Use this lacrosse referee gear checklist to get your essentials right, then level up one piece at a time as your schedule grows — written by working officials. For Refs, By Refs™
Quick disclaimer (read this first)
Your association and your state high school athletic association set the rules. Shirt stripe width, pants, logo requirements, and radio specs can all vary. Use this ladder as your baseline, then confirm your local requirements before you spend money.
Essentials
Show up with these items and you can work games without borrowing gear or looking out of spec.
Youth lacrosse essentials
- striped jersey (1” or 2″, association spec) – get short- and long-sleeved versions
- black shorts with belt loops, and black trousers with belt loops for colder games
- cap
- whistles (2) – Bring a backup. Always.
- flags (2)
- 20-second lacrosse timer for games at 12U and 14U
- scorecard and pencil
- tape measure for stick inspections (min. 6 feet)
- black belt with a plain black or silver buckle
- black socks which cover the ankle (no-shows are a no-no)
- all black shoes with black laces – no visible logos
- wristwatch with stopwatch/countdown feature
- coin – minimum size matches a US half-dollar, so you can get one at the bank for 50¢
Bold items are available in the Don Stripes Football Collection.
High school lacrosse essentials:
High school is where requirements tighten up.
- state-required shirt – Most states require a jersey with the state association logo. Have both short and long sleeves for cold weather assignments.
- same accessories as youth (cap, whistles, flags, timer, scorecard/pencil, tape measure, coin, belt, socks, shoes, wristwatch)
Upgrades (worth it once you’re working regularly)
These aren’t always “required,” but they solve real problems: weather, chafing, staying tucked, and staying comfortable throughout an entire game.
- black moisture-wicking undershirts (short + long sleeve)
- black compression shorts (chafing control)
- black compression tights – With trousers, helps with chafing, warmth, and avoiding scraped knees.
- black turtleneck – Extra layer against cold and wind. Mock turtlenecks are also good for this.
- black gloves (preferably water resistant) – Keep the wind and rain off your skin in bad weather.
- all black jacket – Some associations require a specific model and have the association logo on the jacket. If you don’t have one, your crewmates can’t wear their jackets.
- black balaclava – When the weather is brutally cold – protects lips, nose and ears.
Game-ready Enhancements
These items maximize your professional appearance to coaches, fans, players, and your crewmates.
- shirt-stays – Keep your shirt tucked all game without EVER thinking about it.
- cap keeper/washer – Keep your hat in shape in both in your bag and when you wash it.
- pre-game checklist – Keep a copy of the USA Lacrosse pre-game conversation outlines (for both 2-person and 3-person mechanics) in your bag. Helps get you into a game-ready mindset. Also, if your crew chief asks you to speak on a particular topic during the crew’s pre-game meeting, you won’t be at a loss for words.
- crew radios + earpieces – a gamechanger for crew communications. Many associations now use them for HS Varsity games. Confirm the exact spec with your association.
Pro tips (stuff experienced crews do automatically)
- Protect your feet – consider shoes ½-size bigger and wear 2-pair of socks to reduce blisters during a long day of youth or tournament games.
- Pack a neatly folded kitchen garbage bag in a pocket of your suitcase/duffel. When your uniform is soaked after a rainy game, bag it before it goes in your suitcase.
- Add a waterproof shoe bag (or a second trash bag) for wet shoes.
- Emergency rain/cold layer: cut head + arm holes in a black kitchen garbage bag. If the weather forecast was wrong and you’re about to get much colder or wetter weather than the crew expected, wear this bag under your uniform shirt.
- Travel size sunscreen, bug repellent, and shampoo in a resealable bag (prevents spills on your gear). Early season games are still sunny at kickoff and insects can ruin your focus. If your host institution offers a locker room with a shower, take advantage and drive home clean. Your vehicle (and your significant other) will thank you.
- Extra battery for your 20-second timer and/or watch. Extra charger if you’re using your smart watch.
- If your association promotes Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, there are pink accessories available – whistles and lanyards, down indicators, sweat bands (wrist), penalty flags, bean bags, even pink piping on black caps. Coordinate with your crew so that you match as closely as possible.
One last thing
Good gear won’t make you a great official. But the wrong gear will absolutely make your job harder.
If you want the short version: start with the essentials, confirm your local spec, then level up one piece at a time as your schedule grows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with the essentials: striped shirt your association uses, black shorts, cap, whistles (with a backup), two flags, 20-second timer, scorecard/pencil, tape measure, coin, belt, black socks, and all-black shoes. Confirm stripe width with your association before you buy.
High school usually tightens the spec: state-required shirt. The accessories are basically the same — just less room for “close enough.”
Not always on day one, because it depends on your rated level after training. If you’ve been cleared to work games at the 12U level and above, then, yes, a 20-second timer is required. If you’ll be exclusively working games at the 10U level and below, then there’s no need for a 20-second timer.
In a lot of places now — yes. Radios are becoming standard for varsity, and some associations require a specific model/spec. Don’t guess. Ask your association what they use, and make sure the clock operator is covered, too.
Shirt stays and compression gear (shorts or tights). They’re not flashy, but they solve the problems that actually distract you during a game: staying tucked, chafing, and cold/wet weather discomfort.