Lacrosse is no stranger to the Empire State. The game, in some form or fashion, has been played in the area for centuries. In fact, the oldest known reference to a “stick-ball” athletic event stems from Jesuit documents chronicling teachings through New York’s Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee.

Earlier variations of the game were notably unrestrained. But, as with most pastimes, it eventually found its way into institutions. Organizers codified particular sets of rules for both collegiate and high school players, adding practical restrictions on equipment, including ones dictating the types of operational features for one’s stick. Most commonly, these define different allowable forms of heads and shafts.

For youth players, there is an additional caveat: not all equipment approved by one governing body will be sanctioned by another. For example, rules promulgated by US Lacrosse, the national governing body for the sport, differ from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) in certain respects.

US Lacrosse regulations typically have a distinction for youth equipment, namely defining such gear as any manufactured after 2010. Equipment adhering to the standards put in place prior to the 2010 date are considered “legacy equipment,” and are still acceptable tools on the field.

A prime example of the variance in gear adherence is a lacrosse stick’s shaft. Most often made of aluminum or titanium alloy, shafts typically have polymer-based elasticity, allowing greater flex upon contact. It is this property that can potentially offer more shot velocity, as the pliable shaft stores energy which is released, albeit to a lesser extent, upon impact with the ball.

And because they are a common component for both youth and veteran players, these sticks are widely available both on and off the field, even allowing for customization through one’s choice of grip, design and color.

Given that these pieces of equipment are quite common and ubiquitous, running afoul of laws could prove to be problematic. Indeed, were the shaft made of an “automatic knife” or gravity knife blade, New York’s penal laws classify them as a restricted fungible object – the same as a billy, blackjack, slap jack or other weighted slungshot.

These restrictions are currently codified at N.Y. Penal Law § 265.01 – Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree. If a person possesses a “gravity knife” and intends to use it against another or to unlawfully use the weapon against another, then the statute classifies the act as a class A misdemeanor.

Recognizing that the law was not originally passed to curtail the possession of common tools and equipment, recent revisions allow a narrow exception where a person may possess a hunting knife, plastic or metal escape-type handcuff key or certain item of leather merchandise.

In that these restrictions may not be lost on players, referees and fans alike, there have been instances throughout the history of the sport where enforcement has garnered time in the press.

Indeed, back in February, two New York University freshman were detained after five lacrosse players allegedly threw a bottle from a building while construction workers were below. The lacrosse players were charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree and on the following day, NYU head coach, Joe Spallina, addressed lacrosse equipment rules in an online forum. Spallina stated, “Just keep in mind, you should list on your NYU clearance forms all the items that fall under weapons in the fourth-degree law. I’ve seen a few players, especially young ones, caught by this law.”

Though remarkable, those cases are not viewed as definitive examples. Given the general lack of actual cases specifically dealing with lacrosse-related gravity knives, the prudent course is to seek out legal clarification before making any purchases; that is, to establish whether a dealer or retail outlet sells both US Lacrosse and NFHS-approved versions of the equipment prior to purchase. If they do not, you may want to consider all available options to ensure complete compliance with both sets of governing body rules.

In the absence of some sort of independent inquiry, the most important item to take from this piece is the need to exercise caution. If there are still questions, seek help from those who know and provide them: coaches, parents who’ve been around the game, the gear manager or safety representative responsible for equipment maintenance. Above all, players should remain vigilant for anything that might serve as a liability, potential injury, personal or criminal liability, even if you’re under the age of 18.

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