Required Equipment

For those of you that are new to lacrosse, the boy's and girl's games are very different both in terms of rules and equipment.    An overview of the girls' game can be found at: https://www.usalacrosse.com/girls-game-overview.  An overview of the boys' game can be found at:  https://www.usalacrosse.com/boys-game-overview.

IN BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS SOFT TOSS, WLC USES A BEANBAG SWAX LAX OR OTHER SOFT BALL THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE FULL EQUIPMENT.  

FOR BOYS SOFT TOSS, THE PLAYERS ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO HAVE A STICK AND MOUTHGUARD.  THERE IS NO CHECKING OR GAME PLAY IN SOFT TOSS.  SOME PLAYERS WILL WEAR GLOVES, ARM PADS AND/OR A PROTECTIVE CUP.  HELMETS SHOULDER PADS ARE NOT PERMITTED/REQUIRED.

FOR GIRLS SOFT TOSS, THE PLAYERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A STICK AND MOUTHGUARD.  MANY PLAYERS WILL WEAR PROTECTIVE GOGGLES (WHICH WLC RECOMMENDS) AND SOME WILL WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT GLOVES (PARTICULARLY IN THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON WHEN THE TEMPERATURES ARE LOW).

Following soft toss, USA Lacrosse rules apply and the USA Lacrosse equipment guide can be found at https://www.usalacrosse.com/sites/default/files/documents/Safety/USAL-equipment-guide-low.pdf.  The fit of a players' equipment is extremely important and equipment can be found at most sporting goods stores, Universal lacrosse in Westfield and through various online retailers.  WLC recommends that the players try on all equipment before purchasing.

Equipment summary

Boys

Girls

Mouth guard

Mouth guard (cannot be white, red or clear)

Helmet (NOCSAE compliant) -- should be White OR Royal Blue and must be NOCSAE compliant.  Please refer to Club Policies for Helmet Rules.

Goggles or ASTM approved headgear with goggles.

Stick

Stick

Gloves

Optional: thin gloves – not the same as Boys lacrosse gloves. 

Protective Cup 

 

Arm Pads – protective material for biceps, elbows and forearms.

 

Shoulder pads -- Effective 1/1/22, the shoulder pads must be NOCSAE compliant with chest protector

Goalies -- must have NOCSAE compliant chest protector, helmet, leg protection and gloves.

Goalies -- must have NOCSAE compliant chest protector

 

Sticks

It is very important to buy a stick that fits your skill level. New players should consider a head with a wider throat area which makes it easier to learn the art of catching the lacrosse ball. Most performance heads will be narrower at the base of the head and form a channel to guide the ball for accuracy but this makes catching the ball more difficult.

  • Girls: minimum field stick is 35.5" (measured end to end including head), which is extremely short.  While grasping the shaft just below the head, and extending the shaft along the outside of her outstretched arm, if the stick extends past her shoulder, then it's probably too long for her to handle and should be cut shorter.  For Goalies, a girls goalie stick must not exceed 48" from end to end.  If your player is new to the game, a starter stick designed for youth player is appropriate.
  • Boys: If you put the butt end on the ground and stand the stick in front of the boy, it should not be higher than this nose.  Minimum length is 40" butt to end of the head.  For attack/mid, max length is 42".  For defense, the max length is 72 inches.  However a 'long pole' is not recommended below 5th grade and even then it should be cut so that it is no longer than the boy is tall.  If your player is new to the game, a starter stick designed for youth player is appropriate.
    Watch out for narrow throated or 'pinched' heads.

Stick Weight - Lighter heads and shafts add maneuverability and allow you to generate more speed on your shot. This is especially important for players in attack positions. Heavier, thicker shafts increase the strength of your stick which is often preferred by defensive players.

Mesh - The softer the mesh in the lacrosse head, the more forgiving it is, thus making it easier to catch the ball.  Stiff mesh or dura-mesh provides more power on your shots and passes. Women's pockets must be maintained so that the ball still shows above the top rail of the head for the stick to be legal.

Lower side rails allow for a deeper pocket, which helps you maintain control of the ball while being checked.

Glossary of Lacrosse Terms:

  • Cant (n) - similar to offset, the angle at which the head is tilted or positioned; forward cant allows the ball to sit higher in the pocket so players can release the ball quicker.
  • Offset (n) - angle at which the front of the head is curved if viewing it from the side; a full-offset head maximizes control and feel whereas non-offset (no curve) or mid-offset heads are recommended for beginners for learning how to throw properly.
  • Pocket (n) - the stringing or mesh in the head of the stick that catches, holds and directs the ball when passing or shooting.
  • Scoop (n) - the top part of the lacrosse head used to "scoop" up the ball.
  • Sidewall (n) - either side of a lacrosse stick head.
  • Whip (n) - the amount of downward direction in the balls path coming out of the stick on an overhead shot as a result of contact with the shooting strings.