What Are Lacrosse Pinnies? Uses, Sizes & Color Tips

Lacrosse pinnies are lightweight training vests designed to help coaches quickly separate players during practices, drills, scrimmages, camps, and team training sessions. Unlike official game uniforms, pinnies are mainly used as an easy-to-layer practice garment that makes different player groups immediately visible on the field.

For lacrosse teams, clubs, schools, academies, and sports organizations across the USA, Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, and other international markets, choosing the right pinnie involves more than selecting a team color. Fit, fabric, breathability, reversible construction, sizing, number placement, and color contrast all affect how useful the garment will be during training.

This guide explains what lacrosse pinnies are, how teams use them, how to choose the right size, when reversible pinnies make sense, and how to select practical colors for team training. It also covers customization considerations for teams ordering lacrosse apparel in bulk.

What Are Lacrosse Pinnies?

Lacrosse pinnies are lightweight training vests worn over a player’s regular uniform or protective equipment during practices, drills, scrimmages, camps, and other team activities. Their main purpose is simple: make player groups easy to identify without requiring a complete second uniform.

A typical lacrosse pinnie has a sleeveless or open-arm construction, a relaxed fit, and lightweight performance fabric. Some are designed in a single team color, while reversible lacrosse pinnies provide two different color options in one garment.

For coaches, that color separation can make practice organization much easier. Players can quickly recognize teammates and opponents during small-sided games, tactical drills, transition work, and scrimmages.

Pinnies are therefore best viewed as practice apparel rather than a replacement for official game uniforms.

What Is the Main Purpose of a Lacrosse Pinnie?

The primary purpose is player identification.

Instead of asking players to remember which group they belong to during a fast-moving drill, coaches can assign one color to one group and another color to the opposing group.

Common uses include:

• Team-versus-team scrimmages
• Offensive and defensive drills
• Small-sided games
• Position-specific training
• Camp and clinic activities
• Warmups
• Tryouts
• Youth practices
• Tactical exercises

A pinnie can also provide a practical layer over a player’s existing jersey or protective equipment.

Why Identification Matters During Practice

Lacrosse practices can involve multiple groups moving simultaneously. Clear visual identification helps coaches organize drills and allows players to recognize teammates quickly.

Use Color to Separate Practice Groups

For example, a coach might assign:

• Dark pinnies to the offensive group
• Light pinnies to the defensive group
• A third color to goalkeepers or a special drill group

Keep the System Consistent

If a team regularly uses the same color system, players can understand drill assignments more quickly without additional explanation.

What Are Lacrosse Pinnies Used For?

Lacrosse pinnies are primarily designed for training and practice, but their usefulness extends across several team activities.

Practice Drills

Pinnies are especially useful when coaches divide players into groups for passing, shooting, defensive positioning, transition, or possession drills.

Because the garment is lightweight, players can generally put it over their existing training apparel without changing into a separate uniform.

Scrimmages

Scrimmages are one of the most common situations where pinnies become essential.

A reversible pinnie can allow a coach to create two visually distinct teams without distributing separate garments to each group.

Camps and Tryouts

For larger camps, clinics, and tryouts, color-coded pinnies can help staff organize participants into groups.

A team may use different colors to identify:

• Age groups
• Skill levels
• Training stations
• Position groups
• Scrimmage teams

Warmups and Pre-Game Activities

Although pinnies are primarily practice gear, they can also be useful during warmups or pre-game activities when players need an additional identifiable layer.

They should not, however, be confused with official game jerseys when league or competition rules require specific uniforms.

What Is a Reversible Lacrosse Pinnie?

A reversible lacrosse pinnie has two usable sides, usually featuring contrasting colors.

For example, one side may be navy and the reverse side white. Turning the garment inside out immediately changes the visible team color.

This makes reversible pinnies particularly useful for coaches who regularly divide one roster into two teams.

Why Do Teams Choose Reversible Pinnies?

The biggest advantage is flexibility.

Instead of purchasing and distributing two separate sets of practice vests, one reversible garment can provide two color options.

This can be useful for:

• Scrimmages
• Small-sided games
• Training camps
• Youth programs
• Multi-team practices
• Tactical drills

The two sides should be designed together, though. A color combination that looks good individually may not provide enough contrast when both groups are playing against each other.

Reversible vs Single-Color Pinnies

For programs that need maximum flexibility, reversible construction can be a practical choice. For teams that simply need one consistent training color, a single-color pinnie may be enough.

What Fabric Is Best for Lacrosse Pinnies?

Fabric selection affects how a pinnie feels during practice, how easily it layers over equipment, and how well it handles repeated training sessions.

Lightweight polyester and mesh constructions are common choices for sports pinnies because they can support breathability and movement.

The exact fabric should be selected according to the team’s climate, training intensity, desired fit, and customization requirements.

Mesh Lacrosse Pinnies

Mesh is a popular choice when airflow is a priority.

An open or textured mesh structure can help create a lightweight training layer without adding unnecessary bulk.

Teams comparing sportswear materials can also read Sports Jersey Fabrics Explained: Polyester vs Mesh for a broader explanation of how polyester and mesh constructions differ.

Polyester Performance Fabric

Polyester is widely used in team sportswear because it can be engineered into different lightweight constructions and is suitable for many customization methods.

It is also particularly relevant when teams want detailed sublimated designs.

For a deeper explanation of how sublimation works on suitable polyester materials, see What Is Sublimation Printing? Complete Guide for Teams.

Match the Fabric to the Practice Environment

A hot outdoor practice may require a more breathable construction than an indoor or cooler training environment.

Consider Layering Over Protective Equipment

Lacrosse players may wear shoulder pads and other protective equipment underneath their apparel.

A pinnie should therefore provide enough room for the intended layers without becoming excessively loose.

Avoid Choosing by Appearance Alone

A fabric may look good in a product image but still be unsuitable for a team’s actual training conditions. Review fabric composition, weight, stretch, breathability, and intended use before approving a bulk order.

How Should Lacrosse Pinnies Fit?

Lacrosse pinnies generally need a relaxed fit because they are often worn over another jersey and, depending on the player and position, protective equipment.

The right size should therefore not be selected only by looking at a player’s normal T-shirt size.

Should a Lacrosse Pinnie Be Loose?

It should normally provide enough room for comfortable layering and unrestricted movement.

However, being oversized does not automatically mean better.

A pinnie that is excessively loose can:

• Move around during drills
• Catch on equipment
• Interfere with movement
• Look untidy
• Make numbers or logos harder to read

The goal is a practical training fit rather than an extremely tight or extremely oversized silhouette.

How to Choose Lacrosse Pinnie Sizes

Start with the manufacturer’s size chart and compare it with the player’s actual measurements.

For team orders, collect sizes in a roster sheet rather than allowing each player to estimate independently.

A useful process is:

1. Record each player’s name.
2. Record youth or adult sizing.
3. Compare chest and body measurements with the size chart.
4. Consider whether the pinnie will be worn over pads.
5. Identify players who may need a different size for layering.
6. Review the complete size list before production.

Deuka Wears‘ broader lacrosse uniform offering also considers different athlete builds and equipment requirements, which is important when developing a complete team apparel order.

Pinnie Sizing for Youth Teams

Youth rosters can have significant differences in height and body proportions even within the same age group.

For that reason, age should be treated as a starting reference rather than the only sizing method.

Collect Measurements Consistently

If measurements are required, give every parent or player the same instructions and use the same measurement points.

Keep Youth and Adult Sizes Separate

Do not mix youth and adult sizing terminology in the final roster. Clearly record the size category alongside each player’s selected size to reduce ordering errors.

What Colors Should Lacrosse Pinnies Be?

Color selection is more important than simply matching the team’s logo.

A good lacrosse pinnie color system needs to provide clear visual separation between groups.

Choose High-Contrast Colors

If one practice group wears dark navy and another wears black, the difference may not be obvious enough from a distance.

Instead, consider combinations such as:

• Dark navy vs white
• Black vs bright yellow
• Red vs white
• Royal blue vs bright green
• Dark green vs light gray

The exact combination depends on the team’s existing identity and the playing environment.

Consider the Existing Team Uniform

Pinnie colors do not have to duplicate the colors of the game uniform.

In fact, a contrasting practice color may be more useful when the main objective is group identification.

For example, if the official uniform is primarily navy and white, a bright training color can make practice groups easier to distinguish.

Check Number and Logo Contrast

If the pinnie includes player numbers, team logos, or other graphics, those elements need sufficient contrast against the base color.

A number that looks clear on a computer mockup may become difficult to read when players are moving across a field.

Build a Simple Color System

A practical team color system can include:

Check Colors in Real Playing Conditions

Review colors under the lighting and field conditions where the pinnies will actually be used.

Prioritize Recognition Over Decoration

The purpose of practice colors is identification. A simple, high-contrast design can be more useful than an elaborate pattern that becomes difficult to distinguish during a fast drill.

Should Lacrosse Pinnies Have Numbers?

They can, but numbers are not always necessary.

For basic practice identification, a team may only need different colors. Numbered pinnies become more useful when coaches want to identify individual players during drills or when the same pinnies are used across multiple training groups.

When Numbered Pinnies Make Sense

Numbering can help coaches:

• Call out specific players during drills
• Track tactical assignments
• Identify players during scrimmages
• Use pinnies across multiple sessions
• Organize larger training groups

However, numbering also adds another production and roster-management requirement.

If names or numbers are included, verify every player’s information before production.

Number Placement Matters

Numbers should be positioned where they remain visible during normal movement.

For a reversible pinnie, the number treatment may need to be considered on both sides.

The design should also account for:

• Number size
• Number color
• Font
• Outline
• Background contrast
• Front and back placement

This is particularly important for teams ordering custom practice gear in bulk.

Can Lacrosse Pinnies Be Customized?

Yes. Teams can customize pinnies with colors, logos, numbers, names, patterns, and other branding elements depending on the manufacturing method and garment construction.

Customization can range from a simple team logo to an all-over sublimated design.

Simple Practice Pinnie Customization

A straightforward practice pinnie might include:

• One or two team colors
• Team logo
• Player number
• Small sponsor mark

This approach keeps the garment focused on practice identification.

Fully Custom Lacrosse Pinnies

A more detailed design can include full-color graphics, gradients, patterns, multiple logos, and different artwork on each reversible side.

For teams and brands considering a broader custom apparel program, Deuka Wears provides Custom Sublimation & Design as part of its custom sportswear manufacturing services.

Decide on Customization Before Finalizing the Fabric

The printing method and fabric should be considered together.

Confirm Polyester Compatibility for Sublimation

If a team wants detailed sublimation, confirm that the selected fabric is appropriate for the printing process before production.

Approve the Final Artwork Before Bulk Production

Review the front, back, color combinations, numbers, logos, and reversible sides before approving the final production file.

How Many Lacrosse Pinnies Does a Team Need?

There is no universal number because the requirement depends on roster size and how the coaching staff structures practice.

A small team that rarely divides into groups may need fewer pinnies than a large program running simultaneous drills.

Consider:

• Total roster size
• Number of practice groups
• Number of coaches
• Frequency of scrimmages
• Whether pinnies are reversible
• Whether different age groups train together
• Whether the same set is shared across teams

For a simple two-team scrimmage, a coach may divide the roster by color. For larger programs, multiple color groups can be more practical.

The key is to plan the pinnie quantity around how the team actually trains, rather than automatically matching the number of game uniforms.

Lacrosse Pinnies vs Practice Jerseys: What’s the Difference?

Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, pinnies and practice jerseys serve slightly different purposes.

A pinnie is usually a lightweight identification layer worn over another garment.

A practice jersey can function more like a standalone training shirt and may have a more conventional jersey construction.

For coaches, the choice should depend on the training activity rather than the terminology used by a supplier.

How Do Lacrosse Pinnies Fit Into a Complete Team Apparel Program?

Pinnies are one part of a larger lacrosse apparel system.

A team may need game uniforms, practice sets, warmups, shorts, skorts, bags, and other supporting apparel alongside training pinnies.

The role of each item should be clear:

• Game uniforms: Official competition
• Pinnies: Practice identification
• Practice sets: Regular training
• Warmups: Pre-game and travel
• Shorts or skorts: Training and competition depending on design
• Accessories: Team organization and branding

Teams looking beyond individual pinnies can review Deuka Wears’ Custom Practice Lacrosse Sets when building a more complete training apparel program.

For official gamewear, Custom Lacrosse Game Uniforms can serve a different purpose from lightweight practice pinnies.

What Should Teams Check Before Ordering Lacrosse Pinnies?

Before placing a custom or bulk order, review the product from both a player and production perspective.

Pinnie Buying Checklist

Use this checklist:

• Confirm whether you need single-color or reversible pinnies.
• Decide whether player numbers are required.
• Select a suitable fabric.
• Check the fit over normal training layers or pads.
• Confirm youth and adult size requirements.
• Select contrasting colors.
• Check logo and number readability.
• Confirm the decoration method.
• Review the complete roster.
• Approve the final design proof.
• Confirm the final quantity.
• Request a sample when appropriate for the order.

What Should Be Included in a Custom Pinnie Specification?

A useful specification should identify:

1. Garment type
2. Fabric composition
3. Fabric weight or construction where relevant
4. Size range
5. Colorways
6. Reversible requirements
7. Logo placement
8. Number placement
9. Decoration method
10. Quantity
11. Packaging requirements if applicable

This gives the manufacturer enough information to understand what the team actually needs instead of relying on a vague request for “custom lacrosse pinnies.”

Frequently Asked Questions About Lacrosse Pinnies

What is a lacrosse pinnie used for?

A lacrosse pinnie is primarily used during practice, drills, scrimmages, camps, and other training activities. Its main purpose is to make player groups easy to identify through contrasting colors.

Are lacrosse pinnies reversible?

Many lacrosse pinnies are available in reversible designs. A reversible pinnie has two different color sides, allowing one garment to identify two practice groups.

What size should a lacrosse pinnie be?

The size should provide enough room to wear comfortably over the player’s regular training apparel and, where applicable, protective equipment. Teams should use actual measurements and the manufacturer’s size chart rather than selecting sizes by age alone.

What color should lacrosse pinnies be?

The best color depends on the team’s practice system, but the two most important considerations are contrast and visibility. If two teams are using different colors, those colors should be easy to distinguish from a practical distance.

Do lacrosse pinnies need numbers?

No. Basic practice pinnies can work without numbers. Numbered pinnies are useful when coaches need to identify individual players during drills or scrimmages.

Can lacrosse pinnies be customized?

Yes. Depending on the garment and production method, teams can customize pinnies with colors, logos, numbers, patterns, and other design elements.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Lacrosse Pinnies

Lacrosse pinnies are simple pieces of training gear, but the right design can make practices easier to organize for teams in the USA, Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, and other international markets.

Start with the actual training requirements of your team. Decide whether you need single-color or reversible pinnies, determine how the garments will fit over training apparel or protective equipment, and select a lightweight fabric that suits the team’s practice environment.

Color selection also deserves attention. Contrasting colors make it easier to separate groups during drills and scrimmages, while clear number and logo placement can improve player identification when customization is required.

For teams developing a wider lacrosse apparel program, Deuka Wears can support custom training and gamewear requirements through its Lacrosse Wears collection, including practice sets and custom game uniforms. The key is to treat pinnies as part of the team’s overall apparel system rather than as an isolated purchase.

Whether a program is ordering for a youth club in the USA, a school team in Canada, a European academy, or an international lacrosse organization, the same basic principles apply: choose the right fit, fabric, visibility, color system, and customization for the way the team actually trains.