Abstract: A lacrosse stick including a lacrosse head attached to a handle, wherein the lacrosse head has a taller, or thicker, ball stop, wherein a portion of the ball stop portion is lowered with respect to the immediately adjacent portions of the sidewall portions relative to a centerline of the handle. The net securing structures in the ball stop are preferably located in the lowered portion and therein provides increased ball retention characteristics. The lower portion of the ball stop portion includes a concave inner surface that is preferably flared, or sloped, slightly outwardly along its interior surface from its front side to its back side. The openings for attaching the netting in the ball stop are preferably slightly recessed with respect to the upper surface.

Abstract: A lacrosse head frame includes a first frame portion comprising a top portion and two side walls, and a second frame portion, at least a portion of the second frame portion is moveable relative to the first frame. A lacrosse head frame includes a first frame portion comprising a proximal end, and a second frame portion having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end extends from, or is connected to, the first frame, and a spring, wherein the proximal end of the second frame is coupled to the proximal end of the first frame via the spring.

Abstract: A rounded cap or knob for a lacrosse stick handle that protects the blunt end of the handle during play. The cap or knob is formed of a flexible rubber-like or rubber material that substantially conforms onto the exterior surface of a side portion of the distal end of the handle, and therefore does not easily slide during usage. The interior also contains a shoulder portion there within to correctly position the knob or cap completely around the handle. The smooth and rounded exterior shape of the knob or cap acts as a socket that allows the user to position his or her palm in a virtually limitless array of potential positions that enhance the user's ability to control the lacrosse stick during play.

Abstract: A protective athletic garment for use in contact sports is formed by first forming a layer of foam. All or a portion of the foam is then compression molded to a desired shape. A layer of a durable coating is then applied to the compression foam to a desired thickness. The compression foam is then optionally coupled to a backing structure. A material overlay may then be coupled around the edges of the coated foam and optional backing structure to form a finished durable edge. Additional protective padding may then be coupled to the material overlay of the durable edge to provide additional protection.

Abstract: A protective sports glove having decorative accents coupled to the outer visible surface of back portions of the gloves. These accents are applied directly to the outer material layer of the protective sports gloves on one or more of the finger portions, the protective back, the wrist guard, the subcuff and/or the cuff portion. The decorative accents allow the visible outer portion of the back portion of the glove to include intricate features such as logos, numbers, shapes, or other contrasting features that customize the gloves in an infinite number of potential variations. The accents are durable and also add abrasion resistance to the gloves during usage, therein increasing their usable lives. The decorative accents could also be introduced to any other area of the glove, such as the palm, to improve durability, grip or abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A field hockey stick is disclosed that allows a player to have improved handling of the ball. The field hockey stick of the present invention includes at least a portion of a ball-contacting surface that is positioned on an angle relative to the front surface of the shaft.

Abstract: A lacrosse stick including a lacrosse head attached to a handle, wherein the lacrosse head has a taller, or thicker, ball stop, wherein a portion of the ball stop portion is lowered with respect to the immediately adjacent portions of the sidewall portions relative to a centerline of the handle. The net securing structures in the ball stop are preferably located in the lowered portion and therein provides increased ball retention characteristics. The lower portion of the ball stop portion includes a concave inner surface that is preferably flared, or sloped, slightly outwardly along its interior surface from its front side to its back side. The openings for attaching the netting in the ball stop are preferably slightly recessed with respect to the upper surface.

Abstract: A lacrosse stick is disclosed that allows a player to have improved handling of the ball. The present invention discloses a lacrosse stick having a head including at least two thongs wherein the width dimensions of the two thongs are different. The present invention also discloses a lacrosse stick having a head including at least one thong having a variable width dimension.

Abstract: A lacrosse stick is disclosed that allows a player to have improved handling of the ball. The present invention discloses a lacrosse stick having a head including at least two thongs wherein the thickness dimensions of the two thongs are different. The present invention also discloses a lacrosse stick having a head including at least one thong having a variable thickness dimension.

Abstract: A multi-piece sports ball that consists of two or more pieces coupled together to form a solid circular shape. Each of the pieces includes a rounded outer surface corresponding to a portion of the outer circumference of the ball. The first of the two or more pieces is formed in a desired shape and a desired color and of a desired composition, while the additional piece or pieces are each formed having their own desired markings and coupled to the first piece such that at least a portion of each of the two or more pieces forms a portion of the outer circumference of the sports ball. A pour molding or injection molding process preferably forms the multi-piece sports ball.

Abstract: A field hockey stick that allows a player to have improved handling of the ball. The field hockey stick of the present invention includes a ball portion in at least a portion of the shaft front surface. The ball portion provides an area to seat the ball providing the player better control of the ball and more accurate drag flicking.

Abstract: A lacrosse head frame includes a first frame portion comprising a top portion and two side walls, and a second frame portion, at least a portion of the second frame portion is moveable relative to the first frame. A lacrosse head frame includes a first frame portion comprising a proximal end, and a second frame portion having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end extends from, or is connected to, the first frame, and a spring, wherein the proximal end of the second frame is coupled to the proximal end of the first frame via the spring.

Abstract: Lacrosse-stick heads are described. In one embodiment, a lacrosse-stick head includes a throat, a transverse wall, and two sidewalls extending outward from the throat and connected by the transverse wall. The throat includes two side surfaces. At least one of the sidewalls and an adjacent side surface of the throat are sized, shaped, and positioned for stably rolling a lacrosse ball throughout at least a portion of the length of the at least one of the sidewalls and onto the adjacent side surface. The portion includes more than one half of the length of the at least one of the sidewalls.