Parent guide
What does my child need to start playing lacrosse, and how do boys' and girls' lacrosse differ?
Short answer
It depends on which version your child plays. Boys typically need a stick, a helmet with a face mask, gloves, shoulder pads, arm pads, a mouthguard, and cleats. Girls typically need a stick, goggles, a mouthguard, and cleats, and headgear and gloves are usually optional. The checklist below lists both sets, so only buy the items for your child's version. Ask your league what else it requires, such as a protective cup, and check that helmets and goggles carry the certifications your league requires.
By Parent Sideline · Published October 25, 2026
How youth lacrosse is set up
Lacrosse is played in two versions with different rules. Boys' lacrosse allows controlled body contact and checking. Girls' lacrosse limits body contact. Each version has its own equipment requirements.
Younger age groups often play smaller-sided games on smaller fields with modified rules, and some programs limit or remove contact at the youngest ages. Game length and format differ by version and age group, so ask your coach what your child will play. Teams come from recreation leagues, school programs, and clubs.
Boys' and girls' lacrosse, explained simply
The two versions share a stick, a ball, and a goal, but they play differently. These are the differences parents notice first.
- Contact: boys' lacrosse allows legal body and stick checks under the rules. Girls' lacrosse limits body contact, though players still collide and get hit by sticks and balls.
- Gear: boys wear a helmet, shoulder pads, arm pads, and gloves. For girls, US Lacrosse lists goggles and a mouthguard as required, with headgear and gloves optional.
- Restarts: boys' games restart with a face-off between two players with the ball on the ground. Girls' games restart with a draw, with the ball between two sticks held about hip high.
- Sticks: the pockets and lengths differ for boys and girls, and boys' sticks differ by position.
- The crease: field players generally cannot step into the circle around the goal, which protects the goalie.
Choosing a first stick
Start with a complete stick (head and shaft) made for your child's version of the game. Wait to buy a premium stick until your child knows the position they will play, because boys' attack and midfield sticks are shorter than defensive sticks.
Ask your coach before you buy. Referees can check whether a stick is legal, and an illegal stick can draw a penalty.
Safety basics
US Lacrosse's equipment guide says boys' helmets must carry the required NOCSAE and SEI certification, and girls' goggles must meet the ASTM standard for women's lacrosse eyewear with the SEI mark. It also says mouthguards must be a color other than clear or white. Standards change, so check the current guide on the US Lacrosse equipment page before you buy.
Fit matters more than brand. Check helmet, pad, and goggle fit regularly, because kids grow quickly. For a head injury, stop play and follow your league's concussion protocol and your doctor's advice. See our injury basics guide for general guidance.
By age and level
- Under 10
- Smaller formats and modified rules. Contact is often limited at this age, and many programs focus on stick skills. Ask your league what gear it requires before buying.
- Ages 10–13
- More structured games and positions. Boys need full protective gear; girls need goggles and a mouthguard. Stick choice starts to depend on position.
- Ages 14 and up
- Full rules for each version, and school and club programs follow their own governing-body equipment rules. Confirm certifications and any additional required gear.
Equipment and estimated cost
Checklist: first lacrosse season
- Lacrosse Stick$40 – $120
- Lacrosse / Football Cleats$35 – $90
- Helmet (Boys)Girls lacrosse only requires goggles, not a full helmet.$60 – $180
- Shoulder Pads (Boys)$30 – $80
- Arm Pads (Boys)$20 – $50
- Lacrosse Gloves$30 – $80
- Mouthguard$5 – $20
- Lacrosse Balls (6-pack)$15 – $30
- Lacrosse Goggles (Girls)$20 – $50
- Equipment Bag$25 – $60
Also helpful
- Rib Guard$25 – $50
- Ranges are Parent Sideline estimates for entry-level to mid-range gear at major U.S. retailers. They are not live prices.
- The total adds the low and high of each must-have item's range. It matches the must-have estimate on the gear guide.
- This checklist combines boys' and girls' gear. Boys need the helmet, shoulder pads, and arm pads; girls need goggles. Because no single total fits both, none is shown.
- League or club fees, team uniforms, and tournament costs are not included.
Some gear links on this site are affiliate links, which may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Details.
Common mistakes
- Buying gear for the wrong version. Boys' and girls' lacrosse have different required equipment.
- Buying a position-specific stick before your child knows their position.
- Skipping goggles for girls' lacrosse. They are a required item.
- Buying a used helmet or goggles without checking the certification marks and the fit.
- Expecting youth rules to match high school, college, or TV lacrosse. Rules and contact vary by age group and league.
Frequently asked questions
Is girls' lacrosse a contact sport?
Body contact is limited in girls' lacrosse, though players can still be hit by sticks and balls, which is why goggles and mouthguards are required. Boys' lacrosse allows legal body contact under its rules.
What equipment does a girl need to play lacrosse?
US Lacrosse lists a stick, goggles that meet the women's lacrosse standard, and a mouthguard as required for field players, with headgear and gloves optional. Confirm with your league.
What is the crease in lacrosse?
It is the circle around the goal. Field players generally cannot step into it, and the goalie is protected while inside it. Details differ between boys' and girls' rules.
Can my child use a hand-me-down stick?
Often yes, if it is the right version, size, and legal for your league. Ask your coach to check it. Protective gear such as helmets and goggles needs a certification check and a good fit.
Sources
- US Lacrosse — National governing body; youth rules for boys' and girls' lacrosse.
- US Lacrosse: equipment — Required equipment and certifications for boys and girls. Check it each season, since standards change.
- World Lacrosse — International governing body. The site blocks some automated checks; verify in your browser.
- CDC HEADS UP: concussion information for youth sports — Concussion signs and what to do. Verify the page in your browser; the CDC site blocks automated checks.
- HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) — Pediatrician-reviewed guidance on kids, sports, and safety.
Rules and requirements differ by league. When a source and your league disagree, follow your league.
Ready to find a team?
Search lacrosse programs near you and ask what gear they require.
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