All About Sticks

There are many excellent prestrung women's sticks available. Generally speaking, quality increases with price, but just like a high performance sports car isn't the best option for a new driver, the "best" sticks are not always appropriate for newer or young players. Here is a list of several sticks that we feel offer good value and that are a good match for newer players. The term complete stick refers to a stick that is off the shelf with a strung head and a handle. There are also numerous reviews of these sticks online. Head to Tama Lacrosse in Kirkland or Dick's Sporting Goods at Northgate to see them in person. Tama does not list their in-store stock on their website, so if you are interested in a particular stick we recommend calling ahead.

One word of caution. The less expensive and straighter sticks are harder to use. Your girls will find it easier to catch, throw, and cradle with a stick that has offset, ie looking from the side, the head will have an angle to it, and mesh with a defined pocket rather than a flat profile.

In the above example of two beginner sticks, note how if you follow the shaft in a straight line (dashed line), sidewall on the white and purple head on the left angles to the right and then back left (thin black lines), making a V, while the blue one is mostly straight in line with the shaft. Similarly note how the mesh pocket on the white and purple head is deeper than it is on the blue head. Both these characteristics mean it will be easier to catch, throw and cradle with the white and purple stick, and therefore the learning process will be much more fun.

For girls 8U (K-2nd grade)

These sticks are shorter than a full length stick and are only legal up through 10U.

Maverik Ascent ST ($50): Stocked at Dick's Sporting Goods in Northgate and available at many online retailers.

StringKing Women's Starter Junior ($70): Available at many online retailers and direct at stringking.com

For girls 10U (3rd/4th grade)

These sticks are shorter than a full length stick and are only legal up through 10U. If your player is in 4th grade you might want to consider a full length stick so she can get more than 1 year out of it.

Maverik Ascent ST ($50): Stocked at Dick's Sporting Goods in Northgate and available at many online retailers.

StringKing Women's Starter Junior ($70): Available at many online retailers and direct at stringking.com

These sticks are full length and legal at all ages.

Maverik Ascent Alloy ($70): Sometimes stocked at Dick's Sporting Goods in Northgate and Play it again Sports and available at many online retailers.

Maverik Ascent Carbon ($100): Available at many online retailers. Same as Ascent Alloy but has a carbon fiber shaft for decreased weight and more comfort in cold weather.

Nike Lunar LT ($60-$80): Stocked at Dick's Sporting Goods in Northgate and available at many online retailers.

For girls 12U (5th/6th grade)

StringKing Women's Starter ($100): Available at many online retailers and direct at stringking.com

STX Crux 400 or Exult 400 ($100-150): Available at many online retailers.

StringKing Women's complete ($150-180 depending on pocket): Stocked at Dick's Sporting Goods in Northgate and available at many online retailers including stringking.com

Nike Lunar Select ($130): Stocked at Dick's Sporting Goods in Northgate and available at many online retailers.

ECD Infinity (not pro) ($150): Available at some online retailers and direct at ecdlax.com

For girls 14U (7th/8th grade) and high school

StringKing Women's complete ($150-180 depending on pocket): Stocked at Dick's Sporting Goods in Northgate and available at many online retailers including stringking.com

ECD Infinity (not pro) ($150): Available at some online retailers and direct at ecdlax.com

ECD Infinity Pro ($250): Available at some online retailers such as Dick's and SportStop.

STX Crux Pro Elite or Exult Pro Elite ($200+): Available at many online retailers including direct from stx.com

Gait Apex Flex Mesh ($289): Stocked at Dick's Sporting Goods in Northgate. Available at most online retailers.

Goggles and Headgear

Goggles or headgear (the thing that looks like a helmet) are worn to protect the eye sockets and face. The brand and/or model is really about personal preference and most will fit a variety of faces. Goggles do not fit over eye glasses so if the player wears glasses to play they will need to get headgear. Any goggle that fits and is relatively comfortable (we want our players to keep the goggles on) will be fine as long as it has an SEI certification stamp. You can try on and purchase several different models at Tama Lacrosse in Kirkland, Play It Again Sports in Lynnwood (they carry new gear in addition to used and offer a 10% discount for Shoreline Lacrosse), and at Dick's Sporting Goods in Northgate, or order online from any lacrosse retailer. The Cascade women's LX headgear (one size) is stocked at Tama Lacrosse and Play It Again Sports but not at Dick's. It is also widely available online. Click here to see the goggle and headgear offerings at SportStop.com

Neither our club nor league have any restrictions on color, so you can choose any color you want. If you feel like you want to match our team uniforms, your best bets are navy blue, teal, black, white, or gray.

Gloves

Gloves are completely optional for girls. They offer a little padding but unlike for the boys, there is no stick checking to the hands in the girls game. Some players will wear them in colder weather for warmth, but many other players feel like they lose touch on the stick while wearing gloves.

Starter Bundles

Several retailers offer starter bundles that include stick, goggles or headgear and a bag. These can be a good value but are mostly aimed at the lower grades and many of the sticks, like the STX Crux 100, are not so great. Players in 7th grade and up will want to get their gear a la carte.

--> Dick's Sporting Goods (Stocked at Northgate or online)

--> SportStop.com

--> LacrosseMonkey.com

--> LacrosseUnlimited.com