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.
The helmet is perhaps the most crucial piece of safety equipment for a Lacrosse player. The lacrosse ball, which has a nearly eight inch circumference, propelled by the Lacrosse stick can cause serious head injuries. The helmet, which is held firmly in place by a simple chin strap, can be very useful protection for the head.
A face mask is another piece of essential Lacrosse equipment that can help minimize injuries to the face. Every Lacrosse mask must have a center bar that runs from the top of the mask all the way to the bottom as it is the only things separating the player??s face from being hit by the huge ball used to play the game.
Lacrosse players must also wear thick padded gloves to protect their hands since the game involves a stick to strike the ball. If unprotected, your hands will be exposed to unnecessary abuse and injury. In fact, you might require gloves with thicker padding if your hands are sore after playing a game.
Lacrosse clothing is generally a short-sleeved shirt and shorts. It is also a good idea to wear elbow pads since a player can get struck by the stick of an opposing player during a game. The position played by the Lacrosse players somewhat varies the clothing they must wear. For example, padded pants are typically worn by the goalie along with thigh and chest for added protection against flying ball and 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 don??t 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. |