Nowadays, sports shops are flooded with different types of lacrosse sticks. In the 1960s and well before, Native American tribes played lacrosse with a wooden stick with woven netting. There were no separate heads and shafts and no concept of plastic sticks until the 1970s.
Later STX and Brine became pioneer manufacturers of plastic-made lacrosse sticks encouraged by the popularity of lacrosse.
Before I discuss the lacrosse stick types, it’s important to understand the components of the lacrosse stick.
Components Of Lacrosse Stick
STX experimented with different designs and materials to improve lacrosse sticks and was the first to divide the lacrosse stick into two components: a head and a shaft.
A head is a plastic frame with mesh netting to drive the ball in different directions. Its side rails and front scoop have several stringing holes to string the mesh, and the bottom has a strut to attach the shaft.
A lacrosse shaft can be of aluminum, carbon, titanium, scandium, aluminum alloy, composite, or plastic stick with an end cap over the end.
Types Of Lacrosse Sticks
Lacrosse has different player positions like attack, defense, midfield, and goalies. Hence, each player needs a different type of lacrosse stick to suit their playing style and favor the position in the game.
So, let’s move on to learn about the various types of lacrosse sticks.
Men’s Lacrosse Sticks
Let’s start with the men’s sticks, these types of lacrosse sticks are usually 40 to 60+ inches long with a deeper pocket. Men’s lacrosse is a contact game and is more aggressive than women’s. Therefore, men’s lacrosse heads are designed with less surface are
Let’s understand the attributes in detail.
| Position | Attack and Midfield | Defense and D-Pole |
| Length | 40 – 42 inches | 52-70 inches |
| Face Shape | Narrow face width 6-7 inches | Slightly wider shape width of 7-10 inches |
| Weight | Over 8 oz but depends on the material | Over 8 oz but depends on the material |
| Shaft diameter | 1 inch | 1-1.2 inch |
| One ball depth (The top of the ball should not be below the bottom of the sidewall when kept horizontally) | One ball depth |
If you’re looking for more subjective knowledge, I have a couple of recommendations for men’s attack, defense, and middie lacrosse stick.
Read More: Review of the Best Lacrosse Sticks
Men’s Lacrosse Attack Sticks
Maverik Kinetik Carbon Attack Stick
It’s one of the best lacrosse sticks for elite college players with a carbon fiber shaft. Its Maverik 2.0 lacrosse head has a narrow face profile and shorter throat. It provides an amazing shooting speed and catching accuracy. Although the end cap needs adjustment the rigged shaft allows excellent grip.
Nike Vapor Pro Complete Attack Lacrosse Stick
The Nike Vapor Pro attack stick combines a Nike Vapor Pro lacrosse head and an aluminum alloy shaft. Stringed with a semi-hard elite mesh, this stick has a narrow face profile for dodging defenders. The aggressive scoop is perfect for picking ground balls without any delay. It’s a durable and affordable stick for attack.
Men’s Lacrosse Midfield Sticks
STX Stallion 1K Elite Complete Stick For Midfielders
Stallion 1K Elite complete stick has a standard composite carbon shaft. Endurafoam’s strong, durable head with a shorter throat allows easy ground ball pick-ups and smooth cradling. The mid-high pocket gave me a comfortable catching and feeding.
Maverik Critik Alloy Complete Lacrosse Stick For Midfielders
Maverik Citrick lacrosse stick is a suitable shaft for long stick midfielders. It has a 7000 series alloy shaft attached to a level 2 Bottom Rail. Besides, the semi-hard mesh is stringed to form a mid-low pocket. Since I don’t prefer a mid-low pocket I strung a mid-high pocket for better performance. Otherwise, the narrow face profile was perfect for dodging defenders.
Men’s Lacrosse Defense Sticks
STX X10 Complete Defense Lacrosse Stick
STX X10 has a wider head, designed to intercept passes, block shots, and perform checks without any trouble. The 7000 alloy shaft offered a strong grip. Whereas, the adjustable end cap provided me with a comfortable hand placement. Although it’s a lightweight stick, it’s not for those who prefer a less flexible head.
StringKing Complete 2 Intermediate Defense Lacrosse Stick
This is a go-to lacrosse stick for all high-school and elite defense players. Although it’s expensive, the durable alloy shaft and semi-hard mesh allow perfect ground ball control. The solid side rails deliver powerful checks with minimal strength. Also, the wider head is perfect for blocking middies and snatching ground balls.
Women’s Lacrosse Stick
Moving on to women’s lacrosse, their sticks are longer, thinner, and lighter. They are around 35 to 53 inches long and have a 0.8 – 0.9 inch diameter. These types of lacrosse sticks usually have a shallow pocket, and the ball should be visible above the sidewall when held sideways. It also has a wider face profile, as there is very minimal checking.
Read More: Review of Women’s Lacrosse Sticks
Women’s Lacrosse Attack Sticks
Maverik Ascent Pro Complete Women’s Lacrosse Stick
Maverik Ascent Pro is one of the best women’s lacrosse sticks for attack position. It features a lightweight carbon fiber shaft and a wide-shaped head. The head is not extremely stiff and provides optimal whip. The complete stick is slightly pricier, but the woven mesh pocket, durability, and ball control are worth the investment.
Brine Dynasty WARP PRO Dynasty Next Composite Complete Women’s Lacrosse Stick
WARP PRO Dynasty is another most recommended lacrosse stick for attacking women. The Brine Dynasty Warp Pro is a combination of a composite shaft and a stiff head. Its angular tapered sidewalls with its high Warp pocket and narrow channel deliver solid ball control. Moreover, the textured shaft provides excellent grip.
Women’s Lacrosse Midfield Sticks
StringKing Complete 2 Pro Midfield Composite Women’s Lacrosse Stick
StringKing is a versatile lacrosse stick for young midfielders who like to play center forward. The lightweight carbon shaft, a moderately wide head, and an angled throat provide high-speed shooting with minimal spread. Its type 4 level mesh is strung into a mid-pocket design for controlled cradling and feeding accuracy.
ECD Infinity Women’s Complete Lacrosse Stick
ECD infinity is the set of infinity mesh, infinity’s lightweight carbon fiber shaft, and infinity head. It’s a premium-quality lacrosse stick for offensive middies. It’s a durable stick for high-school and advanced-level college players that supports get-and-go situations without any miss. Besides, the flexibility of a wider head is perfect for winning face-off battles.
Women’s Lacrosse Defense Sticks
STX Fortress 700™ Complete Defense Stick
STX has designed Fortress 700 with a high-quality composite shaft and a well-designed pinched face head. I recommend it to all-season women defenders for its amazing grip due to its advanced strike plates. Besides, the inside twisted sidewalls, longer throat, and wider scoop allow fine cradling without unwanted ball miss.
StringKing Women’s Complete 2 Pro Defense Lacrosse Stick
StringKing 2 pro lacrosse stick is a reliable stick for defensive players who are tired of head bending. Its stiff head and wider profile provide stronger checks and snatch the ball from the opponent. The longer carbon fiber shaft provides a very strong grip despite the smooth surface.
Goalies Lacrosse Stick
Goalie lacrosse sticks are different types of lacrosse sticks used in both men’s and women’s lacrosse. Its length is between 40-72 inches. Besides, a goalie’s head is 3- 4 inches wider than the standard heads. It also has two to three balls deep pockets to help control the ball off shots.
Nike Prime Elite Complete Goalie Lacrosse Stick
The octagonal shaft and a wide head are the combination of one of the best goalie lacrosse heads. The wider face width easily intercepts goals, while a deep pocket delivers accurate throws. Although the mesh is softer, it’s a long-lasting and durable stick.
Warrior Nemesis 3 Complete Goalie Lacrosse Stick
Warrior Nemesis 3 has a 30-inch composite shaft, a 12-inch wider face profile, and a flexible mesh. It’s an elite goalie stick that absorbs impact very well. So, if you are a beginner who struggles with shot-impact, it’s a perfect stick for you. Besides, the lightweight design supports easier throws to distant players.
Youth Lacrosse Sticks
Youth lacrosse sticks are usually lightweight and 37 to 42 inches in length. Legally, the shaft matches the size of your arm (from your shoulder to fingertip). These types of lacrosse sticks are designed specifically for young lacrosse players based on their skill level and build. Furthermore, you also get a wider head for easier catching and a softer mesh for better ball control.
Epoch ID Vision Jr Complete Youth Lacrosse Stick
Epoch ID Vision Jr is a lightweight and durable youth lacrosse stick. It is a 27-inch long with an 8-inch shaft diameter featuring ridges for optimal control. The head features a wider face, a shorter throat, and a zone 2 mid/low pocket for a better learning curve.
Maverik Ascent ST Complete Youth Girl’s Lacrosse Stick
Maverik Ascent ST youth stick holds a lightweight head over a durable aluminum shaft. This 28-inch-long stick provides easy handling for easy practice in different lacrosse positions. The flexible head allows easy cradling and amazing whip when dodging defenders.
Read More: Review of the Youth Lacrosse Sticks
People Also Ask
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What Is the Difference Between Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse Sticks?
Types of lacrosse sticks vary depending upon the NCCA rules, playing position, and players’ comfort. You can even shorten your stick, get a different face shape, and string a mid, high, or low pocket to adjust your playing style. However, the attributes must meet NCCA guidelines.
Read More: What Makes a Lacrosse Stick Illegal?

