About Lacrosse
Lacrosse is a fast-paced, high-energy sport that combines elements of hockey, soccer, and basketball. For beginners, it’s helpful to know that boys’ and girls’ lacrosse have different rules and equipment requirements. Boys' lacrosse is a full-contact sport, so players wear helmets, shoulder pads, arm guards, gloves, and a mouthguard for protection. Girls' lacrosse, on the other hand, is a low-contact version of the sport, focusing more on stick skills and precision; girls wear goggles and a mouthguard, and gloves are optional. Both boys and girls use a lacrosse stick (or "crosse") to catch, carry, and pass the ball, making it an exciting game of agility, speed, and teamwork.
Equipment Information
For players just getting started in lacrosse, we know that finding the right equipment can be a bit confusing, and perhaps, even a little intimidating. It’s important to know that there are key differences in the required protective equipment between the boys’ and girls’ game, as well as between field players and goalies. Also, box lacrosse has its own unique gender-neutral equipment requirements.
Minimal equipment is required in girls’ and women’s lacrosse due to its non-contact nature. A stick, mouthguard and protective eyewear are the only required items for most players. Headgear and close fitting gloves are optional for field players. Goalies are also required to wear a helmet with face mask, a separate throat protector, padded gloves and a chest protector.
Boys field players are required to use a helmet, stick, gloves, shoulder pads, arm pads, a mouthguard and a protective cup. Rib pads are optional. Goalies are also required to wear a helmet with face mask, a separate throat protector, padded gloves and a chest protector.
Boy's Rules
The rules of the game are designed to do two things – promote fair play and keep players safe.
USA Lacrosse is committed to constantly reviewing and updating the rules of the game to ensure that those goals are always satisfied. We write and publish a stand-alone youth rule book for ages 14U and below, and in collaboration with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), we work together on the rules for boys' high school lacrosse.
Girl's Rules
The rules of the game are designed to do two things – promote fair play and keep players safe.
USA Lacrosse is committed to constantly reviewing and updating the rules of the game to ensure that those goals are always satisfied. We write and publish a stand-alone youth rule book for ages 14U and below, and in collaboration with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), we work together on the rules for high school girls' lacrosse.
