Boy's Equipment
There’s a reason lacrosse has been called the fastest-growing sport in America. It’s fast-moving and fun to play and watch. But when everyone’s moving so fast and using sticks to sling a solid rubber ball around, it’s important to make sure you have the correct equipment and protective gear. Here is a list of the stuff you are going to want to have starting out.
Lacrosse Stick
The stick is one of the most important lacrosse equipment choices you’ll make for your beginner player. You’ll want to go for lacrosse sticks that make it as easy to catch the ball as possible. We exclusively recommend the Complete series of sticks from StringKing. These sticks have the perfect pocket to learn the correct method of passing and receiving the ball. Order your stick directly from us for below retail prices.
Pads
Lacrosse pads protect you from hard shots, checks, pokes, and other contact on the field. They are lightweight, low-profile, and built for speed and agility as well as safety and protection. You need two pads, a shoulder/chest piece and elbow/arm set. Hockey players can use their existing pads for indoor practices but must purchase NOCSAE compliant chest protection for outdoor use. Here is a link to a starter kit: Starter Kit
Gloves
Lacrosse gloves are designed to protect your fingers, hands, and wrists from checks and impacts from other shafts. Hockey players can start out using their existing gloves for indoor but will likely want to move to lacrosse gloves later in the season as the hockey gloves are too padded/stiff and limit flexibility and ‘feel’ of the stick. Here is a link to a starter kit: Starter Kit
Helmet
Lacrosse helmets are designed to protect the head and face from impacts, body checks, and stick checks. We order special green helmets from Dick’s at below retail prices. Green helmets are not required, just another option for you to consider. Hockey players can get away with wearing their helmet for the indoor sessions but will need to get an official lacrosse helmet for outdoor use and game play.
Shoes / Cleats
Lacrosse shoes or lacrosse cleats give you the traction you need to fly up and down the field. Designed for different types of field surfaces, lacrosse cleats come in a variety of styles, tractions, and builds. In indoor all you need is tennis shoes but as we move outdoors you will want to have shoes with plastic cleats. Players with football cleats may use them, especially mid and low cut styles, but here are some things to think about. Soccer shoes can be worn with little issue other than the lack of ankle support. Baseball shoes, like lacrosse shoes, have toe cleats and can crossover okay as long as they are not metal (mid-level cuts work best). Dicks will have a limited lacrosse shoe selection available starting around March.
Athletic Cup
Boys need to wear protective cups. Personal preference plays large role, but with so much running, many kids seem to gravitate to the compression style. Kids with existing shorts from baseball, football, hockey, or other youth sport are all set.
Mouth Guards
Mouth guards are a good way to protect the teeth, lips, cheeks, and tongue. Mouth guards are required for all lacrosse players. Refs will actively pull kids for not having, or not correctly wearing mouth guards (e.g. fish hooking)
Lacrosse Balls
Consider picking up a few rubber lacrosse balls for outdoor practice and a tennis ball for indoor cradling exercises.