Goalie's Equipment (Men & Women):
Stick / Helmet & Throat Guard / Chest Protector, Pants & Shin Guards / Gloves / Arm Guards / Jock & Cup / Cleats
Stick
Above - STX Guardian ($105-$130 US, Head Only )
A lacrosse goalie's stick is their strongest line of defense, therefore it is allowed to be significantly larger in dimension than a field player's stick. The standard width of a goalie head measures around 12". Unlike field sticks, there is no limit to the depth of the pocket on the stick. Originally, goalie heads were strung in the traditional style, using about 7 leather thongs running from the top of the head to the bottom, with synthetic nylon strings weaved between to form a basket-like pocket. Mesh pockets are fairly standard now, as they allow for a deeper, softer pocket and can take abit more punishment than traditional pockets.
A simple rule to follow regarding pocket depth for a goalie is that it should be deep enough that a hard shot won't pop out of the head when it makes contact with the pocket, but retain enough shape to allow the ball a clean channel to travel as it exits the pocket. This allows for easier goal tending, but still gives the goalie the ability to clear the ball accurately.
Helmet & Throat Guard
Above Left - Cascade CLH2 ($115-$130 US) , Above Right - Cascade Throat Guard($8-$12 US)
Lacrosse helmets have come a long way since their cardboard and leather predecessors. Even in the last 10 years the design has moved from a heavy PVC plastic based model to the much more sleek and light designs offered today. There are a handfull of companies offering lacrosse helmets, each of them is required to pass certification for the sport (NOCSAE), and to carry a warning label. The helmet should fit comfortably with little, if any, wiggle room, and should be held on with a 4 point chin strap. The mask of the helmet is designed in such a way to maximise visibility, while protecting the face from contact with the ball, and all parts of the lacrosse stick, as well as parts of other players. There is no hard and fast rule for which helmet is best. It is fine to buy a helmet simple on the basis of comfort and affordability. Helmets range from roughly $100-$300.
Goalies must also wear throat guards. The simplest form of these is pictures above. It is a piece of strong plastuc that is tied to the chim area of the frame of the helmet. It is meant to protect the goalie's throat from direct hits from the lacrosse ball. There are many types of these throat guards available, but they all perform the same service to the goalie.
**Along with a helmet, a mouth guard must also be worn. These are generally rubber or soft plastic pieces that fit between the teeth and cover the majority of the front of the upper teeth. Mouth guards are not only there to prevent damage to the teeth, but can also help to prevent concussive injuries to the head.**
Chest Protector, Pants & Shin Guards
Above Left -Warrior MLL 7.0 Goalie Chest Protector ($105-$130 US) Above Center - Warrior MPG Ultralyte Goalie Pants ($40-$55 US) Above Right - STX Blast Shin Guards ($30-$40 US)
Goalies are not required to wear shoulder pads like other players on the lacrosse field. They are, however, required to wear chest and abdominal protection. You can see, from the example above, that the goalie's chest pad focuses it's protection in the front of the body. The small pad that extends below the belly helps to protect the sensitive areas at the front of the pelvis.
Goalies are not required to, but can also wear padded pants or shorts. They offer protection to the groin, hips and thighs in case a ball gets past the stick and makes contact with the body.
Goalies can also use shin guards to protect their knees, ankles and shins from ball strikes. There are a few different types of shin guards available. Some shin guards are padding only, others have plastic caps, some slide on like a sleeve, others just use straps. Both the pants and the shins guards are not required for goalies in men's or women's lacrosse.
Gloves
Above STX K18 Goalie Gloves ($150-$175 US)
Padded gloves are required by in both men and women's lacrosse for goalies. Many goalies use standard lacrosse gloves, however some gloves are considered to be goalie friendly due to hard plastic pieces or added padding in vital areas, such as the pair pictured above. Gloves range widely in price, anywhere from $25 to $200+, depending on the bells and whistles. Gloves also range in size, they are fitted according to the distance from the end of your arm guard, to the tip of your fingers. The varying size of arm guards allows for some breathing room, and comfort and control should always be a factor in the decision. The size range is roughly 8"-16", although the most common sizes for most gloves is 10", 12", and 13". Gloves should be fully articulated, allowing for maximum dexterity in the fingers and wrists, to facilitate ball/stick control and cradling. You can see, from the examples above, the numerous articulations, particularly around the fingers. The wrist cuff is usually connected to the main body of the glove via laces, and a padded collar covers that joint to prevent wrist injury. The outer material of the gloves is usually leather, although abraision resistant nylon is also used. The palm is normally natural or synthetic leather, couples with mesh for ventilation and handling. Some gloves have no palm covering, allowing the wearer to be in direct contact with the stick, to allow a maximum amount of control.
Arm Guards
Above Left - Brine Tyro Arm Pads ($25-$35 US) , Above Right - Warrior MLL 6.0 Arm Guards ($60-$80 US)
NCAA and NFHS rulebooks recommend, but do not require the use of arm, elbow, and forearm padding for use by goalies.
Like all other lacrosse equipment, arm guards come in many shapes and sizes. They range from simple elastic slip on sleeves foam rubber padding, to articulated, plastic reinforced full sleeves with adjustable straps. Comfort, again, takes a guiding role in decisions, you can't cradle and play with something that pinches or doesn't fit properly. It is, however, very important to consider the amount of protection one may require, when deciding what to buy as well. Box lacrosse generally requires a bit more padding and protection than field lacrosse, the close quarters tends to make it a game with more direct contact. Again, above are 2 examples of what you might find. On the left is a simple pair of guards with basic padding, and limited hard protection on the elbows, on the right is a pair of articulated, arm guards made up of more than one piece of material, offering a bit more protection and covering more of the arm. Which type of guard you buy depends greatly on which one feels more natural and comfortable when worn, it also depends on your play style, and whether or not you feel your elbows are at high risk for sharp impact.
Some manufacturers are now offering short wrist cuffs, that fit between the glove cuff, and the forearm protection of the arm pad. If your arm guards or gloves feel short, or you feel underprotected, the wrist cuffs are fairly inexpensive, and don't seem very restrictive.
Jock/Athletic Supporter
Above - Warrior Player's Club Nutt Hutt Supporter and Cup ($30-$40 US)
I think little needs to be said about the athletic supporter/jock and cup. In a game where hard rubber balls fly at high speeds and metal sticks are swung with gusto, it's always a good idea to be wearing a cup. Compression short versions of the jock, such as the one pictures above, make for a closer and more comfortable fit, as well as offering support. Baseball sliding shorts can also be used, and the extra padding in the hips that they offer is always helpful in protecting against errant stick strikes.
Cleats
Above Left - Warrior Burn Mid Lacrosse Cleats ($50-$65 US) , Above Right - Warrior Burn Turf 2.0 ($70-$85)
Cleats used for lacrosse can range from lacrosse specific, to soccer and football cleats. The choice of what cleats to use depends entirely on the fields you will be playing at. Many fields nowadays are new turf fields, which allow for a much smaller and less aggressive cleat style. The cleats on the top right are turf cleats, you can see the large number of much smaller nubs. Regular plastic cleats can also be used on turf, but the extra hard plastic, and metal cleats used in baseball should never be used on turf, or on a lacrosse field, metal cleats can hurt. If you play on grass fields even half the time, it's always good to invest in a pair of standard grass cleats such as the ones on the top left, or similar football or soccer cleats. Turf cleats are functional on grass fields, but grass doesn't have nearly the same traction as turf, and requires a bit more bite, especially in thick, well maintained fields. Larger grass cleats also allow better traction in mud, and clear the clumps more easily than turf shoes. As for cleat ankle height, such as low, mid or full, it's a preference thing. If you like low ankled running shoes, then you'll probably prefer a low cleat. If your ankles turn a lot, then a higher lacing shoe is probably more fitting.
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