Rib pads...good choice?

[nvot9]

Sorry if this is a preference thread, I didn't think it was, but if it is tell me and I will move it to a new forum...but which one?

Yesterday, I just "took one for the team," righit in the ribs. An attackman about 2 feet away from me ripped a 50-60 MPH shot and nailed me right on my ribs. I fell down, nearly passed out and felt sick to my stomache and dizzy as hell. It turns out that after X-Rays, my bones held strong, and I simply have a bruised sternum/top right rib, and was advised (ill-advised if I do say so myself) to sit out a little over a week. Obviously I am not going to miss 3-4 games over a bruise on my rib, despite my pain when I take even the simplest of breaths, but this brings me to my point, does anyone where rib pads? Do they help? Are they only for "p*ssies?" What purpose does the rib pad serve? Again, sorry if this is a preference thread.

[slinkyspine]

Use them

So what if people make fun of you. Stab them in the ribs in practice. A must unless your D

[Warrior]

A lot of people wear rib pads...there is no reason to feel like you are weak for wearing them. If they protect you and keep you in the game then by all means take advantage of that.

[RockStar]

If you're on my team, elect to not wear rib pads, and then you go down with a preventable injury costing the team, I'm liable to cross check you in the ribs myself!

Second thought, I'm not sure if a shot hitting you in the ribs counts towards the above statement - I mean you could take one off the legs, which are never padded.

OK, make it so if you get injured by a stick to the ribs, I'm angry!

[Monzo]

Honestly, I'm surprised by these answers. Nobody I know above the 8th grade wears rib pads, but then again, I don't really know a lot of lacrosse players outside of my team. I was expecting to see a bunch of people saying "Oh my gosh, you big wuss. Don't wear them." ANYWAY, I would do whatever is comfortable for you, and if you get made fun of, give your (verbal) attacker a nice poke in the ribs and ask them how it feels, like slinkyspine said. :-)

[BTlaxripper]

I love people who think it's sissy to wear rib pads.

Getting checked in the ribs hurt, especially getting cross checked in them. Wearing rib pads helps me stay in the game, and keep going strong when I get hit there. If it helps you play on a higher level, then wear them.

I'll admit it is somewhat stereotypical for defensemen to wear small pads and no rib pads, but I love it as an attackmen. The second they get the ball I unleash on them and punish them for when they check me, and I make sure there are no unbruised patches on their arms.

If I were a coach, I'd want my D-men to suit up all the way, and risk their bodies to jump in front of that shot in OT. Wearing rib pads is a mental advantage too, you feel more protected, so you go stronger through the GB's and such.

[asian_invasion]

i think the only really dangerous part of lacrosse is buying it in the ribs. other than a shot to the heart, of course. wear the pads, protect the weak spot. nothing wussy about it.