Reviews

Best Dozen Lacrosse Balls to Buy in 2023 for Practice Training

Top Features to Look for When Buying Lacrosse Balls

When it comes to buying new lacrosse balls, there are a few key features you’ll want to consider before making your purchase. The right lacrosse ball can make all the difference during practice and games, so you’ll want to choose wisely.

First and foremost, look at the ball’s surface. A good lacrosse ball should have a grippy, textured exterior that makes it easy to cradle and handle.Cheaper balls will have a slick surface that leads to poor ball control. Opt for a ball with a pebbled or dimpled rubber surface for optimal performance.

You’ll also want to pay attention to the ball’s bounce. The best lacrosse balls have a lively bounce that makes scooping, passing, and shooting easier. Avoid lacrosse balls that have a dead bounce, as this will negatively impact your mechanics. Test a ball’s bounce by dropping it from shoulder height and seeing how high it rebounds.

Additionally, consider the ball’s hardness. Softer balls are best for indoor wall ball practice, while harder balls hold up better for outdoor field play. The right level of firmness also improves passing, catching, and shot velocity. Pressure is another factor for hardness, so be sure your balls are inflated properly.

Lastly, opt for regulation size and weight. Professional lacrosse balls are typically 7.75 inches in circumference and 5 ounces. Going with regulation size ensures the ball handles consistently compared to non-standard alternatives. Regulation balls approved by leagues can also be used for official games.

With the right mix of grip, bounce, firmness, and size, you can find high-quality lacrosse balls to take your skills to the next level. Test different ball types to see what works best for your preferences and playing style.

Our 12 Recommended Lacrosse Balls for All Positions

With so many lacrosse ball options on the market, it can be tricky to find the right ball for your needs. To help you choose, we’ve compiled a list of 12 lacrosse balls that are ideal for players of all positions and skill levels.

For attack players, we recommend the Brine King 3 lacrosse ball. This ball has a soft feel with extra grip, making it perfect for close dodges, quick sticks, and accurate shots on net. The soft rubber and small dimples give you superior control during intricate offensive plays.

Midfielders will love the Warrior Burn Lacrosse Ball. This durable ball maintains its shape well and has a tacky texture for excellent handling. The lively bounce also makes it great for fast breaks, transition play, and heat-of-the-moment shots on cage.

Defenders should check out the Maverik Rome Lacrosse Ball. The high-density rubber gives this ball a nice firm feel for those long outlet passes from the defensive zone. The raised seam also results in a stable, consistent ball flight. Its durability holds up well against those inevitable missed clears.

For goalies, we picked the Brine Baller Lacrosse Ball. The soft feel with extra grip makes saving shots easier by absorbing force and sticking in your stick. The high visibility orange color stands out against backgrounds to pick up shots sooner. The ball retains its shape nicely after repeated blasts from cannons.

If you play box lacrosse, try out the Warrior Nemesis Box Lacrosse Ball. This high bounce ball has a tacky feel for box lacrosse’s tight spaces. The lively rebounds off the boards suit box’s faster pace of play.

For a budget dozen pack, check out the AllSportsLogic 12 Pack Lacrosse Balls. These affordable lacrosse balls offer nice feel and durability. Multiple colors per pack provide team scrimmage options.

Teams should consider customized balls like the CustomInk Printed Lacrosse Balls. Adding your program logo and player numbers promotes team spirit. Printed balls make your squad stand out.

Beginners benefit from Franklin Sports Premier League Lacrosse Balls. The friendly price point provides great value for players just starting out. Soft feel improves developing hands.

Our choice for an official game ball is the NOCSAE Approved Brine Lacrosse Ball. Meets all safety standards for organized league play. Highly visible to referees.

For an indoor ball, try the Champion Sports Indoor Rubber Lacrosse Ball. Soft compounds improve control off walls and rebounds. Textured cover adds spin on shots.

Multi-packs like the Guardian 6-Pack Lacrosse Balls prepare you for practices and scrimmages. Minimizes chasing stray balls.

So test out one of these stellar lacrosse balls for your position and playing style. With the right ball, you’ll boost skills, confidence, and enjoyment of the game.

Best Official Game Balls Approved by Leagues

When it’s game time, you’ll want to ensure you’re using lacrosse balls approved for competitive league play. Not all balls on the market meet the strict standards required for organized regulation games.

For high school lacrosse, the NCAA requires all game balls to pass the NOCSAE test. This involves subjecting balls to impact tests to measure safety. Lacrosse balls must fall within set limits for maximum bounce height, compression, circumference, weight and more. The Brine NCAA Lacrosse Ball is an excellent choice, meeting all NCAA requirements.

NFHS is another key approval body, regulating balls for boy’s high school lacrosse. The Warrior Nemesis Lacrosse Ball and Maverik Optic Lacrosse Ball both have NFHS approval and offer great performance. For girl’s lacrosse, the deBeer Anaconda game ball is NFHS approved and provides excellent grip and feel.

At the college level, the NCAA has their own certification process. Popular NCAA-approved game balls include the Warrior Burn NCAA and STX Stallion 700 NCAA. These balls deliver reliable flight and handling for college competitions.

For professional leagues like the MLL and NLL, look for balls endorsed by the league. The MLL requires the Warrior Gearbox Lacrosse Ball for all games, featuring top-notch construction. The NLL uses the Saint Attack lacrosse ball featuring tacky rubber grip and bright colors.

It’s also important to use regulation size and weight balls. NCAA and NFHS balls must be 7.75 inches in circumference and 5 ounces. Pro leagues use slightly larger balls like the NLL’s 8-inch circumference.

Using regulation lacrosse balls ensures fair play across both teams. Proper inflation is also key, as flat balls play much differently. Only referees can provide new balls, so have backups ready in case of damage.

While approved balls cost a little more, the reliability and playability make them well worth the extra investment. Using qualified lacrosse balls takes the guesswork out of finding a suitable game ball.

Most Durable Outdoor Lacrosse Balls

When playing lacrosse outdoors on natural or artificial turf, you’ll need a sturdy ball that can withstand the elements. Outdoor fields can take a toll on lacrosse balls, so durability is key.

For the most durable outdoor ball, look for high-density solid rubber construction. Balls like the Warrior Rabil X Lacrosse Ball use premium rubber to maintain their shape after repeated play on harsh outdoor grass or turf. The dense materials prevent chunks of rubber from breaking off during play.

Multi-layer hybrid shells also enhance durability for outdoor play. The Maverik Optic Lacrosse Ball combines solid rubber with a polymer blend cover to create superior resilience. These hybrid shells hold strong despite constant abrasion from ground, turf, and stick contact.

A textured cover also contributes to outdoor durability. Small pebble patterns like those on the STX Stallion 700 provide an abrasion-resistant barrier that distributes wear evenly across the ball. They’ll retain a grippier surface compared to smooth balls.

While softer indoor balls eventually get ripped up on outdoor fields, the highest quality outdoor balls will maintain their structural integrity after repeated heavy use. Even the stickiest of defenders’ checks won’t be able to deform a truly durable outdoor ball.

Avoid lower-cost plastic and vinyl balls on outdoor fields, as they’ll lose their shape and experience cracking in colder temperatures. Spend a little more for the ruggedness of rubber lacrosse balls.

Test a ball’s durability by checking for exterior scuffing and peeling after each use. Premium outdoor lacrosse balls will continue performing like new while lesser balls will show signs of wear.

Softest Indoor Lacrosse Balls for Wall Ball

When practicing your lacrosse skills indoors against a brick or concrete wall, you’ll need a ball that offers both control and protection for your space. The softest lacrosse balls are ideal for indoor wall ball sessions.

Balls made from soft rubber compounds, like the Warrior Nemesis Indoor Lacrosse Ball, provide excellent indoor playability. The flexible rubber creates a soft, pillowy feel when catching passes and shots off the wall. You’ll gain confidence cradling and handling in tight quarters with a soft indoor ball.

Indoor balls also feature extra grip from tacky textures and pebbled covers. The snug feel in your stick gives you precision for tricky wall ball handling drills. The Champion Sports Indoor Rubber Lacrosse Ball has deep grooves for indoor control.

Softer balls with more give also absorb impact better off hard walls. You’ll cause less damage to indoor playing spaces compared to rock-hard outdoor balls booming off walls. Your neighbors will appreciate the gentler decibel levels as well.

Make sure to avoid slick plastic indoor balls. The slippery covers make controlling rebounds and wall ball passes nearly impossible. Stick with soft, grippy rubber compounds only.

While beginners benefit most from soft indoor balls, they can help build stick skills for players of all abilities. Work on tricky moves like behind-the-back and splits catches to take advantage of the greater control.

Outdoor lacrosse balls do not play well indoors. Their extra firmness leads to painful stingers and increased risks of damage. Save your outdoor balls for the field and use soft indoor balls at home.

Lacrosse Balls for Ground Ball Drills

Ground balls represent a vital element of lacrosse, with possession battles occurring all over the field. Having quality lacrosse balls suited for ground ball drills can help take your ground ball skills to the next level.

The best ground ball lacrosse balls feature a tacky, grippy exterior that makes picking up loose balls easier. Balls like the Warrior Rabil X have a gritty texture that allows you to scoop and secure the ball with greater ease. The tackiness helps the ball adhere to your stick during drills.

A more pliable rubber compound also improves ground ball pickup. Softer balls have more give when meeting the ground, getting trapped by your stick instead of bouncing away erratically. The Brine King 3 has a soft feel for simpler off-ground scooping.

Partially deflated balls can further help learn proper ground ball form. The floppier ball behaves more like a true ground ball, allowing you to master getting under it and lifting with proper technique. Just make sure to reinflate balls before game use.

Using outdoor balls on softer turf or grass simulates live ground ball situations. The varied terrain calls for you to adjust your approach based on surface conditions. Hard indoor balls on smooth floors play much differently than on natural grass.

Focus drills on both stationary and moving ground balls to build full proficiency. Drill picking up rolling and skipping grounders like in live play. Always keep your head up during drills to maintain situational awareness.

Quickly transitioning from ground ball to offensive or defensive movement is also critical. Scoop and go directly into fast breaks to combine skills.

Sharpening your ground ball abilities requires repetition and focused practice. Having sturdy, grippy lacrosse balls suited for ground ball work will pay dividends in game situations.

Lacrosse Balls for Cradling Practice

Mastering the crucial skill of cradling is vital for lacrosse players. Having quality lacrosse balls designed for cradling practice can help build top-notch stick skills.

Look for lacrosse balls with grippy, textured exteriors to promote great cradle feel. Pebbled and dimpled covers provide excellent friction to keep the ball firmly cradled in your stick’s pocket. The STX Stallion 700 ball has an optimal mix of softness and texture for cradling.

Balls with soft rubber compounds also enhance cradling control. The pliable material allows you to develop a smooth cradle motion without the ball rattling around the head. Softer balls conform to your pocket for confident stick handling.

Proper inflation helps as well. Make sure your practice balls have enough internal air pressure to maintain their shape during cradling. Deflated balls lead to sloppy mechanics.

Start by cradling stationary balls to get a feel for clean motions. Focus on keeping the ball centered in the pocket’s sweet spot as you cradle. Smoothly adjust hand positions to protect the ball.

Next, try cradling while walking to simulate game motions. Keep your eyes up while maintaining a smooth cradle. Changing direction and pace builds cradle stability.

Full sprints with hard cradles take skills to the next stage. Run at max speed while keeping the ball locked in your stick for game-like scenarios.

Cradling drills with specialty sticks also help. Try it left handed or with a shaft-only stick. Mini sticks build cradle finesse in tight spaces.

Perfect practice makes perfect cradling. Dedicated cradle training with lacrosse balls designed for optimal control will give you an edge on the field.

Budget-Friendly Bulk Packs of Lacrosse Balls

Going through lacrosse balls quickly during practice? Bulk packs provide an affordable way to stock up on plenty of balls to keep your training rolling.

Multi-pack sets like the AllSportsLogic 12-Pack Lacrosse Balls offer exceptional value. For less than $2 per ball, you get quality rubber construction in a rainbow of colors. Color coding helps differentiate teams for scrimmages or drills.

The Guardian 6-Pack Lacrosse Balls is another great budget option. At under $3 a ball, you get a half dozen high-bounce balls approved for gameplay. The bright colors aid in visual tracking for passes and shots.

Variety bulk packs like the Kitter Lacrosse Balls 15-Pack provide a nice mix of different ball types for diverse training needs. Softer balls for indoor play combine with firmer outdoor models. Multiple colors and textures expose you to different feel.

Buy more to save more with value wholesale packs like the ESN Sports 144-Pack Lacrosse Balls. Get over a dozen dozen balls at under $1.50 each. They make great practice balls for youth and high school teams to share.

Don’t settle for cheap toy store lacrosse balls. Their poor quality and construction can negatively impact skill development. Always opt for real lacrosse ball bulk packs.

Bulk quantities ensure you’ll never run short during practice. You can also rotate through different colored balls to mix things up. Affordable multi-packs keep your supply replenished.

Custom Printed Lacrosse Balls for Teams

Want your team’s lacrosse balls to stand out with custom graphics and designs? Printed lacrosse balls enable you to showcase team pride and spirit.

Many vendors like CustomLaxBalls.com offer full customization services for lacrosse balls. Upload your team logo or mascot to be integrated into unique ball graphics. Add your program name, player numbers, inspirational phrases or other text elements.

Printing options include single color or multi-color designs. More colors allow for more intricate and visually dynamic ball patterns. Gradients and fades provide vivid effects. Metallic inks like gold and silver can really make designs pop.

Consider cool camouflage prints or flag-inspired looks modeled after your team colors. Distressed patterns with bold cracks add attitude. Go for a clean, classy look with simple text elements.

Printed balls not only look great, but build team cohesion and identity. Seeing your custom ball design provides a sense of spirit and uniqueness your competitors lack.

Many vendors use a specialized sublimation process to deeply infuse inks into the ball cover rather than just printing on the surface. This provides greater durability and longevity for the imprints.

While costing more than standard balls, custom printed lacrosse balls make thoughtful gifts and keepsakes for players and coaches.

Lacrosse Balls for Goalies to Improve Reflexes

Goalies require lightning quick reflexes and rock-solid fundamentals to stop shots. Practicing with lacrosse balls designed for goalies can help take your game to elite levels.

Look for softer lacrosse balls with extra grip, like the Brine Baller ball. The more pliable feel improves shot absorption and stick retention for saves. Grippy covers aid sticking tough shots.

Balls in bright colors like tie-dye or neon orange are easier for goalies to track. They stand out against field backgrounds for quicker reactions. The visibility factor helps improve reaction time.

Using balls that closely match game regulations also helps. Getting used to official ball size, weight and rebound characteristics will optimize reflex development.

Drills with ball machines like the Gladiator Lacrosse Trainer simulate real high-velocity shots. Adjust speed and location to sharpen instincts and positioning. Test hand speed with close-range reaction drills.

Partner drills with shooters help too. Vary shot speeds and placement to keep you on your toes. Call out shot location to train verbal communication and tracking.

Don’t simply go through the motions – employ focused visualization tactics during drills. Visualize making big game-winning stops during routine practice.

With consistent practice using regulation goalie balls, you can attain the quickness and skills needed to stonewall even the most blistering shots.

Where to Buy Lacrosse Balls Online

Looking to pick up some new lacrosse balls for the season? Shopping online provides a convenient way to browse and purchase balls from the comfort of home.

All major lacrosse brands like Warrior, Maverik, and STX sell their balls through their official websites. Browsing a manufacturer’s site allows you to see their full selection of models and technologies.

Lacrosse specialty retailers like Lax.com and LacrosseMonkey.com offer a wide range of balls across multiple brands. Filter by ball type, color, age level and other factors to narrow options.

For unique custom and printed balls, check out specialty vendors like CustomLaxBalls.com. Get your team logo or mascot printed onto balls for ultimate personalization.

Amazon provides another excellent source for lacrosse balls. Take advantage of fast Prime shipping and easy returns. Read user reviews to gauge real-world performance.

Don’t forget to check your local lacrosse retailer websites as well. Supporting local businesses helps grow the sport. Many offer deep team discounts not found on major sites.

Compare pricing across multiple sellers to find the best deals. Sign up for email lists to receive promo codes and sale alerts.

Be sure to factor in shipping costs when shopping online. Some vendors offer free shipping or discounts at certain order values. Buying in bulk can also help cut down on overall costs.

Used Lacrosse Balls: What to Look Out For

Used lacrosse balls can provide an affordable way to get quality balls on a budget. However, you’ll want to inspect used balls closely before purchasing to avoid disappointment.

Check the ball’s exterior for signs of abrasion and wear. Scuff marks, discoloration, and torn covers indicate a ball nearing the end of its lifespan. Heavily worn balls won’t have much play left.

Give the ball a squeeze test across the surface. The ball should feel uniformly firm. Soft spots or deformities point to compromised integrity that will impact performance.

Examine overall spherical shape and look for chunking or pieces missing. Odd shapes or cracks will lead to erratic bounces and rolls.

Give a test bounce to check retained liveliness. A truly dead bounce means the interior air has been compromised. Lackluster bounce makes catching and passing difficult.

Aim for lightly used balls that retain structural soundness and lively dynamics. Game balls used just one season likely have plenty of playing time remaining if well maintained.

Avoid old discolored balls with faded logos and markings. Sun damage accelerates breakdown of the materials.

While used balls won’t match new ball action, those in good condition can still be suitable for training use. Just make sure to rotate regularly and replace as needed.

Give used balls a test drive before committing. Make sure any defects won’t impede skill development. With careful inspection, pre-owned balls provide great value.

Properly Inflating Your Lacrosse Balls

Inflation level can significantly impact a lacrosse ball’s performance and playability. Follow proper inflation steps to keep your balls in prime playing condition.

Use a precision lacrosse ball pump needle to avoid inevitable air leaks from standard needles. Pump needles calibrate to the small inflation opening and provide an airtight seal.

Check ball pressure frequently with a gauge. Outdoor and indoor balls require different PSI levels based on play surface. Outdoor balls need 12-14 PSI, while indoor balls work best from 9-11 PSI.

Under-inflated balls lose shape and bounce liveliness. Over-inflated balls grow too firm and can rupture or damage stick pockets. Stick to recommended ranges.

Weather impacts inflation as well. The increased air pressure on hot days means balls may need letting out some air to avoid over-inflation. Cold weather calls for adding a bit of pressure.

Give new balls a test bounce when taking them out of the package. Temperature fluctuations during shipping can impact factory inflation levels.

Don’t play overly deflated balls. Poor mechanics and bad habits will develop trying to compensate for flattened balls.

Keep a close eye on ball inflation during games and practices. Add air whenever you notice bounce or shape irregularities.

With proper inflation comes better ball control, more predictable flight paths and greater safety. Take time to dial in your lacrosse balls’ PSI for peak playability.

Keeping Lacrosse Balls in Good Condition

Taking steps to maintain your lacrosse balls will help them hold up to rigorous use and last multiple seasons. Simple maintenance goes a long way.

Wipe balls down after use with a damp cloth to remove accumulated dirt, grass, and debris. Built-up gunk impacts ball handling and flight. Let air dry fully before storage.

Avoid leaving balls outside for extended periods. UV rays and weather accelerate material breakdown. Prolonged heat causes air leakage.

Keep balls out of extreme temperatures whenever possible. Store inside climate-controlled spaces, not attics, garages or sheds subject to temperature swings.

Limit ball exposure to blacktop or asphalt surfaces when not in use. The oil and grit wears covers prematurely.

Check inflation levels frequently and add air as needed. Consistent inflation promotes long-term shape retention.

Don’t use old, beat-up balls for games. Well-worn balls won’t meet quality and safety standards.

Retire overly damaged balls from use. Don’t risk sticks or player injury with balls past their prime.

Rotate multiple balls during practice to distribute wear evenly. Avoid using just one ball repeatedly.

With proper care and maintenance habits, quality lacrosse balls will deliver seasons of reliable performance.

Keeping Lacrosse Balls in Good Condition