Men's sticks have deep pockets, while women's sticks must keep the ball visible above the sidewall, which makes the pocket shallow and the game more about stick skill. Women's sticks are 35.5 to 43.25 inches long and come with a factory-strung pocket; men's short sticks are 40 to 42 inches and use a separate head, shaft and mesh. The two are built to different rules, so a men's stick is not legal in women's play and the reverse.
Men’s and women’s lacrosse look similar from the stands, but the sticks are built for different rules. Here is how they compare.
Side by side
| Men’s stick | Women’s stick | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall length | 40 to 42 in (short stick), 52 to 72 in (long pole) | 35.5 to 43.25 in |
| Deep; ball top visible above the bottom of the sidewall | Shallow; ball top must stay above the top of the sidewall | |
| Head | Wider range of shapes; strung separately | Narrower, often sold pre-strung |
| Usual purchase | Head, shaft and mesh, or a complete stick | Complete stick |
| Game style | Contact, body checking at older levels | Stick checks only, limited contact |
Pocket depth is the big difference
A men’s pocket lets the ball sit low in the head, which helps cradling through contact. Women’s rules require a shallow pocket, so ball control comes from cradling technique rather than pocket depth. Referees check sticks before and during games, and an illegal pocket is a penalty.
Heads and stringing
Women’s heads are built with a channel and sidewall design that holds a shallow pocket. Many players buy a complete stick strung by the manufacturer and only adjust tension. Men’s players often buy a head and shaft separately and string or customize the pocket.
Which should you buy?
- Girls’ and women’s teams: a women’s complete stick sized for your position.
- Boys’ and men’s teams: a men’s short stick or long pole for your position.
- Backyard play with both: buy each player the stick for the game they play, so their skills carry over.
Next: stick length by position and lacrosse mesh types.
Common questions
Can a girl use a boys' lacrosse stick?
Not in girls' or women's games. The pocket depth and head rules differ, so a men's stick fails the women's stick check.
Why are women's lacrosse pockets shallow?
Women's rules require the top of the ball to stay above the sidewall when the stick is held level, which keeps the pocket shallow and reduces ball protection.
Are mesh pockets legal in women's lacrosse?
Yes. Current women's rules allow mesh pockets as well as traditional pockets, as long as the stick passes the pocket depth check.