Play Lacrosse Using the Right Equipment
By: Nikki Josephs

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.

It is absolutely necessary to wear a helmet when you play Lacrosse because head injuries are quite common to the sport. You can imagine how serious the damage can be when the ball with an eight inch circumference, hit by the stick, lands straight on your head. The only way to protect your head is to wear the helmet with a simple chin strap that helps hold the helmet securely to the head.

The other essential piece of Lacrosse equipment is the face mask, which helps reduce the risk of face injuries. There is a center bar in every Lacrosse mask which runs from the top all the way to the bottom. This specially designed face mask is all that prevents the huge Lacrosse ball from seriously damaging a player's face.

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 worn by Lacrosse players varies somewhat according to the position played. In general, players wear shorts and a short-sleeved shirt during play. Elbow pads are optional but are considered to be a good idea as it is not uncommon to be struck by an opposing player’s stick during play. The goalie will wear padded pants and generally uses chest and thigh pads for protection against the ball and flying sticks.

In Lacrosse, a ball is used that is roughly the size of a softball. This ball is usually white but it is not uncommon to see yellow, lime green, or orange balls used during play. The safety equipment and padding used during play is generally used to prevent injuries that occur from inadvertent contact with this large ball.

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.

Injuries are common in Lacrosse as the game involves contact with fast moving balls and rather large sticks. So, it’s better to be safe than silly, and make sure that you don’t spend your time on the sidelines nursing injuries instead of playing the game you love. Don’t ever try to play the game without the recommended safety equipment.

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