The sport of Lacrosse is an exciting game that is more popular in Europe than in the United States. It is important to be aware that this fun game can cause serious injuries and prove to be quite dangerous at times. However, you can reduce the risk of injury by wearing the proper equipment, and enjoy the game thoroughly.
Perhaps the most critical piece of safety equipment that a Lacrosse player can use is the helmet. Head injuries are quite common to the sport as the ball, having a circumference of nearly 8", can do some serious damage when hit by the stick that is common to the sport. The helmet has a simple chin strap that helps hold the helmet firmly to the head.
A face mask is another piece of essential Lacrosse equipment that can help minimize injuries to the face. Every Lacrosse mask must have a center bar that runs from the top of the mask all the way to the bottom as it is the only things separating the player’s face from being hit by the huge ball used to play the game.
Lacrosse players must also wear thick padded gloves to protect their hands since the game involves a stick to strike the ball. If unprotected, your hands will be exposed to unnecessary abuse and injury. In fact, you might require gloves with thicker padding if your hands are sore after playing a game.
The clothing you wear to play Lacrosse will depend on your position in the game. If you are the goalie, you will need to wear padded pants and chest and thigh pads to protect against the ball and flying sticks. Otherwise, you can simply wear shorts and a short-sleeved shirt during play. It is a good idea to wear elbow pads to prevent injuries from an opposing player’s stick during play.
The Lacrosse ball is roughly the size of a softball. Commonly white balls are used but one can also spot lime green, orange, or yellow balls during play. Most of the padding and safety equipment used during play is to protect the players from the injuries that contact with this large ball can cause.
The stick used to hit the ball is called "crosse", though many players prefer to call the crosse a stick. The size of the stick varies according to the position you play and your personal preference. While a short stick is about 40-42 inches in length the long stick is 52-72 inches long. You need elbow pads and gloves so that you don’t hurt yourself while trying to hit the ball.
Like any sport involving contact and fast moving balls struck by rather large sticks, injuries are common. To make sure that you don’t spend your time on the sidelines nursing injuries instead of playing the game you love, be certain to buy and use the recommended safety equipment.
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Sarah Delvera is the chief writer for, and editor of Fast Lacrosse, there's a wealth of knowledge on the website, plus why not sign up for the free Lacrosse newsletter. For more quality articles on Lacrosse why not visit: http://www.fastlacrosse.com/articles
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