Top 10 Best Lacrosse Sticks In 2018 (Reviews And Advanced Buyer’s Guide)

Lacrosse is a very involved activity that requires much concentration and skill. The right equipment like Best Lacrosse Stick is also necessary for a good game.

Some of the greatest players in the Major League Lacrosse (MLL) have missed game-winning shots due to faulty tools.

Some of the lesser experienced players in regional organizations have suffered losses because they had the wrong type of instruments.

Best Lacrosse Sticks 2018

Many players fail to realize that lacrosse sticks are the primary form of defense on the field. You can block passes and engage in other forms of defense when you have the right stick in your hand.

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Understanding the nature of lacrosse positions and using this guide is the best way to find the best lacrosse stick that you need to be good at the game.

STX EXULT 300 Complete Stick – Best Womens Lacrosse Stick

Maintain full control with this lacrosse stick for women. The scooping angle of this equipment leads to better accuracy and more whipping power. Flexible scooping action makes picking up the ball off the ground easier for a game that is action-packed from beginning to end. This women’s lacrosse stick has stiff sidewalls for added stability and control.

Warrior EVO Next Lacrosse Stick – Best Lacrosse Sticks For Intermediate Players

A sleek design and durability are why some players choose this lacrosse stick over others.

The EVO Next is the perfect equipment for intermediate players wanting to play like professionals. This tool has deep pockets for excellent ball control.

This device also has ruff-grip texture that contributes to better stability during game time.

STX Crux 500 Complete Stick [WOMENS] – Best Lacrosse Sticks Gor Attack

You may hit the sweet spot every time with this lacrosse stick designed just for women. The STX Crux 500 claims to have 10-degree technology that helps drive the ball into scoring range. This stick also has a fast release and material that bonds with the ball for better staying power.

This stick also has a unique Launch Pocket that gives players excellent ball control. The chevrons of the system flex out so to get a close grip on the ball so that you do not have to worry about the object falling out of the holder when you run.

The STX Crux has a pointed scoop for increased accuracy when shooting and passing the ball. This stick also comes equipped with an excellent scoop angle that allows for better flexibility. A 10-degree handle comes standard with the STX Crux 500.

StringKing Complete Lacrosse Stick – Best Youth Lacrosse Stick

The makers of the StringKing Youth Lacrosse Stick believe that the pocket is the most important part of the device. Engage in competition right after buying this stick with its narrow design that was made specifically for young people.

This stick is perfect for kids who are in the beginning stages of lacrosse. Youngsters can learn how to properly grip the shaft before moving on to standard sizes with the tool.

The StrikingKing has a wider head than some of its competition, which makes it easier for beginners to catch balls. This stick is properly balanced so that parents do not have to cut it down to accommodate their young athletes.

STX Lacrosse Stallion 50 Lacrosse Complete Junior Stick – Best Lacrosse Sticks for Beginners & Intermediate

The STX Lacrosse Stallion was inspired by the Elite Stallion U 500.

The head of this stick has soft material that contributes to its flexibility.

This tool also has shorter and thinner handles for better control during games.

Avid lacrosse players may appreciate the soft mesh stringing of the STX stick.

Major League Lacrosse Mini Sticks Set – Best Lacrosse Sticks For Catching

The Major League Lacrosse Mini Stick is great for beginners with features that contribute to comfort and improved skill. This set comes with two mini lax sticks that are 30-inches long, and one rubber ball meant to accompany the tools during practice.

The Major League Mini Stick has a soft mesh pocket for easier catches and a plastic handle that enhances durability. The large head design of this tool also contributes to easy catching and passing. Why wouldn’t it be the ideal tool to use when teaching kids how to play the game?

STX Lacrosse Stallion 200 U – Best Complete Lacrosse Sticks For Midfielders

This lacrosse stick is one that gets its inspiration from the Elite Stallion U 500. The tool’s design allows for easy catching and passing, which are the fundamentals of lacrosse.

The STX Lacrosse Stallion 200 is ideal for beginners as it offers the same quality that elite players get from the brand’s more advanced sticks.

Warrior Mini Nemesis Goal Stick – Best Lacrosse Goalie Sticks

The tool is not meant for competition but can contribute to hours of fun.

This equipment was built after the Nemesis Goalie Stick and comes with one Warrior mini ball.

STX FiddleSTX Two Pack Mini Super Power – Best Lacrosse Mini Sticks

The FiddleSTX is one of the more popular lacrosse mini sticks for a few reasons.

The tool has rugged plastic heads and shafts for a lightweight feel.

Although easy to carry, the FiddleSTX is anything by flimsy.

In fact, the durability of the plastic allows for a little head-to-head action with similar lightweight sticks.

STX FiddleSTX Three Player Game Set – Best Lacrosse Stiks For Game Set

Play lacrosse at your leisure with this game set.

The FiddleSTX mini stick set comes with two telescoping field player sticks and one goalie stick.

The heads and shafts on these tools are made of rugged plastic that is meant to be lightweight and durable.

Best Lacrosse Sticks – Buyer’s Guide

The following equipment is necessary for a good game of lacrosse:

• Lacrosse Stick – The lacrosse stick is your main tool on the field. The device usually comes in two pieces: the shaft and head. Many professionals choose to purchase the main components of a lacrosse stick separately to have a custom-built tool. Beginners usually prefer buying sticks that are already put together so that they can play the game right after taking the device out of the box. It is important that the shaft of the stick has a good gripping mechanism. Heads should have steep enough pockets to catch and hold the ball during the game.
• Pads – Pads serve as protection from hard shots, checks, pokes, and other forms of contact on the field. The equipment is usually lightweight and built for speed and maneuverability. The average set of pads protect the arms, elbows, and shoulders. Goalies wear heavier pads because of their position as blockers. They also wear chest protectors and rib guards for added safety.
• Gloves – Lacrosse gloves are not your ordinary gauntlets. These accessories are designed to guard your fingers, hands, and wrists against checks and shaft hits. They are usually made of durable material that is also lightweight.
• Shoes/Cleats – Wearing the wrong footwear could sabotage your game even with the right shaft and pads. You, therefore, want to purchase cleats that give good traction on various surfaces. Lacrosse cleats come in numerous styles and builds for every foot size.

Positions Matter

Buying equipment for a lacrosse game is different from purchasing products for other popular games. The tools that you buy for lacrosse depend on the position that you play.

Attackers, also known as middies, prefer shorter and lighter shafts that allow for more aggressive moves. Predators can move down the field rather quickly as they strategize to steal the ball from their opponents. Attackers also prefer lightweight heads that have maximum scooping power and better retention probability.

Contrary to attackers, defensive players prefer longer and more durable shafts that allow for better reaching and an increased possibility of blocking shots. The heaviness of the shaft gives more power to players when throwing balls to teammates. Flat scoops with spacious pockets are best for defensive players since stealing balls off the ground is what these athletes do best.

Lastly, the goalie has equipment that is in line with his position. He uses longer shafts than attackers but does not settle for the sticks that defensive players have when operating on the field. Goalies need equipment that allows for blocking, which means that flexibility is necessary. Such is the reason why shafts for goalies are usually lightweight like that of attackers. The heads of goalie shafts are noticeably different in size and shape when compared to the attacker and defensive player’s tool.

What is the Difference Between Men and Women’s Lacrosse?

Men’s lacrosse is all about getting the most out of the sport. Such is the reason why sticks are built to last. Lacrosse games for women, on the other hand, are not as involved. In fact, some of the rules about women’s lacrosse are meant to reduce physical contact.

Variations in the two types of games are why female lacrosse players do not require as much gear on the field. The average woman playing the sport will wear a mouthguard along with a pair of goggles. She may not see the need to wear pads. Men playing lacrosse, however, typically wear mouth guards, goggles, and protective pads to prevent physical contacts that could cause injury.

Just as the amount of protective wear if different in men and women’s lacrosse, so are the sticks used to play the game. Heads on shafts used in women’s lacrosse are usually shorter and smaller in diameter. The heads also tend to have shallower pockets.

Finding the Right Head for Lacrosse Sticks

Professionals who prefer creating customized sticks from scratch understand the need for a good head. The depth of the accessory’s pocket could either lead to your team’s success or failure on the field.

Unfortunately, lacrosse heads come in various sizes and shapes, which makes the search for the perfect addition more difficult. Nevertheless, understanding the different components of lacrosse heads is the first step to finding the right holder.

The elements of a lacrosse head are as follows:

• Sidewalls – These are the part of the head that affect its strength and stiffness. Sidewalls can range from very stiff to extremely flexible, and the type of design chosen largely depends on the position of the player on the field. An attacker may not appreciate an adjustable head as much as a defensive player since he does not engage in as much groundwork as the defensive athlete. The attacker may, however, fall in love with a head that is stiff because it lets him freely use his stick for combat against the opposing team. You need to be aware of both the stiffness and height of sidewalls for maximum playing capabilities on the field.
• Scoop – The scoop is the top portion of the head that players use to pull balls off the ground. This component is of particular importance to defensive players as its efficiency directly affects their ability to steal balls and make passes. The scoop is measured in width and drop, which is the distance from the edges of the head to the center of the scoop.
• Pocket – The pocket is located at the base of the head and is the place where the ball resides. This component is sold either unstrung or strung. New players typically enjoy strung pockets, while more experienced players may want to purchase unstrung holders for individual customization.
• Offset – The offset of a lacrosse header refers to the gradual decrease of the sidewalls. The offset places the head’s scoop behind the handle’s line, which improves cradling and ball retention capabilities.

Remember that the key to finding the right head is understanding your skills and purchasing a device that will compliment your position on the field. Style and budget are also important aspects of building your lacrosse stick.

Finding the Right Shaft

Whereas the head is meant to store the ball during the game, lacrosse shafts are designed to control where the ball goes when taking shots and checking the competition during a lacrosse game. Stronger shafts that are reasonably priced usually come with the disadvantage of being heavier than their lightweight counterparts costing the same amounts.

Players wanting to get both the lightweight and flexibility appeal from shafts are usually willing to spend more money on equipment. More expensive shafts typically hold up against harsher conditions on the field as well.

Lacrosse shafts are made from either of the following materials:

• Aluminum Alloy
• Composite
• Titanium
• Scandium

Aluminum alloy is the weakest of the four but has versatility on its side. Composite is the more affordable option for players who want a strong shaft that is also lightweight. Titanium is by far stronger and lighter than aluminum, which is why attackers flock to the metal form. Scandium is top-of-the-line material that the majority of advanced and professional users look for when searching for the right shaft.

Regardless of whether the material is expensive or economical, you should find a rod that feels good in your hands and lets you have complete control of the stick at all times.

Conclusion

The lacrosse stick has significantly evolved since its beginnings as a wood stick with a U-shaped head that caught and held the ball. Now, there are a variety of sizes and shapes to serve as ball holders on shafts derived from different metal sources.

Even in modern times, with the equipment and manner in which one plays lacrosse always changing, finding the best lacrosse stick is still essential to playing your best game. This guide is your source for understanding the basics of lacrosse positions and buying the right equipment so that you can shine at your next meet.

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