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The 15 Best Lacrosse Heads for Midfielders in 2023

Opt For Mesh Strings if You Take a Lot of Outside Shots

When selecting the ideal lacrosse head for midfield play, one key factor to consider is the type of shooting strings you’ll use. Many elite-level midfielders prefer mesh shooting strings rather than the traditional leather, nylon or synthetic strings. Why is that? Mesh shooting strings provide a unique performance advantage for middies who like to move the ball downfield quickly and rip outside shots on cage.

The main benefit of mesh strings in your midfield stick is the added hold and control when carrying or passing the ball. The woven mesh material grips the ball better, allowing you to confidently cradle and maintain possession when dodging defenders upfield. The enhanced hold also gives you better command when moving into your shooting motion. You’ll have the ball locked in the pocket for superior ball control when you’re winding up for blistering shots on goal.

Mesh strings also provide a quick, effortless release when you shoot, creating more velocity and accuracy on your shots. The ball moves freely through the open woven pocket once you snap your wrists forward. This catapult effect adds serious speed as you follow through after the shot. Mesh gives you a smooth release for getting off lightning fast shots before a defender can react and close you down. Whether you like to wind up from the outside or dodge from X for a quick stick, mesh shooting strings optimize your shooting performance.

Many of the top midfield sticks designed specifically for high-level players will come strung with mesh by default. Brands like Maverik and STX use premium mesh like Mark 2F or Memory Mesh because they know the tremendous edge midfielders get from these customized shooting strings. As a middie who wants the best possible stick for scoring goals on the run, you should highly consider mesh strings as well. Dial in your pocket placement, stringing and shooting mechanics for maximum shooting accuracy.

Consider Stiff Sidewalls For Added Durability During Physical Play

Midfield is one of the most physically demanding positions in lacrosse. As a middie, you’re constantly involved in the play at both ends of the field, sprinting all over the place, contending for tough ground balls, absorbing checks and hits, and fighting through sticks and bodies to move the ball. That’s why when selecting a new lacrosse head, you want to seriously consider looking for stiff sidewall designs that will stand up to the rigors of midfield play.

Sturdy sidewall construction is crucial for a lacrosse head intended for midfielders. The sidewalls take a lot of abuse from all the contact, checks, and jostling that happens around the ball. A head with flimsy plastic sidewalls is likely to bend, warp, crack or get pushed in too easily from the rough midfield play. This can negatively impact the head’s ball retention and handling. Stiff sidewalls constructed from durable composite materials don’t give as much, maintaining the head’s shape and performance even when you take hard slashes and collide with defenders.

Composite sidewalls with added reinforcement in high stress areas offer the most ruggedness and protection. Many elite middie sticks feature sidewall designs with extra ribs, beams, trusses or rail reinforcements running vertically or diagonally along the sidewalls. This adds structural strength exactly where you need it most when leveraging checks, pushing off defenders, and grinding for ground balls in traffic. Brands like Warrior even have sidewall configurations with integrated carbon fiber for the ultimate in stiffness without extra weight.

You also want a stiff sidewall head to hold up during face-offs if you regularly take draws. The clamping force and jostling against the opposing midfielder puts tremendous strain on the sidewalls at the throat of the head. Composite sidewalls withstand this punishment without warping or losing their shape over time. Sturdy sidewalls also prove essential for long passes. You can confidently wind up and rip full checks and passes without the head twisting or deforming on release. Consider heads with reinforced sidewalls as a smart long-term investment, since they maintain their playability and performance much longer before breaking down. Your lacrosse stick is your most important piece of equipment as a midfielder, so get a head engineered for durability from the best materials. Stiff sidewall construction keeps you in the game no matter the intensity or physicality.

Pick a Design with Multiple Stringing Holes for Customizable Pocket Placement

One of the most important considerations when selecting a new lacrosse head for midfield is looking for a design with multiple top stringing holes. The versatility of numerous stringing options gives you maximum customization for dialing in your ideal pocket placement and whip. As a midfielder constantly on the move, you want complete control over where you position the pocket to match your handling preferences and playing style.

Nearly all modern lacrosse heads come with multiple sidewall holes, but some still only have a single top stringing hole. Heads with just one top string hole severely limit how you can string your pocket and where you can set the ball’s sweet spot. For midfielders who string their own sticks, you want the creative freedom to string traditional pockets, unique meshes, customized shooting strings or any type of placement to fit your needs. The more top stringing holes a head has, the more options you have for crafting your personalized pocket.

Many of today’s cutting edge middie head designs incorporate multiple top stringing holes with options for different diamond, triangle, or trapezoid stringing configurations. This allows you to shift the pocket higher up for increased hold or lower for a quicker release. You can string the pocket to sit tighter in the throat or set it wider up the head for more finesse moves. More holes means more possibilities for controlling pocket placement, channel width, and overall pocket shape.

You can also modify the pocket based on your specific position or role as a middie. For example, defensive midfielders may prefer a pocket placement higher up the head for greater ball retention when picking off passes or causing turnovers. Face-off middies might opt for a lower pocket placement at the throat of the head for added clamping power and control during draws. The versatility of multiple stringing holes allows any midfielder to optimize pocket performance.

Don’t settle for an outdated head with limited stringing options. Look for a head with at least three or more top string holes as well as a series of reinforced sidewall holes. This enables endless possibilities no matter your stringing skill level or preferred pocket type. Dialing in the optimal pocket placement might take some testing, but that customization makes all the difference in having the best lacrosse stick for excelling at the midfield position.

Select a Head Length Based on Your Style of Play and Stick Skills

When looking for the ideal lacrosse head for midfield play, one of the most important specifications to consider is the head length. Lacrosse heads come in a range of lengths from narrower “shortie” heads of 6 inches up to wider “big head” designs of 12+ inches. The length you choose depends heavily on your personal style of play, skill level, and overall preferences as a middie.

In general, shorter head lengths from 6 to 9 inches are best suited for midfielders focused on quick handling, precise passing, and finesse play. The narrower design allows for better ball control during tight cradling or ducking defenders. Shorter heads are also quicker to snap around for tight stick tricks, quick sticks passes, and rapid shots on goal. Many elite offensive midfielders favor shorter head lengths for maximizing their dodging, shooting, and passing efficiency in tight spaces.

On the other end of the spectrum, longer 10- to 12-inch lacrosse heads offer midfielders a larger sweet spot for catching inaccurate passes and scooping tough ground balls. The added width also helps with throwing advanced passes like behind-the-back or no-look passes. Longer heads with big pockets are ideal if you want to wind up and unleash powerful checks or bombs from long distance. The additional surface area increases your throwing leverage for these specialty throws.

Ultimately the right length comes down to balancing the control of a shorter head with the expanded catching and passing range of a longer head. Think about the level you play at, the types of throws you take most, and how you like maneuvering the ball around defenders. Try out heads across the full span of lengths to see what feels best for your game. Don’t forget you can also cut down a longer head to a more comfortable length once you settle on the ideal size. Selecting your head length is an important personal preference for every midfielder.

Opt For Mesh Strings if You Take a Lot of Outside Shots

Get a Head with an Open Sidewall for Cleaner Ball Handling

When evaluating lacrosse heads for midfield play, pay close attention to the sidewall configuration. Many of the top middie sticks feature an open sidewall design to maximize ball control and handling. Open sidewalls have a rail or truss structure that exposes more of the pocket and ball surface compared to heads with closed sidewalls.

The main advantage of open sidewalls is the increased visibility and contact you get with the ball. With a more exposed pocket, you can see and feel the ball better during cradling, which helps maintain cleaner possession. Seeing more ball surface also improves accuracy for quick stick passes, feed passes out of a dodge, and shooting on the run. You waste less motion or concentration on ball placement with an open sidewall setup.

In addition to visibility, the direct pocket access allows for smoother handling overall. When transitioning from cradling to passing or shooting, an open sidewall minimizes interference allowing you to initiate the motion faster. The ball moves with less disruption out of the pocket. Defenders also have a tougher time slapping at or dislodging the ball with open sidewalls protecting it.

Some midfielders prefer a partially closed sidewall for added ball retention during checks and hits. But for the quickest, cleanest handling, an open sidewall is ideal especially in combination with a soft mesh pocket. Work on protecting the stick more actively rather than relying on the head for ball security. Focus on tight elbows and cradling the pocket away from checks. Then take advantage of the superior handling from an open sidewall design.

Make Sure the Head is Legal for High School or College Level Play

As you search for the best lacrosse head for competitive midfield play, one key specification to confirm is that the head is legal according to high school or college rules. The NCAA and NFHS maintain specific guidelines and restrictions for legal lacrosse stick dimensions and construction. While these rules aim to uphold fairness and safety, they can also dictate which heads you can and cannot use as a middie at each level of play.

For NCAA men’s lacrosse, midfield sticks must have a head length within 6 to 10 inches. Pocket depth cannot exceed 3 inches, and the top of the ball must sit above the bottom of the sidewall when placed in the head. Goalies have different allowances. You’ll also see specialized face-off heads that maximize clamping at the legal 10-inch maximum length. For women’s NCAA play, heads must be between 7 and 9 inches long with shallow pocket requirements.

High school rules through NFHS closely align to the college level requirements. The permitted lengths, shooting string configurations, and pocket depths help ensure heads meet safety expectations and don’t give an unfair throwing or shooting advantage. Even youth leagues typically adopt the high school head dimensions for consistency.

Before purchasing a new lacrosse head, double check that it satisfies the rules for your current level of play. Many specialized heads for midfield play right at the maximum length limits so always confirm legality. Having a stick that exceeds dimensional limits or fails a pocket depth test can mean getting pulled from the field, which you want to avoid at all costs. Select from the many head options compliant for high school and college athletes.

For Fogos, Get a Stiff Head Optimized for Accurate Faceoff Play

If you regularly take faceoffs as a specialized FOGO middie, your choice of lacrosse head is especially important. Look for heads engineered specifically for dominant, accurate faceoff performance. Ideal FOGO heads optimize clamping power, ground ball scooping, and off-faceoff passing or shooting.

Due to the brutal physicality of faceoffs, stiffness is a top priority in a FOGO middie head. Heads made with high-grade composites or reinforced sidewalls maintain their structure through all the clamping, twisting, and grinding. A head that warps or deforms easily gives you a disadvantage on draws. Composite materials like Carbon ProTM and TriaxTM give you the ruggedness needed for tons of faceoffs.

The head shape also matters when selecting a stick for faceoff dominance. Wider heads provide more surface area for maximizing clamp. A tapered design pull the walls in near the scoop, which focuses clamping power directly on the ball. FOGOs also favor heads with a rounded scoop to hug ground balls for quick pickup after the draw.

Once you gain possession off the faceoff, your head needs to provide superior handling for immediately going on the offensive. An open sidewall gives cleaner off-faceoff passing to teammates or shooting on goal. The right faceoff middie head gives you everything needed – elite clamping, ground ball control, and off-draw accuracy.

Don’t try taking draw after draw with a regular midfielder stick. Get a lacrosse head engineered with FOGOs in mind. Master faceoff technicians deserve the best technology and materials for staying dominant on draws. owning the clamp game against your opponents.

Choose Strategic Face Shapes Like Tapered for Quicker Release Passes

The face shape of your lacrosse head can make a noticeable difference in passing and shooting performance. As a midfielder constantly moving the ball around the field, consider selecting a head with an engineered face shape designed for quick, accurate passes and shots.

One of the most effective face shapes for midfielders is a tapered configuration that narrows toward the throat of the head. This taper focuses the flexible part of the head into a smaller sweet spot for crisp release passes. When you snap your wrists on a pass, the taper gives you more response and aim for hitting cutters in stride.

Tapered heads center the flexible shooting area right in the throat of the stick for lightning fast shots. You get max ball control and tight channeling of energy transfer on shots. The compact flex zone generates higher ball speeds. Maverik heads like the Tactik and Kinetik typify the tapered shape for deadly accurate passes and blistering outside rip shots.

Wider head shapes can offer some benefits depending on your passing style and mechanics. But for most midfielders, a tapered design provides the best performance advantage for getting rid of the ball quickly. The ball moves effortlessly out of a tapered head right off your fingers. Make every pass or shot crisper off a tapered face shape.

Testing out heads with different face shape zones can help you find the right configuration for your game. Think about what kind of passer you are and how you like to catch and release the ball. Dial in an engineered face shape like tapered to elevate the quickness and accuracy demanded at the midfield position.

Find a Balanced Head that Complements Your Shaft Flex and Weight

When putting together the ideal lacrosse stick, it’s important to look at how the head and shaft complement each other. As a midfielder, you want a balanced setup where the flex profile and weight distribution between the shaft and head work in harmony.

Today’s shafts offer a range of flex options from stiff to more forgiving flex. If you use a stiffer, less whippy shaft, pair it with a head engineered to be more responsive. This combines rigidity and control in the shaft with quick passing/shooting from the head. If your shaft has more flex, choose a stiffer head to offset it. This blends the feel and damping of a flexible shaft with superior ball retention and accuracy from the head.

Weight is another consideration for balance. Lightweight carbon fiber and composite shafts shed ounces to prevent wearing down middies over a full game. You may want a slightly heavier head on a featherlight pole to provide stability during passes, fakes, and shots. Play around with different weight pairings to find your optimal balance and feel.

You don’t need the exact same shaft and head from a single brand – mix and match for your own custom blend of performance, weight, and control. Think about your current shaft and then test different heads to get the right symbiotic relationship between both sections of your stick. A balanced setup tailored to your preferences makes all the difference as a dominant midfield force.

Read Reviews and Watch Videos to See Heads in Action Before Buying

With so many midfield lacrosse head options available, it’s hard to know where to start or which one will work best for your game. Before purchasing a new head, take advantage of online reviews and videos to see different heads in action. Watching and reading about heads can provide key insights to inform your buying decision.

Detailed video reviews on YouTube and lacrosse sites let you see how a head moves, handles, and releases from different camera angles. While you can’t feel the stick, you’ll get a visual sense of the stiffnes, pocket shape, release, and overall throwing motion. Useful video reviews also demonstrate specific features like sidewall designs, face shape zones, and shooting strings.

Written evaluations and opinions from middies who’ve tested a head are also extremely valuable pre-purchase research. Experienced midfielders can describe the tangible performance benefits or drawbacks they noticed during play. You’ll get insider impressions on factors like ball retention, ground ball pickup, durability, and passing or shooting feel that you can’t glean from product photos or descriptions.

Aggregating feedback and input from video reviews and written assessments provides the complete picture needed to determine if a midfield head could improve your game. Get insights from those who’ve already put heads through the wringer before you spend money and time stringing one up. Doing your due diligence saves you from buyer’s remorse and helps identify your next gamer.