What Do You Need for Youth Lacrosse Equipment?

Although not always clustered with other contact sports like American football or ice hockey, lacrosse, even at the youth level, can be a rough, physically demanding game. Youth-specific contact rules and proper youth lacrosse equipment provide players necessary protection and give parents a little peace of mind. Depending on participant age, gender and adherence to US Lacrosse guidelines, youth lacrosse equipment needs might differ.

  1. Lacrosse Then And Now

    • With traceable roots deeply embedded in Native American culture, lacrosse is often considered North America's oldest sport. Many of the lacrosse players of today compete on virtually the same land once used by flourishing native tribes of eastern North America, specifically in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence lowlands regions of the United States and Canada (e.g. Illinois, Michigan, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Ontario and Quebec).

    The Need For Youth Lacrosse Protective Equipment

    • As the competition level gets higher with age, so too does the potentially brutal and legal physical contact. However, agility and quickness are still at the core of the game and this is especially emphasized in youth lacrosse. The protective equipment in youth lacrosse is relatively standard to gear worn at higher levels, but specific items might be mandatory at youth levels only. The gender-based equipment guidelines listed below are in accordance with US Lacrosse, the governing body of lacrosse in the United States.

    Boys' Youth Lacrosse Equipment

    • Crosse (with shaped net pocket; legal measurements vary according to player position), 5 oz. white, orange or yellow rubber lacrosse ball, helmet with face mask equipped with a cupped/padded four-point chin strap, mouth guard, gloves and shoulder pads. Goaltenders are excluded from wearing shoulder pads but must wear helmet, mouth guard, gloves, chest and throat protection. Arm pads and protective cups are recommended and may be mandatory for all participants.

    Girls' Youth Lacrosse Equipment

    • Crosse (with non-mesh shaped pocket; legal measurements vary according to player position), 5 oz. yellow rubber lacrosse ball, mouth guard, protective eye-wear; gloves, nose protection and soft head-wear are optional. Goaltender must wear helmet with face mask, gloves, mouth guard, chest and throat protection. Youth goalies are also required to wear pelvic and abdominal padding.

    Parents and Coaches New To Lacrosse

    • Needs for youth lacrosse equipment will vary relative to age and gender-specific legal contact rules. If you are interested in learning more about youth equipment needs, rules and/or participation, view the links below.