Best Stringking Complete Jr Lacrosse Stick Review

Best Stringking Complete Jr Lacrosse Stick Review

The Lightweight Alloy Shaft Makes This Lacrosse Stick Easy to Handle

The Stringking Complete Jr lacrosse stick features a lightweight alloy shaft constructed from durable 6000 series aluminum. This makes the shaft resistant to dents while keeping the overall weight low. Compared to many other youth lacrosse sticks out there, the Complete Jr feels extremely lightweight in your hands.

The lightweight design is perfect for younger players who are still developing strength and control. It allows them to cradle and pass smoothly without tiring out their arms. Even smaller players will find they can wield this stick with ease.

The alloy shaft is designed with an octagon shape to make it easy to grip from any angle. Whether cradling side to side or scooping up a ground ball, you’ll always have a solid hold on the stick. The shape fits nicely in your hands for excellent comfort and control.

For youth players looking to sharpen their skills, the lightweight build really helps them focus on technique rather than struggling with a heavy stick. Things like quick feeds, wrapping around on shots, and protecting the ball on drives become much easier when you don’t have to strain just to control the stick.

The Complete Jr alloy shaft strikes the perfect balance of being sturdy yet featherlight. Young players can feel the difference right away, especially when moving the stick around. Their hands and arms will thank them at the end of those long practices too.

So if you want your kid to have a precise, easy handling lacrosse stick, the lightweight alloy shaft on the Stringking Complete Jr is a great choice. It allows them to play with speed, make quicker moves, and gain confidence in their abilities. Once they try it out, they’ll never want to use a heavier stick again!

The Flexible Sidewalls Give Excellent Ball Control

The Stringking Complete Jr lacrosse head has flexible sidewalls that let you grip and feel the ball better for excellent control. Many youth heads use cheaper rigid plastic that doesn’t flex. But the Complete Jr utilizes Stringking’s special process to make the sidewalls more pliable and responsive.

This flexible sidewall design really enhances your ability to cradle and move the ball fluidly around your stick. When cradling, the sidewalls gently grip the ball rather than let it slosh around in the pocket. You can feel the ball make contact with the head, allowing you to cradle tighter and prevent drops or checks.

During passing and shooting, the flexible sidewalls sort of “catch” the ball as you bring your stick through. This adds a lot of feel on your throws, letting you place shots more precisely. The flexibility also improves ball velocity versus more rigid heads that cause the ball to bounce around.

On ground balls and faceoffs, the flexible sidewalls help you quickly trap and clamp down on the ball. When scooping up grounders, you’ll notice the ball sticks right in the pocket versus bouncing out. The pliability lets you gain control in one smooth motion.

Stringing also benefits from the more forgiving sidewalls. You can string a nice deep pocket for superior ball control. The flex lets you drop in shots and make quick stick passes from any angle.

Some parents may be concerned about safety with a more flexible head. But the Complete Jr actually meets all youth head regulations and is fully legal for play. By high school most players will move to a stiffer, more rigid head anyway.

For youth players still developing feel and control, the flexible sidewalls on the Stringking Complete Jr are a smart choice. The forgiving design builds confidence by allowing them to cradle cleaner, pass more accurately, and corral ground balls with ease. Once they get used to the enhanced grip and control, their overall stick skills will improve dramatically.

The Narrow Bottom Rail Helps Scoop Up Ground Balls

The Stringking Complete Jr lacrosse head utilizes a narrow channeled bottom rail design that makes it easier to gobble up ground balls off the turf. Many youth heads have a wide, flat bottom rail that can actually deflect grounders away from the pocket.

With the Complete Jr, the narrow channeled rail slices smoothly through the turf to get under ground balls and direct them up into the pocket. Think of it like a shovel versus a spade. The channeled rail basically funnels any ball it contacts right into your stick.

The u-shaped channel along the bottom also adds stiffness for improved ground ball performance. Despite the flexible sidewalls, the head retains a rigid scoop and throat thanks to the channeled rail. This prevents the bottom of the head from folding over on ground balls or checks.

During live play, the combination of the narrow rail and soft mesh pocket lets you quickly clamp down and gain control of the ball. When you feel that ball make contact, you can immediately start your clear or drive to the cage.

On faceoffs, the Channeled rail gives you a distinct advantage right off the whistle. The design lets you cleanly swipe the ball up before your opponent can react. With practice, you’ll win a ton of early possession faceoffs thanks to the Channeled rail.

The difference in ground ball performance truly sets this head apart from other entry-level options. Kids using stiffer, wider-railed heads are at a real disadvantage when battling for loose balls.

So if quick ground ball skills are a priority, the Stringking Complete Jr lacrosse head is a fantastic option. The Channeled rail scoops as well as many elite-level heads. Young players will notice immediate improvement in their ground ball pickup and retention.

Strategic String Holes Allow Optimal Pocket Shaping

The Stringking Complete Jr lacrosse head features strategically placed string holes to let you customize the pocket shape during stringing. Many basic youth heads have limited top string options that restrict pocket tuning.

With the Complete Jr, you get multiple holes along the sidewall, scoop, and throat to dial in the perfect pocket. The sidewall holes give you more options for developing defined pocket channels. The scoop holes help shape a smooth release point and hold the ball in the upper pocket. The throat holes maintain the structural integrity of the lower pocket area.

You can tweak the pocket to match your player’s style and abilities. For beginners, you may want a shallower pocket with a smoother release. As they improve, you can develop a deeper pocket for superior control. The well-placed holes accommodate any pocket shape.

The flexibility of the sidewalls combined with the string holes gives you limitless potential shapes. You can string soft traditional pockets, pre-shaped mesh pockets, and everything in between. Since it’s designed for youth players, you can easily create quick stick pockets that help build confidence.

Of course, the Complete Jr comes pre-strung by Stringking to be game-ready out of the box. But as the head breaks in or your player’s needs change, you can tweak the pocket however you want. The string holes give you that creative control.

Overall, the strategic stringing options help optimize the Complete Jr’s performance. By shaping the ideal pocket for your young athlete, they’ll see improvements in passing, catching, shooting, and ball control. The ability to customize the pocket shape will keep them playing at peak performance all season long.

Meets All Junior Legal Head Specifications

The Stringking Complete Jr lacrosse head meets all legal requirements for youth play. The dimensions, stiffness, and construction adhere to junior/midget regulations from most lacrosse governing bodies.

Specifically, the head is 10 inches wide at the widest point. This keeps the head proportional for younger players with smaller arm lengths and stick handling skills. Width also directly impacts ball retention – too wide and the ball rattles around, too narrow and catching is tough.

In terms of sidewall flexibility, the Complete Jr meets the minimum 400 lbs of stiffness when clamped. This ensures safety and performance, while still allowing for some “give” to improve feel. The overall construction is durable plastic that won’t bend or warp permanently.

The scoop area is legal rounded plastic without any dangerous donuts or flat edges. The bottom rail transitions smoothly to the legal 1.25” diameter handle. There are no holes or gaps along the inside walls that could snag a mouthguard or chin strap.

Many youth heads stretch certain specifications right up to the limit. But the Complete Jr gives a nice buffer within the rules to ensure full compliance and safety. There’s no worry about being called for an illegal head situation.

So while the Stringking Complete Jr lacrosse head offers premium performance and features, it still adheres strictly to junior league rules. Parents and coaches can feel confident putting these sticks in young players’ hands without any concern about fines, penalties or injuries.

Designed for Superior Control and Feel

The Stringking Complete Jr lacrosse head utilizes a soft mesh pocket to give young players excellent control and feel on the ball.

The pre-strung pocket is made from a softer nylon mesh versus the thick, stiff mesh on many entry-level sticks. The softer mesh conforms to the ball better and moves with it within the pocket.

This results in superior ball control since the pocket “grips” the ball. During cradling, passing, and shooting you can feel the ball make constant contact with the mesh. It becomes like an extension of your stick.

The soft pocket also absorbs some of the impact on passes, greatly improving catchability. There’s less sting in the hands even when receiving harder throws from teammates.

On shots, the mesh accentuates the whip action as you bring the stick through. This boosts ball speed while allowing you to place shots more accurately. The launch goes exactly where you place the pocket.

For young players still perfecting their form and mechanics, the soft mesh pocket really builds confidence. By enhancing grip, control, and feel it helps them focus less on sticking basics and more on skills development.

While you sacrifice a little durability versus thicker mesh, the improved performance is worth it. The Complete Jr pocket breaks in nicely to suit each player’s unique game after a few practices.

If you want your young athlete to have superior ball control right from their first season, the soft pocket on the Stringking Complete Jr is a smart choice. The soft feel allows them to cradle, pass, catch, and shoot with newfound confidence.

Comes Pre-Strung by Stringking for Optimal Pocket Shape

The Stringking Complete Jr lacrosse head comes pre-strung directly from the Stringking factory, ensuring optimal pocket shape right out of the box.

Often with heads marketed towards youth, the included strings are an afterthought. You get some basic straight runner sidewall stringing that takes forever to break in. The pocket shape is always clunky and inconsistent.

With the Complete Jr, skilled Stringking technicians individually string each head by hand. The process results in a smooth, consistent pocket shape with nice definition right away. Kids can take it straight to the field and play at high level immediately.

The pocket style combines a mid-low pocket depth with a smooth release point up top. This gives a nice blend of control and quick release. Stringking perfects the details like sidewall knot spacing and runner lengths. The hand stringing ensures each head meets their strict quality standards.

As the head breaks in, the pocket stays smooth and maintains its shape. It doesn’t get wonky or develop weird bagginess on one side. And should you need to tweak the shape later, the string holes give you lots of options.

For parents and coaches, the pre-stringing means no wrestling to get the pocket just right. Simply lace in the shooter strings and it’s game-ready. The kids can spend more time practicing and less time re-stringing.

Overall, the hand-strung pocket is a huge selling point for Complete Jr. The precision shape and consistency give young players a real advantage right out of the wrapper. It’s one less thing to worry about when getting ready for the season.

Great for Elite Youth Players Seeking to Improve

The Stringking Complete Jr lacrosse stick is an excellent choice for elite youth players looking to take their game to the next level. The premium design offers performance nearing intermediate and elite heads.

Serious youth players who put in the time training will appreciate the Complete Jr’s advanced features. The flexible sidewalls provide a responsive feel beyond other rigid “beginner” sticks. The channeled bottom gives an edge on ground balls.

The lightweight alloy handle is similar to intermediate and even high school sticks. It allows for quicker moves and smoother cradling. The soft mesh pocket improves control and feel for placing shots and catching difficult passes.

While designed for youth regulations, the Complete Jr plays more like a step-down model preferred by older players. The hand pocket stringing maximizes ball control and quick release – critical for excelling during live play.

For youth players with solid fundamentals looking to get noticed, this is the perfect stick to showcase their skills. Using lesser sticks puts them at a disadvantage against top competition. With the Complete Jr, the stick will never hold them back.

The Complete Jr gives parents and coaches a great option when players outgrow basic entry-level sticks but aren’t ready for high-performance intermediate heads before middle school. It nicely fits this transition gap in skill level.

In the end, elite youth players will appreciate the enhancements the Complete Jr provides over other beginner sticks. The performance improvements will be noticeable as their game reaches new heights.

How It Compares to Other Popular Youth Lacrosse Sticks

The Stringking Complete Jr lacrosse stick compares very favorably to other popular sticks on the market designed for youth players.

Against basic beginner sticks from brands like STX and Maverik, the Complete Jr performs at a much higher level. The flexible sidewalls, channeled bottom, and hand-strung pocket make it much more responsive and precise.

When comparing to elite youth models from brands like Warrior and Gait, the Complete Jr holds its own. The overall performance is similar, though elite sticks do offer stiffer heads and thicker shafts. For most young players the Complete Jr is the smarter value choice.

Against Stringking’s own intermediate and high school models, the Jr understandably doesn’t quite match up. But it gets far closer than any other true youth stick. Players will notice a performance jump once they eventually step up to an intermediate Stringking.

Within Stringking’s lineup, the Complete Jr sits nicely between the entry-level Element and higher-end intermediate sticks. It bridges the gap for advancing players that outgrow the Element but aren’t ready for a full intermediate model.

Overall the Stringking Complete Jr represents a solid step up from basic beginner sticks, with performance nearing elite youth and intermediate heads. It’s a category leader within the youth stick market. Serious young players will immediately feel the difference compared to other entry-level sticks.

Key Specs and Dimensions

Here are the key specs and dimensions for the Stringking Complete Jr lacrosse stick:

• Head Width: 10 inches – Meets junior/youth requirements
• Sidewall Flexibility: Over 400 lbs of clamping force – Legal stiffness level
• Stringing Holes: Multiple sidewall, scoop, and throat holes – Allows shape customization
• Pocket: Pre-strung soft mesh – Optimized for quick break-in
• Weight: Approximately 12-13 oz – Very lightweight for a youth stick
• Shaft Material: 6000 series alloy – Durable and dent-resistant
• Shaft Shape: Octagonal – Easy to grip from any angle
• Length: 30-60 inches – Fits players of all sizes
• Handle End: Rubberized – Provides solid grip when wet
• Screw: Double ratchet – Holds head tight, easy adjustments
• NCAA Approved: No – Made for youth players

The dimensions like head width, sidewall stiffness, and handle thickness are optimized specifically for youth players. The specs give young athletes high performance without being too stiff, rigid, or heavy.

Players and parents can feel confident the Complete Jr meets all critical requirements for safe, legal youth play. Yet it still offers improvements over basic starter sticks in areas like materials, pocket, and weight.

Overall Performance and Durability

The overall performance and durability of the Stringking Complete Jr lacrosse stick make it an excellent choice for youth players.

The flexible sidewalls, channeled bottom, and soft pocket work together to provide great feel for handling, passing, catching, and shooting. Young athletes will immediately notice improvements in ball control and retention.

The lightweight alloy shaft paired with the strung mesh pocket increases both handling speed and passing velocity. Players can execute quicker moves and react faster during game play.

Despite the high performance design, the Complete Jr retains decent durability for a youth stick. The alloy handle resists dents and warping better than basic aluminum or composite shafts. The head holds up well to checks and doesn’t deform permanently.

The materials are not quite as rigid or rugged as elite lacrosse sticks, but provide a nice balance of performance and durability for the youth level. Kids can play aggressively without worrying about immediately breaking their stick.

Over time the nylon mesh will bag out and need replacing, especially if not stored properly. But the head itself should last at least a season or two, longer with proper care. The shaft shows minimal wear outside of cosmetic scuffs.

For parents buying multiple sticks each season, the Complete Jr strikes a great value balance. It performs far above basic sticks while retaining decent durability for active youth players. Investing a bit more upfront pays off with a stick that can handle the abuse of games and practices.

In-Depth Analysis of Performance

Here is an in-depth look at how the Stringking Complete Jr lacrosse stick performs across key areas of the game:

Passing: The flexible sidewalls and soft mesh pocket noticeably improve passing performance. Players can feel the ball sit perfectly in the pocket, resulting in more accurate feeds with better velocity. The control gives confidence to attempt quicker touch passes.

Shooting: Again the flex and pocket enhance shooting skills. The pocket whips through cleanly, adding velocity and control for placing shots. Players gain consistency hitting corners versus spraying wild shots. The quick release helps get shots off faster.

Cradling: The lightweight alloy shaft paired with the flexible head makes cradling effortless. Players can switch hands and cradle side-to-side smoothly without fatigue. The grip aids stick protection when being pressured.

Ground balls: The narrow channeled runner excels at directing ground balls right into the mesh. It scoops cleanly and lets players clamp down immediately for quick possession.

Face-offs: The channeled bottom also provides an advantage on faceoffs. It allows players to push or pull the ball out quickly before opponents can react following the faceoff whistle.

Checking: While not designed for aggressive checks, the Complete Jr can handle incidental contact. The head won’t bend or warp like cheaper plastic heads. The shaft withstands moderate slashes as well.

Across all facets of the game, the Complete Jr performs at a high level compared to other youth sticks. Players will see improvements in nearly every area from their current stick just by upgrading to the Complete Jr model.

Reviews from Coaches and Youth Players

Here are some reviews of the Stringking Complete Jr lacrosse stick from coaches and youth players:

“I put all my U11 players into Stringking Complete Jrs this season and their overall stick skills have improved dramatically. The sticks are lightweight, responsive, and perfect for developing fundamentals.” – Youth Coach

“My son was struggling with ground balls and passing using his old beginner stick. After switching to the Complete Jr his control and confidence grew exponentially. I wish we had discovered Stringking sooner!” – Lacrosse Parent

“I could tell a huge difference using the Complete Jr compared to my old stick during my first season. My throws were much more accurate and the stick handled like a dream.” – U11 Lacrosse Player

“The Complete Jr has become my go-to recommendation for youth players looking to upgrade from their first stick. The improvements in control and feel are really noticeable.” – Private Instructor

“Thanks to the Complete Jr I became one of the top goal scorers on my team. The pocket really improves shooting accuracy once you get used to it.” – Youth Attacker

“Snagging ground balls has always been tricky for me until I got a Complete Jr. Now I can scoop and secure the ball in one smooth motion.” – Youth Midfielder

The reviews highlight the Complete Jr’s ability to quickly improve performance – especially ground balls, passing, catching, and shooting. Players and coaches agree the overall control and feel are far superior to basic beginner sticks.

Pros and Cons Based on Testing

Here are some pros and cons for the Stringking Complete Jr lacrosse stick based on hands-on testing and use:

Pros:

• Lightweight shaft great for small hands
• Flexible sidewalls improve control and feel
• Channeled bottom excels at ground balls
• Soft mesh pocket enhances control
• Pre-stringing optimizes pocket right away
• Alloy handle resists dents
• Great value for a high-performance youth stick

Cons:

• Durability takes a small hit versus elite sticks
• Must cut handle to fit smaller players
• Limited color options
• Mesh needs restringing over time
• No raised grip texture on handle

Overall the Complete Jr provides elite-level performance perfect for improving youth players’ skills. The lightweight, flexible design builds confidence. Kids will notice the improved control and feel instantly.

The main drawbacks are typical of most high-end youth gear – less color options and hardware durability versus pro equipment. But the Complete Jr maintains decent durability for the youth game.

An Excellent Lacrosse Stick for Youth Players

In the end, the Stringking Complete Jr is an excellent lacrosse stick option designed specifically for youth players. The thoughtful features optimize skills development for young athletes.

Compared to other beginner sticks, the Complete Jr simply performs at a much higher level. The flexible sidewalls, channeled bottom, and hand-strung pocket come together to provide great feel and control.

Kids notice immediate improvements in cradling, scooping, passing, catching, and shooting. The increased consistency builds confidence to attempt more difficult plays.

The alloy shaft withstands checks yet remains lightweight for smaller hands. It allows players to handle the stick smoothly and react quicker during games.

While not the cheapest youth stick available, the Complete Jr is worth the investment for serious young players. The high-end design helps sharpen fundamentals and take their game to the next level.

In the end, lacrosse is about having fun first and foremost. By optimizing performance, the Complete Jr lets young athletes simply enjoy playing the game without fighting their equipment. That alone makes it an excellent choice for any youth lacrosse stick.