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.

It is absolutely necessary to wear a helmet when you play Lacrosse because head injuries are quite common to the sport. You can imagine how serious the damage can be when the ball with an eight inch circumference, hit by the stick, lands straight on your head. The only way to protect your head is to wear the helmet with a simple chin strap that helps hold the helmet securely to the head.

Another piece of essential Lacrosse equipment is the face mask that protects the face from injuries. Make sure that the Lacrosse mask has a center bar that runs from the top of the mask down to the bottom. It is the only thing that can protect your 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 stick used to hit the ball is called "crosse", though many players prefer to call the crosse a stick. The size of the stick varies according to the position you play and your personal preference. While a short stick is about 40-42 inches in length the long stick is 52-72 inches long. You need elbow pads and gloves so that you don't hurt yourself while trying to hit the ball.

Injuries are common in Lacrosse just like in any other contact sport or that which involves large sticks to hit fast moving balls. So, be sure to buy and use the proper safety equipment while playing this sport so you can actually get to play the game instead of nursing your injuries on the sidelines.