A lacrosse ball is the solid rubber ball that is used, with a lacrosse stick, to play the sport of lacrosse. It is typically white for men's lacrosse (however the PLL uses optic yellow balls for better TV visibility[1][2]), or yellow for women's lacrosse; but the balls are produced in a wide variety of colours.[3][4]
The current World Lacrosse, NCAA, and NFHS approved specifications are:[3][5][6]
- Color
- Can be white, yellow or orange
- Circumference
- Between 7+3⁄4 and 8 inches (19.69 cm and 20.32 cm)
- Weight
- Between 5 and 5+1⁄2 ounces (141.75 and 155.92 grams)
- Material
- Solid rubber
- Bounce
- The ball, when dropped from a height of 72 inches (1.83 meters) must bounce between 43 and 51 inches (1.09 and 1.30 meters).
Beginning with the 2014 season, all three governing bodies for lacrosse in the United States (US Lacrosse, NFHS, NCAA) have mandated that only balls meeting the NOCSAE ball standard may be used for competition. Balls must be emblazoned with the words "Meets NOCSAE Standard" in order to be deemed legal for play by game officials.
Starting by June 2016, all lacrosse balls have had to meet the new NOCSAE Standard[7] for use in official NCAA and NFHS play. Canadian official games require CLA approvals.
- ^ "Should Lacrosse Switch To Tennis Balls? POLL - Go Vote". stringerssociety.com. 2019-12-16. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
- ^ 2022 PLL Rulebook (PDF). Premier Lacrosse League. 2022. p. 6.
- ^ a b "Guide To Lacrosse Ball Sizes, Weights & More | Net World Sports". www.networldsports.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
- ^ "The Complete Guide to Lacrosse Balls". Dick's Sporting Goods. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- ^ "Lacrosse Ball Size, Weight, and Diameter". Signature Lacrosse. 2020-05-19. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
- ^ Gear, Victorem. "Lacrosse Ball Weight: What You Need to Know". Victorem Gear. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
- ^ "Standard Performance Specification for Newly Manufactured Lacrosse Balls NOCSAE DOC (ND) 049-15m16" (PDF). National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE). May 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-08-09. Retrieved 19 July 2024.