At first glance, a squash ball and lacrosse ball appear somewhat similar – both are solid rubber balls used in fast racket/stick sports. But when you examine them closely, there are many contrasts between the two spheres in terms of their size, weight, bounce, speed, purpose, and overall design.

Here are 11 ways that squash balls differ from lacrosse balls:

• Weight – Squash balls are lighter at 24g vs 110-140g for lacrosse.
• Size – Squash is 40mm diameter, lacrosse is 64-77mm.
• Bounce – Squash balls have a super high bounce, lacrosse balls bounce minimally.
• Materials – Squash uses rubber, lacrosse has solid rubber.
• History – Lacrosse balls from the 1800s, squash balls from the 1960s.
• Speed – Squash balls reach over 175 mph, lacrosse balls 70 mph.
• Shot Speed – Squash shot up to 150 mph, lacrosse shot around 100 mph.
• World Records – No lacrosse speed records, squash record is 179 mph serve.
• Durability – Lacrosse balls very durable, squash balls high durability.
• Brands – Dunlop iconic for squash; Maverik, Brine, STX for lacrosse.
• Age – Old squash balls bounce more lively, old lacrosse balls deteriorate.

Read on as we explore all the differences between squash and lacrosse balls in-depth!

1. Difference in Weight

The first major difference is that squash balls are much lighter at 24 grams on average. Lacrosse balls have a substantially heavier weight between 110-140 grams depending on type.

The light squash ball adds to its speed potential. The hefty lacrosse ball allows for more throwing force and stability in flight. I was shocked feeling the weight of a lacrosse ball after playing squash for years!

2. Difference in Size

Along with lighter weight, squash balls have a smaller 40mm diameter (1.6 inches).

Lacrosse balls are significantly larger at 64-77mm or 2.5-3 inches in diameter. Their bigger size contributes to their weight and solid feel.

When I’d switch between them, the giant lacrosse ball looked absurdly oversized on a squash racket! The compact squash ball gets lost on a lacrosse stick head.

3. Difference in Bounce

Here’s where they differ most – squash balls have an extremely lively, high bounce off hard floors thanks to their pressurized interior and rubber shell. They compress over 1mm when dropped.

Lacrosse balls have a minimal bounce due to their pure solid rubber form. They won’t compress or deform when dropped. Lacrosse balls are built for carrying inertia and withstanding high-force throws.

You’ll immediately notice the energy of a squash ball as it zips around the court versus the dead thud of a lacrosse ball landing. They behave totally differently off playing surfaces.

4. Materials Used

Squash balls consist of a pressurized nitrocellulose compound interior encased in a durable smooth rubber exterior shell.

Lacrosse balls are made of solid vulcanized rubber all the way through with no hollow cavity or air pocket. Their rubber has some natural give but no inner compressibility.

The elastic shell gives squash balls their lively bounce, while lacrosse balls are designed for solid heft and durability.

5. History of Both Balls

Lacrosse balls have existed since the Native American origins of the sport in the 1800s, traditionally made of deerskin stuffed with hair. Rubber lacrosse balls emerged in the late 1800s.

Squash balls with pressurized air pockets were developed more recently in the 1960s by Dunlop. Their innovative two dot pattern changed squash.

So lacrosse balls have origins in Native American culture. Pressurized squash balls came much later as a modern sporting invention.

6. Speed They Travel

The light, bouncy squash ball reaches extremely fast speeds off the racket, over 175 mph for top players!

Lacrosse balls move much slower through the air, maxing out around 70 mph for pro lacrosse shots. Their heavy solid rubber form prevents higher velocity.

It still awes me to watch the sheer pace squash pros can put on a ball, well over double a lacrosse ball’s speed potential. The sports operate on vastly different speed scales.

7. How Fast is a Shot?

• Squash players strike shots between 120-150 mph pace on average.
• Lacrosse shot speeds peak around 90-100 mph for elite professional players.

The light squash ball carries great racket speed even on shots. The dense lacrosse ball limits velocity despite extreme stick forces.

My racket arm was certainly less taxed transitioning to lacrosse after the conditioning needed for squash!

8. What is the World Record Speed of Both?

• The fastest squash serve is held by Australian Cameron Pilley at a blistering 179 mph from 2018.
• There are no official speed records kept for lacrosse. The ball weight prevents extraordinary velocities.

So squash balls hold the undisputed speed advantage thanks to their light pressurized design suited for racket acceleration.

9. How Both Compare to Balls from Other Sports

• Squash balls – 175+ mph potential off racket
• Lacrosse balls – Around 70 mph maximum speed
• Golf balls – 205+ mph clubhead speed
• Tennis balls – 150+ mph serves
• Baseball – 105 mph off bat

The heavy lacrosse ball profile prevents truly high speeds. Only golf exceeds squash for ball velocity off the club/racket.

10. The Best Makes of Balls for Either Sport

For squash, Dunlop is the most acclaimed brand, known for their Pro double dot balls. Other leading squash ball companies include Wilson, Prince, Head, and Pointfore.

With lacrosse, Maverik, Brine, STX, Warrior, and Champion make quality balls. I like the Maverik Range lacrosse balls – great feel for handling and passing.

You can trust industry leaders Dunlop and Maverik to produce top-tier balls optimized for each sport.

11. Best Ways to Store or Maintain the Balls

Here’s a key maintenance difference:

• Lacrosse balls last for years with minimal degradation if stored at room temperature. The solid rubber holds up extremely well.
• Squash balls also hold their pressure for months as long as they’re kept in normal conditions and not overheated.

So both balls have excellent durability with basic care. Lacrosse balls edge out squash in longevity thanks to the absence of air pressure.

12. How a New One Compares to an Old One

Amazingly, old squash balls actually bounce higher and perform better than brand new ones as the materials settle in over a few weeks of play. The bounce improves with moderate use.

In contrast, lacrosse balls slowly deteriorate over years of heavy use as the solid rubber compounds break down. Old balls become hardened and lack the lively feel of new ones.

It’s satisfying to control a perfectly broken-in squash ball. With lacrosse balls, I’d replace them after extensive use to keep ideal playability.

Conclusion

While sharing a round profile, squash and lacrosse balls differ substantially in their weight, speed, bounce, composition, and purpose. They’re specialized for very different sport conditions and play styles. Understanding these contrasts helps select the right ball for your chosen game.

Their divergent designs highlight how balls can be engineered in numerous ways to suit specific sports rules and skills. I’ve gained new respect for the nuances and considerations underlying all ball technology!