How to Buy a Lacrosse StickMen's Lacrosse
Women's Lacrosse
Glossary of Lacrosse
Terms
Buying a lacrosse stick can be a confusing and difficult
decision with all the different manufacturers that exist on the market. We carry
all of the major brands of lacrosse equipment - Brine, Warrior, STX, Gait,
deBeer and Harrow. They all offer lacrosse sticks of comparable quality for
players at every ability level but each company tries to create their own little
niche with unique features. You will find elite players across the world using
all of the major manufacturer's products which shows the decision often comes
down to the specific features you prefer. Below we will try to differentiate
some of the features of the various brands.
For a customized stick, visit our new
Build Your Own Lacrosse Stick page where you can select the head and
shaft of your choice to create your own unique stick while also saving money.
Please feel free to contact us at 1-800-693-6368 with any questions.
Things to Consider When Buying a Lacrosse Stick:
- It is very important to buy a stick that fits your skill
level. New players should consider a head with a wider throat area which
makes it easier to learn the art of catching the lacrosse ball. Most
performance heads will be narrower at the base of the head and form a
channel to guide the ball for accuracy but this makes catching the ball more
difficult.
- Stick Length - Men's attack sticks run between 40-42
inches in length whereas men's defense sticks usually are between 52-72
inches in length. Women's sticks are sold in one standard length for both
attack and defense positions but can be cut shorter if necessary.
- Stick Weight - Lighter heads and shafts add
maneuverability and allow you to generate more speed on your shot. This is
especially important for players in attack positions. Heavier, thicker
shafts increase the strength of your stick which is often preferred by
defensive players.
- The softer the mesh in the lacrosse head, the more
forgiving it is, thus making it easier to catch the ball. Stiff mesh
or dura-mesh provides more power on your shots and passes. Women's pockets
must be maintained so that the ball still shows above the top rail of the
head for the stick to be legal.
- Lower side rails allow for a deeper pocket, which helps
you maintain control of the ball while being checked.
Men's Lacrosse
Brine Lacrosse
Technology -
Brine
Lacrosse has changed the game with a revolutionary idea called Reflex
Technology. This innovative technology allows the stick pocket to react to
the force of the ball. The bottom sidewall flexes to absorb impact when you
catch the ball and then flexes again when you shoot or pass to increase
velocity. It comes with customizable reflex bands so you can create your own
unique stick. This Reflex Technology is used on the men's Pulse lacrosse
head as well as the women's
Velocity lacrosse head.
Heads - The Brine Franchise Lacrosse
Head is one of Brine's new 2008 additions for advanced players. It was designed by Mikey Powell,
one of the most decorated lacrosse players in the world for his
innovative, acrobatic style of play; exceptional quickness;
and sensational stick skills. MP also joined forces with Brine for The Voyce.
Made in Italy with superb
craftsmanship, the Voyce features a full offset for maximum control and feel.
Shafts -
Mikey Powell,
the four time 1st team all-American lacrosse player collaborates with Brine on
style and function (again!), creating the
Brine Swizzle Scandium Lacrosse Shaft.
Another awesome Brine lacrosse shaft is the
SC21 Air.
The SC21 is an
aerodynamic scandium shaft with holes in it to reduce drag and improve grip.
Stringing - Brine's
recommended stringing pattern is Ultra Mesh, which is a stiff mesh with dual
shooting strings for power and control.
Gait by deBeer Lacrosse
Technology -
Gait by
deBeer lacrosse equipment is becoming increasingly popular among lax
players because of their innovative lacrosse heads and shafts. The 2008 Gait by deBeer men's lacrosse head lineup has some smart
changes. Most importantly, Gait has gone to a 10 degree offset head/handle system
(officially called the Transfer Offset System, or TOS). TOS moves the
offset from the head to the handle, improving control and ball retention. TOS
also means that Gait TOS heads are only compatible with TOS shafts (handles with
a 10 degree cant).
Heads - 3 out of
the 4 new 2008 Gait lacrosse heads are TOS heads. They are:
- The
Gait Thrust, which has a FREE composite TOS handle included with each
Thrust head purchase
- The
Gait Torque Pro, with an updated lifting system; and
- The
Gait Recon Ti, with a Titanium infused head
The carbon-infused
Gait Quad Lacrosse Head (also new for 2008) is compatible with old school straight shafts
like the
Gait 803 Ice shaft. And the Quad's innovation lies in its construction: the fusion of 4 separate carbon pieces.
The Gait Quad is a force to be reckoned with.
Shafts - The
803 ICE attack lacrosse shaft utilizes a Titanium Enhanced Alloy to make
Gait's lightest and fastest lacrosse stick. Some
Gait lacrosse
shafts, like the
Titanium Octagonal attack lacrosse shaft, have an octagonal shaped
handle for better grip.
Stringing - Gait is known for giving
you plenty of stringing options. Gait's most popular
stringing pattern is the Hard Mesh, which consists of 3 shooting strings.
Harrow Lacrossee
Technology -
Harrow
Lacrosse burst
onto the scene a few years ago with their high-grade
composite graphite lacrosse shafts which are strong, yet lightweight. Each
shaft is coated with a unique rubberized finish for a more comfortable grip.
They also have the ability to taper shafts at different areas to allow a
natural feel for hand positioning. For the first time ever, they have
developed a one-piece graphite goalie stick called the
Freeze. It comes in 2 lengths and is extremely lightweight with
the balance goaltenders demand.
Heads - The
H2 lacrosse
head is a popular men's head for its
incredible ball control, large scooping range, and multiple sidewall holes
for various stringing options.
Shafts - Harrow has created a first of its kind
shaft called the
I-Beam which features a tapered stress-flex point to
provide maximum torque power for shooting and passing. This year
Harrow is offering a new, limited edition CAMO design in the men's
Howitzer
Attack Shaft and the
Field Attack Shaft.
Stringing - Harrow offers either Hard Mesh or
Durasoft Mesh pockets.
STX Lacrosse
Technology -
STX's
newest lacrosse technology revolves around the 10-degree angled shaft. This
angle changes the stick's forward cant and allows the ball to sit higher in
the pocket. This should translate to getting the ball out of the head
quicker because you don't need an extra cradle to get the ball into
position. The 10-degree shaft also gives you a better feel for the ball
since the center of gravity is shifted farther out with the ball sitting
higher in the pocket. These shafts can only be used with the
K18,
Kannon and
X3 and the
G22 lacrosse heads. The
G22 is brand new for 2008 and is the lightest men's lacrosse head in the
game, weighing only 115 grams.
Heads - The
Kannon
was one of our most popular sticks in 2006 and 2007 and looks to be strong again this
year. With a 10-degree design, it provides a quicker release and better hand
positioning when paired up with one of STX's 10-degree shafts. It also
features extra holes in the lower sidewall for a various stringing options.
Shafts - For the 2008 season, STX's
Research and Development Team focused on improving players' control of the
lacrosse stick. With this focus in mind, they created the first
multi-profile lacrosse stick shafts which actually have two shapes in one
continuous alloy handle, called the "Shift"
and "7".
With these shafts, players gain more control and dexterity when passing,
cradling and shooting.
Stringing - Beginning this year, STX
has limited their stringing patterns to a Power V pocket only. A Power V
pattern creates a tight pocket zone for maximum ball control. It is also
contoured for shooting and passing precision.
Warrior Lacrosse
Technology -
Warrior lacrosse
equipment is
used by many of the best professional lacrosse players. Pro Jesse Hubbard
uses the
Evo Pro lacrosse head because the pre-pinched super tight design gives
him optimum accuracy. Pro Mark Million uses the
Razor Pro lacrosse head because the patented Flared Sidewall gives him
ultimate ball control.
Heads - For the 2008 season, Warrior created the first ever
lacrosse stick head with a titanium wire infused into the plastic on the upper
rail of the sidewall. They call it the
Stiffi
and it decreases bending and flexing, making shots and passes more accurate.
Shafts - The
Kryptolyte
lacrosse shaft is one of the most popular lacrosse shafts made. It
is lightweight and strong because it is made with C405 alloy, plus it is
affordable. Lacrosse pro Conor Gill designed his own
Signature Hero
attack lacrosse shaft. The
Titan Pro
Titanium is the #1 lacrosse stick prefered by the pros.
Stringing - The Players Pocket is
Warrior's most popular pattern and offers good control and power balance. Warrior's
Soft Mesh stringing pattern is the most forgiving and is best for beginners.
Women's Lacrosse
Brine Lacrosse
Technology -
Brine
Lacrosse has changed the game with a revolutionary idea called Reflex
Technology. This innovative technology allows the stick pocket to react to
the force of the ball. The bottom sidewall flexes to absorb impact when you
catch the ball and then flexes again when you shoot or pass to increase
velocity. It comes with customizable reflex bands so you can create your own
unique stick. This Reflex Technology is used on the men's Pulse lacrosse
head as well as the women's
Velocity lacrosse head.
Heads - Brine has introduced a new women's head
this year called the
Epic. It's designed to give additional
whip because the
top rail height/scoop corners are raised for a higher natural pocket
location. Brine also has a great stick for the new player called the Whirl
which features an open throat that makes catching easier to master.
Shafts - The
DV8 shaft is the only women's shaft we
offer from Brine that is not part of a complete stick. It is a great new
shaft that features a rounded lower end that fits better into your hand.
Stringing - All women's heads from Brine feature a
Web-X Advanced pocket which is made of
synthetic leathers, stitched pocket cord and nylon backing. This helps
prevent the pocket from stretching and reduces maintenance. The X-design
keeps the ball higher in the pocket for quick release.
deBeer Lacrosse
Technology -
deBeer lacrosse
equipment is one of the most trusted brands in women's lacrosse.
Redesigned for 2008, the deBeer lacrosse line brings you the Transfer Offset
System (TOS). A series of offset lacrosse heads and shafts, TOS equipment
uses new canted technology. Like the
Apex lacrosse
stick, one of the most popular women's lacrosse sticks. Get the same
technology in fun, tropical
deBeer Island Apex Pro TOS designs. The Apex Pro stick is popular because of the lowest
legal sidewall that creates a deeper pocket.
Heads - Redesigned in 2008, deBeer moves the offset from the
lacrosse stick head to the handle with its 8 degree TOS --
for improved ball control and maximum feel. The new
canted 2008 models are:
All of these new deBeer heads fit on the new canted deBeer shafts
like the Air Flow TOS and Composite Triax. And the
Envy lacrosse head features the Pocket Shock System for
improved catching ability.
Shafts - Combine the NEW
deBeer Airflow Composite TOS lacrosse shaft with the new deBeer offset
heads -- and that spells HOT!
Stringing - deBeer's most popular stringing
pattern, the Trigger, has a 5 runner system that is the most accurate and
consistent of all their pockets.
Harrow Lacrosse
Technology -
Harrow
lacrosse has developed the world's first one-piece graphite stick which
is unbelievably lightweight yet strong. Named the
Solo, this
complete stick features an improved scoop angle, Harrow's patent pending
stress-flex taper point and a built-in butt end. This year, we are
offering two shorter length Solo International sticks called the
Junior and
Shorty which are great sticks for beginners and those looking to improve
quickly.
Heads - The
Groove Lacrosse Head is Harrow's new head for 2007 and features a
streamlined scoop for effortless groundballs and
submerged sidewalls for the deepest legal pocket.
Shafts - Harrow's carbon graphite shafts have taken
the women's market by storm. These shafts are appropriately called
Title IX
and come in great colors and different shapes. They are offered in both
straight and tapered designs so you can find a shaft you are comfortable
with. This year Harrow is offering a new, limited edition CAMO
design in the women's
Title IX
Straight Shaft.
Stringing - Harrow offers their Snap Pocket on most
women's heads.
STX Lacrosse
Technologyy -
STX's
newest lacrosse technology revolves around the 10-degree angled shaft. This
angle changes the stick's forward cant and allows the ball to sit higher in
the pocket. This should allow players to get the ball out of the head
quicker because you don't need an extra cradle to get the ball into
position. The 10-degree shaft also gives you a better feel for the ball
since the center of gravity is shifted farther out with the ball sitting
higher in the pocket. These lacrosse shafts fit only the women's
Pipeline and
Tilt heads.
Heads - The new
Pipeline head lays claim to the lightest head in the game, weighing only
91 grams. It features the lowest legal sidewalls and an abrupt incline of
the bottom rail to the scoop for a quicker release. The most popular
head from STX in 2007 was the
ATK which is now being offered in a hot new color, BLACK, this
year.
Shafts - STX's new shaft line-up
includes the
Propel which is the strongest handle with a teardrop shape. All
three of STX's 10° canted shafts, the
Lever 10°, the
Flex 10° and the
Swankshaft 10°, sold very well in 2007 and look to be great sellers
again as the game shifts to canted lacrosse sticks which provide a quicker
release and better feel of the ball.
Stringing - The Precision Pocket is STX's premium
pocket. They claim it is the most broken-in pocket in a women's stick.
Warrior Lacrosse
Technology -
Warrior Lacrosse
has teamed up with Kelly Amonte, one of the best all-time women's lacrosse
players and coach of the reining two-time NCAA National Champions of
Northwestern, to use her lacrosse knowledge to create a new lacrosse head
bearing her name. The
Amonte head has the lowest possible sidewalls for maximum pocket.
The Amonte is also being offered in BLACK, a brand new color this
year.
Heads - The
Wildkat lacrosse head, another Kelly Amonte design, is light as a
feather because of its open sidewall design. It was specifically
designed for the Northwestern Wildcats.
Shaftss - The
Heroine Power Wave lacrosse shafts are complete composites and flex to
generate extra torque on shots. A
great new look for the Warrior women's lacrosse line is the
Power Wave Circles Lacrosse Handle.
The
Heroine Power Rail lacrosse stick features soft grip texture allows the
handle to ride comfortably in your hands.
Stringing - Warrior uses a Trigger
pocket or the new Hot Pocket stringing patterns.
Glossary of Lacrosse Terms:
Cant (n) - similar to offset, the angle at
which the head is tilted or positioned; forward cant allows the ball to sit
higher in the pocket so players can release the ball quicker.
Offset (n) - angle at which the
front of the head is curved if viewing it from the side; a full-offset head
maximizes control and feel whereas non-offset (no curve) or mid-offset heads are
recommended for beginners for learning how to throw properly.
Pocket (n) - the
stringing or mesh in the head of the stick that catches, holds and directs the
ball when passing or shooting.
Scoop (n) - the top
part of the lacrosse head used to "scoop" up the ball.
Sidewall (n) - either side of a lacrosse
stick head.
Whip (n) - the
amount of downward direction in the balls path coming out of the stick on an
overhead shot as a result of contact with the shooting strings.
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