How to Choose the Best Lacrosse Goalie Head
When looking for a new lacrosse goalie head, there are a few key factors to consider. The width of the head’s throat is crucial for effectively stopping shots. Wider throat widths provide more blocking surface. You’ll also want to evaluate the head’s durability, as goalie heads take a beating during gameplay. Additionally, weight is an important consideration, since you’ll be moving the stick frequently to make saves. Lighter heads allow for quicker movements. Finding the right balance of stiffness is also key – you want a rigid frame to withstand hard shots, but some flexibility for superior ball control.
Top Lacrosse Goalie Heads for Beginners
If you’re just starting out as a lacrosse goalie, you’ll want to look for a head that’s specifically designed for beginners. The STX Shield 100 is a great option, with a wider throat width for more blocking capability. The stiff sidewalls help you direct rebounds away from the goal. The Maverik Rome Nexus is another good choice – it’s lightweight with some flex to help improve your passing and clearing ability. For optimal durability, the Warrior Nemesis is built to take abuse from the toughest shots.
Best Intermediate Lacrosse Goalie Heads
Once you have some experience under your belt, you can upgrade to an intermediate lacrosse goalie head for improved performance. The Maverik Rome Burn Pro is popular for its hybrid stiff and flexible design. It directs rebounds but also has great feel for outlet passes. The Warrior Nemesis 2.0 provides an excellent throat width for stopping shots, along with enhanced sidewall stiffness. For goalies looking for supreme control, the Brine King 5 Legacy is a top choice. Its wider, flatter scoop improves accuracy.
Best Lacrosse Goalie Heads for Advanced Players
Experienced lacrosse goalies need a head that can handle the blistering shots that come their way. The Maverik Rome NXT stop is a top choice, with an extra wide throat and stiffer sidewalls to help wrangle the toughest attempts. The Epoch Hawk sequel has a rigid open sidewall design to improve rebound control. For superior stopping power, the Warrior Nemesis 2 is a go-to. It has a flat, wide scoop and angled sidewalls to direct rebounds away. The Brine King Superlight is ultra-durable, yet flexible enough for excellent feel on clears. If you want maximum thumb protection, the STX Shield 303 boasts additional padding in key areas.
Most Durable Lacrosse Goalie Heads
As a lacrosse goalie, you need a head that can withstand repeated abuse from shots. Durability is key for longevity. The Brine King 5 Legacy is built to last, with a tough thermoplastic frame that holds its shape. For hardcore strength, the Warrior Nemesis 2 boasts increased sidewall stiffness and a wider scoop. The Maverik Rome NXT STOP has an injected polymer plastic frame designed for superior structural integrity. If you want tried-and-true reliability, the STX Eclipse 2 is a workhorse head with proven endurance. For goalies who play year-round, the Epoch Hawk Sequel offers superb durability thanks to its high-grade materials and sturdy open sidewall construction.
Lacrosse Goalie Heads with the Widest Throat
As a lacrosse goalie, having a wider throat on your head is crucial for effectively stopping shots. Here are some top options with ample throat widths:
- Maverik Rome NXT STOP: An extremely wide 6-inch throat gives you maximum blocking surface.
- STX Shield 303: This beginner head has a wider 6-inch throat width to help new goalies.
- Epoch Hawk Sequel: Its unique shape boasts a 6-inch throat flare for increased blocking capability.
- Warrior Nemesis 2: A slight throat flare gives this head a wider bottom for stopping low shots.
- Brine King Superlight: Features a flared throat that widens from top to bottom for superior ball stopping.
The wider the throat, the more head coverage you have as shots are coming your way. Be sure to consider throat width when choosing your next lacrosse goalie head.
Goalie Heads for Quick Ball Movement
As a lacrosse goalie, you need to be able to move the ball downfield quickly after making a save. Here are some top goalie heads designed for fast outlet passes and clears:
- Maverik Rome Burn Pro: Its hybrid stiff and flexible sidewalls give you great feel for quick sticks and accurate passing.
- STX Shield 100: This beginner head has some flex to help new goalies improve their clearing ability.
- Brine King Superlight: The wider scoop and flexible sidewalls help cradle cleanly for fluid transitions.
- Warrior Nemesis 2.0: Angled sidewalls and a canted scoop promote crisp outlet passes to transition defense to offense.
- Epoch Hawk Sequel: The open sidewall design provides flexibility for executing clean, accurate clears.
Having a head optimized for ball movement is crucial for initiating the fast break after a save. Consider clearance and flexibility when selecting your next goalie head.
Best Lacrosse Goalie Heads for Faster Reaction Time
As a goalie, shaving mere seconds off your reaction time can be the difference between a save and a goal. Here are some top lacrosse goalie heads designed for lightning-quick reflexes:
- Maverik Rome NXT STOP: Its rigid design and wide throat give you superior ball-stopping capability for faster reactions.
- Brine King Superlight: The super-lightweight feel allows for quick stick movements and split-second shot blocks.
- Epoch Hawk Sequel: Open sidewalls with less framework enhance feel for the ball to react faster.
- STX Shield 303: Designed for beginners, it has a stiff wide throat to help new goalies react instantly.
- Warrior Nemesis 2: Hardened sidewalls and a canted scoop facilitate immediate saves from all angles.
The right head can give you the agile, responsive play needed to get a piece of shots you didn’t think were savable. Focus on reaction time when picking your next goalie head.
Lacrosse Goalie Heads for Excellent Ball Control
Having superior ball control as a goalie is imperative for making saves and initiating the transition game. Here are some top heads offering excellent feel and command of the ball:
- Brine King 5 Legacy: Its wider, flatter scoop improves cradling and accuracy for great ball control.
- Maverik Rome NXT STOP: Stiff sidewalls allow you to better direct rebounds where you want them to go.
- Warrior Nemesis 2: Hardened rails increase stability for wrangling tough shots with precision.
- STX Eclipse 2: Proven consistency and pinpoint redirection of saves make this a ball control workhorse.
- Epoch Hawk Sequel: Open sidewalls create responsiveness all over the head for commanding the ball’s movement.
Dialing in ball control takes repetition and experience. Choosing a head with superior command of ground balls and saves will only elevate your game.
Lightweight Lacrosse Goalie Heads
As a goalie, having a lightweight head is crucial for quick movements and reactions to shots. Here are some of the lightest heads on the market:
- Brine King Superlight: As the name suggests, this head was specially designed to be ultra lightweight.
- Maverik Rome Burn Pro: Its hybrid frame cuts down on material for decreased weight.
- STX Shield 100: Built for newer players, this beginner head shaves weight for easy maneuverability.
- Epoch Hawk Sequel: The open sidewall creates a lightly-constructed frame to move faster.
- Warrior Nemesis 2.0: Re-engineered to remove unnecessary mass from the throat and sidewalls.
Shaving precious ounces off your goalie head allows for quicker stick movements and elevated agility in the crease. Be mindful of head weight when looking for your next goalie lacrosse head.
Lacrosse Goalie Heads for Accurate Passing
As a goalie, quickly moving the ball in transition relies on accurate outlet passes. Here are some top heads for precision passing:
- Maverik Rome Burn Pro: The hybrid stiff and flexible sidewalls provide great feel for dialing in passes.
- Brine King Superlight: Its wider scoop lets you cradle cleanly for consistent feeds upfield.
- Epoch Hawk Sequel: Open sidewalls give you a responsive sweet spot for nailing feeds anywhere on the field.
- Warrior Nemesis 2.0: Angled sidewalls promote clean releases for hitting cutting midfielders in stride.
- STX Shield 100: Designed for new players, it has some flex to sharpen passing accuracy for beginners.
Nailing passes upfield takes repetition and experience. Having a head optimized for ball control and crisp releases will only enhance your precision.
Goalie Heads for Increased Saves
As a goalie, your top priority is stopping shots. Here are some lacrosse heads designed to boost your save percentage:
- Maverik Rome NXT STOP: Its extra wide flare helps increase saves from perimeter shots.
- Warrior Nemesis 2: Hardened sidewalls and a canted scoop funnel shots right into your stick.
- STX Eclipse 2: A consistent workhorse head with proven reliability to wrangle tough shots.
- Epoch Hawk Sequel: The open sidewall provides flexibility to get a piece of shots from awkward angles.
- Brine King Superlight: Super lightweight for lightning fast reactions to get to more shots.
While technique is crucial, having a head with excellent ball-stopping capabilities can increase your save rate. Consider wider throats and stiffness when picking your next goalie head.
Customizable Lacrosse Goalie Heads
Having the ability to customize your lacrosse goalie head is crucial for optimizing performance. Here are some of the most customizable heads on the market:
- Maverik Rome NXT STOP: Its Strung by Matrix system lets you dictate the top stringing for personalized pocket placement.
- Epoch Hawk Sequel: Open sidewalls allow for creative stringing adjustments and pocket patterns.
- Warrior Nemesis 2: A railed sidewall offers multiple stringing holes for customized pocket tuning.
- Brine King Superlight: The traditional open design facilitates intricate pocket stringing configurations.
- STX Shield 303: Designed for beginners but allows for tweaked stringing as skills progress.
Being able to tweak pocket placement, whip, hold, and channel can make a big difference in your on-field performance. Seek out goalie heads offering versatile stringing options.
Top Brands for Lacrosse Goalie Heads
When selecting a new lacrosse goalie head, you can’t go wrong with these top brands known for quality and performance:
- Maverik: Consistently produces goalie heads with excellent ball control, like the Rome NXT STOP and Rome Burn Pro.
- STX: Trusted for rugged reliability, STX goalie heads like the Shield and Eclipse are built to last.
- Warrior: The Nemesis line offers wider heads ideal for beginners along with advanced options.
- Brine: Known for heads with accurate passing, such as the King legacy line.
- Epoch: Open sidewall heads like the Hawk Sequel provide flexibility and quickness.
- Gait: The Gait Reverie and Ice line bring affordability without sacrificing key features.
While personal preference plays a role, leaning on industry leaders like Maverik, STX, Warrior, and Brine is a safe bet for getting a well-constructed head.
How to String and Maintain Your Lacrosse Goalie Head
Stringing and caring for your lacrosse goalie head properly is key to optimizing its performance and longevity. Here are some tips:
- Use quality mesh for maximum ball control and hold. Hard meshes like Marc Mesh or HeroMesh are ideal for goalies.
- Focus on a mid to high pocket placement for the quickest ball-stopping capability.
- Use a U-shaped tie at the bottom of the head for extra hold.
- Wax mesh regularly to maintain optimal water resistance and ball control.
- Check sidewall strings after each use for looseness or damage. Re-string as needed.
- Use leather conditioner on leather laces occasionally to prevent fraying.
- Clean heads with warm water and mild detergent to prevent residue buildup.
- Store heads out of direct sunlight and extreme weather to prevent warping.
With the right stringing and proper maintenance, your goalie head can deliver season after season of reliable performance in the crease.