Women’s Lacrosse Head
Women’s Lacrosse Heads differ widely from the men’s version to better fit the needs of the women’s lacrosse game. While the men’s stick has a deep mesh pocket to ease catching and carrying the ball, the women’s stick has a tighter pocket that requires proper technique to keep possession while cradling. Curve of the Scoop The scoop is the widest part of the women’s lacrosse head and is used to pick up the ball and also can improve accuracy when passing and shooting. Scoops vary in width and curvature. They range from a flat design where the scoop has a little curve at the top, to a more “U” shape, where the scoop has a lot of curve at the top. Heads with a flatter scoop are designed for developing players because it makes it more suitable for picking up ground balls. The “U” shaped scoop will channel the ball better during a pass or shot, making it perfect for improving shot accuracy. The Sidewall and Angle of the Scoop Sidewalls, like the rest of the head, are made of plastic mold and connect the strings to the lacrosse head. They vary in flexibility and depth. The shape and depth of the sidewalls directly affects ball control. A lower sidewall allows for a deeper pocket, which increases ball control. Most elite heads have dropped sidewalls for this reason. Beginner sticks tend to have flatter or straighter sidewalls to help teach younger players proper technique. The angle of the scoop from the sidewall area determines the way the ball will be released from the head. An extreme angled scoop provides more whip and accuracy when shooting. A flatter scoop will have less whip and not as advanced ball control. Weight of the Head The weight of the head is usually due to the head having more plastic, which not only increases the weight, but also makes it stiffer. This is beneficial to defenders, midfielders, and other players who are often stick-checking and aggressively going after ground balls. A lightweight head usually has thinner sidewalls and is more flexible. Many attackers, or midfielders that shoot, like having a head that is lightweight because it makes them feel like they have more control. A light head will make it more flexible, which can make them ineffective on ground balls and landing hard checks. It also makes the head more susceptible to breaking. Width of the Head Narrow heads are good for ball retention and accuracy, while wider heads have more surface area for blocking and catching the ball. Wide heads tend to be more desirable to defensive players. Attackers tend to like the more narrow heads, and midfielders look for a balance depending on whether they are more offensive or defensive. Ball Stop This thin piece of rubber or foam that is meant to cushion the ball as it sits in the pocket. Women’s lacrosse heads feature a larger ball stop area since the pocket is not as deep as the men’s and the ball comes in contact with the ball stop more often. The Pocket The pocket is where the ball resides. Pockets include the center piece, nylon stringing around the center piece, and leathers or thicker nylons on either side of the center piece. There is also a top string at the top, which may need to be replaced depending on what surface you play on and how often. The sidewalls strings, in conjunction with the top string, help to secure the pocket to the head. Sidewalls strings are also susceptible to breaking and are usually easy to repair. The last strings in the pocket are the shooting strings. They can be strung into a head in different shapes and positions, as long as they meet the stringing requirements. The most common shape and combination is a shooting string at the top threaded straight across, and then a U or V-shaped string below. Visit http://www.longstreth.com for details on the huge selection of women’s lacrosse sticks, heads, and gear. Longstreth Sporting Goods specializes in bringing the best of the best equipment to the female athlete. Check out the great selection of women’s lacrosse equipment at Longstreth.
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2017 Women’s Lacrosse Sticks
Each year, lacrosse vendors roll out their new selection of women’s lacrosse heads and sticks for the upcoming season. Most equipment is designed with specialized technology that helps players get the most of their game. Some are constructed for players who are great defenders; while others have attributes that are best for a player who plays offense. Of course, goal keeper sticks have their own unique features. This year, two sticks rise to the top of selection. Both have new technology that set them apart from the rest of the collection. Under Armour Glory Under Armour was inspired by the University of Maryland when creating this head. They constructed the Glory with the new Rail Elite Pocket , making it ideal for the elite player. The Rail Elite Pocket is unbeatable compared to any other pocket in the market. The high-quality nylons are built to withstand extreme temperatures and reduce weight. It also features Glide Scoop Technology that guides players to the ball no matter what direction they approach it. The Maximum offset offers superior control and feel, especially in the sweet spot. Lastly, the Poron XRD ballstop absorbs ball impact to minimize the chances of the ball bouncing out of the pocket. The Under Armour Glory with Rail Elite Pocket is available as a strung or unstrung head or as a complete stick with the Under Armour Composite Handle. These features make this stick the preferred choice of many college women’s lacrosse programs. STX Crux 500 Another top choice of the season is STX’s Crux 500. This lightweight 10-degree lacrosse head comes with the Launch Pocket. 10 degree technology shifts the center of gravity, pushing the ball to the sweet spot, thus releasing the ball quicker. The unique Launch pocket features a design where the middle Chevrons widen near the sweet spot to flex out and hug the ball for better control and feel. The STX Crux 500 can also be purchased as a strung or unstrung head or as a complete stick with the STX Composite 10 handle. 2017 Women’s Lacrosse Heads and Handles There are many other sticks and brands to choose from. Each brand offers a complete line of lacrosse heads that fit the needs of players of each level. Longstreth Sporting Goods specializes in bringing the best of the best equipment to the female athlete. Check out the great selection of women’s lacrosse equipment at Longstreth. Excelling in lacrosse not only requires your skills and efforts, but also an in-depth knowledge of your lacrosse equipment. Know every part and how you can adjust it best to suit your game. One such equipment that you ought to know its anatomy is the lacrosse head. Here is what a lacrosse head is made up of:
Sidewalls Sidewalls, made of plastic mold, connect the nylon or synthetic strings and the lacrosse head. They vary in flexibility and height.
Offset Offset described the angle of the head as it relates to the handle. An offset head will help push the ball to the sweet spot for quicker release and increased whip on passes and shots. Offset heads also improve ball control. Scoop A scoop is the widest part of the lacrosse head that pulls the ball off the ground. Shots and passes also leave the pocket through here. Scoops vary in width and depth (or drop).
It’s the point where the ball resides, just at the base of the head. When buying a lacrosse head, you can choose a fully strung one or unstrung. Experienced lacrosse players will always want to customize the strings to achieve the desired depth. For amateurs, re-strung pockets are the best. How does the variation in pocket width affect your lacrosse game?
Finding the right lacrosse head First, get to know your position as a lacrosse player. Defensive players will tend to look for a head with wide pockets, flat scoops, and heavy sidewalls. Attack players will want a narrow, offset head with dropped sidewalls for ultimate ball control and accuracy. Midfielders tend to look for a head with a balance of the two. Consider your budget, too. Buy a head that fits your financial capacity to avoid unnecessary strains. Lastly, the head you buy needs to meet NOCSAE standards for an excellent performance. All lacrosse equipment must meet other standards and requirements before purchase. Besides the NOCSAE stamps, the item you choose to buy needs various other stamps for full verification of quality and safety. Choosing the best lacrosse head that fits your budget, game style and position is every lacrosse player’s objective. They are made in different designs, sizes, shapes and prices. Well-made lacrosse sticks improve your strength, ball accuracy and shot speed. You can find all the varieties of lacrosse heads at Longstreth Sporting Goods. Consult us today to choose a lacrosse head that fits your game best. #lacrosseheads, #lacrosseSticks, #lacrosseequipment |
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