Things To Consider When Buying
Lacrosse Sticks and Heads

How do you choose lacrosse sticks? The stick is the most important piece of equipment. All the major equipment manufacturers try to create their own niche by offering new designs each year with unique features. The quality is probably comparable and a lot of the decision comes down to what you prefer.

Click Here for Heads and Sticks

You’ll find that elite players play with all the major brands of lacrosse sticks available. The decision of which stick to use will usually come down to which features you prefer.

Click the following links to learn more about each major brand.

     Warrior Lax Sticks 

     Harrow Lax Sticks 

     Brine Lax Sticks 

     STX Lax Sticks 

     deBeer Lax Sticks 

Reebok O-Tech Shaft

Revolutionary technology from Reebok. Holes, O-Ports, built into the top portion of the handle allow for less drag which can create a faster shot. The shaft is made of graphite for light weight weight and improved strength. Compression molded, seamless construction makes for a consistent and durable handle. Some players have expressed concern over how durable this stick will be. The same technology in hockey has disappointed.

Shop for Reebok O-Tech


AdiSTRIKE MH.109 Head from Adidas

Adidas Mid-Set design provides the advantages and feel of an offset head while allowing the ball to sit higher in the pocket for quick and accurate release.

The stiffened head design is strong and rigid and multiple stringing holes allow for custom pockets. The pinched throat and rounded scoop may provide improved ball retention and shooting accuracy. This head is best suited for elite lacrosse players.
Shop for AdiSTRIKE


Maverik Juice Head

The Juice head claims to be designed around the ball's natural momentum in the pocket when handling and the fastest release point when passing and shooting. The lowered symmetrical geometry acts like a claw, holding the ball when you’re moving. This is an offset, stiff head with a flared sidewall. It can be used by all positions. It weighs 5.3 ounces unstrung and has only one set of stringing holes.
Shop for Maverik Juice

Nike Elite

This head is made for an advanced all-around midfielder. It offers excellent ball retention and maximum strength. The patented "keyhole" silhouette shape gives it a distinct look. The traditional scoop is rounded for both accuracy and ground ball pick up. The Elite is canted forward and weighs 4.9 ounces.

Shop for Nike Elite

Consider this . . .

* Buy a stick that fits your skill level. Newer players should use heads with wider throats which make catching the ball easier. Performance heads will be narrower allowing for more shot accuracy but more difficulty catching balls.

* Stick length depends on the position you play. Men’s attack usually runs 40” to 42”. Men’s defense runs 52” to 72”. Women’s lacrosse sticks are usually the same length and run 36” to 44”.

* Heavier lacrosse sticks with thicker shafts increase stick strength and are usually preferred by defense players. Attack players use lighter heads and shafts for faster speed.

* A deeper pocket can provide more feel and ball control, while a shallower pocket gives you a quicker release. Lower side rails on the head will give you a deeper pocket. Players who pass the ball over long distances should use a shallower pocket.

* Lacrosse sticks can have either a traditional woven pocket for more experienced players or a mesh pocket for less-experienced players. Softer mesh allows for easier catching. Stiff mesh or dura-mesh provides more power but is more difficult to control. Shooting strings affect the balance and direction of the ball. These strings determine whether a shot will have “whip”. More experienced players prefer more whip.

* Men’s lacrosse sticks are typically made of aluminum, graphite, or titanium. They are light and durable. Women’s sticks are usually wood or aluminum and have shallower pockets than men’s.

Pockets and Strings

A traditional woven pocket has adjustable nylon lacings that allow for a variety of depths and leather strips for more accurate throwing. Mesh pockets are looser and provide better ball control with a deeper pocket. Hybrid pockets combine the accuracy of traditional pockets with the ball control of mesh pockets.

You can change the control and balance of your pocket with shooting strings, which lace vertically in the pocket.

Choosing a Lacrosse Head

There are many different lacrosse heads available and choosing the right one can be difficult. The angle, stiffness, width and weight are all important aspects to look at when selecting a head.

Types of Lacrosse Heads

Offset Head - The offset head has revolutionized lacrosse. This head drops down at the throat, allowing for a lower position of the ball and pocket on the head. Offset heads provide maximum feel and control as well as accuracy when passing and shooting.

Cant Head - The forward cant technology is similar to the offset head. A forward cant head is also angled down at the throat of the lacrosse stick, optimizing ball retention and making for quicker passing and shooting.

Curved Head - The curved head is also similar to the offset and cant heads. The scoop and sidewalls of this stick curve down at the throat. Curved heads generate power and accuracy on passes and shots.

Onset Head - Onset heads extend straight out from the handle, where as offset, cant, and curved heads all slope downwards. Fewer onset heads are being used by top lacrosse players. Onset heads are great for beginners learning fundamentals and skills.

Stiff or Flexible

Stiffness and flexibility are two other areas of concentration. Stiff heads may be heavier than flexible heads. Player preference determines which type to choose. Defensive players may want stiffer heads for checking or flexible heads to pick up balls.

Narrow or Wide Lacrosse Heads

Lacrosse heads have narrowed in recent years. Player preference determines which type to choose. Most narrow lacrosse heads are designed for advanced players as it is harder to catch with a narrow head.

Choosing a Lacrosse Shaft

Aluminum shafts have good strength-to-weight ratio and are a good choice for players of all ages. However newer, lighter technology is being used by more advanced lacrosse players. Aluminum shafts can be used by all positions.

Titanium lacrosse shafts have a higher strength-to-weight ratio than aluminum. Known for their superior strength, Titanium handles are are used by players needing superior durability at a light weight. The Warrior Pro Titanium is the number one choice among Major League Lacrosse pros.

Composite shafts, made of carbon fiber provides the best feel and control and you don’t need grip tape.

Alloy lacrosse shafts are the lightest lacrosse shafts available and have a feel unlike other materials.

Scandium lacrosse sticks feature the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any shaft in the game.

Lax Shopper.com for ratings and opinions

Price Grabber for reviews

New Releases - Latest and greatest new equipment hitting the market.

Shop now for Sticks and Heads

Discount Lax Gear

Return from Lacrosse Sticks to Equipment Reviews