Our Boys Kindergarten Program does not require the purchase of any additional gear. We use soft lacrosse balls and give out introductory, smaller lacrosse sticks and T-shirts which are included in the program registration fee.

For the Boys 8U programs and above, players need full lacrosse gear for all programming. Please see the pictures below for more details. USA Lacrosse also has an overview here.

• Locally, you can get new gear at Northstar Lacrosse in Hopkins, East Side Lacrosse in Chanhassen and at Dick's Sporting Goods and Scheels locations. There are several online retailers as well.  
• Used and some new gear is available at Play It Again Sports in Minnetonka and Roseville and at Instant Replay in Richfield.
• Edina Give and Go does an annual Gear Swap and usually has lacrosse equipment available.

Goalies require additional gear (also pictured below). We can provide the goalie specific gear for those who need it and want to try out the position.

To protect against Commotio Cordis*, USA Lacrosse has implemented new rules that boys chest and shoulder pads must meet NOCSAE certification.  These pads have been approved by NOCSAE.  Boys goalies must use the certified chest pads as of 1/1/2021.  Other boys players must use the certified shoulder pads as of 1/1/2022.

*Commotio Cordis (Latin, "agitation of the heart") is an often lethal disruption of heart rhythm that occurs as a result of a blow to the area directly over the heart (the precordial region) at a critical time during the cycle of a heart beat, producing what is termed an R-on-T phenomenon that leads to the condition.

The game of Lacrosse is named for the stick (which is properly called a Crosse) and it is the single most important piece of equipment every player has. Following are some recommendations for getting the best stick for your player.

If your player is 8U or a smaller 10U, look for a stick labeled as “junior.”  These are sized for younger players, which will help as they learn core lacrosse stick skills including scooping, cradling, passing, catching, and shooting. Generally, these will be a complete stick package that has the stick, head, mesh, and stringing fully finished. Note, however that a fully "factory strung" head will still need to be checked periodically and will need to be adjusted or re-strung (more on that later). One more recent option you may want to consider is getting a Warrior Evo Warp or Evo Warp Jr. as the pocket is molded into the head and it offers consistent performance with zero maintenance. The Warp can’t be re-strung if damaged nor the pocket tuned for player preferences, but won’t suddenly wind up hooking the ball into the ground because the side wall strings loosen, or pass over everyone and off the field because the shooters come undone.

Starting at 10U, players differentiate into specific field positions. Attack (A) and most Midfield (M) use either the shorter "junior" or a standard length short stick, but three other positions will use position-specific sticks. Goaltenders (G) use a larger goalie specific head which can be mounted on a standard short stick or a longer goalie specific stick. Defenders (D) and Long Stick Midfielders (LSM) may use a 10U length long stick (or "D-pole") which can provide an edge in intercepting passes, delivering stick-checks, and scooping ground balls. Face-Off Specialists (FOS) use short sticks often with face-off specific heads made to flex in ways that improve the ability to "clamp" or "pinch" the ball in the back of the stick without then becoming deformed and unusable in passing and shooting.

Sound complicated and expensive? Don't worry - we provide all teams with goalie sticks, 10U and full sized long sticks, and face-off specific sticks for players to use who want to try out the various positions before committing to a specialized stick.

As a player's skill advances they may develop preferences for the feel of the ball in the stick and as it releases when thrown or shot. At this point you will likely be buying the stick, head, mesh, and stringing materials separately, although some heads can be ordered pre-strung and some retailers offer stringing services. Some things to consider about the performance and usability of  both custom or complete sticks for all positions and all levels of play:

• Every player in every position needs a stick that allows them to  pass the ball consistently.

• The mesh and stringing are what matter the most to the way a stick performs for both passing and shooting.

• Mesh should be weather resistant.  Humidity and rain changes the way pockets perform. Classic mesh, especially soft mesh, will change the hold and release of a stick completely.

• Both the mesh and stringing will stretch and knots loosen with use over time and this significantly changes the way a stick performs, often leading to a pocket that consistently throws low or right to the ground even when the player is using good technique.

• Small changes and adjustments to the stringing - shooters, bottom string, and sidewalls - can significantly affect the way the ball "releases" from the pocket. Periodic attention to maintaining or replacing the shooters, bottom, and sidewall strings and mesh will keep your player from having to adapt to a poor performing stick by adopting poor technique.

If you have questions about your player's stick, head, mesh, or stringing, please ask one of your player’s coaches and they may be able to inspect and adjust your player's stick. Dan Henrich - our 14U program coach - is also an excellent resource who is able to both string and adjust stringing for our players, and he is happy to share his stringing knowledge with players and parents alike. Dan can be reached by phone or text at 651-231-7145 or email at danhenrich18@gmail.com.

Dan's stringing clinic presentation for parents and players is linked below.