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From Beginner to Pro: When to Switch?

From Beginner to Pro - When to Upgrade Your Lacrosse Stick

By Rien Zabor, 08/10/17, 1:00PM PDT

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Should move up from a beginner lacrosse stick to a more advanced option?

When shopping for a new lacrosse stick the options may seem endless and overwhelming. If you’re shopping for a beginner, the task can seem even more daunting when navigating the varying price ranges. It can also be tough to figure out when it is time to upgrade your gear for the next level. That’s why we’re here to help!

Beginner

Beginner Lacrosse

When your young one is just picking up the game of lacrosse it’s imperative to gear them up for a positive experience. On one hand you may be unsure if they will stick with the sport so you lean towards cheaper equipment options. On the other hand, you will want to suit your kid up with the best gear possible which can come with a hefty price tag. The important thing here is to focus on the value and ease of purchase which is why we highly recommend picking up a complete stick. These come ready for action right out of the box. At LACROSSE.COM we’ve done our research and make sure to only stock complete sticks we believe will give your youth player a great experience on field.

Complete Sticks

When purchasing one of these sticks, keep in mind the size of your young player. If your athlete falls on the shorter side, you will want to cut down the shaft so that it is not taller than them standing up. Being able to comfortably handle the lacrosse stick will help ensure a positive playing experience.

Intermediate

Intermediate Sticks

Your young athlete is moving up from the beginner stages and that’s great! They may also now be getting into social media and following pro lacrosse players which will expose them to the latest and greatest gear in the game. Even though they may beg for the newest head and handle, their game may not be ready for it. Most manufacturers make sticks explicitly for intermediate players that offer upgraded technology without a massive price tag. Depending on their level of commitment to the game, sticking with a complete stick may still be the best option so you can get the most bang for your buck. So at this stage it is important to consider their commitment level alongside your budget.

Complete Sticks

Heads

Shafts

At this stage in the game it will likely be necessary to use full length shafts even up to the 60” length for defensemen. With the 60” handles, if you son still lands on the shorter side it would be beneficial to cut down the shaft while staying within the legal length of their league.

Advanced

They have made the move from playing lacrosse just for fun to committing to the sport. They have taken the steps to put in more time and effort into perfecting their game. So, now is the time to really upgrade their gear so they can  truly excel on the field. At this level, buying separate components in the head and handle will be the route to go. You may even need to pick up stringing materials so that your athlete can craft a pocket that fits their game. Now when it comes down to buying a new stick for your advanced athlete you have to keep in mind more than just your budget. This time around you will want to consider the position they play (Attack, Midfield, Defense, Goalie) and their style of play (Speedy, Big-Hitter, Outside Shooter, Primary Ball-Carrier,etc.) as most manufacturers have designed products tailored for specific types of players.

Heads

Shafts

Stringing Supplies

We hope this Beginners to Advanced Lacrosse Stick buyers guide has helped you navigate the lacrosse equipment market as you look to upgrade your athletes gear. If you have any specific questions that were not answered, do not hesitate to connect with us on Twitter or Instagram as we are always happy to help! Also, be sure to subscribe to our emails to get updates on the latest gear in the game.

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