Lacrosse boys' and girls' equipment may seem similar to a complete novice, but did you ever notice that girls are required to wear less equipment than boys? And if so, does wearing different gear affect their play performance?
This blog discusses what do girls wear in lacrosse and what you will need as a female lacrosse beginner. Whether you are just starting your lacrosse journey or your daughter has expressed interest in this sport, the guide will help you learn all the basic rules of girls' lacrosse equipment.
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Take Away Key Notes:
Top 8 Must-have Girl's Lacrosse Equipment
1. Apparel
Apparel for girls' lacrosse players often consists of shorts, a protective shirt, and a skirt.
The attire provides comfort while allowing easy maneuverability on the field; the combination of shorts and a skirt is ideal for quick movements and protecting vulnerable areas of the body, such as the upper thigh.
Women's lacrosse players wear rib and shoulder pads underneath the sport shirt for added protection.
Additionally, many players wear padded lacrosse pants underneath their attire, along with shin guards, to provide more protection when making contact with opponents. Girls' apparel in lacrosse allows players to move and compete freely while providing safety precautions.
With proper attire providing valuable coverage, female lacrosse players can focus on playing their best game – no matter which look they choose!
2. Stick
The most necessary equipment for a girl goalie is the stick. The girl's lacrosse stick consists of two parts:
- the body (stick)
- and a shaft (head).
A stick is the heart and soul of every goalie, so it's crucial to pick the right size and design.
Lacrosse sticks for girls need to be shorter than a man's lacrosse stick, approximately 35 ½ to 43 ¼ inches.
The second head of the lacrosse sticks, or the head, must be tightly woven. The tight design will allow for less movement and a shallow pocket. Additionally, lacrosse sticks for girls are made from string and leather thongs, whereas man's lacrosse sticks are made from mesh.
When it comes to the material of the lacrosse stick, it is usually made from a metal alloy, nylon, wood, or plastic.
3. Mouthguard
A mouthguard is a crucial piece of equipment for field hockey. Whether you are playing boy's across or girls', mouthguards should be in your hockey kit.
Quality mouthguard offers dental protection for field players in different sizes and colors. Finding a customizable mouthguard will offer the best protection is best. However, be aware that customizable gear can often be pricy.
4. Goggles
You must wear eye protection when you are in the field. Goggles are a must-have for a women's lacrosse game as it is a semi-contact sport. The goggles cover the eyes and the head, but they still offer excellent visibility when you are on the field.
Goggles for girls' lacrosse can be made from plastic or metal cage.
5. Gloves
Lacrosse gloves are considered a personal preference in women's lacrosse. When playing girls' lacrosse games, choosing comfortable equipment is important. With this, some women are less comfortable and have a secure fit while wearing lacrosse gloves.
Nonetheless, padded gloves are extremely helpful, especially during cold weather. Not only do the close-fitting gloves offer protection, but they also increase the shaft grip even better.
6. Helmet/headgear
Headgear is also optional for playing lacrosse. Women's lacrosse game does not necessarily require headgear if the player is already wearing goggles. However, if you wish for an added layer of protection, especially on the top of your head, a helmet with throat protectors attached is the way to go.
7. Chest protector
Goalie chest protectors are a crucial part of every women's lacrosse game. Thanks to the chest protector, the entire upper body is well-protected. However, arms are left uncovered.
In lacrosse, all goalies must wear chest protection, regardless of gender.
8. Cleats or turf shoes
Girls lacrosse players rely on shoes to maximize their play's safety and performance.
Players will wear cleats or turf shoes during games and practices. Soccer cleats generally provide better traction on grass fields, while turf shoes are best used on artificial turf surfaces.
What's more, different types of cleats offer varying levels of grip depending on your field surface - a reality that many girl lacrosse players must consider when putting together their attire.
Lastly, shoes with stiffer uppers tend to provide better protection for the foot when blocking shots and participating in other aggressive plays. Ultimately, choosing the right shoes for the occasion is an important step for maximizing women's game on the playing field.
Girls vs. Boys Lacrosse
In boy lacrosse, players are allowed more physical contact than in girl lacrosse. However, girls' lacrosse can also get unpredictable and aggressive sometimes, so girls must wear special equipment and protection.
For this reason, a girl lacrosse player should be fitted and protected with different attire and the right equipment compared to the other gender. Girls require extra protection, and the lacrosse equipment differs in some aspects from the men's.
For instance, men's lacrosse stick is woven looser, while girls' lacrosse stick is woven tighter to limit the movement and create a much shallow pocket. The stick's size is also smaller than the men's lacrosse stick.
A Girl's Guide & Tips for Safe Lacrosse Practice
Although female lacrosse is a semi-contact sport, it can quickly turn into an aggressive match. To prepare yourself, you must wear appropriate attire and gear, but what about the other preparation steps?
Before you play a game of lacrosse, make sure you follow these steps:
Skirts: Yes or No in Girls' Lacrosse?
Attire can be a contentious issue on the lacrosse field, especially regarding what girls should wear. One of the most debatable attire topics is whether or not weather girls should wear skirts or shorts.
While both sides have pros and cons, personal preference is the ultimate decision. On the one hand, wearing a skirt gives girls a more "lacrosse" look and maintains a sense of tradition for the game. On the other hand, wearing shorts allows for a greater range of motion and additional support from compression shorts or spandex underneath.
Ultimately, as long as girls wear shirts that meet school regulations and appropriate attire like thermal sleeves to keep warm during cold days, whatever attire girls choose should not affect their play or the team's look.
FAQs
What do you need for lacrosse for girls?
Girls' lacrosse players must wear goggles, gloves, leg protection, mouthguard, cleats, tuft shoes, and headgear. Additionally, a women's lacrosse player can opt for arm pads, chest pads, or similar protective gear to play lacrosse.
Why do girls have to wear skirts in lacrosse?
Women's lacrosse players wear skirts primarily due to tradition. Female field players usually opt for shorts or a skirt and shorts combo.
Do girls wear padding in lacrosse?
Although padding is required in boys' lacrosse, women's lacrosse players can also opt for padding and extra protection. Padding in women's lacrosse uniforms can be included in knee, shoulder, shin, arms, or chest padding.
Do you wear cleats in girls' lacrosse?
Girls can wear cleats or even turf shoes in lacrosse. Girls can opt for cleats depending on their preference and the terrain material if they want more stability and a better surface grip.
Can girls wear gloves in lacrosse?
Yes, girls can wear gloves while playing lacrosse. Gloves offer protection and a better grip to women's lacrosse players while also keeping them comfortable.
Why do girls not wear lacrosse helmets?
Helmets and other headgear are considered optional gear in girls' lacrosse games, as it is a semi-contact sport.
Do girl's in lacrosse need mouthguards?
Yes, mouthguards are necessary for girl lacrosse players. Mouthguards offer an added layer of dental protection during the aggressive game and can be customizable for a better fit.
Do you have to wear goggles in girls lacrosse?
Yes, girls do wear goggles in lacrosse. Goggles protect the eye area from potential injuries and also allow for visibility while playing lacrosse.
Additionally, goggles are required for all game entry levels, including younger players.
Can you wear eye black in girls lacrosse?
Girls can wear eye black in lacrosse while following the same design protocol as in boys' lacrosse. That said, the girl's eye black is resisted in high school but allowed in college lacrosse.
Can you wear glasses in lacrosse?
Lacrosse players can wear glasses beneath the headgear and the helmet, but it's best to wear ASTM-rated glasses. These glasses pass the high-velocity impact resistance test, which means no projectile or harsh force can easily brake them.
Conclusion
While it might seem unnecessary to buy extra equipment and ensure you're always wearing the proper attire, trust us – it's worth it.
Specialized lacrosse clothing and gear help keep you safe on the field so you can focus on playing your best game.
So make sure you have all the right equipment before your next lacrosse match!
