The goalie in any game is the one standing between a win and impending doom for your team. He is the unique individual who has the ability to turn the tables in matter of less than a second. For the team, a goalie is not hesitant to put him in danger. And honestly, like with other players in the team, it’s not just all skills and practice. In addition to solid skills and hard practice, goalies need to master positioning and working on their reflexes. After all, reflexes are everything a lacrosse goaltender can trust.
But if you are a goalie throwing yourself in front of speedy shots, you must have quality protective gear to shield you from fatal injuries. Similarly, there are gear that are specially designed for goalies such as lacrosse goalie head. The right lacrosse head for a goalie can make a real difference in the field.
Finding the right lacrosse goalie head is not limited to getting a head big enough to catch the shots. A goalie needs much more than just having a wide-headed stick. The speed is also a factor here. Lacrosse goalies must have a stick that provides the goalie the benefit is being agile. Heads that limit the mobility of the goalie make it impossible for him to make the save in time.
The best lacrosse goalie heads are also known to be durable enough to withstand beatings. The equipment must not break under pressure. In fact, finding the best lacrosse heads require a tiny bit of research. Unless you know what the best looks and feels like, you would never know better.
In this article, we discuss all the best lacrosse heads so that you may choose wisely when you purchase.
Best 6 Lacrosse Heads for Goalies
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Here we have reviewed the best Goalie lacrosse heads that money can buy –
1. Warrior Nemesis Goalie Unstrung Lacrosse Head
Warrior Nemesis Goalie Unstrung Lacrosse Head is of the most popular Goalie lacrosse head available in the market. It has got a large stopping area and open sidewall allows greater control.
Agile and lightweight, Warrior Nemesis Goalie Unstrung Lacrosse Head is the best thing that a goalie can have. Flared Sidewall makes it easier for a goalie to get the ball into the center of the pocket. High quality and extremely durable materials, Warrior Nemesis Goalie Unstrung Lacrosse Head can last a lifetime.
2. Brine Eraser 2 Lacrosse Goalie Unstrung Head
Brine Eraser 2 Lacrosse Goalie Unstrung Head has got a nice round (almost) shape and this lacrosse goalie head allows you have to more control with throws. Brine Eraser 2 Lacrosse Goalie Unstrung Head strikes a perfect balance between perfection and stiffness.
This goalie head has undergone a massive makeover in the past few years and the outcome is amazing. Available in different colors, Brine Eraser 2 Lacrosse Goalie Unstrung Head flaunts Strategic Core-Tech sidewall that adds more strength and stiffness to the head.
3. STX Lacrosse Eclipse 2 Unstrung Goalie Head
STX Lacrosse Eclipse 2 Unstrung Goalie Head is ideal for both entry-level and advanced level lacrosse players. STX Lacrosse Eclipse 2 Unstrung Goalie has got an ergonomic throat that ensures a more secure grip. You will notice significant improvement in groundball collection and the credit goes to its new and innovative scoop design.
You can easily customize the pockets as this particular lacrosse head has got some additional sidewall. It also has got an interesting sidewall geometry that adds to its overall stiffness without increasing its weight.
4. STX Lacrosse Shield 100 Goalie Unstrung Head
STX Lacrosse Shield 100 Goalie Unstrung Head has got a shiny, professional and stylish look. The wide stopping area is definitely one of its conspicuous features. Designed for advanced level players, STX Lacrosse Shield 100 Goalie Unstrung Head offers better control of balls and at the same time, it helps to eliminate rattling of ball.
To add more rigidity to the design, it has got a closed sidewall design. Designed for entry-level players, STX Lacrosse Shield 100 Goalie Unstrung Head allows you to have better reflexes.
5. Brine Eraser Goalie Lacrosse Head
Brine Eraser Goalie Lacrosse Head offers both power and precision. It is a durable lacrosse head tailored for goalies and it has got legendary stiffness and that means, it can take a lot of beatings out there. Considered to be a top-of-the-line goalie head, Brine Eraser Goalie Lacrosse Head is lightweight and has got many sidewall holes for customizing the pocket the way you like. TruOffset design ensures greater control.
6. StringKing Mark 2G Goalie Lacrosse Head
StringKing Mark 2G Goalie Lacrosse Head is a reliable lacrosse goalie head that can take a lot of beating without getting bogged down in the process. Its ultra-stiff construction has made it extremely durable. Its lightweight design makes it super easy for the goalies to make quick hand movements and thus helping them save more goals. Large surface area allows you to save more goals. Giving goalies more control is its shortened throat. Don’t forget to utilize its 42 stringing holes to string it the way you want. StringKing Mark 2G Goalie Lacrosse Head has got an aerodynamic design and if it gets damaged somehow, you will get replacement for free.
Goalie Lacrosse Stick
Buying Guide
Beginners in lacrosse do not need to think too much about investing in the best lacrosse sticks. Typically, beginners and learners can make do with any lacrosse stick that they are comfortable with. It’s when you are a bit better at the game; you would need a quality stick to get better at the game. But for a goalie, choosing the right piece of lacrosse head is imperative as it gives an extra edge to the goalie.
Let’s be honest, we all want to cut through the hassle of coming up with our very own set up by choosing a complete lacrosse stick. A complete lacrosse stick works very well for beginners and high-school laxers but you are going to need an extra something once you hit the heights.
For choosing the best out of the lot, you will have to assess your skills and abilities. Choosing a complete stick will require you to adjust to the stick whereas you must have a stick that adapts to your gameplay.
Sure, complete lacrosse sticks are lighter in the pocket. But if you want a power-packed performance, you must home in on customizable lacrosse sticks.
Differences between Goalie and the Rest of the Players
The goalie in lacrosse is a special player who does more flinging and circling about than most of the other players. In regards to the equipment, there are certain key differences between goalie and rest of the laxers that you must be aware of.
The goalie uses a shaft much different from the other players. Typically, the goalie uses shorter shafts as compared to other players in the game. The ideal length for a goalie shaft is 40 inches. The reason for the goalie shaft to be shorter in length is the ease of movement.
The goalie head is nothing like the lacrosse heads used by other players in the team. The head used by the goalie must be much larger. The goalie needs to have a bigger ‘net’ to be able to maneuver catches and saves. Not to mention, the frame of the head must be stiff enough to catch balls flying at lightning speed. The best goalie heads also come with more sidewall stringing holes.
Flexibility
The amount of flexibility offered by the lacrosse head must also be considered before investing in the product right away. Players close to the goal must have stiffer sticks. But the more forward a player gets, the lesser the stick needs to be.
The goalie must inspect the scoop of the lacrosse head to be able to decide if the head is flexible. Goalies need to have a head that is moderately flexible to catch the balls being hammered at the goal.
Mesh
When buying a lacrosse head, you must closely evaluate the net. The lacrosse head mesh is important for goalies to launch an attack. Some meshes allow goalies to rip the ball better. Others provide goalies with large and constant patterns of designs that make it very easy for the goalie to move it around. A mesh typically made of nylon that is resistant to damage and usually lasts for many lacrosse seasons.
12 diamonds are one of the most recommended mesh sizes for laxers. Semi-hard messes are also popular among laxers as they are easier to string than the semi-soft versions.
Strung vs. Unstrung Heads
Here is the deal. You can get a strung head for a good price (something the fits your pocket) and keep the hassle of stringing the head at bay. But, it is only as good for beginners and newbies to lacrosse.
When you progress on further in the game, you will need a lacrosse head that is good enough for you to use it to the best of your abilities. You do not have to adjust yourself to it. Rather, the head is adjusted to suit your gameplay like no other. Therefore, you get an extra edge for using a lacrosse head which is customized enough to suit your gameplay.
If you prefer a customized stick anyway, you can go ahead choosing your own mesh. In reality, buying complete lacrosse sticks will require you to shell out additional bucks eventually when you need to upgrade to a better fitting lacrosse head for your game.
If you go with unstrung lacrosse heads, you might want to let someone do the installation for you. The installation of the lacrosse stick does add a bit to the cost but you can do it yourself any day. There are a lot of ways to sting up a lacrosse head. You can learn and practice them from the resources available online. You may also watch a couple of YouTube videos to get started. If you have someone in your circle that has a fairly good idea about stringing a lacrosse head, you can get it done from them as well.
Narrow and Wide Heads
A common dilemma between goalies is whether they should opt for a narrow or a wide head. For a goalie, a wider head is necessary to catch the ball more accurately without fail. Wide heads do not provide a scope for the ball to be thrown accurately but make catching easy. I fact, wider heads also helps the goalie in making passes with better control on the ball.
Advanced Heads
Players in the advanced levels in the game have more options at their disposal. But there are some limitations to using lacrosse heads for players at advanced levels. For instance, defender heads are stiff and are less flexible. Some players also have to use heads that are too heavy to comfortably maneuver and move around. But heads manufactured for goalies at advanced levels are made with less material. This makes them more lightweight and thus, more responsive. They are also faster than other lacrosse heads.
Beginners must not buy lacrosse heads designed for advanced level players. They must go more generalized heads that help them shape their skills better.
Some Buying Principles
You must buy a lacrosse goalie head after taking into consideration your experience and your skills. In fact, beginners may find it really challenging to scan through numerous products in various categories to choose one. For players in higher levels in the game, it is half as tough. They are already familiar with the different types of equipment and are more aware of the game and their own style of gameplay. This helps them make better decisions when it comes to buying the right lacrosse goalies.
Seasoned players can have their way with the goalie heads. They know exactly what brand and what type of goalie head they should try next. Ergo, pro-lacrosse players can feel free to order online. All they have to do is go through the description. But if you are moving on from using complete sticks, you need to do a bit of research to find the best lacrosse goalie head for you.
Now, if you are totally perplexed and worked up about buying the best lacrosse goalie heads, you need to start by asking your coach and teammates for suggestions. You can also check with your local sports store and discuss your requirements before finalizing a purchase. You have to try out the stick before adding it to your cart. Make sure it meets the quality standards and caters to every aforementioned aspect.
It is also wise to try out the head and the stick together and after you are sure of the quality you can order the same equipment online to get a cheaper price. But before you order online from an e-commerce platform or a supplier, check the refund policy. Always buy from a website that offers flexible refund policy so that you can return any sports equipment that you did not like.
Price Points
You can find myriad different suppliers who shall offer the different prices for the lacrosse goalie heads. But price is the last box to check-off. It is after we are sure of the quality, the type, comfortability and durability of the product; we can proceed on to check the price point.
Certainly, you hardly are going to find equipment whose price exceeds three digits. But you might have to invest some additional bucks to buy lacrosse goalie heads offered by the best brands in the market. If you are buying online, it is more likely for you to get some discounts and offers on the price. Even if you are not inclined to buy a branded product, you can get a decent lacrosse goalie head within $80.
It is a no-brainer that you must take note of the reviews and ratings of each product before adding something to your cart. But if you are determined to get a lacrosse stick that is just perfect for the game, you must go ahead and give some of the most popular lacrosse goalie heads a try. They are a bit pricy but surely worth the investment.
Certifications and Sizes
It is as simple as it can get. If you do not have the lacrosse heads that are certified and meets the regulations, you won’t be able to use it. Your lacrosse head has to match the standards set by the association. If you are a high school lacrosse player, you must have a head approved by the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS). Well, this is not always the case. Some high school leagues will allow you to make use of non-certified equipment but for the most part, you are going to need equipment that is certified by the association. Certainly, there is no point in investing in equipment that does not meet the specified standards. When you eventually progress on to the further levels in the game, you will not be allowed to play with non-certified equipment.
Laxers in college are required to play with NCAA approved heads. The players can also zero in on universal heads that have the letters ‘U’ and ‘X’ in their names. It is best to go for certified equipment irrespective of whether you are playing in high school or just for recreation. Playing with certified equipment also guarantees safety.
