Lacrosse Goalie Gear

Every other player in lacrosse can avoid contact. The goalie can't - which is why the position has its own dedicated equipment category. Sticks, heads, pants, and throat protectors for anyone stepping between the pipes.

A lacrosse goalie is in a different game than every other player on the field. Hard shots at close range, no avoiding contact, and a required equipment list longer than any other position - it's the most demanding kit in the sport to put together, and it's largely the same whether you're playing men's or women's lacrosse.

A complete goalie kit requires: a helmet with facemask, throat protector, chest protector (NOCSAE ND200 certified, required for all goalies since 2021), goalie gloves, leg pads, pelvic protection, mouthguard, and a goalie stick. The chest protector requirement matters - it's the same NOCSAE ND200 standard that men's field players' shoulder pads must meet, and it applies to every goalie regardless of which game they're playing.

The goalie stick is where men's and women's equipment diverges slightly. The oversized goalie head design is the same across both games, but shaft length rules differ - men's goalie sticks can run up to 72 inches, women's max out at 52. Most goalie heads are built to work for both, so a women's goalie simply pairs the same head with a shorter shaft.

Lacrosse Goalie Gear FAQs

Does a lacrosse goalie need different gear than a field player?

Completely different. A field player's required kit and a goalie's required kit share almost nothing - the goalie needs a chest protector, leg pads, goalie-specific gloves, and an oversized goalie stick that field players never use. The only real crossover is the helmet, mouthguard, and throat protector. Anyone transitioning from a field position to a goal needs to treat it as building an entirely new equipment set, not upgrading what they already have.

Is goalie gear the same for men's and women's lacrosse?

Mostly yes, which makes it unique in a sport where the two games usually require completely different equipment. Both men's and women's goalies wear helmets, throat protectors, chest protectors, goalie gloves, leg pads, and an oversized goalie stick. The chest protector must meet NOCSAE ND200 certification in both games. The main difference is shaft length - men's goalie sticks can be up to 72 inches, women's max out at 52 - but the goalie head itself is interchangeable. A women's goalie just pairs the same head with a shorter shaft.

What is the NOCSAE ND200 requirement for goalie chest protectors?

Since January 2021, all lacrosse goalies at every level must wear a chest protector certified to the NOCSAE ND200 standard. This is the same standard that men's field player shoulder pads must meet, designed to reduce commotio cordis risk from direct chest impacts. It applies to both men's and women's goalies - the women's game adopted it alongside the men's game. When buying a chest protector, confirm the ND200 certification is listed on the product; not all older chest protectors meet it.

What makes a goalie stick different from a field player stick, and can a field player stick be used in goal?

No, a field player stick is illegal in goal and wouldn't work practically anyway. Goalie heads are substantially wider than field heads, up to 12 inches across, which gives the goalie more surface area to make saves. A field head simply can't cover enough of the goal mouth. Goalie shafts are also typically heavier and longer than attack or midfield shafts to handle the forces of stopping hard shots. The goalie position requires a purpose-built stick, not a modified version of what everyone else is using.