Equalizing the Field

Girls Lacrosse Should Have the Same Rules as Boys Lacrosse

Photo by Jeffrey F Lin on Unsplash

Every sport has the same rules for both genders. From soccer to basketball, all genders play fair and equally, all except lacrosse. Lacrosse is the only sport where the rules differ regarding gender. Sports are made for people to enjoy a fair and competitive game. When the rules of the game change between men and women, fans and audiences change their focus to the more aggressive and entertaining game. For this reason, women do not get as much attention on games as men do. 

With the same rules, there will be a wider audience, attracting more people to watch both genders. The difference in rules for genders limits opportunities for the players, eliminating gender equality. The same rules will ensure fairness and equal opportunities so there are no advantages or disadvantages depending on your gender in the game. With uniform rules, players will be ranked on skill-based levels, expanding competition. For these reasons, girls and boys should have the same rules to ensure equality and increase competition.

Boys lacrosse is known to be a very aggressive and physical sport. Players are able to wear padding due to the intense hitting on the field. They are able to strike the player and their stick in order to obtain the ball. The padding and gloves protect each player from bruises and other injuries in the game. On the contrary, in girls lacrosse, the players do not have any padding, as they are only limited to a helmet and mouthguard. 

Florida is the only state in the United States that requires girls to wear a helmet. In every other state, they have a greater chance of injuries. When hitting, there could be an accidental check to the head, increasing the percentage of concussions and other injuries as well. The difference is girls are not able to hit each other, and when they can check the opponents stick, it can only be at a certain angle. Yet, many people question if only a helmet is effective. On Lohud news, the players and coaches agree that women do not have enough padding even if the game is not as physical. 

On plays, men's lacrosse can focus on aggression due to their rules enabling them to be physical and aggressive. For girls lacrosse, they must focus on speed, agility and skill due to their limitations on physical contact and lack of gear. Although the men wear more padding than girls due to the rules, if the rules for both genders were the same, the girls would be protected from accidental hitting in this case, or have an equal opportunity to get the ball. The boys’ playing field is also larger than girls' fields, showing that there is a clear gender barrier between games. This different impact plays, formations and chances to score. This makes a clear indication that there is a gender stereotype; that girls have it easier to score while playing.

Implementing equal rules for both genders can make everyone feel included, promote gender equality, raise awareness in safety for sports and more. Girls will have more opportunities to play aggressively, regardless of gender. With more gear and safety padding, everyone will have the same protection for the game.