In boys' high school and men's college lacrosse, field players use a short stick of 40 to 42 inches or a long pole of 52 to 72 inches, and goalies can use 40 to 72 inches. Attackmen and most midfielders carry short sticks; defensemen and one long-stick midfielder carry poles. Women's field sticks run from 35.5 to 43.25 inches. Youth players often cut a shaft shorter for control, so check your league's youth rules before you cut.
Stick length is set by the rulebook, not personal taste, so start with the legal range for your level and position. These figures follow the current NFHS boys’ rules (which USA Lacrosse uses for high school) and the NCAA men’s rules.
Legal lengths at a glance
| Position | Stick | Legal overall length |
|---|---|---|
| Attack | Short stick | 40 to 42 in |
| Midfield | Short stick | 40 to 42 in |
| Long-stick midfield | Long pole | 52 to 72 in |
| Defense | Long pole | 52 to 72 in |
| Goalie | Goalie stick | 40 to 72 in |
| Women’s field player | Women’s stick | 35.5 to 43.25 in |
Overall length includes the head. A standard attack shaft is 30 inches, and a defense shaft is 60 inches, which lands the finished stick inside the legal range once a head is attached.
Attack and midfield
Attackmen want the full 40 to 42 inches for reach on shots and feeds, while some midfielders prefer the short end of the range for quicker handling in traffic. Both use the same 30-inch shaft as a starting point. A lighter shaft speeds up your hands; a stiffer one gives more power on outside shots.
Defense and long-stick midfield
Long poles give defenders reach for checks and passing lanes. Most players use a 60-inch shaft, and taller defenders sometimes go longer within the 72-inch limit. A shorter pole is easier to handle in clears and for younger players.
Goalie
The 40 to 72 inch range lets goalies choose their own feel. Most use a 40-inch goalie shaft with a wide goalie head, which must be 10 to 12 inches across under the NFHS rule.
Youth players
Smaller players often struggle with a full-length stick. Cutting the shaft improves control, but it must stay inside the legal range for the age group. USA Lacrosse publishes youth rules for each level. Measure before you cut, and cut a little at a time.
Women’s sticks
Women’s sticks are a different design with a shallow pocket, covered in our men’s vs women’s lacrosse sticks comparison. The overall length runs from 35.5 to 43.25 inches for field players.
Related guides
Common questions
How long is a men's lacrosse stick?
Under NFHS and NCAA rules a short stick is 40 to 42 inches and a long pole is 52 to 72 inches, measured from the end of the shaft to the top of the head.
How long should a lacrosse stick be for a 10-year-old?
Many youth players use a shorter shaft for control. USA Lacrosse youth rules set the legal range for each age group, so check them before cutting a shaft.
Can a midfielder use a long pole?
Yes. Teams usually play one long-stick midfielder, and the rules limit how many long poles a team can have on the field at once.
How long is a women's lacrosse stick?
Women's field player sticks are 35.5 to 43.25 inches long, including the head. Goalie sticks can be longer.