Originated in the mountain tribes of present-day Canada and North America, lacrosse is a fast action-based game that is played by both genders. While the games origin can be traced back to 15th century, it has become one of the most sought-after games and players from varying age groups play this game.
The main gears used in this sport are rubber ball and a long-handled stick. Of course, the players wear various protective gears and suitable attires. Whether you are a new player or a seasoned one, using the right lacrosse stick is very important.
Buying the
Right Lacrosse Stick
Buying the right stick is not easy and you may be baffled by the abundance of models. However, analyzing the vital parameters will help you in picking the suitable gear.
Pocket of a lacrosse stick is what holds the ball. It is made of various materials. It is typically made of string but composite material is also used. Wider pocket in a stick ensures you can hold the ball with ease. The lacrosse goalies have sticks with very wide pockets as it helps them in catching shots better.
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Choose length by position
When buying lacrosse stick, think of your position in the team. The length as well as design of these sticks varies a lot. The midfield and attacker players use shorter length sticks. The defenders however fare better with longer sticks. The defenders need sticks longer than 52 inches while the attackers use sticks shorter than 42 inches.
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Price
While no player should compromise on quality of stick by going for the lowest priced one, it is also important to have an eye on reality. If you are a new player and play occasionally, buying a high-end stick does not make sense. Check for durability while buying such sticks.
Shaft
The shaft of any lacrosse stick makes up its base section. It is also called handle. It is made of various sturdy materials- as you will see. The main materials that are used include aluminum alloy, Wood, Scandium Alloy, Titanium Alloy and Carbon Fiber. There is no fixed rule for picking the shaft material but you have to think of playing needs, and your position. The octagonal shafts offer better grip than circular ones.
Aluminum Alloy is sturdy and it is ideal for the beginners. The advanced lacrosse players opt for Titanium Alloy. Those into hardcore gaming and with deep wallets go for Scandium Alloy. However, for them Carbon Fiber sticks are quite good too. A lot of defensive players choose wood for heaviness and durability. Keep in mind that wooden sticks are harder to grip and these are not idea when you need agility.
You can also find a few stick models in the market that can be customized to an extent. These are ideal for the veteran players who know exactly what they need. New lacrosse players should go for readymade sticks with no scope for customization. The beginners should buy sticks with wider head as it makes catching the balls easier.
Buying Lacrosse Stick for Female Players
There are some fundamental differences between male and female’s lacrosse. While the gears are same, women’s lacrosse is devoid of much body contact. So, the sticks used by both genders are not exactly the same. In women’s game, the stick length typically does not exceed 52 inches and defender’s sticks can be as short as 35.5 inches.
Besides, the sticks used by female lacrosse players have shallower pockets compared to those used by male players. For women players plastic and aluminum sticks are better as they are lightweight than the other materials.
Buying Lacrosse Sticks for Kids and Teens
Nowadays, plenty of kids and teenagers also play lacrosse and obviously, they need to use sticks too! No matter what the gender of a young lacrosse player is, the stick should be apt for body size. That is why parents or coaches should accompany young players while buying the sticks.
The kids or teen players should buy ready-made sticks and customization is not required for them. While buying teen or kid’s sticks, the shaft material has to be selected careful. The available options include leather, strings, cross lacing, interwoven synthetic mesh.