Most modern sticks have a metal shaft, made usually of aluminum or titanium, while the head is made of hard plastic. Metal shafts must have a plastic or a more popular rubber cap or ("butt") at the end, and it must be adequately taped to avoid injury although some butts are capable of staying on without tape. The heads are strung with string and leather or mesh. This forms a net of whatever material was used in stringing the stick called the "pocket". Goaltender’s sticks vary in length but are typically between 42 inches (1.27 m) and 60 inches (1.52 m) long, and their heads are significantly larger than field players’ heads to help in blocking shots.
Lacrosse players also typically wear helmets and gloves, plus rib, shoulder, and elbow pads.
Players scoop the ball off the ground and pass the ball through the air to other players. Players are allowed to run carrying the ball with their stick. Unlike in women’s lacrosse, players may kick the ball, as well as covering it with their sticks, provided they do not withhold it from play. Play is typically quite fast. Considerably more goals are scored than in soccer or hockey, with typical games totaling ten to twenty goals.
