Lacrosse Stick Basics

So you need a lacrosse stick? All of the brands, colors and technologies are enough to make your head spin! Relax, at Elevation, we are here to walk you through the process so you end up with the stick that’s right for your needs. A beginner won’t get much out of top of the line equipment and an MLL all-star needs the very best in cutting-edge technology to give himself a competitive edge, what’s your game?

Choosing Your Lacrosse Head

The heads of lacrosse sticks come in all types of shapes and materials so you can tailor fit them to your style of play. As a general rule of thumb, beginning players should steers themselves away from über-pinched heads as this will make learning how to properly catch and throw much more difficult than necessary. Some great beginner sticks are the STX AV8, Brine Alias and the Warrior Joker which will all allow a player (no matter the position) to start off with a high-quality head that will allow for personal skill development while acclimating the individual to technologies found in high-end lacrosse heads.

For the intermediate player, we would suggest taking a look at universal heads that are legal for both NCAA & NFHS play beginning in 2010. These heads offer the very best in advanced lacrosse head technology available, while still offering a wider catching area. Check out the Brine Gospel, STX Super Power or Warrior Razer X for some of the most popular universal heads on the market today.

Ready to play with the big boys? College players will love the new heads legal for NCAA play ONLY. The STX Professor, Warrior Evo X6 and Brine Voyce X6 shatter the mold of traditional heads (literally) and provide the most skilled players the ability to lock up the ball and throw away the key within their so-pinched-it-hurts confines. We don’t know what they were thinking when the NCAA decided to pinch sticks for college players, but we like it! (NOTE: STX Professor and the Brine/Warrior X6 line are NOT legal for High School or youth players. If you are confused as to which head your should be picking up for your level of play, contact us at Elevation Lacrosse and we’ll be happy to find the head that’s right for you).

Which Lacrosse Shaft is Right for You?

The shaft (or handle) of a lacrosse stick is another component that offers the user a wide range of options so that the individual can decide what is best-fit for his game. Across all brands remember one thing: with shafts, you get what you pay for. As you browse the spectrum of available shafts, typically the higher price the stronger and/or lighter the shaft becomes.

For beginners, an aluminum shaft may be a wise choice, especially if you don’t know what position you’ll play once you start the season. Aluminum shafts (even long poles) can be had for $15-$25 but buyers beware! These shafts (especially long poles!) are prone to bending/breaking. Once your coach has put you in a position, it is a good idea to move up to an intermediate shaft. Try a Warrior GNAR, Brine F22 or STX Zirconium for a quality shaft that won’t break the bank.

For a player looking to take the next step-up in strength, weight and durability, the STX Scandium, Brine F55 and Warrior Kryptolyte shafts offer light-weight performance while ensuring you won’t be replacing bent and broken shafts on a weekly basis.

Want the best? We’ve got the best! The Brine Swizzbeat Ti offers one of the strongest handles on the market today along with a 3D textured “heartbeat” pattern for better grip. You’ll need it to hold onto this monster while ripping corners and throwing takeaways all over the field. Warrior offers the Titanium shaft that started it all back in ’92 with their Titan Pro. Made from aerospace and military-grade titanium, you’ll need to launch an aerial assault on this bad boy to put a chink in its armor! Last but not least, the shaft that took high-performance handles to the next level is STX’s Sci-Ti Pro. The preferred shaft of STX collegiate-sponsored teams everywhere, the Sci-Ti Pro blends the strength of a titanium shaft with the weight of a Scandium handle and sets the bar a couple pegs higher than ever imagined. If you want to make a serious upgrade in your game, these super-performers are the way to go.

Warrior Lacrosse Stick Overview

Warrior Lacrosse has taken the lacrosse world by storm ever since the early 90’s when they introduced the titanium shaft and revolutionized the way the game is played. Their full line of heads and shafts include a multitude of new technologies, paired with old-school favorites, to offer every lacrosse player something to take their game to the next level.

Want a durable head that won’t flex when throwing a check or while catching and throwing? Heads with Spyne Technology (molded with Warrior’s new Tek 9 Nylon) creates an ultra-stiff head that maintains its stiffness in high temperatures and is less likely to break-down over time (available on the Spyne, Razer Spyne & Evo Spyne). Titanium enhanced heads (Evo Ti X, Evo Ti, Revo Ti) strategically place titanium rods into the head, targeting stiffness into the most crucial parts of the head.

Are you looking for a head that is lighter than air? Check out Warrior’s new NOZ head. The NOZ is injected with nitrogen gas (that’s lighter than air!), creating hollow sections of the head that decrease weight without sacrificing strength!

Top Sellers:

• For offensive-minded players: Evo 2.0, Razor, NOZ
• For defensive-minded players: Revo 2.0, Mojo, Spyne
• For face-off midfielders: Blade, Blade F-off
• For Goalies: Nemesis
• Shafts: Titan Pro, Krypto Pro, GNAR

Brine Lacrosse Stick Overview

Brine turned the lacrosse world on its head in the 90’s with the introduction of the off-set stick which allowed players of all positions to do things with the ball never before imagined. With decades in the lacrosse business, Brine products continue to push the limit on innovation.

With the 2010 head specs now in effect, how about a head that conforms to what refs in 2010 are looking for while giving you all the advantages of the tight, pinched sticks you’re used to? The Asset and Gospel allow for mid-strung sidewalls which wrap the mesh around the ball and create a higher and deeper pocket!

Want to feel the ball in your stick for unparalleled control and accurate passing and shooting? Brine’s Patented Full Offset ® gives every player maximum control and feel while allowing for quick release.

Top Sellers:

• For offensive-minded players: Clutch, Gospel, Voyce
• For defensive-minded players: Edge, Motive
• For Face-off midfielders: Clutch, Edge
• For Goalies: Eraser
• Shafts: Swizzbeat Ti, Swizzbeat Scandium, F22

STX Lacrosse Stick Overview

STX and lacrosse are synonymous. Seemingly forever, STX has consistently produced some of the highest quality lacrosse equipment. Without flash or gimmicks, STX heads have withstood the test of time and are proven, reliable products for players of all ages and abilities. Want Proof? Four of the last five NCAA D1 champions were outfitted by STX.

A player’s ability to trust his control of the ball is key in making split-second decisions that can break the game wide open. STX’s mantra for the Forward Cant™ technology and Crankshaft 10° system is simple; better feel = more control!

Top Sellers:

• For offensive-minded players: Proton Power, Revolver
• For defensive-minded players: Xcalibur, Profile, Proton+
• For face-off midfielders: X3, Viper 2
• For goalies: Eclipse
• Shafts: Sci-Ti Pro, Scandium Pro, Axe

Customizing your Lacrosse Stick:

Now that you have the perfect head and shaft, what can you do to make your stick…yours?

Lacrosse Stick Stringing and Pockets

No matter what kind of combo you choose for your head/shaft, without the perfect pocket you are wasting the unique features that bring out the best in your stick. Here at Elevation, we use only the highest quality stringing materials and most knowledgeable stringers to create game-ready pockets right off the shelf. No more waiting for mesh to break-in or losing your perfect pocket after a hard rain.

Elevation pockets are strung and broken in, all in one step, so your pocket won’t lose its shape and it ready to perform from day 1. No matter if you are a shooter requiring absolutely no whip or a defenseman who needs the deepest legal bag on the field, we have pockets designed around YOUR game!

End-Caps & Tape for Your Lacrosse Stick

Even the best stick on the market is useless if you can’t keep it in your hands! Elevation carries all colors of Mueller athletic tape and end-caps from every major manufacturer. Don’t lose grip on the competition, pick up an end-cap and tape and customize the way you want your stick to feel n your hands!