Equipment Requirements

When do players need to wear full equipment?

At “learn-to-play” sessions in January and February, players only need to wear a hockey helmet with a cage and gloves.  

U7/U9 and U11 parents should have gear ready later in March. Your team manager will let you know when full equipment is required.

U13, U15 and U17 teams may wear full gear for outdoor practices in early March, so please be prepared. 

Full equipment is always required once the season begins in April.

Where can I find used equipment?

Watch the CVLA Facebook page and other online sales pages like Marketplace for used equipment posts.

New equipment and sticks can be found at local sports retailers including Happy’s Source for Sports.

Required Equipment

You can find more detailed information on box lacrosse equipment requirements from the Canadian Lacrosse Association.

Mouthguards

Mouthguards need to be molded at home before use.

Mouthguards are mandatory for players in all divisions. Your player will not be permitted on the floor at full gear practices and games without a mouthguard.

Stick Length

The overall stick length minimum is 40″ and maximum is 46″.  

For U13 and below, the minimum overall stick length is 34″. See the CLA Box Lacrosse Rulebook on the BCLA website for more information.

Warrior Evo Jr sticks from Happy’s Source for Sports
U7 and U9 Divisions

Players must wear this basic equipment:

  • CSA approved hockey helmet with facemask,
  • gloves,
  • shoulder pads,
  • elbow pads,
  • athletic support and cup, 
  • mouthguard

Players can use hockey equipment.  Lacrosse-specific gloves, shoulder pads, and elbow guards offer more flexibility, but are not required.

New Player Tips! 

  • Practice dressing and wearing your full gear and mouthguard at home before your first full-gear practice! 
  • Come early to your first full-gear practice to give your player lots of time to get dressed and feel comfortable.
  • Some U7/U9 players like to wear soft volleyball-style knee pads to protect their knees from falls. Hockey sock tape helps keep knee pads in place.
U11, U13, U15 and U17 Divisions

Players in these divisions require the same equipment as U7/U9 along with

  • shoulder pads with arm/bicep pads, and
  • back/kidney pads. 
 
Full size bicep pads that cover the entire upper arm combined with the elbow pads are recommended for U13, U15 and U17.
Some shoulder pads come with full size bicep pads, but they can also be purchased separately.
Shoes

Lace up running shoes with grippy soles are recommended, such as basketball or indoor soccer shoes, especially in U13, U15 and U17 divisions. 

Goalies 

Is your player interested in being a goalie?  Talk to your team manager or coach at practice.

Goalie equipment is provided by the Association, except for helmets.  Goalies in younger divisions can use a regular helmet with a dangler throat guard attached. Goalies in higher divisions may choose to purchase their own gloves, stick, and protective cup.

Lacrosse Canada sets standards for box lacrosse goalie equipment based on the height of the goalie for chest/arm protectors, pants, and leg guards.  CVLA follows these standards and provides suitable equipment for all divisions.