Lacrosse is one of the most physically demanding sports for hair to survive. The combination of a helmet or headgear, constant running, physical contact, outdoor conditions, and the speed and intensity of the game means your hair needs to be locked in before the first whistle and still be completely in place at the final buzzer. A hairstyle that looks great in the parking lot but falls apart by halftime is not doing its job.
The best lacrosse hairstyles are the ones that stay completely secure under a helmet, keep every strand off your face and out of your eyes during intense play, hold up through sweat and outdoor conditions, and still look intentional rather than rushed when you pull your helmet off for photos. The good news is that the styles that work best for lacrosse are also genuinely cute — you do not have to sacrifice either function or appearance.
These are 15 lacrosse hairstyles covering every hair type and length from easy game-morning styles to more involved options worth practicing before the season starts.
1. Tight High Bun with Athletic Headband
The tight high bun with an athletic headband is the most reliable of all lacrosse hairstyles easy options because the bun keeps all your hair completely off your neck under a helmet and the headband catches every shorter piece and flyaway at the front hairline. Pull your hair up to the crown, wrap a strong elastic around it twice, pin any loose ends underneath, and add a wide athletic headband.
Nothing slips, nothing falls forward during a sprint or a tackle check, and the combination holds through a full game in any weather condition. This is also one of the best lacrosse hairstyles no braids choices for players who want everything controlled without spending any time braiding on a game morning.
2. Dutch Braid Pigtails
Dutch braid pigtails are one of the most secure lacrosse hairstyles braids options because the Dutch braid technique anchors hair flat against the scalp from the hairline all the way down, meaning nothing can loosen or slide under a helmet regardless of how physical the play gets. Braid tightly from the crown on each side, secure with strong elastics, and the style holds through a full tournament day without any adjustment.
Once you have the Dutch braid technique down it takes about six minutes on a game morning and the results are consistent and reliable every single time. For Dutch braid technique guidance, our braids hairstyles guide covers the steps in detail so you can practice before the season starts.
3. Low Ponytail Lacrosse Style
The low ponytail is one of the most practical lacrosse hairstyles low pony options because the low placement works with gravity rather than against it — thin or medium weight hair that slides down from a high ponytail during play holds its position far better at the nape. Gather everything at the nape, secure with a strong elastic, and add a wide headband at the front to keep the hairline completely clear during play.
A little dry shampoo at the roots before styling gives extra grip and helps the elastic hold the ponytail at the nape through the full match without sliding. This is also one of the best lacrosse hairstyles no braids options for players with thin hair who find high ponytails slip during intense play.
4. Slick Back Bun for Lacrosse
The slicked back bun is one of the cleanest and most secure lacrosse hairstyles slick back options for players who want zero hair movement during play. Apply gel generously to damp hair, brush everything completely smooth toward the nape, twist into a flat bun, pin firmly, and lay every edge down with a small brush. The gel holds everything in place through the entire game even through sweating and helmet wear.
This style also looks particularly sharp when the helmet comes off for team photos because the slicked edges and flat bun create a clean, intentional appearance that an unstyled bun does not. For more slick back technique ideas, our slick back hairstyles guide covers the full range of slicked styles across different hair types.
5. Bubble Braid for Lacrosse
The bubble braid is one of the most popular lacrosse hairstyles bubble braids options right now because it adds personality and visual interest to a basic high ponytail while actually making it more secure — the multiple elastics anchor the style at different points down the length so it holds significantly better during intense play than a single elastic at the base.
Pull your hair into a high ponytail, add elastics every two to three inches down the length, and gently pull each section outward between the bands for the bubble effect. It takes about three extra minutes beyond a regular ponytail and the result looks genuinely cute when your helmet comes off between plays.
6. Single Dutch Braid Down
A single tight Dutch braid down the center back is one of the most consistently reliable lacrosse hairstyles braids options for long hair because the braid runs flat against the scalp for its entire length keeping every strand anchored no matter how intense the play gets. Unlike a ponytail which can move and swing, the Dutch braid stays flat against the back of the head under a helmet without creating any bulk.
Braid from the crown downward keeping the tension firm throughout, secure at the end with a strong elastic, and you have a style that holds up through an entire tournament day without any maintenance. For more single braid techniques and variations, our volleyball hairstyles guide covers sport braid styles that translate perfectly to lacrosse.
7. Natural Curly Puff with Headband
For players with natural curly hair, the high puff ponytail with an athletic headband is the most practical lacrosse hairstyles curly hair option because it gathers all the natural volume up and off the neck without fighting the curl pattern. Secure with a soft satin elastic to prevent breakage, apply edge control along the hairline, and add a wide headband to keep everything flat at the front under a helmet.
The natural curl texture in the puff actually holds the elastic better than straight hair does which means the puff stays securely in place through the most physical play without the elastic slipping down. Apply leave-in conditioner or curl cream before styling to keep the puff defined throughout the game.
8. Two Tight Braided Pigtails
Two tight braided pigtails are one of the most dependable lacrosse hairstyles braids tutorial styles because they divide all the hair into two fully controlled sections that stay secure through diving, running, and every contact situation the game involves. Split the hair down the center, braid each side tightly from ear level, and secure with strong elastics.
They hold through a full tournament day without any adjustment and are one of the fastest complete braid options for game mornings. Once the basic pigtail braid is second nature it takes about four minutes total and the style is genuinely reliable in any playing conditions.
9. Slick Back Low Bun for Short Hair
Short hair players have one of the most effective lacrosse hairstyles for short hair options in the gel slick back bun. Apply gel generously, smooth everything completely back toward the nape, gather whatever length you have, pin it flat, and add a wide headband at the front to catch any shorter pieces. The gel holds every strand in place through the entire match even on hair too short for a proper ponytail.
This is also one of the cleanest lacrosse hairstyles slick back options for short hair because the gel finish makes even a very small gathered section look intentionally styled rather than just collected.
10. Half Up Dutch Braid
A Dutch braid from the front hairline feeding into a high half-up ponytail is one of the most practical lacrosse hairstyles braids options for medium hair because the braid anchors the top section firmly against the scalp while the ponytail handles the remaining length. Nothing can slide forward or escape during play and the overall style is compact enough to sit comfortably under a helmet.
This is one of the best lacrosse hairstyles tutorial styles to learn for medium hair players because the Dutch braid removes the slippage problem that regular half-up ponytails sometimes have during intense physical play.
11. Cornrows for Lacrosse Season
Cornrow braids are the most complete lacrosse season solution for players who want to eliminate the daily hair decision entirely. Once installed at the start of the season, cornrows require zero morning maintenance, lay completely flat under a helmet, protect natural hair from sweat and environmental exposure during practice and games, and hold up for weeks without any styling. There is genuinely no better set-it-and-forget-it option for an entire lacrosse season.
For cornrow pattern ideas and maintenance tips that keep them looking fresh through a long season, our cornrow hairstyles guide covers everything worth knowing before your next braiding appointment.
12. Easy Twisted Knot No Braids
For players who prefer lacrosse hairstyles no braids, the twisted knot is a practical middle-ground style for medium hair. Take the top section, twist it back toward the crown, pin it flat as a small knot, and secure the remaining hair into a low ponytail below. The pinned knot keeps the top completely anchored and the low ponytail handles the length without the loosening that high ponytails sometimes experience on medium hair.
It takes about two minutes, requires no braiding skill, and holds up through a full game with just a few bobby pins.
13. Space Buns for Lacrosse
Space buns work surprisingly well for lacrosse because each bun sits at the top of the head rather than at the back where a single bun can create a pressure point during helmet wear. Two buns distributed symmetrically on either side create a balanced comfortable fit under a helmet while keeping all the hair completely controlled. Divide down the center, twist each half into a firm bun, pin securely, and add a headband at the front.
They hold through the entire game when pinned firmly and look fun and full of personality when the helmet comes off. A great lacrosse hairstyles easy option for players who want their game day style to have a little extra character.
14. Low Bubble Braid Ponytail
A low bubble braid ponytail combines the hold-improving benefit of the multiple bubble elastics with the low placement that keeps thin and medium weight hair from sliding during play. The bubbles sit at the nape level and the multiple elastics mean the style is anchored at several points simultaneously making it one of the most secure lacrosse hairstyles low pony and bubble braids combination options available.
It holds all game, looks more interesting than a plain low ponytail, and takes about three minutes from start to finish.
15. High Ponytail with Braid Wrap
A high ponytail with a thin braid wrapped around the elastic base is one of the most polished lacrosse hairstyles braids tutorial looks for long hair because it takes a standard high ponytail and adds a small braid detail that makes it look intentionally styled rather than just pulled back in a rush. Pull the hair into a high ponytail, take a small section from the ponytail, braid it thinly all the way down, and wrap it around the elastic base several times before securing the end with a bobby pin.
It adds about two minutes to a regular ponytail and the braid wrap also reinforces the base of the ponytail making it more secure through the physical demands of a lacrosse match. A great style for players who want function and a little extra style detail at the same time.
Final Thoughts
Lacrosse hairstyles need to do one thing above everything else — stay completely in place from the first whistle to the final buzzer. Every style on this list has been chosen specifically because it holds up under a helmet, through intense physical play, and in outdoor conditions without requiring any mid-game adjustment.
Pick one or two styles that suit your hair length and type, practice them on a regular practice morning before game days, and make them automatic so you are not thinking about your hair when you should be thinking about the game.
For more sport-specific hairstyle ideas that keep hair secure and stylish through any athletic activity, browse our complete sports hairstyles collection and find the right style for your game.
