Discovering The Best True Lacrosse Sticks and Shafts for Optimal Performance

Discovering The Best True Lacrosse Sticks and Shafts for Optimal Performance

What Makes True Lacrosse Equipment Stand Out

True Lacrosse has built a reputation for engineering cutting-edge sticks and shafts designed specifically with the elite player in mind. Unlike the major sporting goods companies who take a one-size-fits-all approach, True works directly with pro and college players to create custom gear tailored for optimal performance.

One of the ways True differentiates itself is through its focus on advanced materials and proprietary technologies. For example, True pioneered the use of composite instead of traditional alloy or scandium metals for lacrosse shafts. The composite material allows for more flex and increased ball control, while remaining incredibly lightweight. Many NCAA programs now issue True shafts as their go-to game sticks.

True also employs top engineers and designers to apply aerospace manufacturing techniques for unprecedented precision. Using proprietary StrengthWall Technology, True is able to make shafts up to 40% stronger while maintaining enhanced flexibility. This unique combination of strength and flex is what gives their sticks such amazing ball control and quick release capabilities.

Smaller details like strategically-placed Textreme carbon fiber and Kevlar, customized flex profiles, and ergonomic handle shapes demonstrate True’s relentless commitment to innovation. They continually test and tweak their sticks to help players gain any possible advantage.

While the major brands focus on glossy graphics and gimmicks, True pours its resources into functional technologies that elite players actually notice and appreciate. This attention to engineering and design is why more top lacrosse athletes are making the switch to True sticks and shafts.

Reviewing the Latest True Key Lacrosse Stick Models

With new stick models released almost every year, it can be tricky to keep up with the latest offerings from True Lacrosse. Here is a breakdown of some of their newest and most popular sticks that are being used by top players right now.

The True Key is the company’s flagship lacrosse head that sets the standard for elite-level sticks. The original Key first launched in 2016 and underwent an upgrade in 2021 to make it more pinched and accurate. The Key clocks in at the legal width limit to give players the most ball control possible. It has a sleek contour and scoop optimized for quick ground balls.

Some of the technical details that make the True Key distinct are the strategically-placed sidewall holes to reduce weight, narrowed throat ideal for precision passing, and an overall stiff profile powered by True’s proprietary TrueFlex technology. The head was designed based on direct feedback from NCAA and MLL stars.

Building on the Key’s success, True introduced the Key LT, which stands for “Less Torque.” This head provides even more whip on shots thanks to its low-torque sidewalls that deliver extra flex. If you like a little extra whip on your cannon shots, the Key LT is an excellent choice. It has the same narrow, accurate shape as the original Key but with enhanced power.

For midfield players who do it all, True developed the Magic. It has a medium-wide scoop and rounded shape ideal for corralling ground balls, while still retaining excellent hold. The stiff sidewalls and Endura rail give it great ball control for feeding teammates or ripping outside shots.

On the defensive end, long poles love the True F.D.G. (Fast Defense Head) for its quick ground ball scooping and taking away opponents’ angles. It has a wide flare and flexible sidewalls to gobble up ground balls and make checks.

Across the board, True’s heads are proudly engineered in their factory in Baltimore. By designing and manufacturing in-house, they can dial in performance and consistently deliver the quality today’s top players demand.

Choosing Between Composite and Alloy Lacrosse Shafts

One of the biggest decisions when selecting a new lacrosse shaft is whether to go with composite or alloy/metal construction. Both offer unique benefits and it comes down to personal preference based on your position and playing style.

Composite shafts like those made by True are constructed from advanced carbon fiber and resin materials. The big advantage of composite is unmatched flexibility, allowing for greater ball control on quick sticks, feeds, and shots. Composite shafts are also extremely lightweight, which helps reduce fatigue over the course of a game.

Since the shaft flexes on impact, composite materials reduce some of the vibrations that are sent to your hands. This allows you to hang onto rebounds better. The enhanced flex profile also provides more whip on passes and shots for added velocity.

Alloy shafts like titanium and scandium remain popular for their incredible stiffness and durability. Their metal construction allows them to maintain their shape even under heavy impact. Alloy shafts provide superior checking strength and are difficult to torque or bend.

They also offer a nice stiff feel when cradling, allowing for very precise ball control. Their stiffness allows them to rebound rapidly as well. While alloy shafts are certainly heavier than composites, some players like the added mass for poke checks and harder slashes.

For most attackmen and midfielders, the flex and lightweight design of composite shafts make them the optimal choice. They offer superior handling and passing/shooting performance. Long stick middies who play both ends may also favor composites for the improved ground ball play.

Defensemen who want maximum checking power and poke strength often lean towards alloy for the unparalleled stiffness. Takeover specialists also appreciate the heft and stiffness of scandium or titanium shafts when ripping the ball away from dodging opponents.

It’s smart to try out both composite and alloy shafts to determine what feels best for your game. Think about where you play on the field and what elements you want to prioritize – flex, stiffness, weight, etc. Let your position and needs guide you to the right lacrosse shaft material.

Customizing Flex and Weight to Suit Your Playing Style

One of the coolest things about True Lacrosse equipment is the ability to fully customize your shaft’s flex profile and weight. This degree of customization allows you to tailor your stick to perfectly match your playing style and on-field needs.

For example, True utilizes a proprietary technology called Flex-IQ in their composite shafts. Flex-IQ divides the shaft into 3 zones – lower, mid, and upper. Within each zone, the shaft is engineered with varying carbon fiber compositions and resin additives to fine tune the flex and feel.

During your custom order, you can choose the exact flex level you want in each zone based on where you want more bend or increased stiffness. Attackmen may favor a softer flex in the lower zone for quick feeds and cradling, with added stiffness up top for ripping shots. Whereas middies might appreciate an evenly balanced flex profile.

Being able to modify the flex like this results in a shaft tuned for your ideal handling, passing, and shooting. No other company allows this degree of flex customization – it’s exclusive to True’s made-to-order approach.

In addition to flex, you can also choose custom grip shapes, taper profiles, and precisely adjust the weight by altering the carbon layup schedule. Add some extra material in the lower portion for more heft on checks and ground balls, or go ultra-light up top for quicker shot release.

During your custom order, True’s experts will dial in the specs and construction details to create your dream shaft optimized for the way YOU play. No more generic off-the-shelf gear – enjoy equipment tailored to your field position, skill set, and overall preferences.

The ability to completely customize flex, weight distribution, and grip pattern is a game-changer. As you develop your skills and get stronger over time, you can update your specs to make sure your True shaft evolves along with your game. Customization allows you to maximize your on-field potential.

Getting the Best Deal on True Key Lacrosse Gear

True Lacrosse is an engineering-focused, premium brand, which means their sticks and shafts can be on the pricier end of the spectrum. However, for dedicated players, using pro-quality gear that improves your game is worth the investment.

The good news is there are several ways to get your hands on True equipment without paying full retail. Being a savvy shopper and taking advantage of sales and team discounts can help cut costs.

First, keep an eye out for holiday sales around events like Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, etc. True authorized dealers will often run site-wide discounts during these periods that apply to True products. Sign up for newsletters so you’re alerted right when sale prices go live.

Another option is to ask your club or high school coach about team ordering discounts. If the whole team books True sticks together, the company may be willing to offer 5-10% off for a bulk team purchase. It never hurts to inquire with your program about group order savings.

Scour online lacrosse forums and resale sites to buy gently used True gear. As new models are released each year, you can find great deals on last year’s lightly used sticks. They offer the same great performance at a fraction of retail.

Finally, True offers excellent customer loyalty benefits. If you register your gear at TrueLacrosse.com, you get entered into contests for free equipment and gain access to VIP early access to new product releases. As a loyal brand advocate, you may receive discount codes for future purchases.

With a combination of sales shopping, buying used/last-year models, team orders, and loyalty perks, you can outfit yourself with elite True gear without overspending. Paying full price is unnecessary if you utilize these buying strategies and hunt for deals.

Maintaining Your True Lacrosse Stick for Peak Durability

Investing in a premium True lacrosse stick represents a significant purchase, so you want to take proper care of your gear to maximize its lifespan. With the right maintenance and cleaning rituals, your True equipment can deliver top performance season after season.

Start by keeping your stick stored in a climate-controlled environment away from extreme heat or moisture. The composites and leathers used in True construction can be damaged by high temperatures and humidity. Keep it in your house, team equipment room or bag when not in use.

Inspect your head and sidewalls frequently for small cracks or fraying that could expand over time. Use super glue to seam sealed any small cracks. Replace sidewalls at first sign of fraying before they blow out mid-game. Proactively fixing issues prevents bigger problems.

True recommends wiping down your stick after each use with a damp cloth to remove dirt, sweat and grime that can deteriorate leather and materials prematurely. Make post-game wipe downs part of your routine.

Re-wax the woven sidewalls as needed to maintain their water resistance and durability. Use True’s Wax Mesh Treatment or a natural bee’s wax. Re-apply every few months and let fully dry before playing again.

For shafts, inspect regularly for chips, dents or cracks in the composite. Use super glue or clear nail polish to seal any small surface imperfections that could spread. If heavily damaged, contact True about potential reparation options.

By proactively maintaining and cleaning your True stick after each use, you’ll be rewarded with many seasons of consistent top-tier performance. Follow True’s care guidance and your lacrosse gear will hold up beautifully year after year.

Comparing True’s Technology to Other Brands

As a newer brand in the lacrosse world focusing on advanced engineering, True Lacrosse stands out from the major players in the industry. When you compare True’s proprietary technologies to the big names like Warrior, STX, and Maverik, some key differences emerge.

Most notably, True pioneered the use of premium composite materials in their shafts while the major brands still rely heavily on alloy metals. The advanced carbon fiber construction allows True to engineer shafts with game-changing flexibility and lightweight balance.

True also utilizes aerospace manufacturing techniques like automated laser bonding to build their gear with space-age precision. This generates unparalleled consistency and quality control compared to traditional hand manufacturing methods used by other companies.

Additionally, the custom-fit approach True offers has no equal. Being able to fully customize flex profile, balance, grip shape, and other attributes ensures a stick tailored perfectly to each player’s needs. The big brands only offer generic one-size-fits-all specs.

Even smaller details like strategic carbon fiber placement, minimized sidewall holes, and ergonomic handle shaping set True apart. The big brands tend to utilize gimmicky tech and flashy graphics more so than functional performance-enhancing engineering.

True’s focus on direct player feedback and cutting-edge materials science gives them an innovation edge. Instead of outsourced manufacturing, True handles production in-house at their Baltimore factory to control quality.

In the quest for any competitive advantage, more college programs and elite players are being drawn to True’s engineering-first approach. The performance speaks for itself. While the big brands rely on branding and sponsorships, True lets its innovative gear do the talking.

Keys to Proper Stringing for Excellent Ball Control

Getting the most out of a high-performance True lacrosse head starts with proper stringing. The right pocket and stringing specs make all the difference in shot power, hold, and ball control. Here are some stringing tips for dialing in your True head.

In general, True heads play best with a mid to mid-low pocket depth. This balances hold with quick release. Medium pockets also make catching and cradling easier by providing a central “sweet spot.” Stick with a pocket around 5-6 diamonds deep.

Use softer mesh up top near the scoop to allow for better ball retention on face dodges and checks. Stiff hard mesh down low helps maintain pocket shape and offers superior hold.

Double up sidewall strings and interlocks for maximum support and prevent deeper pocket bags from forming. This keeps the pocket consistent across the entire head length.

True recommends a double runner setup with U-nylons anchoring the bottom of the diamond pattern. This creates ideal pocket structure. Use hockey laces or high-quality leathers for smooth yet responsive cross lacing.

Focus on a smooth, gradual pocket taper from top to bottom. The pocket should get incrementally deeper moving down the head without any abrupt changes. This enhances overall ball control.

During stringing, continually check face shape by pinching the head. The ideal face shape is a central channel for cradling, bordered by angled sidewalls to keep the ball stable.

Always test pocket function by passing and shooting. Fine tune whip and hold until you achieve the desired throwing, catching and shooting performance you want.

Properly stringing your True head amplifies the engineering and design benefits built into their sticks. Follow these tips and you’ll enjoy lacrosse gear that truly optimizes your on-field potential.

True’s Reputation for Consistent Quality and Craftsmanship

In the competitive lacrosse gear industry, True has quickly made a name for itself based on consistent quality and outstanding craftsmanship. Players know they can trust True sticks and shafts to deliver high performance season after season.

A big reason True achieves such excellent consistency is their in-house engineering and manufacturing process. Unlike other brands that outsource production overseas, True handles everything at their Baltimore headquarters from R&D to final assembly.

This vertical integration enables strict quality control at every stage. Proprietary manufacturing techniques like automated laser bonding also minimize variability in production quality – no hand construction inconsistencies.

All True products undergo rigorous testing during development as well as batch sampling to ensure shafts and heads meet specifications for balance, flex, and structural integrity. True engineers are relentless about product testing before any gear reaches customers.

In addition to quality assurance testing, True individually examines and reviews every lacrosse stick head before it ships out. If anything feels off or underperforms, they won’t send it. This individualattention demonstrates their craftsmanship pride.

The quality obsession starts right at the top. As a former Johns Hopkins lacrosse player, company founder True Merrill realized at True’s inception that the only way to make better gear was focusing on engineering and customization.

Today, you see the result of that commitment to innovation, precision manufacturing, and craft excellence across True’s entire product line. It’s why more teams and players continue to make the switch – they know True gear will deliver season after season.

Lacrosse Gear That Grows With You From Youth to College

One of the cool things about investing in True lacrosse equipment is the ability to start with them in youth leagues and continue using True sticks all the way through high school and college. The consistent quality ensures their gear supports elite play at every level.

For young players first stepping on the field, True makes an excellent entry-level stick called The Element. It features the same high-end construction as their pro models but engineered for new athletes. The pocket and handle are sized down for easy throwing, catching and control as young players develop their skills.

As youth players improve and get stronger, they can upgrade to True’s Comp or Comp Lite sticks. These heads are perfect for JV and varsity high school competition. They offer enhanced ball control capabilities and a stiffer, more flexible profile able to stand up to high school checks and hard passes.

From there, making the jump to True’s college and pro level heads like the Key, Magic, and F.D.G. provides even higher performance for elite play. Because you stuck with True throughout your progression as a player, the transition to more advanced sticks feels seamless.

True also makes it easy to customize and update your shaft flex profiles and handle specs as you get older. Simply send your shaft back for a re-fit and engineering upgrade. This ensures your True gear continues matching your skills season after season.

The ability to start with True in youth leagues and progress all the way to the college level with consistent high-level gear is a game-changer. True truly allows young athletes to grow their game to new heights.

Why More College and Pro Players Trust True

Walk through any college or pro locker room and you’ll notice more and more True lacrosse sticks standing out. Elite players at the highest levels are switching to True, and for good reason.

A primary driver is True’s engineering-focused approach. Whereas the major brands rely heavily on marketing hype and sponsorships, True pours R&D into technologies that actually enhance performance.

The advanced composite materials in True’s shafts offer pros game-changing benefits like increased flex for better ball control, lightweight balance for quicker hands, and tunable flex profiles. That’s why you see almost every top NCAA and MLL team outfitted with True shafts.

Pros also love the ability to fully customize their sticks based on individual playing style needs and preferences. The big brands only offer one-size-fits-all shamrocks. With True, you can customize everything from flex profile to taper shape to head placement.

Elite players realize the details matter when competing against equally talented opponents. Things like strategically placed sidewall holes, minimal plastic use, and groundball-optimized scoops give them an edge. True sweats those small details.

And because True handles their own engineering in-house and oversees manufacturing locally in Baltimore, pros trust the quality consistency that’s so vital for tournament and playoff competition. No surprise production defects.

For athletes whose livelihoods depend on peak stick performance, True’s commitment to cutting-edge materials, custom-fit design, and consistency make all the difference. More top players depend on True lacrosse gear to stay at the top of their game.

Picking the Optimal True Stick Based on Position

One of the advantages of True’s diverse lacrosse stick lineup is the ability to select a head optimized specifically for your position and role on the field.

For attackmen who live behind the cage, the True Key is ideal. Its stiff profile and narrowly pinched scoop generate maximum ball control for quick stick feeds and wraps. The focused channel helps keep the ball stable during sinks and shot fakes.

Midfielders who transition between offense and defense benefit from the Magic head. It excels at ground ball pickup thanks to its medium flare and rounded scoop. The Endura rail increases durability for face-off play. Its versatility suits middies who do it all.

LSMs and defensive middies tasked with protecting the cage need an exceptionally wide head like the True F.D.G. Its maximized flare and flexible sidewalls make picking up ground balls on the run easier. It also provides excellent ball control when pushing transition in odd-man situations.

For FOGO specialists, the True FO is engineered to give them an edge at the X. The ultra-wide face and stiff sidewalls make clamping the ball and directing possessions easier during wing battles. Its groundball-focused shape helps win possessions.

Goalies benefit from the oversized profile of the Big E head with its voluminous pocket for stopping high velocity shots. The Deep Pocket tech helps trap even low bouncers and skip shots.

No matter your on-field role, True likely has a specialized head designed to optimize what you’re asked to do. Let your position needs guide which True stick best suits your game.

Achieving Superior Ball Control and Faster Release

Two of the biggest performance benefits elite players gain from True lacrosse sticks are superior ball control and a quicker release. Let’s examine how True’s technologies deliver these on-field advantages.

The enhanced flex profile of True composite shafts better cushions cradled balls to keep them centered and stable. More flex also allows for smoother handling and passing. True’s lightweight balance further amplifies control by making quick sticks more effortless.

Strategic sidewall stringing systems and optimal pocket structure work synergistically to improve hold and response. When designed properly, True pockets become extensions of your hands for precise feeding, catching, and shooting.

Engineered scoop shapes like the narrowed Key and oversized Big E guide ground balls directly into the pocket – no fumbling. This results in quicker GB pickup critical for gaining possessions.

True’s stiff head shapes combined with the catapult-like flex of their shafts generate tremendous shot power and velocity. Less energy is lost to excessive plastic bending, allowing more energy transfer to the ball during shooting.

The whip generated from True’s flex profile also quickens release speed. As your hands move forward, the loaded shaft unfurls adding extra velocity beyond your throwing motion alone. Faster shot release makes finishing tougher for goalies.

Between the flex, stringing, strategic weighting, and scoop designs, True gives players a ball control and quick release advantage. Expect sharper feeds, increased GB success, and blistering shots when you make the switch to True.

Why Every Serious LAX Player Needs True Equipment

If you’re a dedicated lacrosse athlete looking to maximize your talent and take your game to the next level, playing with True equipment is a must. Here’s why every serious LAX player needs True sticks and shafts in their bag.

The bottom line is True pours every engineering resource into maximizing performance. Whether it’s exploiting composite materials science or utilizing aerospace manufacturing techniques, True innovates to make players better.

That high-end tech matters most when competition is fierce. The flex profile, balance, stringing, and shape details give you an edge against equivalent opponents. Excellence is found in the small margins.

Serious players also appreciate consistency. True’s in-house engineering and manufacturing quality controls eliminate variability and defects. You can rely on their sticks year after year.

The ability to fully customize and adapt your True gear as your skills progress ensures your equipment evolves with your game over time. You develop along with your sticks.

While other brands rely heavily on sponsorships and loyalty incentives to attract elites, True wins over top athletes by letting the performance speak for itself. The proof is on the field.

Players focused on competing at the highest possible level choose True because they offer the most technologically advanced, specialized, consistent gear money can buy. Simply put, it’s what you need to play your best and realize your full potential.