Official Rules for Lacrosse Sticks

The lacrosse stick, also known as a crosse, is used by players to catch, carry and throw the lacrosse ball. Goalies use the stick (and their hands) to block and intercept shots while defensemen use it to "stick-check" opponents. The crosse is subject to specific rules passed for collegiate play by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The NCAA passed new rules for the shape and dimension of the crosse that came into effect Jan. 1, 2010.

  1. Materials and Overall Length

    • The crosse can be made of wood or a synthetic material, such as plastic or wood laminate. The net can be made of nylon or other synthetic, leather or linen. The shaft of the crosse must be straight; hollow shafts are permitted as long as the end of the handle is enclosed. Adjustable-length handles are illegal. The maximum circumference for the handle is 3.5 inches. For attackmen and midfielders, the short crosse can have an overall length of 40 to 42 inches. For defensemen, the long crosse can be 52 to 72 inches long. For goalies, the crosse can be from 40 to 72 inches long. The crosse used in women's lacrosse can be from 35.5 to 43.25 inches long.

    Throat Measurements

    • Specific measurement requirements govern the overall shape of the crosse head. Taking a measure of 1.25 inches up from the throat, or narrowest part of the crosse, the head must measure at least 3 inches across. At 5 inches from the throat, the head must be at least 3.5 to 4 inches wide in the front and 3.5 inches wide in the back. At its widest point, the crosse head must be 6.5 inches across in the front and 6 inches across in the back.

    Head Width and Length

    • The net pocket and its sidewalls at the head of the long and short crosse must be a minimum of 6.5 inches wide, and a maximum of 10 inches wide, measured at the inside between the side walls. The goalie's crosse can be up to 12 inches wide. The head length is a minimum 10 inches from the top to the throat. The maximum head length for goalkeepers is 16.5 inches.

    Sidewalls and Pocket

    • The sidewalls have a maximum height of 2 inches. The pocket itself is formed of a net that must be a single color. The net also has a maximum depth--a ball placed in the head cannot rest lower than the bottom edge of the sidewalls. The NCAA prohibits nets that hinder opponents from dislodging the ball with their sticks, a common defensive tactic (if the ball gets stuck in the front mesh, the player is penalized three minutes and the crosse is permanently removed from play). For women's lacrosse, the ball cannot rest lower than the top of the sidewall.