Equipment Guide Everything Your Player Needs
Proper gear is not optional — it is how NGLA keeps every player safe on the field. This guide tells you exactly what to buy for boys and girls lacrosse.
Your Official Gear Supplier
Signature Locker is the official NGLA partner for uniforms, team gear, and lacrosse sticks. Parents order directly online — it's fast, convenient, and everything arrives with your team colors.
Signature Locker
NGLA's Official Partner
NGLA Team Uniforms
Jerseys, shorts, socks
Lacrosse Sticks
Boys & girls quality sticks
Fast Shipping
Arrives before season starts
Team Pricing
Discounts for bulk orders
How to Order Your Gear
Uniforms
Order official NGLA jerseys, shorts, and socks from Signature Locker
Sticks
Boys and girls lacrosse sticks available from Signature Locker
Protective Gear
Helmets, pads, goggles, gloves, cleats from sporting goods stores
Get Ready
Talk to your coach about any questions or specialized gear for your position
NGLA Has Loaner Gear — Ask First
First season? NGLA has loaner helmets and gear sets for families who need them. Boys gear rental is $50 with a $200 deposit; girls helmet rental is $25 with a $100 deposit. Email equipment@northlax.com before you spend a dime. For everything else, scroll down to our Buy or Borrow guide.
New Player Quick Start
Not sure what your kid needs? Here's the 30-second version. Scroll down for the full detailed guide.
K–1 Coed
Boys & Girls Together
- Youth lacrosse stick
- Helmet (boys) or goggles/girls helmet (girls)
- Mouthguard (colored)
$30–$80
Estimated gear cost
Boys Lacrosse
Non-contact K–3 / Contact 4th+
- Stick
- NOCSAE helmet
- Shoulder pads, arm pads, gloves
- Mouthguard, athletic cup, cleats
$150–$300
New gear (less if buying used)
Girls Lacrosse
Non-Contact
- Women's lacrosse stick
- ASTM F3077 goggles or girls lacrosse helmet
- Mouthguard (colored)
- Cleats
$60–$120
Estimated gear cost
NGLA Has Loaner Gear Available
First-year family? Not sure your kid will stick with it? NGLA has loaner helmets and boys gear sets you can borrow for the season. Reach out before you buy anything — equipment@northlax.com
Boys Equipment Guide
Grades 2–8. No body checking until 4th grade — but protective gear is required at all levels for safety and confidence.
Here's What Boys Players Wear
Boys lacrosse involves stick-checking and body contact at certain age levels, so gear is essential for comfort and confidence on the field. Budget $150–$300 for a complete new setup, or significantly less buying quality used gear (helmets are always new). Don't worry if you're missing something — many families borrow or swap gear at the start of the season.
Stick
RequiredThe foundation of the game. Youth sticks (37–42") for younger players, standard short sticks for grades 5+.
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For grades 2–4, look for a youth stick in the 37–42" range. Grades 5 and up can use a standard short stick (40–42") for attack or midfield, or a long pole (52–72") for defense. Start with a pre-strung beginner stick — at the recreational level, pocket depth matters less, but it must be legal.
Helmet
RequiredNon-negotiable for safety. Must be NOCSAE-certified and fit snugly — no rocking front-to-back.
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The NOCSAE certification is printed inside the helmet. Check the cage and chin strap are in good condition. Fit it snugly: the helmet should not rock side-to-side. Always buy new — never a used helmet, as you cannot know its impact history.
Shoulder Pads
RequiredCovers shoulder caps and upper chest/back. Look for adjustable straps and a fit that allows full arm movement.
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Boys lacrosse shoulder pads are smaller and more flexible than football pads. Youth sizes typically run by age or chest measurement — when in doubt, size up slightly to allow layering under a jersey.
Arm Guards / Elbow Pads
RequiredForearm and wrist protection. Should fit snugly from just below the elbow to the wrist.
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Many players prefer 'arm pads' (forearm only) over 'arm guards' (full forearm + elbow sleeve) — either works fine. Used arm pads are safe to buy.
Gloves
RequiredHand and wrist protection. Fit is key — snug enough to feel the stick, but not restricting grip.
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Gloves should allow your player to flex their fingers and control the stick handle. Try them on with the stick in hand if possible. Used gloves are fine.
Mouthguard
RequiredRequired at every practice and game. Must be brightly colored (not clear) so coaches and refs can verify it's in.
Learn More ↓
Boil-and-bite mouthguards from any sporting goods store work well. Custom-fitted mouthguards from a dentist offer the best protection and comfort if budget allows.
Athletic Cup
RequiredEssential protection for all boys players at every age level. Worn inside compression shorts with a cup pocket.
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Compression shorts with a built-in cup pocket make this easy for younger players. This is a safety essential that cannot be skipped.
Cleats
RequiredLacrosse or soccer cleats both work well. Avoid baseball cleats (front toe spike is a safety hazard).
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Soccer cleats are often cheaper and easier to find. Turf shoes work on artificial turf. For K-1, sneakers are okay, but cleats improve footing significantly once players are running at speed.
Rib Pads
OptionalOptional for most, but highly recommended for defenders and players in grades 4+ who take body contact.
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Rib pads (also called kidney pads) wrap around the midsection and absorb cross-checks and incidental contact.
Save Money on Gear
Buy used where it makes sense: Sticks, pads, gloves, and cleats are all fine secondhand. Kids outgrow gear in one season.
Helmets need extra care: When buying your own helmet, buy new, keep the receipt, and confirm the current certification label. NGLA rental helmets are limited and checked separately before handoff.
Facebook Marketplace & local resale shops: Search for lacrosse gear in your area or check Play It Again Sports in Buford.
Gear swaps: When NGLA offers a gear swap, dates will be shared through TeamSnap and Facebook.
K–1 Grade Boys
Kindergarten & First Grade
K-1 is all about learning fundamentals and having fun. You won't need the full protective gear list — here's what to grab:
Girls Equipment Guide
Grades 2–8. Non-contact sport — gear requirements are lighter than boys, but certified eye protection and a mouthguard are mandatory and legally enforced.
Here's What Girls Players Wear
Girls lacrosse is non-contact, so gear requirements are lighter than boys. You'll need certified goggles or an approved girls lacrosse helmet, a mouthguard, a stick, and cleats. Total gear cost is typically $60–$120 for a new setup, or NGLA girls helmet rental is $25 with a $100 deposit when available.
Goggles Are Required — Here's Why
Girls field lacrosse requires certified eye protection. Players may use ASTM F3077-certified goggles or approved girls lacrosse headgear/helmet as an alternative. This is about keeping players confident and safe when balls and sticks are moving around the field.
Look for ASTM F3077 on the frame. Brands like STX, Warrior, Under Armour, and Bangerz all make certified youth models widely available at sporting goods stores and online.
Regular glasses won't work. Prescription inserts are available from goggle manufacturers, and approved girls helmets/headgear are another option for some players.
Stick
RequiredWomen's lacrosse stick — different head shape and shallower pocket than boys sticks. Non-negotiable for legal play.
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Pocket depth in girls lacrosse is strictly limited by rule — a ball should rest visibly above the bottom sidewall. Using a boys stick, even for practice, creates illegal habits. Youth women's sticks are 35–43" overall. Standard women's sticks run 35.5–43.25".
Goggles or Girls Helmet
RequiredGirls may wear ASTM F3077 goggles or approved girls lacrosse headgear/helmet as the eye-protection option.
Learn More ↓
Look for ASTM F3077 certification on goggles or current certification on girls lacrosse headgear/helmets. Fit should be snug with no gaps above or below the eye area. Goggles come in youth and adult sizes; helmets and headgear must be sized carefully and adjusted before play.
Mouthguard
RequiredRequired at every practice and game. Must be brightly colored (not clear) so coaches and refs can verify it's in.
Learn More ↓
Boil-and-bite works fine. A custom-fitted mouthguard from a dentist is the most comfortable option. Keep a spare in the bag — they get lost constantly!
Cleats
RequiredLacrosse or soccer cleats both work well. Avoid baseball cleats (front toe spike is unsafe).
Learn More ↓
Soccer cleats are widely available and affordable. Turf shoes work on artificial turf. For K-1 players, sneakers are okay at the recreational level, but cleats improve confidence and footing significantly once players are running at speed.
Gloves
OptionalOptional but popular for hand and wrist protection, especially in cooler weather or for more physical play.
Learn More ↓
Girls lacrosse gloves are lighter and more flexible than boys gloves. A good fit is the most important factor.
Headband / Hair Tie
OptionalOptional. Soft headbands and hair ties are allowed. Hard clips and rigid accessories are not permitted during games.
Learn More ↓
Soft headbands are widely available at sporting goods stores. Optional soft protective headgear (like the Hummingbird Head Guard) is also permitted and provides additional impact protection.
K–1 Grade Girls
Kindergarten & First Grade
K-1 is introductory and fun! You only need three essentials to participate:
NGLA Official Uniforms
NGLA provides official jerseys and uniform items through our partner store, Signature Locker. All NGLA-branded uniform pieces — jerseys, shorts, and socks — are ordered directly through their online store. Ordering opens at the start of each season.
Uniform Notes
- — Uniform tops are ordered separately from protective gear. Protective pads, boys helmets, and girls helmets/headgear are not available through Signature Locker.
- — Check with your coach for current season colors before placing an order — colors sometimes vary by division or year.
- — Questions about uniform requirements? Email info@northlax.com.
Where to Buy or Borrow
You have more options than you might think — and you don't need to spend a fortune, especially for a first season.
NGLA Loaner Gear
First-year family? Start here. NGLA has loaner helmets and gear sets available so your player can try the sport before you invest in their own equipment.
Availability varies by season. Boys gear rental is $50 with a $200 deposit; girls helmet rental is $25 with a $100 deposit. Contact our equipment coordinator before the season starts to ask what is available.
Signature Locker
Official NGLA partner. Order uniforms, sticks, and team gear directly online with team pricing.
Fast shipping, guaranteed team colors, and easy ordering. Everything arrives in time for the season.
Buying New
Large sporting goods chains (Dick's Sporting Goods, Academy) carry starter lacrosse gear year-round. Selection is best February–April.
Online retailers offer broader selection. Brands to look for at the youth level: STX, Warrior, Maverik, Under Armour, and Epoch.
For helmets specifically: always buy new and always verify the NOCSAE certification label inside.
Buying Used
Used gear is an excellent option for new players who may outgrow everything in one season. Sticks, pads, gloves, and cleats are all safe to buy secondhand.
Facebook Marketplace, local lacrosse Facebook groups, eBay, and Play It Again Sports in Buford are all good sources. Search by zip code right before the season starts — January through March.
For NGLA gear swaps, watch TeamSnap and Facebook for any announced dates.
Recommended Brands for Youth Players
For sticks and pads, the following brands make reliable, youth-appropriate gear at accessible price points: STX, Warrior, Maverik, Epoch, Under Armour, and Brine. Avoid unbranded or very cheap sets from general marketplaces — they often fail certifications and do not hold up through a season. You don't need top-of-the-line gear for recreational play, but you do need gear that is actually certified.
Ready to Register Your Player?
Registration is handled through TeamSnap. Once your player is registered, your coach will confirm any remaining gear questions specific to your team and division.
Financial assistance is available. Contact president@northlax.com for information about scholarship opportunities.