Whether you are a newbie or a skilled lacrosse player, there is no denying that the lacrosse stick plays a crucial role in acing any game. No one wants to downgrade their skills with a poor-quality lacrosse stick, inferior strung style, and problematic head.
Especially for an entry-level player, a prime quality stick is a must to enhance and build a strong foundation.
This article talks about the best lacrosse sticks for beginners and gives an in-depth knowledge of everything you need to know about the products. This list of the prime quality beginners stick will not disappoint you!
Jump To
- Best Lacrosse Sticks for Beginners (Attack and Middies)
- Best Lacrosse Sticks for Beginners (Youth)
- Best Lacrosse Sticks for Beginners (Defense)
- Best Beginners Lacrosse Stick (For Goalies)
8 Best Lacrosse Sticks for Beginners
Don’t let poorly built lacrosse sticks overshadow your skills! If you want to know what is the best lacrosse stick for beginners, this is the perfect place for you. We have listed the top 8 products for beginners to help you find your dream lacrosse stick!
Best Lacrosse Sticks for Beginners (Attack and Middies)
Attackers and midfielders require a good stick that allows easy catch, throw, and cradling. Here are the top lacrosse sticks for new players who are looking to up their attack and mid-fielding skills.
1. STX Lacrosse Stallion 50 Youth Lacrosse Complete Stick
The STX Lacrosse Stallion 50 is the best fit for entry-level players. To enhance the balance of new learners, this company designs the product with a smaller circumference and thinner handle.
If your kid is a beginner trying to build the fundamentals, this premium product will help them gain better mobility and get a grip quickly and efficiently. With 7/8 inches small circumference and shortened handle, players will get a great experience on the first try at the game.
Inspired by the famous Elite Stallion 550 head, this lacrosse stick has many features to offer that will not disappoint you. For the best output and response, the stick comes with molded head with soft material. Hence, the soft molded head will enable you to have the best control over your game.
Moreover, the mesh stringing makes catching and throwing easier and helps you develop a proper foundation without any distractions. On top of that, this product is one of the best choices for the attack, midfield, and face-off.
Furthermore, the product only weighs 11.2 ounces, allowing beginners to carry it confidently with better balance. The dimensions are 39 inches in length and 7.25 inches in width, which is perfect for entry-level young athletes.
Pros
- Allows easy catch and control
- Comes with a shorter handle
- Offers a small circumference for beginners
- Soft stringing for better output
- Softer and molded head
Cons
- Not fit for the college or high schoolers
- Only for male players
Why Should You Buy This Product?
Its short and thinner handle makes it the best fit for entry-level young players who are just learning the basics.
2. CAKLOR Lacrosse Complete Attack/Midfield Stick
The CAKLOR Lacrosse stick is perfect in terms of durability, quality, and weight. It will give you the most outstanding gaming experience every time. This stick is undoubtedly the best lacrosse stick for beginners that features quality shaft and shorter handle to accommodate the needs of new players.
To ensure professional-level output, the company uses top-notch material to produce the strung mesh. It is sturdy, lightweight, durable, and perfect for a beginner’s daily practice sessions. The flexible design allows the player to get a good grip and learn the game within just weeks.
It comes with a professionally strung head that makes catching and throwing effortless. Not only that, the stick also has adjustable pockets, so you can easily deepen it for a better catch or loosen it according to your comfort. Its quality string and deep pockets make it perfect for catch and throw practices.
The thirty-inch shaft is ideal for newbies to allow them to gain better control. Moreover, the overall length of the product is 40.5 inches – making it the best fit for young entry-level players.
That is not all; the stick features a beautiful starry sky design on the shaft, making it stand out from the rest. Furthermore, the complete set comes with a fully assembled ball stop and end cap. In addition, the package includes two sets of sturdy lacrosse sticks.
Pros
- Professionally strung head
- Light and durable
- Adjustable pockets
- 30-inches shaft
- Premium quality material
Cons
- The netting can be stiff
- Strong wax coating
Why Should You Buy This Product?
High-quality mesh, deep pockets, and professionally strung head make it one of the best sticks for new players looking to improve their skills.
3. Warrior Mako Junior Complete Lacrosse Stick
This downsized lacrosse stick by Warrior is specifically for young and new players. The company produces this product specially for kids learning the game to help them get a balanced game foundation.
It is a spin-off version of the original lacrosse stick that comes with a shorter shaft length of only 37.5 inches. Moreover, it includes thin handles with smaller diameters, allowing young kids to grip their sticks. This stick will fit into any little kid’s hands effortlessly and enable them to focus on the game.
Furthermore, the product is exceptionally light and weighs only 90.71 grams, allowing kids to continue practice sessions for a prolonged period without feeling fatigued. Moreover, the product comes with soft and quality mesh that is not stiff, enabling it to throw and catch efficiently.
That is not all; the black shaft with a white strung head gives the whole stick a sleek outlook. Therefore, if you want quality and outlook all in one product, this lacrosse stick is the best choice for you. Its exceptionally lightweight, small shaft, and thin handle make it a good lacrosse stick for beginners, especially young kids.
Pros
- Smaller than the original stick
- Thin handle to fit small hands
- Good quality and soft mesh
- 37.5 inches in length
- Eye-catchy color and design
Cons
- Less sturdy and durable
- The head may be too small for the ball
Why Should You Buy This Product?
This downsized lacrosse stick is the best for young kids with small hands. It is incredibly light in weight and features a small shaft and thin handle, making it perfect for kids.
4. STX Lacrosse Youth Girls Lilly
STX Lacrosse Stick is a complete package for young female lacrosse players. It is an excellent product to equip young girls with the best lacrosse stick for their beginning gaming experience.
The overall length of the stick is 36 inches which is perfect for young entry-level female players. This company uses high-grade quality plastic to produce the product which makes it durable and light in weight. With minimal weight and easy-to-grab handles, kids can effortlessly learn to throw, catch and cradle in no time.
It comes with a broad face shape and flat style scoops, making it easy to pick up balls from the ground with one try. Moreover, the exceptional design of the head also allows players to catch every ball without any mistake.
In addition, the manufacturers use a high-quality mesh pocket instead of traditional pockets that enable easy catching and throwing. Furthermore, the product also comes with weather-resistant features giving the best performance in any weather.
In addition, this stick has simplified pockets and minimal design, making it easy to maintain and improving durability. It also features low sidewalls, which creates deep pockets allowing to keep the ball in place conveniently.
Pros
- Weather-resistant feature
- Low sidewalls for deep pockets
- Soft mesh for easy catch and throw
- Simple pocket design
- Easy to maintain
Cons
- Less durable than original sticks
- The sizes may differ
Why Should You Buy This Product?
This lightweight stick with flat scoops and a wide face is perfect for young entry-level female athletes. The length of the product is ideal for girls, and the handle allows a comfortable grip.
Best Lacrosse Sticks for Beginners (Youth)
If you are just getting started with your lacrosse journey and don’t know which stick you should go for, this list is for you! These youth lacrosse sticks will fulfill all your needs and allow you to develop the best skills in no time.
5. Epoch iD Jr. Lacrosse Stick-Youth
The Epoch iD Jr. Lacrosse Stick is a premium quality durable product that will leave no room for complaints. This will boost the confidence of new players with its rigid polymer structure, stiffness, and high flexibility.
This beginner’s lacrosse stick is thin, lightweight, and shorter than regular ones to enhance balance for U10 athletes. Furthermore, it comes with smart sidewalls featuring circle holes that provide an ideal neutral pocket. The square and circle holes give the players a visual guide of the sidewall patterns.
Moreover, it allows the player to upgrade and understand the various pockets by providing options for different levels of whip. In addition, with its proprietary composite injected polymer, the stick ensures the highest level of durability and transfers maximum energy by improving velocity.
The manufacturers focus on producing stiffer sticks to allow players the highest balance when they are around the goal. Moreover, the stiffness also allows quick throw passes from the deep corner to up the field.
Additionally, the product comes with a zone 2 pocket location, which will provide users with Zone 2 mid/low pockets for the highest flexibility.
Pros
- Comes with a smart circle and square sidewalls
- Features Zone 2 pockets
- High stiffness and flexibility
- Exceptionally durable
- Provides optimal strength
Cons
- Not fit for young female athletes
Why Should You Buy This Product?
With a blend of high-quality, tough polymer, this stick provides ultimate durability and flexibility. The thin, small and short size makes it the top choice for beginners, and stiffness of the stick allow players to gain precision in throwing and scooping the ball from the ground.
6. Signature Junior Lacrosse Stick
This ready right-off-the-shelf Signature Lacrosse Junior Stick provides consistent performance game after game. No matter what weather you are playing in, you can count on this stick for efficient and smooth performance every time.
The company uses high-quality aluminum, which ensures sturdiness and durability. You never have to worry about breaking sticks in the middle of the game with this premium quality product.
Moreover, to allow the highest level of comfort and convenience to newbies, the manufacturers introduced weightless aerospace aluminum shafts.
With this easy-to-carry stick, learning the sport will become a piece of cake for first-year players. Additionally, the small size and thin handle make it a perfect choice for both young boys and girls.
It comes with a pro-strung head to ensure smoothness while scooping and cradling. The built-in mesh pockets allow the highest level of balance and precision for throwing and catching.
Furthermore, it is highly affordable and is designed to last longer than any other budget-friendly lacrosse stick. Be it affordability, durability, performance, or quality, this premium-grade lacrosse stick got all grounds covered. Its ease of use and flexible balancing features make it the best beginner lacrosse stick.
Pros
- Aerospace aluminum shaft
- Pro-strung head
- Built-in soft mesh pockets
- Suitable for all types of weather
- Sturdy and durable
Cons
- Only available in two plain colors
- No catchy eye designs
Why Should You Buy This Product?
It is highly durable and gives efficient output even after multiple practice sessions and games. The pro-strung head and in-built mesh pocket coupled with a lightweight aerospace aluminum shaft make it one of the best lacrosse sticks for both young boys and girls.
Best Lacrosse Sticks for Beginners (Defense)
Playing defense requires a lot of teamwork, and for that, you need a stick you can depend on to pass the ball efficiently. Take a look at one of the best defense sticks for beginners and what it has to offer!
7. STX Lacrosse Stallion 200 Defense
The STX Lacrosse Stallion stick comes with unique features, perfect for building a defense foundation. Inspired by the Elite Stallion U 550 head, this stick will not leave any room for disappointments.
It features a tonal “memory marker” graphics and comes with STX 600 series handle. The thin and premium quality handle is easy to grab and allows players to learn the sport conveniently. Newbies can easily get the hang of the game with its genius flexible design.
The quality Stallion U 550 head features soft, premium-grade mesh stringing. It enables players to learn the basics of throwing and cradling effortlessly. In addition, the molded soft material provides an effective response every time. Its soft mesh makes catching balls easier and allows proper balance.
Furthermore, the company designed the stick with all the right features to provide convenient ball control to entry-level players. With this youth defense lacrosse stick, players can continue several practice sessions without any worries. The stick features a tall and lean size shaft, which makes it perfect for defensive players.
It comes with a classic scoop shape and dual brace sidewalls which allows precision while throwing. And most importantly, this premium-grade stick meets all the rules of NFHS and NCAA.
Pros
- Quality alloy handle
- Soft mesh strung head
- Allows easy ball control
- Legal for NCAA and NFHS
- Easy to handle for new players
Cons
- The head can be too flexible for defense
- It can bend after a few weeks of playing
Why Should You Buy This Product?
The molded soft stringing allows effective and fast response time and enables players to effortlessly catch and pass the ball, which makes these the best defense sticks.
Best Beginners Lacrosse Stick for Goalies
Undoubtedly, goalies are one of the most crucial players of the game. And you do not want to disappoint your team with poor goalkeeping skills. Hence, we have suggested the best stick for goalies so that you can excel in every game.
8. STX Shield 100 Strung Lax Goalie Stick
The STX Shield Lax stick is one of the best options out there for an entry-level goalie. The company designed this stick specifically to accommodate all the requirements when it comes to goalkeeping. Every game will go smoothly with its quality build and high-level performance.
It comes with 12-diamond semi-hard prestrung mesh, which gives players a smooth delivery every time. Moreover, the quality mesh and string will last game after game without wearing out and provide consistent output. The semi-hard mesh coupled with stinging style makes it the best pick for rec-level goalies.
Furthermore, the stick features STX 6000 handle, which is exceptionally lightweight to allow new players a good balance. In addition, the 30 inches handle length is also perfect for newbies to learn the game effortlessly. Therefore, with minimal weight and small length, kids as young as ten years olds can also use this stick.
That is not all; this stick has a more structured head shape that allows players to throw and catch without struggling. Moreover, the product comes in 3 sleek colors – allowing you to choose according to your preferences.
Pros
- Lightweight and thin handle
- Prime quality semi-hard mesh
- High-quality string material
- Budget-friendly and durable
- Perfect for catching
Cons
- Clearing the ball can be challenging
- Stringing style needs to be customized for an easy throw
Why Should You Buy This Product?
The lightweight and 30 inches thin handle makes it perfect for the skill development of new goalies. Its sound quality mesh and strings and sturdy handle give quality performance even after many games and practice sessions.
Read Our Review About Lacrosse Goalie Throat Guard
What Things to Consider to Buy Best Lacrosse Sticks for Beginner
The quality of the lacrosse stick can significantly impact the learning abilities of a new player.
A well-built stick with the perfect ratio of softness to stiffness, a considerable weight, and an excellent overall structure helps beginners learn the game more effectively. Here are a few things you must check before buying a lacrosse stick.
Stick Length
First and foremost, every lacrosse player should consider the length of the stick before buying one. The size of the lacrosse stick varies depending on the position of the players. Hence, new players should get the stick that fits the length requirement of their training position.
For attack/middie, players should use sticks with lengths from 40-42 inches. On the other hand, for defense and LSM, 52-72 inches in the right length. Hence, beginners should use sticks with the proper length to train to build a good foundation.
Weight
You may struggle while moving around the ball if the stick’s head is too heavy. On the other hand, a very light head can make throwing a lot complicated. Therefore, getting the right stick head with the right weight is extremely crucial.
Weight around 5.2 to 5.6 oz is considered a reasonable range for the lacrosse heads. Moreover, newly produced plastic heads are becoming more popular for their durability and lightweight, allowing fast reacts and checks.
Face Shape
The face shape of the head is a vital thing to consider. A narrow shape may make scooping and throwing very difficult. Therefore, the face should be wide enough to fit the ball efficiently and control it for beginners. A wide shape allows beginners to catch and deflect passes efficiently.
However, if the face is broader than necessary, it might become a problem, and the player may face difficulty controlling the ball. Hence, companies are coming up with modern face shapes that are wide at the top and narrower towards the throat to allow better control over the ball.
Pockets
The pocket type depends on the position of the player. However, a beginner should go for heads with a mid-to-high pocket for efficient and effective hold and whip.
Mid pockets allow quick control over the ball like high pockets and high feeding abilities like low pockets – allowing you to get the best of both types of pockets. Therefore, if you want both excellent control and easy whip, you should consider choosing heads with mid-range pockets.
Lacrosse Stick Size regulation
Lacrosse sticks are closely checked and analyzed before the game to ensure all the aspects are according to the standard. Officials take a look at various factors like pockets, ball retainment capacity, and measurements.
Maintaining the proper measurement is one of the most crucial aspects of a legal lacrosse stick. If the length and head sizes are not within the standard range, the stick is considered illegal. So, what is the right size of a legal lacrosse stick?
The size of the stick varies depending on the position of the player. A defender will not be using the same length stick as an attacker or a goalie. So, the size range differs depending on the type of stick.
For attack/midfield, the legal length of a lacrosse stick is 40 to 42 inches. On the other hand, the standard size of goalie sticks ranges from 40 to 72 inches. The legal dimension of a defense long stick is 52 to 72 inches.
Now, let’s talk about the legal measurements of a lacrosse head. The scoop of the head should not exceed a diameter of 6.5 inches. Furthermore, the midline should have a diameter of 3.5 inches. And the narrow part of the head must be at least 3 inches in diameter.
Sticks that do not meet these requirements are deemed illegal and are not allowed to be used in official games.
Parts of a Lacrosse Stick
A standard lacrosse stick comes with three main parts followed by several other sub-parts. The head, shaft, and mesh are the primary parts that make up a lacrosse stick. Furthermore, we will also talk about the scoop, sidewalls, throat, and more.
The Head
The front portion of the stick is used to catch, throw, scoop, cradle, basically everything! It is called the head of a lacrosse stick. Undoubtedly, it is the most crucial part of the stick that includes the mainframe and the mesh.
Now, the frame consists of the scoop, sidewalls, and pocket. The scoop helps to pick balls from the ground and control it in different directions. Furthermore, the sides of the frame where the pocket is attached are called sidewalls. The pocket is the deep portion of the mesh in which the ball is caught.
The Shaft
The stick on which the head remains attached is the shaft. The shaft, also known as the handle, is usually made of lightweight hollow metal.
Commonly, many companies use aluminum, titanium, alloys, and carbon fiber composite to produce this portion. Titanium shafts are generally sturdy and a bit heavier.
On the other hand, aluminum shafts are typically light. However, the material of the part depends on personal preference and skill. Players who are getting started with the game usually use lightweight aluminum shafts to gain better control.
The Mesh
In simple words, the mesh is the netted part that holds the ball. It contains strings made of woven fibers. Mesh can be of nylon, synthetic, or even plastic. Nylon mesh is used mainly by beginners because of its flexibility. However, more skilled players usually go for synthetic or plastic-based strings.
Lacrosse Basics for Beginners
There are three basic skills that every entry-level player should start practicing to become a pro. These include passing, catching, and scooping. We will talk about these three basic ones by one so that you can get a clear idea of how to play the game.
Passing
Passing is an important part of the game that requires precision and teamwork. For passing, the hand needs to be in the right place of the shaft. The player needs to place one hand at the middle of the shaft and the other at the bottom. Now, the next step is to point the elbow of the hand at the bottom high and throw the ball.
Catching
The next important skill any beginner should master is catching. In this case, place the dominant hand at the top of the shaft near the throat of the head. The other hand will be at the end of the stick.
Now, the next step is to place the stick in the air vertically to give teammates a target to throw into. However, it is important to place the stick’s head away from your face.
Scooping
Another crucial step is scooping the ball. Scooping means picking the ball off the ground in case you miss your catch. While scooping, the hand position should be the same as catching.
Next, you have to place your dominant foot next to the ball on the ground and bend—an important thing to remember while scooping is to keep the end of the stick low.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many types of lacrosse sticks are there?
There are three types of lacrosse sticks: 1) attack/midfield short stick, 2) defensive long stick, and 3) goalie stick. These sticks vary in terms of length, shaft size, pocket depth, and head width.
The defense stick is the tallest of the stick and comes with a narrow head. On the other hand, the goalie stick comes with a broad head to allow goalkeepers to catch the ball easily.
2. How many parts are there in a lacrosse stick?
A lacrosse stick generally has three parts known as the head, shaft, and mesh. Other parts include sidewalls, scoop, pocket, throat, etc. The head is the most technical part, which consists of all the important components.
If the head is not of great quality, the efficiency of the whole stick goes down. The pocket depths depend on the position of the player. Moreover, the size of the head and scoop also vary depending on preference and position.
3. Which position requires the longest stick?
Defense and LSM midfielder are the two positions in the game that require longer sticks than usual. Defensemen and long-stick midfielders use sticks with additional length because the extra reach helps them to deliver precise checks from a distance. It allows to deliver more force on checks and prevents opponents from scoring.
4. How many positions does lacrosse have?
The four positions in a lacrosse game are defense, midfield, attack, and goalkeeper. Now, the main job of the defender is to ensure opponents cannot score a goal. They have to deflect shots that come towards the goal post in an attempt to block it.
Midfielders usually play both offense and defense, depending on the situation. Attackers are the players attempting to score a goal. And lastly, goalies are the last line of defense who are responsible for blocking the goal-bound shot by the opponent.
5. What are the features of an entry-level lacrosse stick?
Beginners should start off with a lighter stick in order to build a strong foundation. A thinner handle allows newbies to gain better control over the stick movements to master their skills. Moreover, new players should use slingshot harrow lacrosse heads because these allow the wider head to catch and easy scooping.
6. How to ensure the legality of a lacrosse stick?
There are various rules set by NFHS and NCAA that determine whether a stick is fit for use or not. The measurement of the stick, including length, head pocket, everything, needs to be precise to make a stick legal.
Pocket of the head should not be deeper than the size of one ball. Moreover, pull strings are considered illegal, and any player using pull strings can get a penalty.
7. Are U string legal in lacrosse?
U strings are not legal according to NFHS rules. Players cannot use U string in College and Youth Lacrosse leagues. U string allows excessive hold, which gives an unfair advantage to the player. Moreover, another reason why the regulatory body declared them illegal is to make the game more up-tempo.
Final Words
That is all you need to know about the best lacrosse sticks for beginners. Hopefully, this list will help you find the perfect lacrosse stick that will address all your requirements efficiently.