Design parameters and performance characteristics for design of polocrosse faceguards

Polocrosse is one of a few truly Australian sports that combines elements of polo, lacrosse and netball. It is played on horseback whereby a rider using a racquet with a loose twisted-thread net aims to carry a ball and throw a goal. Since hitting at an opponent's racquet is the only way to dislodge the ball or prevent the opponent from gaining possession of it, accidental facial injuries are possible, thus wearing of faceguards is recommended. While helmets worn in polocrosse require a safety certification, faceguards (as an optional equipment) are neither certified for safety not standardised. This paper represents a first attempt to review the polocrosse faceguard design parameters and to quantify some of the key performance characteristics with respect to the requirements of this sport.