Ryan Hoffmeister
• Men’s Lacrosse Category Manager • Played collegiately at Hartwick College
• 1X All-American • 2X All-Conference
At BSN SPORTS, your players’ health and safety is our top concern. Lacrosse has some major safety regulation changes going into effect this year, so we created this handy guide to help you keep it all straight, ensuring your team meets the new standards right from Day 1.
What’s the rule change?
NOCSAE imposed a new regulation called ND200 which requires all lacrosse players to wear chest protection that meets the new performance standard and bears the NOCSAE & SEI certification stamp.
Why are they changing it?
NOCSAE implemented this new rule to reduce impact forces to the chest area and thus, the risk of commotio cordis. Commotio cordis is caused by an impact to the chest area that causes a lethal disruption to the heart’s rhythm. This can happen if a severe impact is taken to the chest at a critical time in the heart’s beat that disrupts the cycle. While uncommon, NOCSAE has deemed it necessary to take extra precautions against this risk.
Who does it impact?
All levels of lacrosse have been affected. NOCSAE requires all U.S. Lacrosse boys’ and girls’ youth rules, NFHS boys’ and girls’ rules, and NCAA men’s and women’ rules to comply with NOCSAE ND200.
When does ND200 go into effect?
Beginning January 1, 2021, all men’s, women’s and youth goalie chest protectors must meet the new NOCSAE performance standard. Beginning January 1, 2022, all men’s and boys’ field players’ shoulder pads must comply as well.
How do I prepare?
Currently, there are many different styles on the market that meet the NOCSAE ND200 standard. Shoulder pad retail prices range from $60–$140 per player and goalie chest protectors can range from $110–$180 per player, depending on the level of play. Based on team size, this could cost you an additional $1,600–$5,000 to outfit your team, an unexpected addition to your budget. BSN SPORTS is here to work with you, helping you plan and prepare as you get ready for your season.
Our team of renowned lacrosse experts includes professional athletes, coaches and college players—all here to answer any questions and help you make an informed decision around your players’ safety. Budget concerns? We’ve got a range of fundraising options for your team, too. It’s all about saving you time and money off the field, so you can make more of an impact on it.
From all of us at BSN SPORTS, have a great season and stay safe out there!
