LACROSSE EQUIPMENT GUIDE
Boys youth lacrosse players are required to use a helmet, stick, gloves, shoulder pads, arm pads, and a mouthguard. Rib pads are optional. All players (goalies excepted) are required to wear shoulder pads that meet the NOCSAE performance standard ND200 to help address commotio cordis. Goalies are also required to wear a helmet with face mask, a separate throat protector, gloves and a chest protector that meets the NOCSAE performance standard ND200 to help address commotio cordis.
You can review the USA Lacrosse Equipment Guide by clicking on the USA Lacrosse image below.
Surf Dawg Loaner Gear Program
We recognize that purchasing a stick and a full set of protective equipment is an expensive proposition, particularly before you are sure your child wants to stick with lacrosse. As a result, we have a limited amount of loaner gear for beginning players. This used gear is courtesy of Surf Dawg alumni families and the short-term loaner program is a good stop gap plan until you are ready to purchase your son his own equipment.
PLEASE NOTE: Access to our loaner gear can be restricted or denied during more strict Covid Protocols.
Buy the Stick First
We highly recommend purchasing a stick first, along with a few lacrosse balls. Your son can dramatically improve his initial lacrosse experience by having his own stick and developing sound stick skills.
There are so many sticks from which to choose (heads, handles and stringing techniques), but our experience tells us that the best option for developing young players is a Complete 2 stick from StringKing. Try to avoid custom sticks, with custom stringing jobs until your son is at least capable of noticing the difference. The StringKing Complete 2 stick series offers four versions for the developing youth and high school player. These sticks provide the kids with the easiest and most consistent path to good stickwork from the first pass and catch.
SENIOR
Ages 15 & Up
INTERMEDIATE
Ages 10-14
JUNIOR
Ages 9 & Under
Surf Dawg Buying Guide For New Players
The items recommended in this Guide can be found at Monkey Sports in Irvine or Dick’s Sporting Goods and online through a number of lacrosse retailers.
Whether you plan to go to Dicks or purchase your son’s gear online, you may want to go to Monkey Sports first to figure out exactly what it is you want (brand, model, size, etc.) - they have one of the more significant in-store inventory selections from which to consider your options.
SPECIAL SHOPPING NOTE REGARDING SHOULDER PADS
Effective for the 2022 boys lacrosse season, all players must have shoulder pads which meet the NOCSAE performance standard ND200 to help address commotio cordis. Look for this symbol on the pads:
Shopping Strategy For Younger Dawgs (1st-6th grade)
Because your son will continue to grow and his first set of gear will not be his last, there is no need to purchase top of the line shoulder pads, arm pads and gloves. Spend the money on his youth helmet and his stick. As he gets older and approaches high school, the level of contact increases (7th-8th grade) and it will become more important to invest in more protective gear.
General: Starter sets are available for youth players, but be sure to look at the sets that DO NOT include the stick. Otherwise, look for middle of the road gear that will fit for a few years.
Arm Pads and Gloves: Any brand and model works. Try to stick to colors that are consistent with Surf Dawg colors: navy blue, light blue, and or white. It not a requirement, just a suggestion.
Shoulder Pads: Any brand and model works. Colors are not critical, as they are hidden by the player's jersey. Be sure to choose shoulder pads that meet the NOCSAE performance standard ND200 to help address commotio cordis. It is a requirement.
Helmets: We recommend Cascade helmets. They offer youth and larger sizes and they are adjustable. Purchase one that currently fits him now on the smallest setting. All white with a silver face mask is preferred, but all white with a black mask works as well.
Sticks: Other than his helmet, this is the most important piece of equipment you will buy. Depending on his age, we recommend the String King Complete 2 Intermediate or the Complete 2 Junior. Both come pre-strung and include the shaft. They are the most consistent, enabling young players to throw with much better accuracy and confidence. Having sticks “custom strung” as a new and developing player makes no sense and 100% of the players who do this are getting more than they need and more than they can handle.
Shopping Strategy For Older Dawgs (7th-8th grade)
As your son approaches high school, you should consider purchasing gear that he can use for a few years - slightly bigger than it needs to be and offering a higher level of protection. He will be able to wear it into his first year or two of high school.
Arm Pads and Gloves: Any brand and model works, but you should consider middle to higher levels of protection. Try to stick to colors that are consistent with Surf Dawg colors (which are the same for CDM): navy blue, light blue, and or white. These colors are not a requirement, just a suggestion.
Shoulder Pads: Any brand and model works. Colors are not critical, as they are hidden by the player's jersey. You should consider middle to higher levels of protection. Be sure to choose shoulder pads that meet the NOCSAE performance standard ND200 to help address commotio cordis. It is a requirement.
Helmets: We recommend Cascade helmets. They are adjustable. All white with a silver face mask is preferred, particularly if your son plans to attend CDM. These are the same helmets the kids wear in high school.
Sticks: Other than his helmet, this is the most critical piece of equipment you will buy. We recommend the String King Complete 2 Senior. They come pre-strung and include the shaft. They are the most consistent, enabling developing players to throw with much better accuracy and confidence. Having sticks “custom strung” as a new and developing player makes no sense and 100% of the players who do this are getting more than they need and more than they can handle.
