Equipment & Selection
Crosse - also known as stick.
The Crosse must be between 40 - 42" for attackmen / mid-fielders and 52 - 72" for defensemen. The head is to be 6 1/2 - 10" wide. Goalies head may be 10 - 12" wide. Younger, more inexperienced players, should use shorter sticks. Crosse contains three components:
Shaft - made from a variety of materials; including wood, metal or plastic. Most common is aluminum and its alloys. Aluminum and metal alloy shafts are the most popular for their relative strength and light weight.
The length of the shaft should grow with a player's size, development and skills. When selecting a shaft, the most important point to consider is how it feels in a player's hands. Younger, more inexperienced players, need to concentrate on feel and weight, not on materials of construction. Strength of shaft becomes critical with older, stronger, more experienced players.
Head - its sole purpose is to act as a frame for the pocket. The head can be made of wood, plastic, or other synthetic material. The most common is plastic, because of its strength and lightness. There are a wide variety of heads available. It is best for beginners and younger players to stay with basic, simple heads.
Pocket - net that forms a pocket in which the ball is carried and cradled and from which the ball is thrown. The pocket is the single most important and controllable part of the Crosse. It is very important that players get to know their pockets and how to adjust them. A player with average equipment, but good stick skills, and a good feel for the pocket will always perform better than a player with expensive equipment and average skills. Pockets come in two types: Traditional and Mesh.
Traditional - consists of four leather thongs, around which are interwoven synthetic cord and shooting strings. This produces a more accurate pass and shot, making it easier to control and absorb the ball. Major drawback: it takes time to soften the leather and form the proper pocket.
Mesh - a single piece of open nylon mesh material that is stretched between the sides of the head and attached with nylon cord, through which shooting strings run. This forms a good pocket immediately, is durable, and easy to adjust. This pocket is more forgiving while learning the basics and is preferred for those just starting the game.
Shooting Strings are made of heavy-duty shoelace material, which are interwoven across the pocket. The purpose is to form a release point of the pocket. The actual pocket is formed just below the last shooting string. The objective is to form a short, smooth path for the ball to travel out of the stick.
The pocket must be adjusted so that the top of the ball does not fall below the bottom edge of the head when the stick is held horizontally. The purpose of this rule is so a player can't make it difficult for an opponent to dislodge the ball with a check.
For safety purposes, all sticks are to have a plastic or wood plug covering the end of the stick opposite the head. Sticks are not to be physically bent, or altered, other than material added on the exterior surface for improved grip and weight.
THE BALL is white, yellow, or orange and is made of solid rubber. The ball is 7 3/4 - 8" in circumference and weighs 5 - 5 1/4 ounces. The ball is NEVER to be thrown in the house!
HELMET - Each player is required to wear a protective helmet that includes a metal face mask with a chin pad, and a cupped four point chin strap fastened at all points to the helmet. All helmets and face masks should be NOCSAE (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) approved.
The fit is the most important point to consider when selecting a helmet.
MOUTHPIECE - Must be a highly visible color and worn at all times while on the field.
GLOVES; SHOULDER, and ARM PADS; Cleats, AND JERSEYS are required protective equipment for all regulation games. Rib Pads are highly recommended.
Style and type of gloves and shoulder, arm and rib pads is optional, but is restricted to those approved for use in this sport. Type of shoe is optional, however, hard rubber cleats are required.
The most important considerations when selecting gloves is fit and position. The player - must be able to get a good grip, be able to feel the shaft through the gloves and be able to control the stick.
Shoulder, arm and rib pads need to fit well. Points to consider when fitting a player are size and weight. Younger players typically require more protection than older, more experienced players. Middies and attackmen usually require more protection because of the frequency and the force of checks being thrown against them. Defensemen need less protection. Goalies must wear all required equipment, including a throat protector and chest pad. Optional equipment for goalies are leg and shin guards. All players need the most protection possible without being uncomfortable or weighted down.