As parents and players consider purchasing new lacrosse equipment, one important thing to keep in mind is a new rule as it relates to commotio cordis protection.
Beginning in 2021, the use of goalie chest protectors that meet the new NOCSAE performance standard will be mandatory in the US Lacrosse boys’ and girls’ youth rules, the NFHS boys’ and girls’ high school rules, and the NCAA men’s and women’s rules.
Beginning in 2022, US Lacrosse boys’ field players, NFHS boys’ field players, and NCAA men’s field players must also wear commotio cordis protection that meets the NOCSAE ND200 standard.
A complete list of products meeting the standard is available on the SEI website.
Commotio cordis is a type of sudden cardiac arrest caused by a blunt, but often relatively mild, blow to the area of the chest directly over the heart occurring during a precise moment of the heart's cycle.
“Mandating the use of chest protection that meets the performance standard will make lacrosse safer,” said Dr. Mark Link, a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist and worldwide authority on commotio cordis who is a longtime member of the US Lacrosse Sports Science and Safety Committee.
For a complete overview of the equipment required for boys, girls and box lacrosse in 2020, check out this equipment guide (PDF) from US Lacrosse.
