To play in an East Side League or Travel Team, each player is required to have a men's Lacrosse stick, lacrosse helmet, shoulder pads, arm pads, gloves, protective athletic cup, mouth guard, and appropriate shoes (football or soccer cleats work on both grass and turf).

Lacrosse Sticks

A player's lacrosse stick is very unique. As your lacrosse player gains experience, you will find out that his stick will become very personalized. It is important to be able to experiment with sticks enough to know which feel and performance each player prefers. There are three main parts that make up the stick: the head, the pocket, and the shaft.

Head- We recommend either STX, Brine, or Warrior lacrosse sticks and lacrosse heads. They are all molded plastic, with varying degrees of height and width. In general, a slightly "pinched" design is best.  “Starter sticks” tend to have less pinch to them to offer an easier catch however ball control is not as easy with these models.

Pocket - The pocket is easiest for beginners to go with either "fresh mesh" from Brine, or generic hard mesh. Hard mesh is more difficult to break in, but it lasts longer and throws and shoots better. Traditional leather and nylon pockets are not advisable for a beginner as they are harder to maintain.

Shaft - You can buy a whole stick, or you can piece one together. Most complete sticks don't come with a premium shaft. A standard shaft is simply aluminum, and works fine, but bends easily. Premium shafts are much stronger and they can also come in many designs.

Helmet - The helmet is the most important piece of protective gear of all the equipment. Cascade is the leader in helmets, especially for kids. There are two youth models that are both excellent; Cascade CS and Cascade CLH2, which is the standard in youth Lacrosse helmets. If your son has a bigger, adult size head, step up to the Cascade CPRO.

Other Protective Gear

There are several main brands in Lacrosse equipment. The three brands we recommend are either Brine, STX, or Warrior. Protective gear is very dependent upon its individual fit and feel. It needs to fit well, offer good protection, and still allow the player freedom of movement. Make sure you buy equipment that delivers on all three. There are also many price points within each manufacturer's product line. Stick with the youth products. Many times you will be able to find a starter package that includes the gloves, arm pads, and the shoulder pads but proceed with caution and think of the future. Make sure it provides the fit, feel and protection your player needs now and for the coming years.