While it may seem obvious to say, throughout your entire playing career, your lacrosse stick will be the most important piece of equipment that you will use on the field. So, it makes sense to put as much thought and attention as you can into choosing the right one.
Of course, there will be many possibilities that could all be great options. However, the right stick will make you more excited to play and practice, which is crucial not only as you start to learn the game but throughout your entire lacrosse career. So, here are a few tips to keep in mind when you wade through all the options and figure out how to choose a girl’s lacrosse stick that’s right for you.
How to Start Looking for a Girl’s Lacrosse Stick
Companies are constantly coming out with new styles made with brand new materials. This can bring a plethora of choices, but it can also make the buying decision much harder and pretty overwhelming. The experience of others can be invaluable when you’re trying to figure out how to choose a girl’s lacrosse stick.
Whether it’s a trusted coach, your more experienced teammates, or a great website like this one…take all the advice you can get. Just keep in mind that “trying on” sticks in the store is probably going to be the best way that you can make sure the stick you buy is the right one for you; because in the end, you’ll be holding the stick, and the decision needs to be yours.
Men’s Lacrosse Gear vs Women’s Lacrosse Gear
Don’t make the mistake I made when I first started lacrosse and buy a men’s stick. First and foremost when buying new equipment, do your research! Since men’s and women’s lacrosse are so vastly different, there is a difference between men’s and women’s gear. Women don’t have to wear elbow pads, shoulder pads, gloves, or a helmet like men do, and instead, they simply wear eye goggles and a mouthguard.
Another main difference is how deep the pockets of the sticks are, which also reflects how different the styles of play are. Men’s lacrosse sticks are deeper in the pocket, while women’s pockets are flatter. This is because men’s lacrosse is a more physical sport with fewer restrictions in terms of contact; a deeper pocket allows for the ball to stay in the head even during the most aggressive plays.
To determine whether a women’s stick is legal or not, the ref must be able to see the ball above the sidewall of the head for players above 12 years of age. For younger players, there are honestly far fewer rules in regards to stick legality and length.
What to Consider in Your Girl’s Lacrosse Stick
Stick Length
In men’s lacrosse, stick lengths can vary from 40 to 72 inches long. Offensive players typically have shorter sticks, while the defenders and goalies will have the longest on the field. In 12U leagues and above in women’s lacrosse, field players’ stick lengths are supposed to be between 90 and 110 centimeters (roughly 35 inches to 43 inches), while goalie’s sticks must be between 90 and 135 centimeters (roughly 35 inches to 53 inches).
For those of you who might be smaller, like me, you might like a shorter stick. You’ll be able to wield it a little bit better, and movement around the field will be faster and more efficient. Or, you might like a long stick and will appreciate a little extra reach. As long as it feels comfortable, the weight is not too heavy, and it’s within the legal length requirements, the stick length is totally up to you.
The Lacrosse Shaft
Making sure that your stick feels good and is comfortable is probably the most important thing to keep in mind. You’re not going to want to play or practice if your lacrosse stick doesn’t feel good in your hands. Like I mentioned earlier, there are a lot of options in terms of shape and material for all parts of the lacrosse stick. However, for me, the most important part is the shaft, simply because that’s where your hands will be the whole time. The grip must be comfortable!
Shaft Material
When you hold up a stick, take note of the material the shaft is made of. Is it metal? Is it some form of graphite? Some people might like the sleekness of metal, which might make switching hands and general movement easier. That was just not my experience personally. One quick side note though, when I played lacrosse my top hand was rarely in the same place for very long. I did usually have my bottom hand anchored on the butt to stabilize the stick, but my other hand was moving around quite a lot.
When you play, you shouldn’t keep your hands glued to the same two places, and you should be able to mix up your hand placement easily! The lacrosse stick I used for the majority of my lacrosse career had a shaft made of carbon fiberglass, making it almost soft to the touch. The grip of the coated carbon was still easy for my hands to slide on, but it was softer than metal, which I liked.
There is a bit of grip that graphite or carbon shafts have that metal ones don’t, just see what you like when you are in the store. If you don’t find a shaft that has the grip you like, you can always add a little tape to where your hands will be too if that makes it more comfortable.
Shaft Shape
Next, take notice of the shape of the shaft. Is it comfortable for you, or does it feel bulky? Is the head of the stick too heavy, or does the weight of the entire thing seem well distributed?
The edges on the shaft of my lacrosse stick had an octagonal shape and were rounded, making the grip very comfortable. I adored that stick because it was so snug in my hands, and it made me excited to play. The corners of the edges on my stick pointed out a little bit, but some other shafts, including a lot of men’s sticks, have indented corners. That personally sounds a little uncomfortable to me, but if it helps with grip and control for you, then fantastic!
The Lacrosse Head
From my experience, most lacrosse heads are made of plastic. I’m not sure if I can remember seeing one that wasn’t. So, worrying about the material the head of your lacrosse stick is made from isn’t all that important.
The biggest issue when looking at a new stick is the shape of the head. I personally loved a more narrow bottom, or what’s called the ball stop. It’s exactly what it sounds like; the ball stop is where the ball fits snugly, especially in times like cradling. Some sticks have a wider ball stop so there’s room for the ball to move around, that was never my preference.
The top part of the head is where the shooting strings are located. If you’re just beginning or aren’t an offensive player, there’s really no need to fuss with the netting. This truly only becomes important if you need to fine-tune your shooting accuracy and power. Being able to cradle the ball while keeping it in the shooting strings is a slightly more advanced skill…but you definitely want to build that skill as you improve. So, a stick head that makes it easier to cradle this way can be a great tool for attackers.
Pricing for Girl’s Lacrosse Sticks
For many of us, the price tag also plays a part in the decision when choosing a girl’s lacrosse stick. Unfortunately, we can’t all afford the best equipment, and if you’re just starting, I would honestly suggest against doing that anyway.
When you first start playing, it’s a good idea to simply see what types of sticks are on the market and try out an intermediate or beginner stick that feels good in your hands; maybe play with it for a season and see what you like about it, and what you don’t. Next season you’ll be able to make a better, more informed decision about your stick checklist.
Buying Pieces of a Girl’s Lacrosse Stick Separately
Another thing to keep in mind is that you can buy pieces separately. If there’s a stick in the store that you love, but the head is not your ideal choice, or the shaft just doesn’t fit right in your hands, remember that you can find your ideal head and shaft individually. My high school and college stick was bought in separate parts, so it felt like it fit me like a glove.
What’s Not Important With Your First Girl’s Lacrosse Stick?
If this is your first stick, there are a few things that you won’t have to worry too much about as you shop. The more you play, the more nuances you’ll want to look for, and the stronger preferences that you’ll develop here and there.
For those just starting out, shooting strings are something that won’t be very important as I mentioned above. The more offense you play, the more that these strings will come into the forefront of picking your next stick.
Worrying about the specific length of your stick is also something that you shouldn’t dwell on too much. As long as it’s legal, you should be fine.
The last unnecessary concern for your first lacrosse stick is the sidewall. The sidewall is the area of the stick on the side of the head where the stringing attaches to and refs are able to check whether the depth of your pocket is legal or not. Sometimes intermediate players will prefer a lower or cutout sidewall. I definitely did as I got better. This simply means that your pocket is able to be deeper than average while still being legal.
How to Choose a Girl’s Lacrosse Stick – Wrap Up
The biggest thing to keep in mind when choosing a girl’s lacrosse stick is comfort. Does it make you want to hold the dang thing all day long and practice until dinner time? If so, then it’s probably a good stick. If you’re like me, your first stick will not be your last, so you can learn your preferences as you grow as a player.