Get an Edge with the Maverik Lock Lacrosse Faceoff Head

Get an Edge with the Maverik Lock Lacrosse Faceoff Head

The Maverik Lock’s Design Gives Faceoff Specialists a Clear Advantage

The key benefit that sets the

Maverik Lock

faceoff specialists

The head features strategically designed

stiff sidewalls

scoop

Beyond ball control, the Lock provides strength where you need it most when battling for possession. Extended sidewall rails and a thick Scooppro+ Scoop stiffen the throat of the head. This allows you to use the head like a weapon to gain leverage against your opponent’s stick without worrying about it folding up. As a college faceoff middie, I’ve broken or bent poles and heads before, but the durable Lock holds up well even when you lay some serious abuse on it.

Once you gain possession, the Lock lets you quickly transition into offense or fast breaks. Its minimal offset and straight sidewall design require less head movement on passes and shots compared to highly angled or flared heads. I’ve found my quick stick passes and shots are much crisper with the Lock since I don’t have to adjust much coming out of faceoffs.

The ability to string up customizable pocket options is another big selling point for the Lock. It contains well-designed sidewall holes that let you string a pocket optimized for your faceoff style. Personally, I prefer a mid to mid-low pocket that retains the ball well through contact but releases smoothly on passes. With the Lock, I can easily customize my pocket preference thanks to the versatile stringing options.

Overall, Maverik designed this head from the ground up specifically with the needs of advanced faceoff specialists in mind. From its stiffened scoop and sidewalls to its minimal offset and stringing options, every aspect aims to give you an advantage in one of lacrosse’s most intense battles for possession. The Lock truly stands out when compared to other all-purpose heads marketed towards faceoff players. If you’re a FOGO looking to gain every edge possible at the X, I highly recommend adding the Maverik Lock to your arsenal.

The Stiff Sidewalls Provide Strength and Ball Control

One of the standout features of the

Maverik Lock

faceoff specialists

The Lock’s sidewalls use a reinforced polymer material that is thickened significantly compared to other Maverik heads. This results in increased rigidity that prevents warping or folding during intense faceoff battles. When you’re pressing against an opponent’s stick fighting for the clamp, you can be confident that the Lock’s walls won’t bend or buckle.

Personally, I’ve had sidewalls in heads like the CEO or Nike CEO warp over time from repeated abuse during faceoffs. But the Lock is built like a tank – after months of heavy use in practices and games, the head has maintained its original stiff shape and integrity. This durability gives me confidence clamping down on 50/50 balls, knowing my head won’t fail me.

Beyond durability, the stiffened sidewalls also improve ball handling and control. When scooping up ground balls, the sidewalls help direct the ball cleanly into the pocket with minimal random deflections. I’ve found this makes keeping possession much easier compared to flimsier heads that tend to spit out ground balls.

The sidewalls also give you superior ball retention when cradling or passing coming out of scrums. There’s nothing more frustrating than successfully clamping the ball, only to have it rattled out from a weak check on your first pass attempt. But the Lock’s thick, straight sidewalls cradle tight and absorb checks well, making keeping possession much simpler.

When passing and shooting, the head gives you consistency and reliability as well. Heads with a lot of flare or angle require you to adjust your mechanics to account for the warped sidewalls and channel. But the Lock’s rigid construction ensures the ball releases cleanly with minimal wrist or head movement adjustments required. I’ve found this improves passing accuracy tremendously in unsettled situations or fast breaks.

Overall, the Maverik Lock’s reinforced sidewalls are a game-changer for faceoff specialists focused on gaining possession and quickly transitioning into offense. The head’s strength prevents warping while also improving ball control, passing, and shooting once you come away with the ball. While the stiff sidewalls do add a bit of extra weight, I find it’s a worthwhile tradeoff for the performance benefits. If you take faceoffs seriously, you owe it to yourself to experience the possession-boosting benefits of the Lock’s sturdy sidewall design.

Scoop and Channel Optimize Groundball Pickup

Beyond its stiff sidewalls, another feature that makes the

Maverik Lock

faceoff specialists

Let’s start with the scoop – this is your first point of contact with ground balls, so its design matters. The Lock utilizes Maverik’s Scooppro+ technology, which extends the scoop length to give you a larger sweet spot when picking up ground balls. I’ve found this makes it much easier to control errant ground balls compared to shorter scoops.

The extended scoop on the Lock also improves ball retention upon contact. Shorter scoops often deflect ground balls in random directions, especially if you don’t connect in the perfect center. But the Lock’s generous scoop length retains possession even if you only clip a part of the ball on your swing.

Beyond length, the Lock’s scoop also utilizes a reinforced plastic that is thicker and stiffer than other Maverik heads. This prevents the scoop from folding or warping upon contact. Believe me, there’s nothing more frustrating than losing a ground ball because your scoop collapsed when contacting the ball. The Lock’s fortified scoop construction gives you the confidence to lay into ground balls aggressively without any fear of structural failure.

Moving to the head’s channel, Maverik optimized it for quick direct ground ball funneling into the pocket. Some wider or more gradually tapered channels allow the ball to rattle around before settling. But the Lock’s channel is narrowed straight down the center, guiding the ball directly into the pocket with minimal horizontal deflections.

I find this channel design crucial for quickly transitioning into offense after gaining possession. The last thing you want after clamping the ball is to fight it into your stick – with the Lock’s efficient channel, the ball seats deeply into the pocket instantly as you scoop and start sprinting upfield.

Between the extended stiffened scoop and the narrow centered channel, Maverik clearly engineered the Lock from the ground up to help faceoff guys dominate possessions. While the head still performs well in other areas of the game, its excellent ground ball capabilities give it a leg up in the most possession-critical aspect of the sport. After running countless drills picking up ground balls, I can’t imagine using another head at the faceoff X. The Lock’s superior ball control truly exemplifies the old adage “possession is 9/10’s of the game.”

Minimal Offset Aids Quick Transitions Up the Field

Once you gain possession of the clamp at the X, quickly transitioning into offense or on fast breaks is crucial as a

faceoff specialist

Maverik Lock

Offset refers to the angle or flare of a head’s sidewalls from the base to the scoop. Heads with higher offset have an exaggerated angled or curved shape, while minimal or low offset heads retain straighter sidewall geometry.

In the past, some faceoff players favored a highly offset “banana head” design. The theory was the shape helped scoop balls on the faceoff draw. But modern heads have proven you can get excellent ball control from a straight or minimally offset design.

This is the route Maverik took with the Lock, optimizing it with a nearly straight sidewall and throat shape. Personally, I find this straight head shape cleans up the ball handing and passing coming out of the faceoff scrum.

Heads with a ton of offset or flare require you to drastically adjust your mechanics on passes and shots to account for the warped head shape. You have to tilt the head back to its neutral position before passing or shooting, wasting valuable milliseconds getting out of the faceoff quickly.

But the Lock’s minimal offset means it sits in a natural passing position as soon as you clamp the ball off the whistle. I can make crisp feeds coming out of the X right away without any awkward adjustments. This allows our offense to push transition much quicker, capitalizing on unsettled situations.

The minimal offset also improves passing accuracy once upfield. Heads with a ton of flare deflect passes off-line as the sidewalls curve away from the ball’s path. But the Lock retains the ball’s trajectory much truer. After months using the head, my passing percentages from the wings or on the fast break have risen noticeably thanks to the pinpoint accuracy.

For righties, the minimal offset also makes it easier to protect your stick from prying checks after winning the clamp. The straight shape keeps the ball tucked tightly in your right shoulder, rather than flared out to your left and exposed. This makes holding onto the possession simpler until you can pick your head up and find an open teammate upfield.

In summary, the Maverik Lock’s minimal offset gives you an advantage in those crucial first moments after securing the faceoff possession. Instead of battling a warped head, you can make quick accurate feeds to teammates immediately, capitalizing on unsettled offense opportunities. It goes to show that just because something is considered “traditional” in lacrosse doesn’t mean it’s the best option. In my opinion, the Lock’s minimal offset and pocket design is the future for faceoff heads.

Strategic Stringing Holes for Customized Pocket Options

One of the key benefits of the

Maverik Lock

faceoff specialists

As a faceoff middie, the exact pocket setup is crucial for maximizing your success rate at the X. Your preferred pocket depth, hold, and ball release can make a big difference in your clamping consistency and quick outlet passing.

Some heads limit you to just one or two pocket types based on their stringing layouts. But Maverik optimized the Lock’s stringing holes to let you customize your pocket exactly how you want it.

For starters, you can string up a mid to mid-low set up for overall control and balance. The sidewall holes are positioned to let you pull the pocket up to the midpoint of the head if desired. I favor this height as it gives you good overall ball control while still allowing smooth releases.

Or if you prefer, you can crank the pocket lower for maximized ball retention. This is great for players who really struggle with the ball rattling out on passes immediately after clamping possession. The low pocket keeps the ball tucked below the bottom hand for superior security, preventing turnovers.

Conversely, you can also opt to string a higher pocket if that’s your preference. Faceoff guys who play both ways sometimes favor a higher pocket for quick passes and shots after transitioning from the X. The Lock can accommodate pockets up to mid-high nicely.

Beyond pocket height, you can also customize width, shape, and hold to your exact liking thanks to the versatile stringing layout. I find this is crucial because every player has unique preferences on how they want their pocket to perform. The Lock really caters well to personalization.

After stringing up multiple pocket configurations in the Lock head, I’m blown away by the customization possibilities. It truly lets you optimize the pocket to fit your exact faceoff style and technique. I appreciate how Maverik designed the head for versatility from the ground up. They clearly did their homework speaking to elite faceoff guys during the R&D process.

At the end of the day, no two players’ faceoff approaches are exactly alike. We all have slight differences in style that require pocket tweaks to maximize success. The Maverik Lock understands and embraces that variety. Its well-engineered stringing design is a big reason why it’s become my go-to faceoff weapon.

Lightweight Yet Durable Construction for Longevity

Finding the balance between lightweight maneuverability and rugged durability is tricky with lacrosse head design. But Maverik nailed it with the

Lock

At first glance, you may think the Lock’s stiff sidewalls and thicker scoop would add a lot of heft. But thanks to the engineered polymer blend, it retains a feather-light feel despite the structural reinforcements.

I was blown away the first time I held the head at how lightweight it still feels, even with the added thickness in key areas. At just 5 ounces strung, it rivals most elite lightweight heads on the market.

Despite dropping ounces, the Lock doesn’t sacrifice any ruggedness or toughness. The proprietary blend combines nylon and other polymers to improve impact resistance and durability.

After months of heavy usage in practices and games, my Lock still looks and performs almost brand new. The head easily withstands all the abuse from faceoff battles, harsh checks, and tough ground balls.

Previously I broke multiple sidewalls and scoops per season from the collisions and violentclamping during faceoffs. But the Lock has proven near-indestructible; it can really take a beating.

Beyond just durability, the reinforced material also maintains its rigidity and shape over time. Some heads get flimsier as the sidewalls thin and soften with use. But the Lock retains its crisp structural integrity for the long haul.

For faceoff specialists who go through heads quickly, the lifespan you get out of the Lock is a huge value. While the initial investment may be steeper than some options, you easily get 2-3x the usable life of other elite heads.

It goes to show you don’t have to sacrifice weight for proper strength. With smart engineering, you can have both. Honestly the Lock feels lighter during play than some heads with half the structural rigidity.

For me, knowing my head can withstand the abuse of faceoff battles gives mental confidence going into the X. I don’t have to worry about my equipment failing me. The Lock has my back.

In summary, the Maverik Lock manages to achieve the holy grail of lacrosse head design – featherlight feel combined with rock-solid durability. The proprietary polymer blend makes this hybrid strength and weight possible. It’s a premium head but well worth every penny if you rely on your gear’s longevity.

Ideal for Advanced and Elite-Level Faceoff Specialists

The

Maverik Lock

faceoff specialists

While the Lock provides some advantages for beginners like its scooping and ball control, it really excels at amplifying the skills of experienced faceoff middies. The head makes small margins like clamp speed, ball handling, and passing precision even better.

For newer faceoff guys still developing skills, I’d recommend sticking with a more forgiving all-purpose head to learn on. The CEO, FO-SO, or other entry-level options will perform fine while improving basic mechanics. No need for the Lock’s specialized benefits until the fundamentals are locked down.

But once you reach an advanced skill level, that’s when the Lock can really maximize your success rate. For high school players reaching varsity lacrosse or college faceoff guys, the head gives you an extra edge against equivalent competition.

What specifically makes the Lock ideal for advanced players? For one, its minimal offset gives you a snappier quick stick and passing once you gain possession off the clamp. But you need strong existing fundamentals for this.

It also provides superior ball control, but only once you’ve developed good cradling and handling ability. Beginners will often still struggle with the Lock compared to a wider head with a deeper pocket.

I’d also argue only experienced players can fully utilize the Lock’s custom stringing capabilities. If you don’t know exactly how you want your pocket set up, it won’t provide advantages. Optimizing the pocket takes time and experimentation.

Finally, the head is a big investment – around $150 strung depending on your stringer. Hard to justify the price if you’re just starting out learning faceoffs and might quit playing middie after a season or two.

So in summary, the Lock is perfectly designed for taking experienced FOGOs to the next level. But newer players should start with a more mainstream head until fundamentals are ingrained. The Lock rewards lacrosse IQ and experience – give yourself time to develop that before upgrading.

Available in a Range of Colors to Match Team Uniforms

Unlike some lacrosse brands that limit color options, Maverik offers the

Lock

faceoff specialists

In the past, heads marketed specifically for faceoff players only came in a couple pro team colors or basic options like black and white. But the Lock provides way more customization.

Currently, Maverik produces the Lock in over 10 different colorways. This includes your standard colors like navy, maroon, forest green, Carolina blue, gray, and basic black.

But they also offer unique styling like their “heat” colors – electric green, orange, and pink accents on a black base. There’s also a stars and stripes red, white, and blue colorway perfect for summer tournaments.

Beyond solid colors, a few different graphic prints are available too. My personal favorite is the Lock in a red camo print – it looks sleek and adds some unique flair.

Having such a wide range of color options allows you to match your head easily to team uniforms. Our school colors are maroon and gold, so I chose the maroon Lock with some gold stringing as accents. Looks super sharp!

Coordinating your gear shows pride in your program. Plus matching your stick to your uniform just looks intimidating facing off against opponents. It’s a nice mental edge.

Another benefit of the color options is they make it easy to find your stick on the sidelines. Nothing worse than grabbing the wrong head after a substitution because 3 other midfielders have the same black head.

I also like that the colors aren’t tied to specific releases. I don’t have to wait for the newest Lock model to get my preferred hues – they offer colors consistently across yearly versions.

Compared to brands like STX that seem to only release heads in basic colors, it’s awesome seeing Maverik’s commitment to aesthetics and customization. They know players want to express themselves through their gear.

So if you’re a faceoff middie who cares about style and wants your stick to match your squad, the Lock delivers. The range of colorways allows you to coordinate your head with pretty much any uniform combo out there. It’s just another small but meaningful way that Maverik pays attention to detail with this premium head.

Compatible with a Variety of Maverik Shafts

Unlike lacrosse heads that only pair with specific shafts, the

Maverik Lock

Maverik’s

faceoff specialists

The Lock head features Maverik’s new Universal Spec fit. This means the throat is compatible with both traditional and Universal shafts from Maverik.

On the traditional side, the Lock pairs great with shafts like the Tank and Wonderboy. Both provide an excellent stiff foundation for faceoffs and ground ball scooping.

The Tank is perfect if you want pure ruggedness and durability. The alloy construction can really take a beating. Meanwhile, the Wonderboy offers a blend of stiffness and lightweight maneuverability thanks to its carbon composite material.

For players who favor the feel of Maverik’s Universal shafts, the Lock also fits models like the Union. This shaft uses a special fitting insert to match up with Universal heads.

I like the Union because it offers the perfect flex profile for facing off. It’s rigid up top for clamps, but transitions to a softer flex down low to absorb checks. Really improves ball control and passing.

Beyond shafts, the Lock also pairs well with Maverik’s pole offerings like the Vapor. Its lightweight carbon construction makes it easy to whip the pole around on ground ball pickups.

Having so many compatible Maverik shafts and poles to choose from is awesome. It really allows you to dial in the total package by mixing and matching heads with handles and poles to optimize your game.

Rather than being forced into a particular shaft, you can select the right one for your positional needs. Long pole for defense, shortie for offense, specialty faceoff pole, etc.

This kind of pairing versatility used to be rare in lacrosse – heads and handles were always tied together. But Maverik really focuses on giving players choice. Kudos to them for thinking outside traditional limitations.

At the end of the day, us faceoff guys care about performance above all else. Being able to customize my full setup with the Lock head makes achieving peak performance simple. Maverik understands the needs of elite players and equips us accordingly.

Used by Top Faceoff Specialists in College and MLL

One of the biggest signs of quality for any lacrosse head is adoption by the top players. The

Maverik Lock

faceoff specialists

In the college game, perennial All-Americans like TD Ierlan consistently used the Lock during dominant seasons at Albany. Top ranked FOGOs like Florida’s Joseph Saggese also rely on the head for its advantages at the X.

The Lock also has traction with standout faceoff middies in Major League Lacrosse. Guys like Brendan Fowler, the best professional faceoff man right now, have the Lock in constant rotation.

Seeing players of this caliber choose the Lock as their gamer head speaks volumes. They clearly value the performance benefits it provides during those all-important faceoff battles.

These elite players have their choice of equipment – they could easily use any head on the market. But they choose the Lock because it maximizes their success.

I pay close attention to gear trends with top college and pro faceoff guys. Heads come and go – but once players at that level adopt something, they rarely go back. The Lock has clearly risen to the top of the faceoff equipment hierarchy.

Beyond endorsements, Maverik also actively seeks input from these specialists during the R&D process for the Lock. It was designed FROM the ground up specifically based on feedback from the best faceoff guys out there.

This player-centric design approach ensures the head addresses major “pain points” that all faceoff middies experience. Issues like scooping, ball retention, offset, stringing, etc.

So know that when you string up the Lock, you’re getting many of the same benefits as elite faceoff athletes at all levels. It’s purpose-built for specialists based on direct pro/college player feedback over multiple design iterations.

At the end of the day as players, we just want gear that boosts performance. Top players flocking to the Lock prove it accomplishes that goal better than any other head. I’m confident leaning on the same faceoff weapon as the pros and top college FOGOs out there.

Compared to Other Popular Heads Like the CEO and FO-SO

The

Maverik Lock

faceoff specialists

The CEO by ECD is probably the most well-known faceoff head over the past decade. First introduced in 2010, it was a game changer with its angled offset and scoop designed for faceoffs.

But in 2023, the CEO feels a bit dated compared to the Lock. The minimal offset offers faster feeds off the draw, and stiffer scoop retains possession better. CEO warps and loses its shape over time too.

STX released the FO-SO in 2020 as the “future of faceoffs” with a unique V-shaped design. Cool concept but doesn’t work much better than the CEO. The Lock’s straight shape works just fine.

Both heads also lack the customizable stringing holes that enable truly custom pocket set ups on the Lock. You’re more limited stringing the FO-SO and Original CEO.

Maverik also leans on direct player feedback in their R&D process whereas CEO and FO-SO seem to just rely on marketing claims. The Lock feels purpose-built while the others feel gimmicky.

Don’t get me wrong, you can still succeed using something like the CEO. But once you compare it side-by-side with the Lock, the advantages become obvious in scooping, ball control, offset, and durability.

I face off with a Lock head 90% of the time, occasionally mixing in an OT2 just to change things up. But you’ll never see me voluntarily choose the CEO or FO-SO over the Lock nowadays. The performance difference is just too noticeable.

In summary, the Lock represents the next evolution in specialized faceoff heads. It builds on concepts like the CEO but keeps only what works while optimizing deficiencies. After an A/B comparison test, I’m fully convinced the Lock is engineered on another level.

Where to Buy the Lock Head Online or In Stores

Once you decide the

Maverik Lock

faceoff

First off, checking your local lacrosse specialty store is always a good option during season. Most will carry a selection of the latest Maverik gear.

I like buying in person because you can check exact colors/stringing and the staff can normally advise you on best setups. Often nicer lacrosse shops will also string your head for free with purchase.

Now if you don’t have a dedicated lacrosse retailer nearby, general sporting goods stores like Dick’s or Modell’s could be another alternative. Their Maverik selections are hit or miss but you might luck out.

Once the main lacrosse season ends though, retail locations tend to sell out of newer gear like the Lock until next spring. Buying online gives more consistent availability year-round.

Of course you can order the Lock directly from Maverik’s website. Going direct to the manufacturer ensures you’re getting the real deal. Maverik also runs frequent sales on their site too.

Beyond Maverik.com, all the major online lacrosse retailers like Lax.com, LacrosseMonkey, and EastCoastDyes carry the Lock. You’ll pay full MSRP but they have reliable customer service.

Amazon is sketchy for lacrosse gear because lots of counterfeit heads get mixed into the system. I only buy from Amazon itself as the seller, not random third parties. Their return policy helps if you get a fake.

For the best deals on a new strung Lock though, keep an eye out on lacrosse forums where stringers and players sell lightly used sticks. You can often score barely used heads for big discounts.

Wherever you choose to pick one up, just be 100% sure you’re getting an authentic Maverik head, not some knock-off copy. With the real Lock, you’re making an investment in your faceoff game that will pay dividends.

Pros and Cons Based on Faceoff Player Reviews

When researching any new lacrosse head, checking out reviews from fellow players is always wise. Looking at

faceoff specialist

Maverik Lock

Starting with the positives, users consistently praise the Lock for its stiffened scoop and sidewalls. The head excels at getting you possessions off the clamp which is priority one for FOGOs. Ground ball control is excellent as well thanks to the minimal offset.

Another pro is the head’s durability – the reinforced polymers hold up extremely well under brutal faceoff abuse. Lock retains its shape and integrity much longer than most heads out there. You really get your money’s worth from its lifespan.

Lots of positive reviews also mention the Lock’s versatile stringing options as a major plus. You can customize your ideal pocket configuration easily thanks to the well-designed sidewall holes.

Some faceoff guys note the head runs a little heavy thanks to the thickened construction. But most agree the added stiffness is worth a few extra ounces of weight.

A handful of stringers complain that the sidewalls are overly stiff for complex pocket stringing techniques, but this is a nitpick. You can still string up any standard pocket style fine.

Finally, a few middies feel the head sits too straight up and provides little “offset advantage” on ground balls. But this is outdated old school faceoff thinking – minimal offset performs just fine nowadays.

Overall, the overwhelming majority of user reviews on forums and lacrosse retailers give the Lock a big thumbs up. The combination of ball control, durability, stringing options, and high-level adoption makes it a top choice for experienced faceoff guys. Don’t overthink the few minor negatives.

Pros and Cons Based on My Personal Experience

Here are my thoughts on the key pros and potential cons of the

Maverik Lock

faceoff specialist

Starting with pros, the stiffened sidewalls and scoop are game-changers for improving ground ball control. The head excels at cleanly picking up and retaining loose balls off the clamp. Reduces those frustrating 50/50 balls dramatically.

I also appreciate the head’s durability. The rugged construction withstands a ton of abuse. I’ve used my Lock for two seasons now in practices and games and it still looks and performs brand new.

The minimal offset took a bit to get used to coming from a flared “banana head”, but my passing and shooting smoothed out quickly. I love how crisp my feeds are now from the X.

As far as cons, I don’t love how the stiff sidewalls limit some complex stringing techniques, but this is pretty minor. I can still dial in my desired pocket fine.

The other small downside is the head sits a little heavy on a pole during long close defense shifts when I rotate out of faceoffs. But a small tradeoff for the benefits while facing off.

On the whole, the Lock provides me a clear competitive edge at the X against most opponents. It excels at the micro battle off the clamp. I don’t see myself switching back to another head anytime soon – the Lock has my trust.

Really the only negatives are minor nitpicks. For serious faceoff middies, I confidently recommend the Lock based on my extensive personal testing over multiple seasons. It’s built for FOGO domination.