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Best Lacrosse Balls (2026): Game Balls vs Practice Balls, Buckets and Prices
Prices updated November 2, 2026.
Every lacrosse player goes through balls. They roll under cars, disappear into the woods behind the goal and get left at the field. Buying the right ones, in the right quantity, saves money and frustration. This guide explains the difference between game balls, soft practice balls and novelty training balls, what the certification on a game ball means, and how much you'll pay per ball at different pack sizes. Below the guide is every lacrosse ball in our daily price check. Prices were checked on October 29, 2026.
The short answer
For wall ball and real practice, buy certified game balls. The cheapest per ball is a bucket: the Bucket of 50 is $135 (about $2.70 per ball) and the Bucket of 36 is $99.99 (about $2.78 per ball). Six-packs are $18 ($3 per ball), and single balls are $3 each in white, yellow, orange, green and Carolina blue.
For young kids or indoor play, soft practice balls are safer: the STX Soft Practice balls are $15.99 for a 2-pack or $49.99 for a 12-pack. For fun stocking stuffers, Swax Lax training balls ($10) and Lax Sak balls ($10) are soft, novelty-printed balls that are great for indoor catch.
What makes a game ball
Official lacrosse balls are solid rubber, about the size of a tennis ball but much harder and heavier. In the US, high school and college rules require game balls that meet the NOCSAE standard for lacrosse balls, and certified balls carry a NOCSAE marking. The standard covers things like weight, size, and how much the ball bounces, so game balls behave consistently.
For practice and wall ball, using the same certified balls you play with is the best preparation, because the bounce and feel match the game. Cheap uncertified balls can be bouncier or harder, which builds bad habits catching and scooping.
New balls can feel slick for the first few sessions because of a coating from the manufacturing process. Many players break in new balls with a few wall ball sessions, or just accept that the first bucket is slippery for a week.
Colors: does it matter?
White is the traditional game ball color. Yellow and orange are popular for practice because they're easier to see on grass and in low light, which also makes them easier to find after a missed shot. Many leagues allow other colors in games as long as they contrast with the field and the uniforms; check your league rules before using a non-white ball in a game.
For backyard practice, buying a mix of colors or a bright color is an easy way to lose fewer balls. The Firefly glow-in-the-dark balls ($25 for a 3-pack) are fun for evening wall ball.
How many balls do you need?
For a single player doing wall ball, a six-pack is plenty to start. For shooting practice, more balls means more reps between collecting: a bucket of 36 or 50 lets a player shoot a full set before picking up. Teams and coaches typically buy several buckets a season, because balls go missing at every practice.
Buckets also save money per ball and the bucket itself is useful for carrying balls to the field. At today's prices, a bucket of 50 is about 10 percent cheaper per ball than buying six-packs.
Soft and training balls
Soft practice balls are lighter and squishier, made for younger players, indoor drills and learning to catch without fear of getting hit. They're great for kids under about 8 and for basement or hallway catch with mini sticks. The STX Soft Practice balls come in 2-packs ($15.99) and 12-packs ($49.99).
Swax Lax training balls are soft, stuffed balls the same size and similar weight to a lacrosse ball, designed for indoor practice without damaging walls or windows. Lax Sak balls are a similar soft style. They come in dozens of novelty prints at about $10 each, which makes them one of the most popular lacrosse stocking stuffers. Lacrosse mini balls ($7.50 for a 2-pack) pair with mini sticks.
Making balls last
Store balls out of direct sun and extreme heat, which harden the rubber over time. Keep them in a bucket or bag between sessions so they don't scatter. Old, hardened balls become slick and bounce unpredictably; retire them to the backyard or the dog when they do. And write a name or team initial on balls if you share a field with other teams.
Where to save
Balls are a commodity, so buying in bulk is the main way to save. Compare the per-ball price across pack sizes: today, singles are $3, six-packs $3 per ball, a bucket of 36 about $2.78, and a bucket of 50 about $2.70. Each card below also links to an Amazon search so you can compare bulk prices there.
Buckets and multi-packs (6)
Best price per ball.
Single game balls by color (5)
$3 each.
Soft practice and glow balls (4)
For kids, indoor play and night practice.
Swax Lax and Lax Sak training balls (20)
Soft indoor training balls and stocking stuffers.
Related buying guides
Buying tips
- Use certified game balls for real practice so the bounce matches games.
- Buckets are the cheapest per ball.
- Bright colors are easier to find after missed shots.
- Soft balls are best for young kids and indoor play.
- Store balls out of the sun to keep them from hardening.
Click any product for its full price history and a link to the retailer.