Equipment Required

Gearing up for women's field lacrosse involves specific equipment designed for player safety and to suit the unique rules of the women's game, which is focused on speed and finesse with less physical contact than the men's game.

Here is a detailed guide to the equipment required to play women's field lacrosse in Canada.

Required Player Equipment

This is the essential gear every player must have to step on the field for both practices and games.

• Women's Field Lacrosse Stick: This is the most crucial piece of equipment. Unlike men's or box lacrosse sticks, a women's field stick has a shallower pocket, allowing for quicker passes and shots. The overall length is typically between 100 cm and 110 cm. It's important to ensure the stick is designed specifically for the women's game.

• Goggles (Protective Eyewear): Eye protection is mandatory. Goggles must meet the current safety standards (SEI certified to ASTM F3077) and be designed specifically for lacrosse. They consist of a wire cage that protects the eyes from errant sticks and balls while providing a wide field of vision.

• Mouthguard: A properly fitted mouthguard is required at all times during play. According to Lacrosse Canada rules, it must fully cover the upper jaw teeth. To ensure officials can see it is being worn correctly, the mouthguard cannot be clear or white and should not have graphics of teeth on it. Brightly coloured mouthguards are recommended.

• Cleats: Footwear with molded cleats is essential for traction on grass or turf fields. Metal spikes are not permitted. Soccer cleats are a perfectly acceptable and common choice for field lacrosse players.

Where to Buy Equipment Locally (Bedford/Halifax Area)

You can find field lacrosse equipment at several sporting goods stores in the HRM:

• Cleve's Source for Sports: With locations in Bayer's Lake and Dartmouth, they often carry a selection of lacrosse gear.

• Sport Chek: Locations in Bedford (Bedford Commons), Halifax Shopping Centre, and Dartmouth Crossing typically have lacrosse sections, especially leading into the spring and summer seasons.

• Sportwheels Sports Excellence: Located in Sackville, this store has a large lacrosse section and knowledgeable staff, though much of their stock may be geared towards box lacrosse, they often carry field equipment as well.

• Canadian Tire: May carry basic equipment like sticks and balls, particularly in their seasonal sports aisles.

It is always recommended to call ahead to these retailers to confirm they have women's field-specific equipment in stock, especially regarding certified goggles.