Although technically the same sport, boys’ and girls’ lacrosse has many obvious differences, begging for the attention of the possible sexist rules and regulations. Pockets-in-sticks, gear, and contact are some of the major differences that require the attention of everyone who has anything to do with lacrosse.
In 2014, uslacrosse.org published an updated equiptment and rule comparison between the two genders’ sports. The chart expressed the rules in girls’ lacrosse and boys’ lacrosse, with a rationale, hinting at the fact that the lacrosse organization is self-aware of the criticism received because of the unjust rules.
Difference in equipment requirements include a stick with a pocket (boys’) versus a stick in which it is illegal to have a pocket (girls’). Although both sticks have their challenges and benefits, it is the “rationale” which hints at sexist, ulterior motives for the stick differences.
“Pockets impact the ease at which the ball will dislodge from the stick (when shooting or passing or after being checked) and the speed the ball travels.” (uslacrosse.org) I am not someone to take little things out of proportion, and I don’t believe I am; as I say that this has a direct meaning stating that girls’ sticks do not have the pockets for holding the ball as boys’ sticks do, because it’s easier to throw and requires less force and effort to throw the ball. Take it as you will, but I personally take it that boys can handle the extra effort required to throw the ball from a stick with a pocket, while somehow, girls are hardly able.
If you were to put two lacrosse players, one from a boys’ team, the other from a girls’, the obvious differences will shock you if you’re not familiar with the sport. While gloves are allowed but not required and mouth guards and goggles required in girls lacrosse, extensive gear, including: arm pads, shoulder pads, helmets, and thick gloves are required for the opposite gender’s game.
The gear difference makes some sense, once it’s learned that when it comes down to the rules or the game, like contact among players. With no rationale, aggressive stick-checking and body contact is considered illegal in a girls’ game, but legal in a boys’. There is no reason that boys’ should be allowed to make contact with other players, while it’s illegal for girls’ to. One thing about contact that’s on common ground, is the illegality of cross-checking, and the penalties for hitting someone in the head with a stick.
Having a smaller pocket in girls lacrosse, doesn’t make it easier to catch and throw, it makes it harder. If you are catching with a girls stick it is more likely for the ball to bounce out because the pocket isn’t as big.