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.
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 need to wear thick padded gloves to handle the stick which is used to strike the ball. The gloves protect the players' hands from unnecessary injury and abuse. Gloves with thicker padding may be required if you find that your hands are still bruised and sore after playing.
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 players stick during play. The goalie will wear padded pants and generally uses chest and thigh pads for protection against the ball and flying sticks.
The ball used in Lacrosse is as big as the softball and is usually white though you can often see yellow, lime green, or orange balls used during play. It is important to use the safety equipment and padding to prevent injuries caused by the unintentional contact with this large ball.
The large stick used in Lacrosse to hit the ball is known as the "Crosse" or just simply "the stick", as most players prefer to call it. The sticks range from 40-42 inches for the shorter variety up to 52-72 inches long for the longer sticks. Players can choose sticks according to their personal preference as will as the position being played. Gloves and elbow pads help to minimize the risk of getting injured by another player's stick during play.
Like any sport involving contact and fast moving balls struck by rather large sticks, injuries are common. To make sure that you dont 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. |
