Lacrosse Safety Tips
Lacrosse is a fast-moving, fun sport to play and watch. Boys' lacrosse allows for a lot more contact than girls' lacrosse. But in girls' lacrosse, players can still collide and accidentally get hit with sticks and balls. When everyone's moving so fast and using sticks to sling a solid rubber ball around, injuries can happen.
The good news is that researchers are working to find ways to reduce injuries in everyone who plays the sport. To stay safe and avoid getting hurt while playing lacrosse, follow these tips.
Staying Safe & Preventing Injuries
What Lacrosse Safety Gear Do I Need?
The right protective gear is important. All lacrosse equipment should be approved for the sport and fit correctly.
The game rules are a bit different in boys’ and girls’ lacrosse. Boys' lacrosse is officially a contact sport, including checking and blocking with the body and stick, so certain equipment is required.
Girls’ lacrosse, on the other hand, is a non-contact sport, but players get face, head, and eye injuries more often than players in boys’ lacrosse. Researchers have found that headgear can help prevent these injuries.
There’s also box lacrosse, which uses the same safety gear for all players, no matter their gender.
Lacrosse safety gear includes:
Helmet & Headgear
Players must wear helmets with face masks in boys' lacrosse. In girls' lacrosse, headgear is usually optional, but is still recommended because it reduces the chance of getting a concussion. Girls’ headgear is designed as a soft shell or a helmet-like device that includes eye protection.
Choose a helmet (or for girls, headgear) that's approved just for lacrosse by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE). This means that it has been tested and has passed safety rules. Just be sure it's marked as meeting the ASTM standard.
Eye Protection
In boys’ lacrosse, the helmet’s face mask protects the eyes.
In girls’ lacrosse, eye protection is required. Most goggles are made of steel cages that protect the eyes, but some people choose plastic goggles. These help with peripheral vision (what you see on the side when looking straight ahead).
Eye protection is built into the headgear as a cage-like structure over the eyes, so separate goggles aren’t needed.
Footwear
Choose shoes with ribbed soles or molded cleats (spikes built into the soles). Avoid metal cleats because they’re not allowed.
Mouth Guard
This protects the teeth, lips, cheeks, and tongue. It's required for all lacrosse players.
Gloves
Lacrosse gloves are required in boys' lacrosse. They should protect the fingers, hands, and wrists, while letting the hands move freely and grip the stick. Make sure there are hard plastic inserts to protect the thumbs. Players in girls' lacrosse sometimes wear lightweight field gloves, mostly in cold weather.
Arm, Shoulder, & Rib Pads
Arm and shoulder pads are required in boys' lacrosse to help protect the arms and upper body. In the faster paced “sixes” version of the sport, shoulder pads are optional.
For more protection, some players wear full arm guards or rib pads (which protect the ribs and kidneys). If you use rib pads, choose ones that fit comfortably and don’t restrict breathing.
Athletic Cup or Sports Bra
A protective athletic cup is usually required to help prevent testicle injuries. A high-impact sports bra isn’t needed, but it can help with comfort and safety.
Do I Need Special Safety Gear if I'm a Goalie?
Goalies need special protection. If you're going to play this position, you'll need certain lacrosse gear, including:
Head & Neck Protection
A helmet with a face mask and a separate throat protector that attaches to it are required for all goalies.
Gloves
Goalies wear special padded lacrosse gloves that have extra thumb protection.
Chest Protector
All lacrosse goalies must wear a chest protector, which goes under the jersey. Choose a protector that meets the NOCSAE ND200 Standard.
Some players in boys’ lacrosse also use rib pads.
Belly & Pelvic Protection
Goalies in girls’ lacrosse must wear padding that protects their belly and pelvic area. It’s usually part of the thigh protector. Goalies in boys’ lacrosse have to use an athletic cup.
Arm & Leg Protection
Boys’ lacrosse goalies wear arm pads and padded lacrosse pants under their shorts. Goalies in girls' lacrosse wear padded thigh pads and have the option to use shoulder pads. Protective shin guards, while optional for high school and college lacrosse, are required at youth levels.
Stick
Lacrosse goalies use sticks that have bigger, wider heads to help them block shots.
How Can I Stay Safe During Lacrosse Training & Games?
Before starting the season, get a sports physical. Your doctor can check for any health problems and talk about sports safety. Most schools won't let athletes play unless they've had a sports physical during the past year. And being in good shape can help you avoid injuries.
Getting Ready to Play
Before games, you should:
- Check the field to make sure there are no holes or other obstacles, including debris and broken glass. Store extra balls and equipment well off to the sides of the field before a practice or game starts.
- Check the goals at each end of the field to make sure they're safe.
- Warm up and stretch.
- Remove any piercings or jewelry.
Safe Play
During games, to stay safe, you should:
- Use proper techniques, especially when it comes to handling sticks, shooting, and body and stick checking. Illegal use of sticks and illegal body checks are common causes of injuries.
- Stop if you get hurt or feel pain. Get checked by an athletic trainer, a coach, a doctor, or a nurse before going back on the field.
- Know the symptoms of a concussion, like a headache, dizziness, or confusion. If you hit your head or don't feel well, tell your trainer or coach right away. Follow return-to-play guidelines.
- Stay hydrated, particularly on hot, sunny days, by drinking plenty of liquids before, during, and after games and practices.
- Know the team plan for emergencies.
What Else Should I Know?
Follow your coach's safe, fair play rules at practices and games.
Be respectful of the referees and don't argue with their calls. Stay calm if an opposing player collides with you or does something you disagree with. Don't take it personally or start a fight — let the referees handle it.
It can help to play different sports throughout the year to prevent repetitive stress injuries (overuse injuries). These injuries happen when someone trains too much or makes the same motions over and over.
Safety in Other Sports
Safety matters whether you're playing lacrosse or doing another athletic activity. To help prevent injuries in other sports, check out these articles: