If you’re looking for information about lacrosse balls, then you’ve come to the right place. Our guide covers everything you need to know about lacrosse balls, including the dimensions, weight and size of a regulation ball.

What is a lacrosse ball called?

A lacrosse ball doesn’t have a distinct or specific name - it is simply referred to as a “lacrosse ball”.

The sport of lacrosse is rooted in Native American culture and it was previously known as “stickball”. Again, there are no records of the stickball ball having a particular name, however, it is known that the original balls were made of wood, buckskin or even rock.

What are the dimensions of a lacrosse ball?

To meet regulations set by World Lacrosse, FIL, NCAA & NFHS, a lacrosse ball should have a circumference of 7.75 - 8 inches (19.69 - 20.32cm). A lacrosse ball's diameter should be between 2.47 - 2.55 inches (6.27 - 6.47cm).

A regulation lacrosse ball also needs to pass a “drop test”. When dropped from a height of 72 inches (1.83m), a lacrosse ball should bounce to a height that is between 43 and 51 inches (1.09 - 1.30m).

How much does a lacrosse ball weigh?

A regulation lacrosse ball weighs between 5.0 and 5.25 ounces. In kg, a lacrosse ball weighs between 0.14 and 0.16kg, or to be more specific in grams, the regulation lacrosse ball weight is 141.75 - 155.92g.

What colour should a lacrosse ball be?

The NCAA stipulates that balls used in competitive college games should be white, yellow or orange. Men at all levels tend to play with a white lacrosse ball and women usually play with a yellow ball. Outside of competition, other lacrosse ball colours can be used.

What are lacrosse balls made of?

Lacrosse balls are typically made from solid vulcanised rubber although other elastomeric materials are sometimes used including silicone, polyurethane, rubber, and various types of vinyl. Vulcanised rubber is a form of rubber that has been heated to make it stronger and more elastic. Our FORZA lacrosse balls are all made from vulcanised rubber as it delivers the best overall performance.

What is inside a lacrosse ball?

Unlike balls that are used in other sports such as golf, the inside of a lacrosse ball has no other materials in it. That wasn’t always the case as once upon a time some balls had cement in the middle but that is a thing of the past! These days, if you cut a lacrosse ball in half it would essentially look the same as the outside.

Other lacrosse ball FAQs

Are women's lacrosse balls the same as men's?

The balls used by men and women are identical in both size and weight. The colour of ball used differs (men tend to use white balls and women use yellow balls) but other than that there is no difference in the lacrosse balls used by men and women.

Do children use different lacrosse balls than adults?

The balls used by children in youth lacrosse games are the same as those used by seniors. However, many parents will introduce infants to the sport with a ball that is larger, softer and easier to hit. For example, a tennis ball is a great alternative to a rubber lacrosse ball for infants and small children.

Is a field lacrosse ball different to a box lacrosse ball?

Box lacrosse is the indoor version of field lacrosse. Although the rules are significantly different and box lacrosse involves a greater amount of physical contact, both versions use the same type of ball.

How fast do lacrosse balls go?

The fastest lacrosse shot ever recorded travelled at 127mph (204.4km/h). The shot was taken by Nick Diegel in 2020. The average speed of a shot in lacrosse varies according to the level of play.

In practice sessions, professional lacrosse players consistently record speeds of over 100mph (160.9km/h), however in gameplay, it’s rare for shots to exceed 100mph due to the duress and pressure defending players place on the attacker taking the shot.

Do lacrosse balls wear out?

Lacrosse balls tend to last a long time because the vulcanised rubber that they are made from is highly durable. The longevity of a lacrosse ball will largely depend on how frequently it is used and how it is stored. If you leave a lacrosse ball outside to get damp and wet for example, it will tend to lose its grip and traction more quickly. You can generally expect a ball to be suitable for training purposes for 6 months or more.

How do you clean lacrosse balls?

To remove dirt from a lacrosse ball all you need is warm water and a “Magic Eraser” sponge/sponge cleaner.

Soak the sponge with warm water, ring it out, and then scrub the lacrosse ball with the sponge until you are satisfied that the ball is clean.

To remove grease from a lacrosse ball, you can use sandpaper or a stiff brush. Run the ball under warm water to remove any debris, then scrub the ball with the sandpaper or brush. Rise and repeat until the ball is grease-free.

What can I do with old lacrosse balls?

Old lacrosse balls are often repurposed. With professional guidance, lacrosse balls can be repurposed as a massage tool. They are frequently used by lacrosse players and athletes to remove knots in muscles - a process known as “trigger point therapy”. Lacrosse balls are also generally regarded as safe for dogs to use under the owner’s supervision so they can be used by pets when they are no longer suitable for use in games/training.

Where can I buy a lacrosse ball?

At Net World Sports, we sell regulation lacrosse balls that comply with NOCSAE, NCAA & NFHS standards. The balls are available to buy in 4 colours - white, orange, yellow and pink and can be purchased as a single unit, or in packs of 12 or 120.

In addition to lacrosse balls, we also stock a comprehensive range of lacrosse goals, rebounder nets, ball-stop-nets and training equipment including bibs/vests, slalom poles and agility ladders.