Trying Out for the Lacrosse Team: Necessary Lacrosse Equipment?
Lacrosse is a competitive and rough sport. Failing to buy the
adequate safety gear can mean one suffers tremendous injuries.
Before trying out for the lacrosse team, there are a few items any
youth should buy.
Over the years, lacrosse has become a very physical sport. The
nature of lacrosse is such that players constantly push one another
around on the field. In many instances, pushing other players
around is just part of the game and a completely "legal" activity
in the context of lacrosse. The game is physical for both boys and
girls. The only difference is that each sport requires different
gender-based safety gear.
For boys, the typical lacrosse equipment needed is a crosse and
lacrosse ball. The lacrosse ball comes in different colors, so a
boy should be sure to see if a coach has any specifications for a
particular color. Some coaches only like to use 5 oz. orange
lacrosse balls. Other coaches have no preference for the color of
lacrosse balls that players choose to use. For safety equipment,
boys will need a mouth guard, chin strap, shoulder pads, and
gloves. Also, boys should be sure to use protective cups and arm
pads. In some games, the referees may require boys to wear
protective cups and arm pads.
For girls, the typical lacrosse equipment remains the same.
Girls need a crosse to play, as well as a 5 oz. lacrosse ball.
Girls should also be sure to check with a lacrosse coach for any
preferences in the color of lacrosse ball used. Girls also need to
wear a mouth guard, gloves, eye-wear, and nose protection gear for
the sport. Goalies may need to wear additional throat and pelvic
protection. Some refs also require girls to wear abdominal
protective gear.
Protective gear for lacrosse can be quite expensive. One of the
best ways to buy lacrosse gear is to put in a bulk order with a
team of girls or boys. Some websites will offer discounts for bulk
orders. Some websites will also offer free shipping when teams
spend a certain amount of money on the site.
In addition to the equipment listed here, a coach may require a
team member to invest in a practice jersey or uniform. Some school
teams provide the uniforms for lacrosse, while other school teams
do not have the funds to purchase uniforms for the team. If a team
does not have funding for uniforms, then seeking donations from
local businesses is a good idea.