Lacrosse, without an iota of doubt, is not for the faint-hearted. It demands gut, grit, and determination. And above anything else, you also need to have the Best Lacrosse Stick to make your mark felt in the ground. Lacrosse Stick acts as an extension of a Lacrosse player. An ordinary Lacrosse Stick can severally impact your abilities and performance in the ground and which is why most Lacrosse players go extra miles to get the best Lacrosse Stick that money can buy because a good quality Lacrosse Stick helps them perform better.
The Lacrosse Stick should not be too heavy, too long or too light. It has to have the perfect, shape and size otherwise your performance is going to get affected and there is nothing you can do about it. This is the reason why it is extremely important for you to choose the right Lacrosse Stick.
If the lacrosse stick is too heavy, you will find it increasingly difficult to maintain your passing and throwing accuracy. No matter how many games you have played before, an awkwardly balanced Lacrosse Stick can throw you off the balance and that can tilt the game in the favor of your opponent. So, you have to be very careful while zeroing in one a lacrosse stick.
Best 8 Lacrosse Sticks
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1. STX Lacrosse Men’s Stallion 200 Lacrosse Defense Stick
STX Lacrosse Men’s Stallion 200 Lacrosse Defense Stick draws its inspiration from the iconic Elite stallion U 550 head and features a soft mesh stringing which is just perfect for defensive players. If you are a beginner and want to learn the basics of lacrosse defensive techniques, you have to get your hands on it. The shaft is made from alloy that adds to its impressive strength and durability.
STX Lacrosse Men’s Stallion 200 Lacrosse Defense Stick allows players to catch the ball easily and also offers a remarkable level of ball control. This defensive lacrosse stick meets all the rules and requirements set by NCAA and NFHS.
The only major drawback of this STX Lacrosse Men’s Stallion 200 Lacrosse Defense Stick is that its head is too flexible for a professional lacrosse player.
2. EVO WARP Next D Lacrosse Stick
EVO WARP Next D Lacrosse Stick is a rugged lacrosse stick specifically designed to cushion impacts which are very much part of this amazing game. Ideally built for intermediate level players, EVO WARP Next D Lacrosse Stick can be used by professional-level players as well.
EVO WARP Next D Lacrosse Stick offers great ball control which is one of the most crucial aspects of defense and it has deep pocket. To elevate high-end feel, the company has incorporated Ruff-Grip texture in the design of the stick and it seems it has worked really well.
Allowing players to take the game to the next level, EVO WARP Next D Lacrosse Stick is a complete stick and that means, you don’t have to shell out a penny for any extra equipment.
3. STX Lacrosse Exult 200 Complete Stick
STX Lacrosse Exult 200 Complete Stick is a good lacrosse stick for both attack and defense. Considered to be a versatile lacrosse stick, STX Lacrosse Exult 200 Complete Stick offers a remarkable level of accuracy and whip which are the two hallmark qualities of a reliable lacrosse stick.
Picking up ground ball has become easier thanks to its flexible scoop. To add more control and flexibility to the stick, stiff sideways are included. We should not ignore the importance of its unique pocket either. The pocket features one of its kind center string system that allows players to reach out and grab the ball easily and effortlessly.
STX Lacrosse Exult 200 Complete Stick is a superior girl lacrosse stick which is ideal for intermediate players or players who have just graduated from the beginner’s groups. Your throw will see major improvements and catching accuracy will also see major enhancements.
Noticeably lighter, STX Lacrosse Exult 200 Complete Stick offers a premier feel and a good grip.
4. String King Complete Attack Lacrosse Stick
String King Complete Attack Lacrosse Stick can easily withstand a lot of abuse both on-field and off-field and thus making it ideal for attackers. At this price point, String King Complete Attack Lacrosse Stick is basically a steal.
String King Complete Attack Lacrosse Stick offers value for money and it does not even need any kind of adjustments. Just unpack the box and start playing with it. Each part of this Attack lacrosse stick is designed meticulously to offer seamless performance. It has got the right weight and the right size for an attacker and therefore, it is no wonder why String King Complete Attack Lacrosse Stick is gaining so much popularity among both beginners and professional lacrosse players.
Catching and throwing balls will become a lot easier thanks to its unique design. Its net is strung neatly and the shaft is strong and durable.
5. STX Lacrosse Stallion U 550 Attack Stick
STX Lacrosse Stallion U 550 Attack Stick is another popular lacrosse stick specifically designed for attack. But that does not mean that you can’t use it if you play in the defensive position or as a mid-fielder. In an effort to strengthen the sidewall, the Stallion U 550 head has embraced C-Channel technology. It is a revolutionizing technology that has allowed the Stallion U 550 head to maintain a low profile (low weight) while making the head stronger and more robust so that it can withstand a lot of abuse.
With STX Lacrosse Stallion U 550 Attack Stick, you will be able to pick ground balls while on the move. In the rear, open sidewall bends and stretches to catch the groundballs. To increase the stability of the stick, dual sidewall braces are incorporated in the design. STX 7000 alloy handle adds to its impressive strength and durability.
6. STX Lacrosse Stallion 200 A/M Complete Stick
STX Lacrosse Stallion 200 A/M Complete Stick is ideal for both beginners and intermediates. For catching and throwing balls, STX Lacrosse Stallion 200 A/M Complete Stick is just perfect thanks to the inclusion of soft mesh pocket.
Both the shaft and the head of this iconic STX Lacrosse Stallion 200 A/M Complete Stick have got a unique design. It just looks perfect and offers a comfortable grip. No matter what position you play; this lacrosse stick is going to help you up your game.
STX Lacrosse Stallion 200 A/M Complete Stick draws its inspiration from Elite stallion U 500 head. If you are looking for a lacrosse stick to learn the basics of attacks, then look no farther.
STX Lacrosse Stallion 200 A/M Complete Stick comprises of two parts – stallion 6000 shaft and stallion 200 head and they seem to have blended pretty well. One of the major advantages of this stick is that it is extremely lightweight. Wide head and deep pocket make it ideal for attack.
7. CAKLOR Lacrosse Complete Midfield Stick
CAKLOR Lacrosse Complete Midfield Stick is ideal for both beginners and professionals regardless of their age and gender. It is strong, lightweight and has got a great color. The mesh is made from premium quality materials that add to its impressive look and feel.
The pocket is highly adjustable by nature and that means, you can make adjustments in it if you wish to concentrate on the catching part of the game. The shaft is 30 inches in length and the best part is that this lacrosse stick is available for the cheap.
8. STX Lacrosse Stallion 50 Youth Lacrosse Complete Stick
STX Lacrosse Stallion 50 Youth Lacrosse Complete Stick has long been used as a middies stick by most lacrosse players. Its head is made from soft materials to make it easier for midfielders to catch the ball on the move. It offers a remarkable level of ball control which you will hardly find in any other lacrosse Midfield Sticks that are commonly available in the market.
For the beginners, STX Lacrosse Stallion 50 Youth Lacrosse Complete Stick is a perfect package. The handle is thin and short. Excellent middies stick to learn the basics of the game.
Lacrosse Stick Buying Factors
You might be thinking that buying a lacrosse stick is as easy as visiting the nearby store and pick the one that suits your budget and requirements. But sadly, this is not the case. Are you going to purchase the complete stick or are you going to purchase the head and the stick separately?
Some people even purchase multiple lacrosse heads and then swap these heads out every now and then. However, if you are a beginner, you should rather purchase the complete kit as it will save the hassles to a great extent. Here are some factors that you need to carefully consider while purchasing a lacrosse stick –
1. Handling and Feel
It does not matter whether you have put on lacrosse gloves on or not, the lacrosse stick should offer a comfortable grip. If you find the shaft hard to handle, probably it is not a good idea to put your hard-earned money on it. Find a lacrosse stick that is easy to carry and has the right length depending on your position.
2. Playing Positions
Contrary to what most people believe, not all lacrosse players use the same type of lacrosse stick. Depending on their positions in the field, different lacrosse players use different types of lacrosse sticks.
The shaft length of the goalie’s stick is around 40 inches and sometimes, it can be shorter than that. The reason is quite obvious. Goalie usually does not have to cover a lot of ground or have to make a lot of moves in lacrosse. They just need to stop the ball from entering the goal and which is why they need shorter and lighter lacrosse sticks as these types of lacrosse sticks to offer more mobility and flexibility.
The defenders, on the other hand, need a larger lacrosse stick. Defender lacrosse stick’s length could be about 60 inches. Large lacrosse sticks help defenders to snag a shot and thwart opponent team’s player from making advances with the ball.
Attackers and midfielders use a shorter and lighter stick as they have to cover a lot of ground and they need to show more agility and mobility on the ground. A heavy lacrosse stick would slow them down and they will out of breath very fast. This is the reason why they use a 40 inches long lacrosse sticks.
3. Material
Your lacrosse sticks should be made from high quality and durable materials, right? It is no brainer but how do you know what material is right for your lacrosse stick? lacrosse sticks these days are constructed from different materials and therefore, making it all the more difficult for people to make the right choice. Here are some common materials that are used to construct lacrosse sticks –
- Scandium alloy – It has the benefits of all the other three materials that we are going to describe in detail below. Scandium alloy is strong (just like titanium), tough (just like ceramic) and lightweight (just like aluminum). Thus, it is no wonder that premium lacrosse sticks are all made from Scandium alloy but they come with a higher price tag. Scandium alloy is primarily used in the aerospace industry because of its strong and lightweight nature.
- Carbon fiber – lacrosse shafts made from Carbon fiber are well known for their durability, longevity, and ruggedness. But Carbon fiber lacrosse sticks come with a hefty price tag and therefore, not ideal for high school students. To be honest with you, Carbon fiber lacrosse sticks are meant for the professionals. Both professional lacrosse attackers and defenders will find Carbon fiber lacrosse sticks extremely useful.
- Aluminum – Aluminum lacrosse sticks are extremely lightweight and strong and thus ideal for beginners. And the best part, Aluminum lacrosse sticks are available for the cheap in the market.
- Titanium – Just like aluminum, Titanium too is lightweight yet strong. However, if you go into the details, you will soon figure out that Titanium is a little bit stronger than aluminum and which is why so many lacrosse manufacturers are opting for Titanium to produce strong and durable lacrosse stick. Titanium lacrosse sticks are probably the lightest but they are a bit expensive than their aluminum counterparts.
4. Weight
The weight of a Lacrosse Stick should also be taken into consideration while purchasing the best Lacrosse Stick. The longer the Lacrosse Stick is, the heavier it gets. Probably this is the reason why Goalies and Attackers use shorter Lacrosse Sticks as they have to stay more agile and nimble in the game. Extra weight can slow attackers and which is why attackers always prefer shorter Lacrosse Stick.
However, while practicing, it is advisable to use heavier and longer Lacrosse Stick as they help build more muscles that players will sorely need in this physically intensive game. However, beginner Lacrosse players should start with lighter Lacrosse Sticks and once they get the hang on it, they can start practicing with longer and heavier Lacrosse Sticks.
5. Shooting strings
Shooting strings ease the release of the ball from the pocket of a Lacrosse stick. From the top of the head of the Lacrosse stick, shooting strings run horizontally and these strings have a direct bearing on the whip of the shot. In case, you have no idea what a ‘whip’ is, allow us to break it down for you in simple English. Whip in Lacrosse is the ball’s angle as it gets released by the player from the pocket of their Lacrosse stick. If you want to lower the trajectory of the ball, you will have to choose a Lacrosse Stick that has got more whips on its pocket. This type of Lacrosse Sticks (that have lower trajectories) tend to be preferred by attacking players in the game.
6. Head
If you are looking for a lacrosse stick that can be maneuvered easily and effortlessly, you need to opt for a stiff lacrosse head. Lacrosse heads are usually available in these following variants –
- NCCA – NCCA lacrosse heads are quite popular among college students.
- NFHS – NFHS lacrosse heads are quite popular among youths. This lacrosse head is immensely popular among high school students.
- Universal – This is a popular choice regardless of the age, style, and position of a lacrosse player. If you have no idea what lacrosse head is best for you, you should stop wasting your precious time and opt for this one without any hesitation.
However, if you are a goalie, you will have to find a large-sized lacrosse head. Typically, goalie heads tend to be longer than 10 inches and sometimes, even more.
7. Pocket
More often than not, most Lacrosse sticks either have a mesh pocket or a woven pocket on a traditional lacrosse head. Now, you might be wondering why you have never come across a Lacrosse stick with woven pockets well, the reason is quite obvious. The market has got overtaken by mesh pockets in the last few years. This massive shift of the market from traditional woven pockets to mesh pocket has something to do with the lightweight nature of the mesh pockets. Made from nylon webbing, mesh pockets are really strong and they are extremely durable thus making them ideal for attackers and goalies. The chances of rebounds have greatly been minimized by the inclusion of mesh pockets and which is why mesh pockets have become a huge hit among goalies.
However, not everything is nice and dandy with mesh pockets. Mesh pockets, like any other good thing in the world, too have its share of drawbacks and the chief among them is the inability to control the Lacrosse ball while running with it. Woven pockets, on the other hand, offer a greater level of control while running with a Lacrosse ball.
The depth of the pocket should not be overlooked as well. Attacking players like to opt for shallower pockets as they help in long passes whereas defensive players tend to opt for deeper pockets as they need to keep the ball steady while running with it.
8. Boys Vs Girls
Youth lacrosse sticks can be used by either a girl or a boy between the age of 4 to 8. But the same can’t be said of teenagers. Teenage girls and boys need different types of lacrosse sticks that should suit their specific set of requirements.
9. Types of Lacrosse Sticks
Middies
Lacrosse sticks for midfielders tend to be a little shorter than a traditional defensive lacrosse stick but a little longer than an attacking lacrosse stick. In short, you need to hit the right sweet spot in the middle. It has to be lightweight as well.
Attack
Attacking lacrosse sticks tend to be short and lightweight. Since attacking players have to cover a lot of ground, it is no wonder that attacking lacrosse players prefer lightweight sticks that can be carried around and maneuver easily and effortlessly without getting tired in the process.
Defense
Zone defense and man to man defense are two main types of defenses in Lacrosse. The purpose of both of these defense techniques is to slow down the opponents and to take possession of the lacrosse ball. The main objective of a defensive lacrosse player is to neutralize the attacks of the opponent team and to get hold of the ball and therefore, it is no wonder that defensive players would need specialized Lacrosse sticks that are specifically designed for them.
Some of the main characteristics of a defensive lacrosse stick are – strong shaft and wider pocket. Wider pocket makes it easy for the defensive player to block the attacks of the opponent team.
Best Lacrosse Stick FAQ
Which type of lacrosse stick is ideal for me?
If you are a beginner, you don’t have to purchase different parts of a lacrosse stick separately. There is no point in that rather you should purchase a complete unit and be done with it. Most beginner’s lacrosse sticks are sold in the market as a complete unit but the same can’t be said of professional lacrosse sticks.
Professional lacrosse sticks are designed specifically to meet the needs of the players. For example, an attacker would need a lacrosse stick which is short and lightweight. Whereas a goalie would need a lacrosse stick with a wide head and long shaft. Men and women also need a different kind of lacrosse sticks. Traditionally, women’s lacrosse sticks tend to have leather shooters in the mesh whereas men’s lacrosse sticks usually have soft mesh.
What are the main parts of a lacrosse stick?
The handle i.e. the ‘stick’ which is attached to the head is termed as – shaft. The top section of a lacrosse stick that contains mesh pocket is considered as a ‘head’. So, basically, a lacrosse stick is made of two parts – shaft and head.
What is the Ideal Length of a lacrosse stick?
There is no such hard and fast rule when it comes to determining the length of a lacrosse stick. Traditionally, men’s lacrosse sticks are longer compared to women’s lacrosse sticks. The positions of the players also have an important role to play in this regard. Choose a lacrosse stick that you feel comfortable with and be done with it. It is that easy.
