Serious lacrosse injuries are rare
In the 23 years since 2004-05, eight catastrophic high school lacrosse injuries have been directly related to the sport. Of those, two were fatal, four were considered nonfatal catastrophic injuries and two were labeled "serious." There have been only six lacrosse fatalities at all levels in the past two decades. Each of the fatalities were caused by a blow to the player's chest, changing the electrical rhythm of the heart and causing cardiac arrest, a condition known as commotio cordis. Lacrosse players must wear certain safety equipment, although girls wear much less. High school male lacrosse players must wear a helmet with full face guard, a mouthpiece, lightweight shoulder pads, padded gloves, elbow pads, upper arm padding and genital protective cups. Girls are required to wear only a mouthpiece and as of 2005, protective eyewear. Girls are not required to wear helmets unless they're goalies. Girls are not required to wear helmets because the game is different for them. Men's lacrosse is a game of purposeful high-speed contact. The women's game is high-speed but only incidental contact. Body contact is against the rules for girls and women, and there are severe limits on checking. Injury data hasn't demonstrated a need for female lacrosse players to wear helmets.
