Headgear or no headgear?
National figures peg girls' lacrosse as having the fifth-highest rate of concussions. In Minnesota, where the sport has enjoyed significant growth, coaches acknowledge some rough play but many express doubts that requiring protective head gear, as Florida decided recently, will improve safety.
What Minnesota requires: Female players wear only eye protection. Goalies always have worn helmets.
What Florida now requires: Soft protective headgear.
US Lacrosse's position: US Lacrosse rules allow for soft headgear if needed or desired. The sport's governing body is developing an equipment standard for headgear, but it wants the use to remain optional.
DAVID LA VAQUE
