This summary of girls lacrosse equipment is for parents of new players that don’t know what they need, where to get it, and how to choose.
Each player will need a lacrosse stick, goggles, colored mouth guard, and cleats (optional / recommended). One should plan on spending at least around $110 total, not including cleats. STX sells a Starter Kit shown here that is popular and appropriate for grades 1-4, but not for older.
Sticks
“Stick” means handle and pocket complete. Boys and girls sticks are different. More than once I have had to break that news to a parent with a brand new boy’s stick on the first day of practice. Sticks range from $39 on up to $300 or more. Plan to spend at least $60 to $80 on a beginner stick so you get the quality and durability to survive the season and enable the player to play effectively. Going too cheap on a stick will just lead to frustration and – especially if the new player is older – the stick will break before the season is over.
Sticks are available at local sporting goods shops and lacrosse specialty stores and online for a broader selection. Look for deals and closeouts like the example at right. Also sticks considered “high end” two or three years ago may still be hanging around a store’s shelf marked down. Read How to Get a Good Lacrosse Stick Cheap for some specific model examples.
Also, if the player is under 12 years old, cut the stick down 3 or 4 inches. Yes, this makes parents and kids cringe to hacksaw a brand new stick, but a young girl wouldn’t start playing golf with a full size club.
Goggles
The goggles are important to evaluate in person and try on. The player will be wearing the goggles for an entire practice twice a week and an hour long game, so in addition to safety, the goggles need to be comfortable for the player. Each brand (STX, Brine, Cascade, Under Armour, and deBeer) varies slightly in how the bars are positioned and how the shape fits so it is best to try on a few different brands to see which one is most compatible with the players face. If the store doesn’t have the color you want then you could buy online once you know what will fit best. Prices range from $29 to $60 for kids’ models. The STX 4Sight+ Youth Goggle is probably the most popular and they are included in the STX Lacrosse Girl’s Starter Pack.
Mouth Guards
Lacrosse players use the same mouth guards as football and basketball players so there is usually a wide selection at local sporting goods stores. However, by rule mouth guards must be colored and cannot be clear. This is so coaches and officials can see them. There are specific mouth guards for braces. You could also consult your dentist or orthodontist first since many give them out to their patients upon request.
Footwear
There is such a shoe as a “lacrosse cleat”, but it is not required by rule, unlike soccer and softball that do have specifications for cleats. Any kind of cleat designed for grass or turf will work. Almost all girls wear soccer cleats.
Gloves
Some girls like to wear lacrosse gloves (similar to golf gloves or batting gloves). Gloves are not required equipment and simply a matter of personal preference. And they look cool.
