Look, if you've ever confused lacrosse and field hockey, you're not alone. Both involve sticks, balls, and running around on grass. But here's the thing: they're completely different sports with their own equipment, rules, and playing styles.
Field hockey traces back to British fields with its curved sticks and low-flying ball. Lacrosse? That's got Native American roots and uses those distinctive netted sticks. So is field hockey the same as lacrosse? Not even close.
In this field hockey vs lacrosse breakdown, we'll compare everything from ball weight and materials to stick designs, protective gear, and goal dimensions. By the end, you'll know exactly what separates these two sports.
Let's start with where these sports come from, because that actually explains a lot about how they're played today.
Field hockey's been around forever in Europe, especially Britain. You're playing on grass or artificial turf with a stick that's got a curved end on one side. The whole game revolves around keeping that ball on the ground and using precision passing. Key details:
11 players per team
60-70 minute matches
Ball stays low, controlled dribbling
Goals are wider than they are tall
Lacrosse? Completely different origin story. Native Americans developed it centuries ago, and it shows in the equipment. That netted pocket on your stick lets you catch, carry, and whip the ball through the air. The playing style is completely different:
10 players (men's), 12 players (women's)
60-minute games
Aerial passes and cradling the ball
Square goals, faster pace
Here's what you need to know: both are stick-and-ball sports, sure. But the techniques don't overlap much at all. In field hockey, you're basically dribbling and hitting a ball along the turf. In lacrosse, you're catching and throwing it through the air while running. The equipment reflects that completely.
So when someone asks "is field hockey the same as lacrosse," the answer's pretty simple. They're as different as basketball and soccer, even if they both happen on a field with goals.
Here's where things get interesting. The balls in these sports look kind of similar from a distance, but pick them up and you'll notice the difference immediately.
Field hockey balls are made from solid plastic or PVC. Some have a smooth surface, others are dimpled (kind of like a golf ball). The dimples help with grip on wet turf, which matters when you're playing in typical British weather.
Weight and specs:
How much does a field hockey ball weigh? Between 5.5 to 5.75 ounces (156-163 grams)
Diameter: about 2.8 inches (71.3 mm)
Material: solid plastic or PVC construction
What is a field hockey ball made of exactly? It's a single piece of molded plastic, usually PVC. No seams, no hollow center. This gives it that characteristic low bounce and predictable roll on turf. Trust me, when you're trying to control a ball with the flat side of your stick, you want something that stays put.
The solid construction also makes them safer than you'd think. Yeah, getting hit still hurts, but they're designed to minimize injury compared to harder alternatives.
Lacrosse balls are a different beast entirely. Solid vulcanized rubber, through and through. Pick one up and you'll feel the weight and density right away.
Key specs:
Weight: 5 to 5.25 ounces (140-147 grams)
Diameter: about 2.5 inches (64 mm)
Material: solid vulcanized rubber
The rubber construction gives lacrosse balls serious bounce. Drop one on concrete and it'll spring right back up. That's actually crucial for the sport since you need consistent rebound characteristics when you're scooping ground balls or passing off walls during box lacrosse.
Safety-wise, these things are dense. Anyone who's taken a lacrosse ball to the shin knows they pack a punch. That's why protective gear is non-negotiable in lacrosse.
|
Feature |
Field Hockey Ball |
Lacrosse Ball |
|
Material |
Solid plastic (PVC) |
Solid rubber |
|
Weight |
156−163 g |
140−147 g |
|
Diameter |
∼2.8 in (71.3 mm) |
∼2.5 in (64 mm) |
|
Texture |
Smooth or dimpled |
Smooth |
|
Bounce |
Low |
High |
So, are field hockey and lacrosse balls the same? Not even close. The field hockey ball is slightly heavier and bigger with minimal bounce. The lacrosse ball is smaller, lighter, and bounces like crazy. Each one's designed specifically for how the sport is played.
The thing is, you can't just swap them out. Try playing field hockey with a lacrosse ball and you'll be chasing bounces all day. Use a field hockey ball in lacrosse and it won't have the right weight or bounce for proper passing and shooting. The lacrosse vs field hockey equipment differences start right here with the ball itself.
The sticks are where field hockey vs lacrosse really diverge. You can't mistake one for the other once you know what you're looking at.
Field hockey sticks have a flat side and a rounded side. You can only hit the ball with the flat side, which forces that low, controlled style of play. The curved end (called the toe) helps you scoop and direct the ball along the ground.
Construction and specs:
Materials: wood, fiberglass, or carbon fiber (pros usually go carbon)
Length: 28-38 inches depending on your height
Weight: typically 18-22 ounces
One flat striking surface only
The stick design is all about precision. You're not catching anything with this stick. It's for dribbling, passing along the turf, and taking shots. The better the stick, the more control you get over ball placement.
Lacrosse sticks are a completely different tool. That netted pocket at the end is designed to catch, cradle, and throw the ball. The pocket depth and string tension affect how you handle the ball.
Key differences:
Head with mesh or traditional string pocket
Attack/midfield sticks: 40-42 inches (short sticks)
Defensive sticks: up to 72 inches (long poles)
Women's sticks have shallower pockets and different stringing rules
Men's and women's sticks actually differ quite a bit. Women's lacrosse has stricter pocket depth rules to keep the game less contact-heavy. If you're looking at men's complete lacrosse sticks, you'll see deeper pockets that let you really secure the ball while running and getting checked.
Plus, stick customization is huge in lacrosse. String patterns, pocket placement, shooting strings. A lot of players get their sticks set up through a custom stringing service to match their playing style. (Check out guides like "How to String a Lacrosse Head" if you want to learn the process yourself.)
This is where the contact level of each sport becomes obvious.
Field hockey protection (minimal):
Shin guards (mandatory)
Mouthguards
Goalies wear full padding, helmets, and kickers
Field players? Not much else
Lacrosse protection (extensive):
Helmets with face masks (men's)
Gloves (padded and reinforced)
Shoulder pads and chest protection
Arm guards and rib protection
Mouthguards
Men's lacrosse requires serious gear. You're dealing with stick checks, body contact, and rubber balls flying at high speeds. Browse men's helmets and protective gear and you'll see it's closer to hockey equipment than field hockey.
Women's lacrosse has less contact, so the protective requirements are lighter. But you're still wearing goggles and mouthguards as mandatory equipment.
The lacrosse vs field hockey equipment comparison really comes down to contact rules:
Field hockey limits physical play, so you don't need much padding.
Lacrosse embraces it, especially in the men's game, so you're gearing up like you're going into battle.
The goals in these sports tell you a lot about how scoring works. They're built completely differently.
Field hockey goals are rectangular and wider than they are tall. Picture a soccer goal that's been shrunk down and flattened out.
Dimensions:
Width: 12 feet (3.66 m)
Height: 7 feet (2.14 m)
Depth: 4 feet (1.22 m)
So how wide is a field hockey goal? 12 feet across. How tall is a field hockey goal? 7 feet high. The width-to-height ratio creates a goal that favors low, accurate shots along the ground or just lifting it slightly.
The frame is metal (usually aluminum or steel) with netting attached. That 4-foot depth means the ball has room to settle in the back of the net. Goalies have less vertical space to worry about but need to cover side-to-side movement.
How big is a field hockey goal overall? At 12x7 feet, it's actually pretty generous width-wise. But since you're hitting a ball along the turf with a flat stick, getting elevation is tougher. Most goals come from redirects, deflections, or quick shots in the circle.
Lacrosse goals are square. Simple as that.
Dimensions:
Width: 6 feet (1.83 m)
Height: 6 feet (1.83 m)
Depth: typically 7 feet with a pyramidal back
That 6x6 opening is way smaller than field hockey's goal. But here's the thing: lacrosse players can shoot from any angle and any height. You're whipping a ball from your stick's pocket, so corner shots, high shots, and bounce shots are all in play.
The netting forms a pyramid shape behind the goal, which helps contain shots and lets goalies see the ball against the net. The metal frame (usually steel or aluminum) needs to handle serious impact since shots can hit 80-100 mph.
The fields themselves are pretty similar in size, actually.
|
Feature |
Field Hockey |
Lacrosse |
|
Field Length |
100 yds (91.4 m) |
110 yds (100 m) |
|
Field Width |
60 yds (55 m) |
60 yds (55 m) |
|
Goal Size |
12×7 ft |
6×6 ft |
Both sports use similar field dimensions, but the goal size difference is huge. Field hockey's wider goal fits the ground-based game. Lacrosse's smaller, square goal works with the aerial passing and shooting style.
Honestly, the goal dimensions shape how each sport is played defensively. Field hockey defenders focus on blocking passing lanes and protecting the circle. Lacrosse defenders need to pressure shooters before they get a clean look at that smaller target.
The gear doesn't just look different. It fundamentally changes how you play.
Field hockey's heavier ball keeps everything on the turf. You're dribbling with quick taps, making crisp passes along the ground, taking controlled shots. The weight gives you accuracy but you're not launching it anywhere. Low bounce means the ball stays where you put it.
Lacrosse balls? Completely different story. That rubber construction bounces like crazy. You can whip passes across the field, take shots from distance, scoop ground balls that pop up. The lighter weight works perfectly with that netted pocket for aerial play.
The flat striking surface keeps you focused on ground-level play. You're watching the ball as you dribble, working angles, using body position to protect possession. Precision matters way more than power. The curved toe helps with direction, but you're basically limited to what you can do with a flat surface.
That netted pocket opens up everything. You can carry the ball while sprinting full speed, keep your head up scanning for cutters, cradle through traffic. Different stick lengths create specialized roles too. Defenders with 6-foot poles can poke check from distance. Attackers with short sticks get better control in tight spaces.
You're thinking in three dimensions instead of just along the turf.
The wider goal spreads out the defense. You're hunting for cross-crease passes, deflections in traffic, quick redirects. Goalies need lateral movement for those low shots coming from anywhere across that 12-foot width.
Smaller target means accuracy beats everything. Shooters aim for corners, use fakes, change speeds. Defenders can be more aggressive since forcing a bad angle actually matters. Goalies play deeper and communicate constantly because every inch of that 6x6 space is critical.
Field hockey limits stick-to-body contact, so you don't need much padding. The game flows with positioning and stick work. Less physicality, more finesse.
Lacrosse embraces contact, especially in men's play. Those helmets, gloves, and shoulder pads enable aggressive checking and physical play. The sport's faster and collision-heavy because the equipment allows it. You're not worried about taking a hit when you're geared up properly.
The equipment in lacrosse vs field hockey shapes every tactical decision, every strategic choice, every way the game flows.
Trying to pick between the two? Here's what to consider.
Field hockey:
Tactical and precise
Constant positioning and angles
Chess on turf
Lower scoring, more grinding
Lacrosse:
Fast-paced and explosive
Split-second decisions
Relentless transitions
Higher scoring, constant action
Pick based on whether you want strategic control or nonstop movement.
Field hockey (cheaper start):
Stick: $30-200
Shin guards and mouthguard: $25-50
Total: under $100 to start
Lacrosse (bigger investment):
Complete stick: $50-300
Helmet and protective gear: $150-400
Gloves: $50-150
Total: $300+ for men's, less for women's
Check what's actually offered locally. Field hockey dominates the East Coast, Europe, and India. Lacrosse is huge in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast but growing everywhere. If your high school or local clubs only run one program, that makes the decision pretty easy.
Field hockey: Endurance and agility, minimal contact, finesse-based
Lacrosse: Power and explosiveness, contact in men's game, physicality matters
Honestly? Try both if you can. Summer camps or intro clinics will show you which stick skills feel more natural. Both build coordination and teamwork. You'll figure out pretty quick which one clicks.
Field hockey vs lacrosse comes down to completely different equipment, playing styles, and physical demands.
Neither sport is "better." They're just built around different philosophies. Field hockey rewards precision and positioning. Lacrosse rewards speed and physicality. Both will push your skills and fitness.
Want to explore lacrosse equipment? Check out our lacrosse balls, complete sticks, and protective gear.
Need help with stick setup? Our custom stringing service gets you game-ready.
No. They're completely different sports. Field hockey uses curved sticks to control a ball on the ground. Lacrosse uses netted sticks to catch and throw a ball through the air. Different origins, different equipment, different rules.
Not even close. Field hockey balls are heavier (156-163g), made of solid plastic, and barely bounce. Lacrosse balls are lighter (140-147g), made of solid rubber, and bounce aggressively. You can't swap them between sports.
Between 5.5 to 5.75 ounces, or 156-163 grams.
Solid plastic or PVC. It's molded as one piece with no seams or hollow center. Some have dimpled surfaces for better grip on wet turf.
12 feet wide, 7 feet tall, and 4 feet deep. That's 3.66m × 2.14m × 1.22m. The goal is wider than it is tall, which fits the ground-based playing style.
