Length Matters
Goalie sticks typically range from 40 to 72 inches long. For most youth and high school players, a stick between 52 and 60 inches is ideal. Adults and elite players may prefer a longer stick up to 72 inches for maximum reach on saves. Measure your arm span fingertip to fingertip and use that as a starting point. You want enough length to cover the goal but not so long that controlling the stick is difficult.
Heads Up on Head Width
Look for a stick with a wider head for effectively stopping shots. Youth sticks often have a 6 to 10 inch wide head while adult goalie heads are 10 to 15+ inches. Wider heads have more surface area for blocking the ball but can be heavier. Find a balance between a lightweight feel and ample width for your skill level.
Weight Watchers
Durability and ball control also depend on the materials used in goalie stick construction. Hardwood maple shafts with a fiberglass or composite lacrosse head offer a nice balance of lightweight feel and strength. Titanium alloys and aircraft-grade aluminum shafts are ultra lightweight but can dent more easily from hard shots. Expect to pay more for these premium lightweight materials.
Get a Grip
Deep sidewall pockets help cradle and control the ball during saves and clears. Leather, nylon, or synthetic lacrosse mesh in the head provides grip. Goalie heads strung with a mid to high pocket are best for thrive ball control. The pocket depth and style depend on your preference as you gain experience.
With all the goalie stick options on the market, it pays to read reviews and do your research before buying. Factor in your budget, skill level, and playing style as you shop to find your ideal lacrosse goalie stick.
Optimal Head Width
For youth players, a head width of 6-10 inches is common. This provides enough coverage to defend the 4×4 foot goal without being overly bulky. As players get older and face faster shots, a wider head is beneficial. Elite high school and college goalies often use a 10-15 inch wide head or more.
Extremely wide heads can make it harder to cleanly catch and control the ball during clears though. Goalies need to scoop ground balls and throw accurate outlet passes after saves. Consider your skill level and reaction time when choosing head width.
Also pay attention to the head’s offset, which impacts how you position your hands. A more pinched, narrow throat lets you “choke up” for more control in a small head. A straighter, wider throat encourages holding the stick further down the shaft.
Test out a few different head widths during practice to dial in the optimal size. As you gain experience as a goalie, you may find your preferences change over time. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find your ideal head width for faster reaction times and better ball control.
Finding the Right Weight
Traditional wooden goalie sticks can be quite heavy and aren’t ideal for fast movement to make saves. Newer composite and alloy materials allow for much lighter sticks without sacrificing strength.
Top-end goalie sticks made with aircraft grade aluminum, titanium, or carbon fiber typically weigh between 2-3 pounds. Budget friendly aluminum alloy and composite sticks may weigh 3-4 pounds. Compare weights as you shop different sticks to find the lightest option that fits your budget.
An ultra lightweight stick allows for faster hand speeds and reaction times. This lets you get your stick on more shots. Just be wary of super lightweight sticks that have thin shafts that dent easily. Find a happy medium between minimal weight and durability.
Also consider balance. A stick-heavy feeling stick can cause fatigue, while a head-heavy option drags your hands down. Test out the overall feel and make some sample saves to gauge balance. The right lacrosse goalie stick will feel like an extension of your hands and arms.
Don’t sacrifice too much stability and ball control for the lightest weight. Consider your skill level as you choose weight. An experienced goalie can handle an ultra lightweight stick better than a beginner still working on technique.
Look for Excellent Ball Control
The head of the goalie stick does more than just block shots. You also need to scoop up ground balls, catch passes, and clear the ball accurately. This requires excellent ball control from your stick.
Mesh pockets strung deep in the head cradle the ball well and provide a bit of “give” to cushion passes. Leather and synthetic pockets offer more grip and stability. Consider shooting strings and other custom stringing options too.
Flared sidewalls along the head give you a larger sweet spot and channel the ball into the pocket as you make saves. Pinching the throat can also allow for more control in a narrower head design.
Test out scooping ground balls and making outlet passes with any goalie sticks you are demoing. The more control and feel you have in the head, the better you’ll be able to clear the ball under pressure after a save.
Finding the right balance of ball control, cushioning, and stability in a goalie head takes trying out different pocket and sidewall styles. Don’t settle for a stick that doesn’t feel right in your hands.
Optimized for Stopping Shots
The wider the head of the goalie stick, the more ball surface area you’ll be able to get in front of. Maximum widths of 10-15+ inches are best for experienced goalies facing faster shots. You’ll also want some offset to the head to help position your hands in the best blocking position.
A deeper pocket helps “trap” and contain shots rather than bouncing out. Shooting strings can add extra stopping power too. Sidewall holes under the throat create more flex and “whip” to help absorb impact from shots.
Consider the stiffness of the shaft as well. Composite sticks with some flex are optimal for getting solid stops – too much can make control difficult. Composite and alloy materials also have vibration-dampening qualities that wooden shafts lack.
Test out the stick’s shot blocking capabilities by having a teammate rip some shots at you during practice. Focus on clean stops without undesirable rebounds and stingers. Fine tune the head width, pocket, and flex until you find the optimal design for minimizing goals against you.
With the right goalie head and shaft combo tuned for your skill level, you’ll have the confidence to step into shots knowing your stick will back you up on saves.
Match Your Style of Play
Goalies have different styles and preferences when it comes to making saves. Some like to stay back and react, focusing on positioning to cut off angles. Others play more aggressively, coming out to challenge shooters.
For an aggressive goalie, a lighter stick for quick ball-handling and outlet passes is ideal. Extra-wide heads work well for a goalie who stays deeper in the crease and relies on maximizing coverage.
Your stance and hand position also impact what goalie stick works best. If you play standing more upright, a longer stick with a straight throat offers a comfortable grip. Crouched stances may benefit from a more pinched throat and choked-up hand position.
Consider how you move your stick to make saves too. Do you prefer wider sweeping motions or quick sticks? That helps determine optimal head design and flex.
Trying out different goalie sticks is the best way to gauge what complements your style. Don’t settle for a stick that forces you to alter your natural technique – find one tailored to you.
Choose a Stick Within Your Budget
Goalie sticks can range from under $50 for basic wooden high school sticks up to $300+ for elite-level composite or titanium models. Determine what you can reasonably afford to spend.
For youth players just starting out, an inexpensive wooden or alloy stick is fine to learn on. Intermediate goalies can benefit from composite sticks in the $150 range with better ball control and durability.
High school goalies playing at a competitive level need a stick that can hold up to heavier shooting. Investing $200-$300 in a premium lightweight stick is worthwhile.
If budget is a concern, you can often find quality used goalie sticks that provide great value. Be patient searching for deals on lacrosse forums and resale sites.
While you want the best stick possible, don’t break the bank for small performance gains. Set a max budget and find the optimal stick for your skill level within that price range.
Read Goalie Stick Reviews Before Buying
With so many goalie stick options on the market, reviews can provide valuable insight from other players’ experiences. Search for in-depth reviews that test sticks for criteria like durability, ball control, balance, and stopping power.
Look for reviews with detailed rankings and scoring systems on factors like construction quality, value, and overall performance. This quantitative data along with hands-on testimonials helps identify the optimal stick.
Be sure to read reviews from actual goalies who have used the sticks extensively on the field. They’ll provide more practical feedback than just catalog specs and marketing claims.
Pay close attention to any durability concerns called out. You want a stick that will hold up well with heavy use. Also note any sizing quirks that run large, small, wide or narrow.
Taking the time to research helps ensure you get the right goalie stick for your needs and budget. Don’t just blindly buy based on brand or appearance alone.
Buy From Reputable Lacrosse Gear Brands
Brands like STX, Warrior, Maverik, Brine, and Nike have years of experience crafting lacrosse gear. Their goalie sticks are engineered using proven technologies and materials to deliver optimum performance.
Smaller niche brands can also produce great sticks, but may lack some pedigree. Browse lacrosse forums and reviews to identify newer brands getting buzz for innovative sticks.
Beware of generic unbranded goalie sticks found at big box stores. While very inexpensive, these sticks often lack durability and optimal design qualities.
Top brands have product lines spanning different price points as well. Even their budget friendly sticks maintain decent quality control and construction.
Sticking with a leading lacrosse brand you trust ensures you get a well-made goalie stick backed by a warranty, instead of gambling on an unknown off-brand stick.
Check for Sales on Goalie Sticks
New models of lacrosse gear are released yearly, so retailers often discount older stock to clear inventory. Shop end of season sales to find great deals on goalie sticks from last year’s lines.
Holiday weekends like Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day also regularly have lacrosse equipment sales. Set up price drop alerts so you’re notified if the stick you’ve been eyeing goes on sale.
Shopping used goalie sticks also presents more budget friendly options. Scour resale sites and forums for players selling sticks in good condition.
With some smart shopping at the right times, you can invest in a better quality stick for the same amount of money. Taking advantage of sales helps you get maximum value from your goalie stick purchase.
Consider Youth vs Adult Goalie Sticks
Proper stick sizing is important, especially for goalies still developing fundamentals. Youth sticks are sized down for smaller hands and frames.
Typical youth sticks have shaft lengths of 40-60 inches and head widths of 6-10 inches. Adult sticks run 50-72 inches long with wider 10-15 inch heads.
Using an oversized adult stick too early can hinder ball control and reaction time. But buying a stick with room to grow allows a youth player to use it longer before replacing.
Youth goalies approaching their teen years who play competitively can benefit from transitioning to an adult stick for the wider head and increased reach, as long as shaft length and weight are still manageable.
Consider age, size, skill level, and playing style when choosing between youth and adult goalie sticks.
Buy Used Goalie Sticks to Save Money
While a new top-of-the-line goalie stick may cost $250 or more, you can often find comparable used sticks for half that price. Lots of barely used sticks are for sale from players who bought a new one or stopped playing.
Check lacrosse forums, Craigslist, SidelineSwap, eBay, and Play It Again Sports for used sticks. Be patient waiting for good deals on quality sticks to pop up.
When buying used, carefully inspect for cracks, dents, and head/shaft separation. Make sure the pocket is still in good shape too. Test it out to ensure the stick feels balanced and has good ball control.
Replacing key parts like mesh and sidewalls can help extend the life of a used stick. With some minor reconditioning, a used stick provides major savings over new.