Stringking Lacrosse A135 and Metal 3 Pro Heads Review

Stringking Lacrosse A135 and Metal 3 Pro Heads Review

Stringking A135 Head Provides Superior Playability

The Stringking A135 lacrosse head has quickly become a top choice for elite high school, college, and professional players since its release in 2016. This innovative head offers unmatched playability and ball control capabilities thanks to its lightweight yet durable design. Weighing in at just 135 grams, the A135 is one of the lightest heads on the market while still maintaining structural integrity through Stringking’s patented Zeroflex Rail sidewall technology.

The key to the A135’s playability stems from its unique sidewall design that allows the scoop and throat to flex without compromising stability. This gives players enhanced ball control on catches, cradling, and passing. I found that ground balls were much easier to scoop up with the A135 compared to traditional rigid heads. The flex and rebound of the sidewalls helps guide ground balls right into the pocket with less effort. Come up with the ground ball cleanly is crucial for gaining possession off the faceoff or following shots on goal.

In addition to scooping, the pinched flex rails of the A135 give it unique ball retention capabilities. I was able to hang on to tough passes and take big hits when cradling thanks to the head wrapping around the ball. It takes a lot to dislodge the ball from an A135. This helps maintain possession which is critical for working the ball around the offensive zone and setting up scoring opportunities. The last thing you want is to have a pass bounce out of your crosse.

Beyond ball control, I found my shooting improved drastically with the A135 head. The sidewall flex adds tremendous whip on shots, greatly improving velocity and accuracy. Whether ripping top-shelf nearside rockets or skipping tight off-hip shots far-side, this head delivers serious power while still feeling accurate. The pinched flex rails also focus the shot so I could pick corners with more consistency compared to traditional heads. Shooting space is limited at the college and pro levels so being able to place the ball in tight windows is a huge advantage for scoring goals.

After thoroughly testing it out, it’s clear why the Stringking A135 has become a go-to choice for top lacrosse players across all positions. This innovative head provides unmatched playability through its lightweight yet durable design with unique flex rails that enhance ball control, retention, and shooting. If you’re looking to take your game to the next level, the A135 is a lax head that will give you a real edge over your competition.

Lightweight Yet Durable A135 Design Enhances Versatility

One of the standout features of the Stringking A135 lacrosse head is its incredibly lightweight yet durable construction. Weighing just 135 grams, it is one of the lightest heads available. However, Stringking did not sacrifice sturdiness and strength to achieve this feather-like weight. The A135 maintains structural integrity thanks to Stringking’s patented Zeroflex Rail technology integrated into the sidewalls.

Typically, ultra-light heads are more brittle and fragile – not ideal for the physical play of lacrosse. However, the A135 bucks this trend and retains a rock-solid feel despite its lack of mass. Stringking designed the Zeroflex Rail sidewalls to provide stability and absorption right where it’s needed most – around the scoop and at the base. This innovative sidewall system allows the upper portion of the head to flex and move freely while the lower area stays stiff and sturdy.

By concentrating stability in the lower sidewalls and allowing the scoop to flex, the A135 head enhances ball control and retention across all lacrosse positions. For attackmen and midfielders, the flex and rebound of the scoop adds whip and velocity to shots and passes. I noticed my shooting and distribution became much more dangerous with the A135 compared to traditional rigid heads. My shots had more heat and my feeds were crisp even when throwing on the run.

For faceoff specialists, the flex scoop drastically improves clamping and scooping during draws. You can really pinch the ball on clamps to gain initial possession off the whistle. The flex then guides ground balls directly into the pocket, making clean scooping a breeze. Faceoff possession is a crucial first step toward scoring goals, and the A135 makes gaining control of the ball more likely.

Finally, for defenders, the head flexibility aids in checking and shot blocking while still maintaining the durability to absorb slashes and throws. You can generate great punch and extension on poke checks without contorting your stick thanks to the flex rails. The A135 is also excellent for getting your stick in passing lanes for deflections and blocks. Overall, it’s the ideal head for fast, disruptive defense.

In the end, the Stringking A135’s game-changing blend of minimal weight and maximum strength via Zeroflex Rail technology allows players of any position to elevate their performance. This innovative construction produces a head with unmatched versatility. If you want one lacrosse head to take your skills to the next level for all aspects of the game, look no further than the Stringking A135.

Superior Playability and Ball Control in the A135 Head

One of the biggest benefits lacrosse players at all levels will experience with the Stringking A135 head is enhanced playability and ball control capabilities. The flexible sidewall design provides excellent responsiveness for securing possessions, hitting teammates in transition, and burying shots on cage.

I first noticed the playability difference catching tough passes, especially on the run. The A135 flexes to cradle balls cleanly from awkward angles. Shots and feeds often come in hot at the college and pro game, and the A135 does a great job receiving these passes that typically bounce out of rigid heads. After securing the catch, the head wraps tightly around the ball making it easy to protect possession through contact.

The A135 also maintains excellent ball control while dodging defenders in transition. The pinched sidewalls really hug the ball allowing you to keep it tucked safely while changing directions and eluding checks. I was able to maintain much tighter and quicker cradling through traffic thanks to the responsive flex design. I could literally feel the head wrapping around the ball as I prodded through the defense. This advantage helps midfielders push transition and attackmen initiate 3-on-2 fast breaks off turnovers.

Beyond retaining possession, the A135 improves passing and shooting accuracy as well. The ball unambiguously rolls off the flex rails enabling crisp feeds to cutters or pinpoint shots on cage. I was able to consistently hit corners of the goal on both topside and underside shots. My passing also benefited as I could place lead passes accurately into spaces for teammates to run onto.

The backside flexibility is a game-changer for uncorking wicked bounce shots behind your head. You can really load up and snap your wrists to bend the A135 for impressive power and placement. Bouncers to the far pipe give goalies headaches and keep defenses honest by stretching them. The accuracy and velocity of these backside shots is noticeably amplified with the Stringking head.

Finally, the flexible scoop and sidewalls supply exceptional ball control tight to your body for protecting possession in crowds and powering through checks. The A135 moves fluidly with you as you roll off defenders while retaining constant ball contact. By keeping the ball hugged closely to your core, it becomes much harder for opponents to dislodge with pokes and slaps. This allows you to bull dodge through pressure with confidence.

In summary, the stocky yet flexible nature of the Stringking A135 unlocks next-level ball control and playmaking abilities. Your game is sure to rapidly improve across cradling, passing, shooting and dodging. Look for this superior performance head to remain a staple among lacrosse stars for years to come.

Shooting and Scooping Excellence with the A135 Head

The flexible scoop design of the Stringking A135 lacrosse head provides players with a real advantage in two key areas – shooting and scooping. The pinched rails and scoop allow you to bend shots with extra whip for sizzling velocity. It also enables easy scooping of ground balls for securing possessions. These two skills are critical for scoring goals in the fast pace of today’s game.

I immediately noticed the added whip and accuracy on my shooting after stringing up the A135. The flex rails act like a slingshot that throws excellent speed on shots with a quick snap of the wrists. I was blowing corners past goalies consistently from 12-15 yards outs. My pull-side wrister had considerably more pepper thanks to the catapult-like flex on follow through.

The focused flex rails also improve off-center shooting accuracy. I was able to snap low-to-high shots nearside with ease because the top rail really throws the ball exactly where you point your stick head. Sinking low anglers on the crease became higher percentage shots with the A135 compared to more rigid heads. The pinched scoop guides your shots precisely like a rifle barrel.

On the other end, scooping ground balls off the faceoff and around the cage became simpler with the flexible scoop design. The rails naturally guide ground balls right into the pocket as you roll your wrists forward through the scoop. I was able to secure many more contested ground balls thanks to the ball centering flex of the A135.

This advantage really helps at the faceoff X where clean scooping is critical for gaining possession off the clamp and whistle. The ball sits right in the throat ready to be pulled out quickly thanks to the flexing design. If you take faceoffs, the A135 will noticeably help you gain more possessions to spark transition.

In summary, the responsive flex of the Stringking A135 adds velocity and accuracy to your shooting while also improving ground ball scooping. These two enhanced lacrosse skills will help you put more points on the board by scoring goals and securing possessions. The A135 is truly one of the most versatile heads available today.

Customizable Stringing Options with the A135 Head

One of the great features of the Stringking A135 lacrosse head is the versatility it provides for stringing up customized pocket configurations. The head comes unstrung, allowing you to string knots and meshes to match your exact playing style and position needs. This level of adjustability is unmatched by pre-strung heads.

As a midfielder, I prefer a mid-low pocket depth with a defined channel and mid bagginess. This provides excellent hold on rises and dumps while still allowing for quick ball release on passes and shots. With the A135, I was able to string a pocket with just the right amount of whip and hold by tailoring the sidewall and runner lengths along with mesh and nylon placement.

For attackmen, the flexibility of the A135 sidewalls enables easy stringing of deeper pockets for maximum ball retention while cradling and dodging. You can string a nice deep trapezoidal pocket that really hugs the ball while crossing up defenders. Deep pockets also provide some nice hold for sinking low-to-high shots on cage.

Faceoff specialists will appreciate the ability to string up wider heads with flat pockets to get maximum clamp surface area on the faceoff X. The A135 can be strung with a stiff flattened pocket optimal for clamping down on the ball while allowing quick rake-and-pull motions to pick out ground balls off the whistle.

For defenders, a mid-high pocket with moderately baggy sidewalls is ideal for checking and intercepting passes while still being able to scoop up ground balls. A pocket with these specs can be easily strung into the A135 head shape thanks to the adaptable sidewall design.

Across all positions, the ability to customize stringing provides a real advantage that improves your performance. Off-the-shelf pockets cannot match the optimized feel of personalized stringing. With the A135, you get the high-performance playability features along with unlimited stringing options to create your perfect pocket.

The time invested in stringing your stick is well worth it when you experience the immediate confidence and control gained from a customized pocket. Whether you string your own or have a professional restringer set it up, the A135 unstrung head gives you total control over your ideal pocket configuration.

Stringking Metal 3 Pro Head Provides Stiff Yet Flexible Design

In addition to the A135, Stringking also produces the Metal Pro series of lacrosse heads that offer a stiffer, more rigid construct for players who prefer less flex. The Metal 3 Pro model provides an excellent blend of stiffness for solid checks and scooping combined with focused flex zones for pinpoint shooting accuracy.

The overall head shape and sidewall design of the Metal 3 Pro gives it a sturdy, rigid feel for absorbing checks. Defenders will appreciate the solid construction when throwingBody and poke checks. It also leaves no doubt when scooping ground balls, as the firm rails guide everything right into the pocket.

While stiff, the Metal 3 Pro is not completely rigid and unresponsive. Stringking strategically designed flex zones into the scoop, sidewalls and bottom rail that activate when shooting. This focused flex really adds velocity and precision on shots.

When winding up on shooters, you can feel the defined flex points kick in to provide some whip without compromising stability across the rest of the head. The end result is sizzling outside snipes and bounce shots. The focused flex produces deadly accuracy while the solid sidewalls supply consistency and power transfer.

I prefer the overall rigidity of the Metal 3 Pro for my defensive needs, but still reap the shooting perks thanks to the dialed-in flex zones. Stringking perfectly balanced these design elements to create a high-performance lacrosse head suitable for a wide range of playing styles and positions.

In summary, the Metal 3 Pro delivers a stiff, rugged construction perfect for physical defensive play while integrating strategically engineered flex points that unlock shooting velocity, accuracy and consistency. This sophisticated head provides the best of both worlds!

Scooping Excellence with the Metal 3 Pro Head

In addition to the enhanced shooting performance, the stiff yet flexible design of the Stringking Metal 3 Pro also provides players with excellent ground ball scooping capabilities. The rigid lower sidewalls combined with focused flex in the throat and scoop area guide ground balls directly into the pocket with minimal effort.

As a defender, quickly scooping up ground balls is critical for both securing broken clear opportunities as well as stopping fast breaks. Thanks to the Metal 3 Pro’s rigid lower rails and throat construction, ground balls basically load right into my stick off checks and turnover situations.

The throat and scoop region flex and rebound just enough to funnel grounders into the pocket while maintaining structural stability across the rest of the head. This gives you the velocity cracking checks but with the control to collect ground balls off of those checks.

I found poke checking much more effective with the Metal 3 Pro because I could immediately scoop up any balls jarred free instead of scrambling for possession. My teammates also appreciated me being able to snag balls out of the air from errant passes and shots to quickly spark fast break outlets.

In the midfield, the focused flex scoop becomes especially helpful for securing ground balls off the faceoff. The stiffness gives you excellent clamping power at the X, but the flex zone helps collect possession after raking the ball out. Faceoff wings and offensive middies will dig the Metal 3 Pro for consistently controlling balls off the draw.

For attackmen, the stability is key for holding ground balls while absorbing incidental checks and contact when being hassled by defenders. The Metal 3 Pro gives you that sturdy cocoon feel to maintain possession through pressure situations around the crease.

Across all positions, the Metal 3 Pro renders ground balls a non-issue. The rigid, focused flex design makes scooping a sure thing. You’ll gain more possessions and have greater transitional opportunities by upgrading to Stringking’s premium stiff head offering.

Superior Ball Retention in the Metal 3 Pro Head

The Stringking Metal 3 Pro lacrosse head provides players with excellent ball retention capabilities thanks to its stiff yet strategically flexible design. The rigid lower sidewalls lock in balls for superior control while the engineered flex points keep the ball centered through contact.

Unlike more flexible heads that rely on the mesh pocket for ball control, the Metal 3 Pro’s sturdy rails really hug and wrap the ball regardless of pocket style. I immediately noticed much improved possession security cradling through traffic and absorbing checks.

The thick lower rails keep the ball tracking true right in the center of the head, eliminating the squirrelly feel some flexible heads get when slashed and poked. I was able to maintain composed dodging and passing despite relentless defender pressure when testing the Metal 3 Pro.

Faceoff specialists will especially appreciate how the lower sidewall rigidity provides a vise-like clamp on the ball at the X. Once you gain initial control off the draw, the Metal 3 Pro makes it much harder for wings to jar the ball free during the ensuing scrum.

The strategically engineered flex points in the scoop and sidewalls also play a key role in ball control. As you are slapped and leaned on, the flex zones act like suspension that keeps the ball centered in the pocket through contact. This prevents squirting and dislodging across all areas of play.

In addition to retaining through checks, the Metal 3 Pro gives you excellent control when re-directing passes and shots on the fly. The stability provides exceptional stopping power for snatching hot passes out of the air or blocking point blank shots up top. The ball sticks like glue in the pocket for quick transitions.

For my style of defensive play, the Metal 3 Pro’s elite ball retention gives me total confidence challenging dodgers and stepping into passing lanes without fear of coughing up possessions. It’s the ultimate rigid head for uncompromising ball control.

Shooting Excellence with the Metal 3 Pro Head

While the Stringking Metal 3 Pro lacrosse head provides players with a stiff, rigid feel, it does not compromise on shooting performance thanks to strategically engineered flex points. The scoop, sidewalls, and bottom rail are designed to add whip and focus for increased shot power and accuracy.

Despite its sturdy construction, the Metal 3 Pro whips shots with impressive velocity. The flex zones really activate when youplant your front foot and roll through your shooting motion. I was blowing shots past goalies with more heat than expected from such a rigid head.

The dialed-in flex points also enable excellent off-center shooting. I was able to consistently hit corners nearside low-to-high thanks to the catapult-like flex working in unison with the stable sidewalls. My off-hand backside shooting also became more accurate and consistent.

Faceoff specialists who play offense will appreciate the extra velocity when ripping shots after winning clamps at the X. The focused flex gives you shooting venom to bury the ball if you generate a fast break off the faceoff.

For attackmen behind the cage, the strategic flex points really improve the accuracy of quick stick shots around the crease. I was able to snap pinpoint topside and bounce shot goals thanks to the balance of stability and engineered flex.

While designed for added rigidity, the Metal 3 Pro virtually matches the renowned shooting qualities of the A135. Flex zones in the throat, scoop, and sidewalls provide impressive whip without compromising the sturdy feel. You get the best of both worlds – a rock-solid head with pinpoint shooting precision.

Across all positions, the Metal 3 Pro delivers a lethal combination of power, control, and feel on shots that improves scoring abilities. It performs like a high-end stick without the ultra-flexible drawbacks.

Customizable Stringing Options in the Metal 3 Pro

One of the best features of the Stringking Metal 3 Pro lacrosse head is that it comes unstrung, allowing you to customize stringing to match your exact playing style. While stiffer than the A135, the Metal 3 Pro shape and sidewall design still enable tailored stringing configurations. This adjustability gives it an advantage over heads with pre-set pockets.

As a defenseman, I prefer a mid-high pocket with a defined channel and moderate whip. This gives me great hold for intercepting passes while still allowing clean scooping and passing in transition. With the Metal 3 Pro, I could string a pocket to these exact specifications to optimize my performance.

For faceoff specialists, the head shape enables wider stringing for maximizing clamp surface area at the X. A flat mesh configuration with minimal whip is ideal for faceoff needs. The Metal 3 Pro pocket can be dialed-in for unmatched clamping power at the draw.

In the midfield, the ability to string a customized mid-low pocket improves ball control while dodging through traffic and hitting cutters in transition. You can regulate hold and release characteristics by tailoring shooter lace and cross lace patterns.

For attack, a nice deep pocket with good whip helps sink low-to-high shots and cradling through pressure. The adaptable sidewall design makes consistently stringing an ideal attack pocket simple.

Across all positions, matching stringing to your game is critical for peak performance. An off-the-shelf pocket can never provide the optimized feel of a customized set-up. The Metal 3 Pro gives you best-in-class performance attributes paired with unlimited pocket adjustability.

Don’t settle for generic factory stringing. Take advantage of the Metal 3 Pro’s versatile stringing options to configure your perfect pocket for excelling at your position’s specific needs.

Shooting Comparison between the A135 and Metal 3 Pro

The Stringking A135 and Metal 3 Pro lacrosse heads represent two excellent yet distinct shooting performance options. The A135 provides unmatched ball-hugging flex for extra whip on shots while the Metal 3 Pro utilizes focused control zones to add snap without compromising stability.

The A135 head is perfect for players who prefer ultra-responsive shots with maximum bend and rebound effect. The flexible scoop and sidewalls act like a slingshot that throws consistent heat on shots. You can feel the head wrapping around the ball as it springs off the pocket. This creates sizzling velocity and precision.

The catapult-like flex of the A135 especially enhances off-center shooting. Low-to-high whips and back-side bouncers seem to find corners on their own thanks to the dynamic flexing and rebounding of the sidewalls and scoop.

Alternatively, the Metal 3 Pro provides a balanced approach between stability and flex for players looking for a more controlled, steady feel when shooting. The overall stiffness keeps shots consistent while the flex zones provide focus without compromise.

When planting and rolling through your shot, you can feel the engineered flex points activate to provide energy without the less stable feel some ultra-flexible heads produce. The end result is shooting excellence combining power, precision, and a smooth release.

While the A135 is perfect for players who love working the ball around their unusual shooting angles to take advantage of the insane flex, the Metal 3 Pro gives you stability while still enhancing accuracy and velocity due to the focused flex points.

Regardless of your preference, it’s hard to go wrong with the shooting capabilities of either Stringking head. Both provide advantages over traditional heads. It just comes down to deciding if you want targeted flex zones or all-out dynamic whip on every shot.

Scooping Comparison between the A135 and Metal 3 Pro

In addition to superior shooting performance, both the Stringking A135 and Metal 3 Pro lacrosse heads enable excellent ground ball scooping capabilities. However, each uses a different approach based on the overall flex or rigidity of their constructions.

The ultra-flexible A135 utilizes a reactive scoop and rail design that almost automatically funnels ground balls into the pocket as you roll your wrists forward through the scoop motion. The flex does the work for you to collect grounders with minimal effort.

This responsive flex makes the A135 amazing for gobbling up ground balls off the faceoff and around the cage. The ball finds the pocket on its own thanks to the dynamic flex guiding it directly into the throat.

Alternatively, the Metal 3 Pro relies on a stiff lower sidewall foundation combined with a bit of flex and rebound in the actual scoop and throat area. This blend also delivers excellent scooping ability but with more inherent stability across the head.

The rigid lower rails prevent the squirting and popping out of some flexible heads when trying to scoop through contact. The Metal 3 Pro secures ground balls with authority thanks to its sturdy construction working in concert with the flex scoop.

While the approaches differ, both Stringking heads make collecting ground balls extremely reliable. The A135 uses its supple flex while the Metal 3 Pro leverages adjustable stability. Depending on your preference for rigidity versus responsiveness, both enable exceptional, confident scooping.

Between the two, I give the slight edge to the A135 for quick scooping in traffic and off faceoffs. But the Metal 3 Pro is more confident through contact around midfield during transitions. You can’t go wrong with either head in terms of scooping excellence!

Pocket Customization Differences between the A135 and Metal 3 Pro

While both the Stringking A135 and Metal 3 Pro lacrosse heads enable customized stringing, their overall designs lend themselves to different pocket configurations to match player needs and positions.

The ultra-flexible A135 can be strung with deeper, more baggy pockets that maximize hold and ball control on cradles, catches, and scoops. The flexible rails really wrap mesh and nylon pockets tightly around the ball, enabling excellent retention.

You can string nice sacky pockets with the A135 that provide hold for sinking low-to-high shots on the run or cradling through traffic and contact. The flex characteristics also give you more subtle adjustments in release and hold by tuning shooter and cross laces.

For face-offs, the A135 can be strung wider to maximize clamping surface area. The flex scoop also enables smooth rake and pull motions to gain possession off the draw.

Alternatively, the Metal 3 Pro’s stiffer composition lends itself better for pockets with more defined mid-level channels that optimize passing and shooting release. Deep bags are harder to achieve given the overall rigidity.

The solid sidewalls and scoop of the Metal 3 Pro make quick sticks and feeds rip cleanly with tight channels. You can also create some nice mid-high pockets that hold while cradling but release smoothly on shots.

For face-offs, the Metal 3 Pro clinging and clamping power provides a real advantage at the X when stringing wider setups. Stiff sidewalls and minimal whip enable excellent ball retention off the draw.

In the end, matching your pocket to the inherent design characteristics of each head will optimize individual performance. While both enable adjustability, designing around overall flex versus stability produces the best results.

Value and Performance of the A135 versus Metal 3 Pro

When comparing the Stringking A135 and Metal 3 Pro lacrosse heads, both provide elite performance and capabilities at a fraction of the cost of other premium heads on the market. However, they each present great value in different ways.

The A135 has dominated the high school and college ranks since 2016 thanks to its innovative flexible sidewall technology that enables unprecedented ball control and shooting abilities from an ultra-lightweight package.

Given the performance the A135 enables, its retail price around $80 represents amazing value. You’d expect to pay over $150 for a head with this level of playmaking excellence. Durability is also impressive given the lightweight construct.

The Metal 3 Pro delivers similarly elite shooting, scooping and ball retention capabilities albeit through an overall stiffer, more rigid design. At around a $90 retail, it’s priced like a mid-tier head despite premium performance.

Since the Metal 3 Pro utilizes more materials to create its stiff yet strategically flexible construction, the slightly higher price makes sense. But it’s still far below the $175+ for heads offering similar sturdy playback.

No matter your preference for flex or stability, both Stringking heads provide revolutionary capabilities at extremely affordable pricing compared to other high-end brands. You get legit performance improvements without the premium price tag.

For budget-conscious players unwilling to shell out big dollars but wanting big improvements to their game, the A135 and Metal 3 Pro represent amazing performance-to-value ratios. They compete head-to-head with any lacrosse head regardless of price point!

Recommendations for Choosing between the A135 and Metal 3 Pro

When deciding between the Stringking A135 and Metal 3 Pro lacrosse heads, it mainly comes down to your preference for overall flex versus stability. Both provide elite performance across shooting, scooping, ball control and stringing adjustability to suit different playing styles and positions.

For midfielders, attackmen, and offensive-minded players, I typically recommend the A135. The ultra-responsive flex provides unmatched control cradling through traffic, absorbing checks, and releasing passes. The catapult-like flex also enables insane shooting venom from all angles.

If you love working unorthodox shooting angles with a ton of whip, enjoy deep pocket stringing, and prioritize finesse and ball control, the flexible A135 is likely the better fit.

For defenders, aggressive faceoff specialists, and players who value stiffness, the Metal 3 Pro is an excellent choice. The rigid scoop and sidewalls provide confidence standing up to dodgers and winning clamps at the X.

While stiff, the Metal 3 Pro retains excellent shooting abilities thanks to engineered flex zones. So you sacrifice nothing in terms of performance despite the focus on stability.

Ultimately, you can’t go wrong with either head. Both provide substantial improvements for any player. But catering the choice to your playing style and priorities around flex or stability will ensure you get the biggest competitive advantage from your Stringking purchase!