England Lacrosse announces new protective eyewear requirements
England Lacrosse has announced the adoption of new protective eyewear requirements for the domestic game as part of its ongoing commitment to player safety.
From 1 September 2026, protective eyewear will be mandatory for all participants taking part in organised lacrosse activity in England where a non-deformable lacrosse ball is used and the playing rules do not already require a protective helmet with a face mask.
Non-deformable balls include regulation match balls and solid rubber training balls with the new requirements applying across organised activity that includes matches, competitions, training, coaching sessions and camps.
Where a deformable ball is used, as defined in the England Lacrosse Ball Classification Guide, protective eyewear will not be mandatory.
Why is England Lacrosse making this change?
The decision follows a review of player safety within the domestic game and the athlete safety measures announced by World Lacrosse in May 2026.
World Lacrosse announced a package of equipment and safety measures for its owned and sanctioned events, including the introduction of mandatory protective eyewear for women's field and women's Sixes athletes.
England Lacrosse has considered those developments alongside the needs of the domestic game and has developed a proportionate approach designed to increase protection while maintaining accessible routes into the sport.
Non-deformable balls, including regulation match balls and solid rubber training balls, present a greater impact risk than balls specifically designed to deform or compress during use.
England Lacrosse has therefore developed the Ball Classification Guide and a "Do I Need Protective Eyewear?" decision guide to help players, parents, coaches, schools, clubs and organisers understand when protective eyewear is required.
What is a non-deformable ball?
A non-deformable ball is a solid rubber or similarly hard lacrosse ball that does not noticeably compress or change shape during normal use.
When a non-deformable ball is used in organised lacrosse activity, protective eyewear must be worn unless the applicable playing rules already require a protective helmet with a face mask.
Use our Ball Classification Guide to decide whether protective eyewear is required with your choice of ball.
Supporting the lacrosse community
England Lacrosse has been working with key stakeholders and equipment suppliers to prepare for the implementation of the new requirements providing supporting resources and education guides to assist players, coaches and officials.
All clubs, schools and universities have received guidance around what the new requirements mean for them, and we are also communicating with our qualified officials and coaches and assist them in implementing the new requirements.
We have created a Frequently Asked Questions section within the full guidance and will also run two webinars to help understanding and provide a further opportunity to answer any questions that have not been covered specifically covered in the initial guidance.
Officiating Webinar: Monday 24 August 6pm-6.45pm
Game Webinar: Wednesday 26 August 6pm-6.45pm
What about beginners and people trying lacrosse for the first time?
England Lacrosse has been conscious of ensuring that enhanced safety requirements do not create an unnecessary barrier to trying the sport and allow schools, universities, clubs and other providers to continue to offer accessible opportunities to experience lacrosse.
Where an appropriate deformable ball is used, protective eyewear is not mandatory. Deformable balls include POP Lacrosse balls, foam and sponge balls, and hollow soft balls.
Deformable balls are specifically designed to compress or change shape to reduce impact and can be used within appropriate introductory, participation and development activity.
Soft-shell protective headgear
Alongside the protective eyewear requirement, England Lacrosse will permit the wearing of compliant soft-shell protective headgear in lacrosse activity played under non-contact playing rules.
The wearing of soft-shell headgear is optional and must not be used as a replacement for a protective helmet where a helmet is required by the applicable playing rules.
What isn't changing?
Existing goalkeeper protective equipment requirements remain unchanged. Where the playing rules require a goalkeeper to wear a protective helmet with a face mask, this must continue to be worn.
England Lacrosse has reviewed the wider package of athlete safety measures announced by World Lacrosse but is not introducing any further equipment requirements into the domestic game at this stage.
There are currently no additional changes to domestic requirements relating to protective helmets, shoulder pads, goalkeeper chest protection or Box Lacrosse protective equipment arising from this announcement.