Product-Guide

1. Lacrosse Heads

Choosing a Lacrosse Head

Choosing the right lacrosse head from the (vast number) many available on CaptainLax.com can be a tough task. The angle, stiffness, width and weight are all important aspects to look at when selecting your new lacrosse head. Below is a brief description of the most important characteristics.

Offset/Forward Cant Lacrosse Head

Probably the most popular head in lacrosse today, the Offset lacrosse head has revolutionized the way we play the game. The offset lacrosse head drops down at the throat (where the head meets the handle) of the lacrosse head, allowing for a lower position of the ball and pocket on the head. A forward cant lacrosse head is also angled down at the throat of the stick. Offset/Froward Cant lacrosse heads are designed to give the player maximum feel and control when carrying the ball, as well as great ball retention enabling quicker passing and shooting.

Onset Lacrosse Head

Onset lacrosse heads extend straight on out from the handle, where as Offset, Cant, and Curved heads all slope downwards. With new lacrosse technology developing, fewer Onset heads are used by the top lacrosse players. However, Onset lacrosse heads are great for beginning lacrosse players who are learning the proper fundamentals and skills vital to the game of lacrosse.

*All of the above mentioned lacrosse heads are used by all lacrosse players of all positions with the exception of the goaltender.

Stiffness vs. Flexibility

Stiffness and flexibility are the two main categories which manufacturers concentrate on when designing new lacrosse heads. However, different lacrosse players like to play with different kinds of lacrosse heads. Some stiff heads may be heavier than other more flexible heads. For example, a defenseman may want to play with a stiffer head for more effective checking, where as another defenseman may want a more flexible head for picking up loose groundballs. The same can be said for all lacrosse positions. Stiffness and flexibility are all based on the preferences of the lacrosse player. You can’t go wrong with either choice.

Narrow vs. Wide Lacrosse Heads

Lacrosse heads have become more and more narrow in recent years. Again, some lacrosse players prefer narrow lacrosse heads, while others prefer wider heads. An attackman may want to play with a narrower lacrosse head to maximize ball retention and to protect the ball from defensive checks. Another attackman may want to play with a wider head for an easier catch in a tight situation near the crease. A defenseman may choose to play with a wider lacrosse head in an effort to deflect passes, and also make it easier to catch. Most lacrosse heads with narrow or shapes are designed for the more advanced lacrosse players, purely because it is harder to catch with a narrower lacrosse head compared to a wider head.

Why should I pinch my head?

The pinch helps you to have the ball longer in your pocket. The thinner the pocket the better lies the ball in your pocket. But never forget: Also catching is much more tricky with a pinched head. Also think about the limit of pinching. Don't overplay it! Also when you pinch your head by yourself always remember the loss of the warranty.

What's the Scoop?

Scoop is the top part of your head with which you scoop up the ball into your pocket. Different manufacturers use different techniques and use different names, but they all try to make groundballs as effortless as possible.

How do I string my head by myself?

Very easy. Click on your mesh and follow the self-explanatory instruction.

2. Lacrosse Arm Pads

As with all the other lacrosse pads, it is important that arm pads fit snugly on your arms, protect, and allow for maximum mobility. There are many different kinds arm pads, each one offering something unique. Attackmen may want to wear a longer arm pad which covers a larger portion of their arms and has added protection on the elbows. Many defensemen, the guys beating up the attackmen, choose to wear smaller, less protective elbow pads for maximum mobility to throw checks. Most elbow pads are fit with Velcro straps that wrap around the arm and allow for adjusting.

3. Lacrosse Shafts/Handles

Types of Lacrosse Shafts/Handles

Aluminum Lacrosse Shaft

Once the most common shaft, aluminum lacrosse handles have a good strength-to-weight ratio. These shafts are great for lacrosse players of all ages, however with advancing technology lighter and stronger handles are now used by higher level lacrosse players. Aluminum shafts are great for all positions, even goalies.

Titanium Lacrosse Shaft

Titanium lacrosse shafts provide a much higher strength-to-weight ratio than any aluminum shaft available. Known for their superior strength, Titanium lacrosse handles are great for the lacrosse player who needs a durable handle that can withstand the physical nature of the game without sacrificing weight. The Warrior Titan Pro Titanium for example is the number one choice among MLL pros.

Composite Lacrosse Shaft

Composite lacrosse shafts are made of high grade carbon fiber, allowing for great strength and weight. The composite lacrosse shaft allows for ultimate feel and control. There is no need for grip tape with Composite lacrosse handles.

Alloy Lacrosse Shaft

Alloy lacrosse shafts are characterized by their unmatched feel and weight. They are the lightest lacrosse shafts in the game and also deliver great strength. Many manufacturers are now adding built-in grips to their alloy lacrosse handles which offer, you, the lacrosse player a unique and advantageous feel. Alloy shafts include, variations of C405, Vanadium, and many other mixed metal combinations.

Scandium Lacrosse Shaft

Made of high performance element number 21. Scandium lacrosse shafts feature the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any other shaft in the lacrosse world. This shaft is great for lacrosse players of all positions because of its great feel and durability.

Pocket vs. Head ?

With so many great heads on the market we get asked, "What is the best head?" That's kind of like asking, "What's the best burger?" The answer should be the one you like... for whatever reason. The truth is, most great players can play great lacrosse with almost any head. The key is the pocket, which is the individualized aspect of lacrosse.

4. Lacrosse Meshes

When do I use a soft or a hard-mesh?

I always depends on your preferences. Your soft-mesh is leveled up much faster than your hard-mesh. Also is the soft-mesh better in cradling and catching. It feels like that you have a better control of the ball. In contrast is the hard mesh much more durable. Here the Hard Mesh wins. Also the hard mesh makes passes and shoots much faster. A beginner should use a soft mesh because the ball stays easier in a soft-mesh.

Mesh vs. Traditional ?

The benefits of mesh over traditional pockets are simple. The vast majority of stick stringers can fix or restring a mesh pocket easier and faster than traditional. The reason, in addition to the one mentioned already, is that the use of hard mesh gives many of the benefits of traditional (i.e. pocket conformity) without the problem associated with maintaining a traditional pocket. Hard mesh pockets break in quicker and are not as susceptible to weather. When leather gets wet, the pocket stretches and sags and when they dry, they get stiff and tight. Soft mesh is easier (softer) on beginners but will "bag out" with hard passes at higher levels of the game. A new player or a very experienced traditional stringer... hard mesh is the choice.

How many diamonds ?

We offer hard (or dura, or stiff... it's all the same... depending on the conditions of the treatment at any given time) mesh in lots of variation and colors. We think that less diamonds break in a little more quickly. More diamonds hold a pocket better. Some stringers tell us that fewer diamonds are a bigger pain to string. We don't recommend any one mesh over another. There is more sizzle than substance to these arguments. Like most of the other questions about lacrosse it is really a matter of what gives you confidence and success.

What is whip?

We have heard players of all ages use this term for years. When asked what they mean, we received a wide range of responses. The best we way we can describe it is... how the ball feels as it releases from the pocket. More importantly, how it feels as it comes off the shooting strings. You want to experience a sensation in the handle as the ball leaves your stick head. Great players can control the release by knowing their pockets. The ball should not hit the tip of the plastic at the top of the head. Nor should it come out of the pocket without the player knowing or feeling it. We think that when someone says a stick has "too much whip" - the ball is hitting too hard off the strings... making it go down... or too hard to control. Too little whip describes the ball coming off the strings without that sensation of knowing exactly when it leaves the head. The key is the shooting strings.

What about Shooting Strings?

Hockey laces or bootlaces have become the shooting string of choice by most players. There is more to this simple aspect of a lacrosse stick than you might realize, including what the laces are made of. We have chosen synthetic fibers for our laces in order to provide the best shooting strings. (Cotton holds too much water in rainy conditions). More importantly, the shooting strings are the key to proper ball release and can be adjusted to get that individual feeling for the ball coming out off the head.

What are "V Pockets?"

"V Pockets" can be created with hockey laces because they can lay relatively flat. The "V Pocket" helps you determine where the ball "carries" in your stick, but should not encumber the ball on release. Some like 'em, some don't. That's your call. We offer extra long laces so you can do whatever you want, experiment, find what is best for you.