first pair – they made me feel like a gladiator ready for battle on the field! But protection comes along with some costs in terms of mobility. Let’s explore how to pick shoulder pads that strike the right balance.

When shopping for lacrosse shoulder pads, look for a lightweight design to maximize maneuverability. Dense foam or plastic padding over the shoulders, sternum, spine, and rib cage helps absorb checks. Brands like Maverik and STX use new materials like D30 to soften impacts without sacrificing range of motion. For midfielders who cut and dodge often, choose a pair with ventilated arch segments under the arms for breathability. They should wrap around your torso without limiting mobility of your arms or head. For goalies, more coverage in the chest region adds cushioning when blocking shots.

Getting the right fit is key – shoulder pads shouldn’t shift or slide during play. Straps along the belly, chest, and back should secure them firmly in place. Watch for pressure points or chafing and adjust as needed. Break them in during practices to get used to how they move with your body. While shoulder pads reduce stingers and bruising from checks, they can’t fully prevent injuries. So focus on building lacrosse skills like footwork, positioning and communication to avoid big collisions when possible. Gear up and dominate the field this season!

Essential Lacrosse Arm Pads

After getting shoulder pads and a helmet, lacrosse arm pads are the next key piece of gear to protect players from bumps and bruises. As a midfielder, my forearms and biceps take a beating from all the slashing and poke checking. Arm pads cushion those blows so I can keep dishing out passes. Let’s explore how to pick quality pads that offer protection while maintaining mobility.

When shopping for arm pads, look for lightweight, breathable materials that allow a full range of motion. Hard plastic or high-density foam over the forearm and bicep provides padding from checks. Some models offer extra protection on the point of the elbow for players who take a lot of knocks in traffic. For goalies, extended padding above the elbow helps shield from close-range shots.

Proper fit is important so arm pads don’t slide down during play. Straps along the forearm and triceps should secure them snugly in place. Test your flexibility – you should be able to cradle and pass without restriction. While pads reduce bruising from pokes and hits, they can’t prevent all injuries. So work on dodging techniques and anticipation skills to avoid checks when possible. Gear up with confidence and use those fresh pads to snag ground balls and flick crisp passes downfield as you take your lacrosse game to the next level!

Choosing the Right Lacrosse Gloves

After getting protected from head to toe, a good pair of lacrosse gloves are key for handling your stick with control. As an attackman, gloves give me the grip I need for quick stick skills and absorbing checks. But gloves aren’t one-size-fits-all – midfielders, defenders, and goalies have different needs. Let’s explore how to pick the right lacrosse gloves for your position.

For field players, lightweight leather or synthetic gloves allow maximum dexterity for cradling, scooping, and passing. Breathable mesh over the fingers and back of the hand reduces sweat. Padding over the fingers, wrists and palms helps absorb slashes. Midfielders may opt for half-finger gloves for stick feel. Defenders choose thicker padding to brace for checks. Goalies need rigid cuffs and dense foam or plastic blocking plates to knock down shots.

Get the right fit – gloves shouldn’t pinch but give a secure feel. Test your flexibility to cradle, pick up ground balls and pass without restriction. Break them in before games to get used to the grip. Remember that gloves can’t prevent all hand injuries from checks. So keep working on your fundamentals – quick feeds, safe cradling, and riding opposition hands to force turnovers. Lace up your new gloves and dominate possession this season!

Picking the Right Lacrosse Mouthguard

Now that you’re geared up from head to toe, a mouthguard is an essential piece of protective lacrosse equipment. Taking a stick or ball to the teeth is extremely painful – I learned that the hard way! A proper mouthguard cushions blows to the mouth and prevents dental injuries. But with custom fits and boil-and-bite options, choosing the right one can be tricky.

Custom mouthguards molded by your dentist offer the best protection and fit. They’re more expensive but don’t hinder breathing or speech like off-the-shelf ones. Boil-and-bite guards work too – just boil to soften, then bite down to mold your teeth’s impression. Ensure it fits snugly and doesn’t jostle around. Look for brands using shock-absorbing materials for maximum cushioning. Make sure to wear your mouthguard during practice too!

Some key tips – follow molding directions carefully for a good fit. Keep your guard clean and store in a ventilated case. Replace if visibility worn or damaged. And remember – no mouthguard fully prevents concussions or jaw fractures. So keep honing those defensive skills to avoid high-speed collisions when possible. Now strap on that mouthguard and dominate the field!

Picking the Right Lacrosse Cleats

Now that you’re protected from head to toe, a good pair of lacrosse cleats are essential for acceleration and traction. As a midfielder, I’m constantly cutting and changing direction, so cleats that grip the turf can make or break my game. But with different styles and features, choosing the right cleats can be confusing.

For field players, look for lightweight, low-cut cleats with a molded sole for ankle support and protection. Detachable cleats allow you to switch lengths for more or less traction. Midfielders favor versatility for all-around play. Attackmen opt for responsiveness to cut and shoot quickly. Defenders need stability when jockeying opponents. Consider turf or grass-specific cleats for optimal traction.

Ensure a snug, comfortable fit, especially in the heel. Break them in at practices to avoid blisters. Re-tighten and replace cleats as needed. Proper footwork and planting technique helps prevent ankle and knee injuries too. Lace up those new cleats and explode across the field this season with lightning-quick cuts and change of direction!

Picking Lacrosse Cups and Jills

Now that we’ve covered protective gear from head to toe, a critical piece of equipment for male and female players alike are cups and jills to shield the groin area. Taking a 90 mph shot to the unmentionables is extremely painful! Let’s explore how to pick the right protective cup or jill for comfort and coverage.

For male players, athletic supporters with pocketed cups cushion blows and checks to the groin and hips. Breathable compression shorts with velcro pockets keep cups secure. Look for lightweight, ventilated cups that won’t restrict movement or cause chafing. Goalies may prefer more rigid protection. Female players use padded jills or pelvic protectors worn under the bottom of shorts or slid into custom pockets.

Ensure a snug, tailored fit so the cup or jill doesn’t shift during play. Allow room for adjustments as needed. Take some practice shots to get used to playing with one on. While cups and jills reduce pain, they can’t prevent all injuries in this delicate region. So keep honing those defensive skills to avoid unnecessary checks down low. Gear up the right way and dominate the field with confidence!

Choosing the Right Lacrosse Stick

Once protected from head to toe, a properly strung lacrosse stick is essential for handling, passing, catching, and shooting. As a midfielder, my stick is an extension of my arm on the field. But with specialized field sticks, different head shapes, and stringing options, choosing the right setup can be challenging.

For field players, offset sticks with a deeper pocket help cradle and control the ball. Offensive players favor a quick release when shooting, while defenders opt for more holding power when checking. Heads and handles come in various materials – composite and titanium are lightweight but pricier. Pocket depth, shooting strings, and sidewall patterns affect ball control.

Ensure the stick length suits your height and position – too long or short impacts performance. Test sticks fully strung if possible. Break in the pocket by cradling and passing to get a feel for the ball. Proper throwing and catching fundamentals matter too, so keep practicing! Choose your weapon wisely and take the field with confidence to outmaneuver opponents this season.

Choosing Lacrosse Mesh and Pockets

Once you’ve picked the right lacrosse stick, customizing the mesh and pocket is key for optimal ball control and release. As a midfielder, I rely on my pocket to cradle and pass cleanly, so getting the right setup dialed in is crucial. But with various materials, patterns, and stringing options, choosing pocket components can be daunting.

Mesh woven from nylon or polyester forms the base of the pocket. Softer mesh bags the ball more for beginners, while experienced players often prefer thicker, stiffer mesh for quicker release. Pockets can be strung traditionally with leather and nylon strings, or using pre-made mesh panels. Pocket depth, shooting strings, and sidewall pattern affect holding power versus release.

Test different mesh and pocket setups when stringing a stick. Consider your position and skill level – new players benefit from more ball control, while advanced midfielders and attackmen favor quicker passes and shots. Keep practicing cradling, scooping, catching, and passing to break in the pocket. Unleash pinpoint feeds and rockets on net with your personalized pocket this season!

Lacrosse Goggles for Eye Protection

Now that we’ve covered gear from head to toe, lacrosse goggles provide an optional extra layer of eye protection for players. As a midfielder constantly in the fray for ground balls, a stick to the eye is a risk I’d rather not take. But goggles can obstruct vision and feel restrictive. Let’s explore how to pick the right eye protection.

Lacrosse goggles shield the eyes from errant sticks, balls, and debris that can scratch the cornea or injure the eye socket. Polycarbonate lenses are impact-resistant yet lightweight. Anti-fog coatings enhance visibility in hot weather. Some cover the cheek area too. Make sure straps are adjustable for a snug, comfortable fit. Test peripheral vision before buying – obstruction could impact performance.

While goggles provide an added safeguard, they can’t prevent all facial or eye injuries in lacrosse. Focus on situational awareness when battling for ground balls or jockeying opponents. Choose eye protection that balances protection with comfort and visibility. Gear up and keep your head on a swivel for improved vision and reaction time!

Optional Lacrosse Rib Pads

Now that we’ve covered essential protective gear, rib pads offer supplementary padding as an optional extra layer of armor. As a defenseman constantly battling for ground balls, the extra cushioning helps take the sting out of cross-checks. But more padding limits mobility too. Let’s explore how rib pads can enhance protection.

Rib pads are compression shirts with padded chest plates over the sternum and ribs. Materials like D3O foam absorb hard checks and shots to the torso. Some models only cover the rib area, while full chest pads add protection over the shoulders and back too. Thicker padding offers more cushioning at the cost of mobility.

Ensure rib pads fit snugly under other gear without restricting movement or comfort. Take some practice hits to get used to playing with the extra padding. While rib guards provide supplemental protection, they can’t fully prevent muscle strains or rib fractures. Work on checking and body positioning skills as well to avoid big collisions when possible. Gear up for some added insurance on the field!

Optional Lacrosse Elbow Pads

As we wrap up protective gear, lacrosse elbow pads provide supplementary shock absorption for players’ joints. As a midfielder constantly dodging checks in traffic, the extra padding reduces impact on my elbows when I take a stick there. But more gear also hinders mobility, so let’s explore the tradeoffs.

Lacrosse elbow pads are sleeves with padded caps that shield the tip of the elbow from checks and falls. Hard caps with foam or blended materials absorb contact while remaining lightweight. Some forearm pads extend the protection area too. Thicker pads cushion more but can restrict arm motion.

Ensure elbow pads fit snugly without limiting your arm movement or comfort. Take some practice hits to get used to playing with the extra padding. While they provide supplemental protection, elbow pads can’t fully prevent hyperextension or fractures from checks. Develop fundamentals like stick skills, footwork and body positioning to avoid collisions when possible. Add lightweight elbow guards for some extra reassurance on the field!

Customizing Your Lacrosse Helmet

Now that we’ve covered all the gear bases, customizing your helmet with decals offers a great way to add personality and team spirit. As a midfielder, I love repping my team colors and number on the helmet for style points. Let’s explore creative ways to make your bucket one-of-a-kind.

Helmet decals come in vinyl, plastic, or metallic materials that stick to the shell. Consider team logo and name decals to stand out but stay within regulations. Add your number or nickname to identify yourself on the field. Change colors and designs each season for a fresh look. Keep it tasteful – avoid images that could detract from team unity.

Prep the helmet surface so decals adhere cleanly. Apply carefully to avoid bubbles or wrinkles. Seal with a top-coat like polyurethane for added durability and shine. Clean regularly so decals don’t peel. While stickers offer aesthetic appeal, don’t forget your helmet’s main purpose – protection. Now strap it on and intimidate opponents with your customized cannister!

Choosing a Lacrosse Gear Bag

Now that your gear is selected, a solid lacrosse bag is essential for carrying all that equipment to and from the field. As a goalie, I’ve got bulkier pads and a heavier load to tote around. Let’s explore the bag styles and features to consider for holding your lacrosse rig.

Bags come in duffel or backpack styles. Look for a ventilated compartment to store sweaty gear separately post-game. Padded shoulder straps reduce strain for heavy loads. Compartments and pockets keep items organized and accessible. Cleat compartments protect other gear from dirt. Material should be durable yet lightweight.

Choose a bag big enough to hold all your equipment but not oversized to become unwieldy. Test the weight when loaded – well-padded straps will be key for comfort. Monogram it with your name or number to avoid mix-ups in the locker room. Now pack it up and roll onto the field in organized style for game day!