The Best Pre Strung Lacrosse Heads to Improve Your Game in 2023

The Best Pre Strung Lacrosse Heads to Improve Your Game in 2023

Choose the Right Head Shape for Your Lacrosse Position

When selecting a pre-strung lacrosse head, one of the most important factors to consider is the head shape and how it aligns with your position on the field. As a midfielder, you’ll want a head with a wider scoop and rounded edges for quick handling and excellent ball control. Attackmen may prefer more narrowly-shaped heads with pointed scoops to provide extra whip on shots and pinpoint passing accuracy. For defenders, a wider head with a flat scoop is ideal for protecting the goal with checks and intercepting passes.

The shape of the sidewalls and scoop all impact the overall playing characteristics. A head with minimal offset and a gradual pinch down to the throat suits players who want more ball retention for dodging defenders. More dramatic offsets and faster pinches give you added velocity but compromise control somewhat. Think about if you value quick release shooting and passing or cradling through traffic more. An elite pre-strung head finds the right blend and allows some customization through pocket and stringing style.

Do some research online to learn which lacrosse head shapes are best suited for your position before buying one pre-strung. While you may sacrifice some options for personalization with a strung model, choosing one with an inherent shape advantaged for your role sets you up for success. An attackman using a defender head, for example, would be fighting against the design rather than working with it. Keep an open mind though – your style of play ultimately matters most.

Work with your coach to dial in the exact head shape that maximizes your on-field performance. Be specific about the ball handling traits you want to improve and your go-to moves that need the biggest boost. Whether you’re cradling past defenders or winding up on shot attempts, having the right head shape in a pre-strung version gets you started on the right footing.

Find the Proper Stiffness and Flex to Suit Your Lacrosse Needs

When evaluating pre-strung lacrosse heads, an important factor to consider is the stiffness and flex of the head frame. The amount of give in the plastic determines how the head moves on shots, passes, checks and ground balls. Finding the right flex for your playing style is crucial for maximizing performance.

In general, offensive players tend to prefer heads with more flex, while defenders need added stiffness. However, personal preference ultimately determines what feels best. Test out heads with subtle differences in deflection to see what works for you. For example, run a shooting drill with a rigid head and then switch to a more flexible one to compare accuracy and velocity.

More flexible lacrosse heads generate higher speeds by “whipping” more on shots and passes. This makes them ideal for offensive players looking to crank up their shooting power. The downside is potentially compromised ball control and shot precision. Excessive flexing can also reduce ball retention on cradles. Stiffer heads maintain their shape better through contact for consistent handling.

On defense, increased stiffness aids with poke checks, lifts and batted passes. Soft heads could inadvertently absorb some of the impact rather than dislodging the ball. Too much rigidity, however, hinders ground ball scooping and can lead to high-bouncing clearing passes.

Finding the right midpoint comes down to balancing your desire for ball speed vs. ball control. Think about if you’re willing to sacrifice some accuracy for added velocity on shots or if precision passing trumps power. Testing different pocket and shoot string set-ups can also impact the overall flex.

While pre-strung heads limit your stringing adjustments, brands engineer the flex and stiffness to work well with the default pocket. Be sure to choose a pocket type – mid, mid-low, low – that matches your playing preferences too. Dialing in the right head flexibility and pocket sets you up for lacrosse success.

Get a Lacrosse Head with an Aggressive Scoop for Quick Ground Balls

When evaluating pre-strung lacrosse heads, pay close attention to the scoop design. An aggressive scoop with optimal shaping helps you gain possession off ground balls faster for a key competitive edge.

The scoop refers to the top portion of the head that connects to the throat. On strung lacrosse heads, you’ll notice differences in the curvature, angle, pinching and flair of the scoop area. These subtle variations impact ground ball pickup speed and control.

For midfielders constantly battling for contested ground balls, an exaggerated scoop flair allows you to get under the ball quicker. The pronounced curvature essentially creates a mini pocket to cradle the ball on scoops. Opt for a scoop with angled edges to funnel ground balls into the head with less effort.

Attackmen also benefit from aggressive scoops when fighting for possession off passes down low that hit the turf. A downward scoop angle along with defined pinch points gives you the quickest diving ground ball grabs. Just maintain enough structure in the lower sidewalls for shot power.

For defenders, consider a straighter scoop with less definition. This makes lifting on ground balls simpler when trying to take it away from dodging offensive players. Too much flare can complicate punching the ball out on checks.

During your lacrosse gear research, examine head specs and images to compare scoop styles. While pocket type matters more for ball retention during play, those extra milliseconds faster to ground balls from the scoop design could make or break a game.

Be sure to test scooping ground balls with any new head to get a feel for the shape. An aggressive flare might take some adjustment if you’re used to more subtle scoops. Dialing in your preferred scoop style, especially on pre-strung heads, brings out your best play.

Pick Stringing That Matches Your Style of Lacrosse Play

When shopping for pre-strung lacrosse heads, an important factor to consider is how the default stringing matches your playing style and needs. The shooting strings, sidewall strings and overall pocket setup directly impact handling, control and ball release.

For offensive players who value quick passes and shots, a pre-strung head with a mid to mid-low pocket is ideal. This allows the ball to sit slightly lower in the head for added velocity and whip on releases. Make sure the pocket isn’t too deep though, as that can slow your passing and shooting.

The shooting strings are key for fine-tuning ball control and hold. A U-shaped nylon shooting string generally offers the best blend of hold and release. Straighter laces across the top of the pocket result in quicker passes but less security during cradling. V-shaped nylons increase hold but reduce speed.

Midfielders and attackmen who carry the ball more should select a pocket with adequate ball retention, requiring multiple points of contact with the head. More vertical and diagonal sidewall strings help hug the ball. Focus on the balance between security when carrying and fast releases.

For defenders, a mid to mid-high pocket allows for quicker pokes and dislodging during checks. You don’t need as much ball hold since you’ll be passing more than carrying and shooting. More widely spaced sidewall strings give you the fastest ball exits when intercepting passes.

Trying out various pocket setups by adjusting shooters and sidewall strings is ideal, but pre-strung heads provide a fixed configuration. Make sure to select stringing optimized for your playing style and lacrosse position from the start.

Evaluate Pocket Depth to Improve Cradling and Throwing

When selecting a pre-strung lacrosse head, pay close attention to the pocket depth and how it impacts cradling, throwing, catching and scooping. Finding the right depth for your position and playing style is key.

In general, offensive players benefit from deeper pockets for increased ball control while carrying and dodging defenders. A deeper pocket essentially cradles the ball for you, allowing you to focus on stickhandling rather than constantly adjusting the ball position. Just don’t go so deep that it slows your release.

For midfielders regularly carrying the ball upfield through traffic, a mid to mid-low pocket depth provides an ideal balance of hold and quick release. Attackmen can sometimes get away with slightly deeper pockets since they spend more time setting up shots behind the cage versus sprinting end to end.

On the flip side, shallow to mid-depth pockets allow for faster passing, catching and scooping. Defenders should optimize for quick ball exits when intercepting passes rather than ball retention during carries. Choose a strung head with a mid to mid-high pocket.

No matter your position, make sure to test out pockets of different depths to find your personal sweet spot. While adjusting the throw strings and sidewall strings on a self-strung head dial this in, pre-strung models have a fixed depth. Select a pre-strung configuration closest to your ideal spec.

During gameplay, pay attention to how quickly you can release from a cradle vs. how secure the ball feels. A perfectly threaded pass ending up in the dirt due to a shallow pocket won’t help your team. Finding the right balance takes experimentation and practice with different pocket depths.

Shop Pre Strung Heads for Consistent Lacrosse Stringing

One of the biggest benefits of purchasing pre-strung lacrosse heads is getting a consistently strung pocket ready for the field. While stringing your own head allows for more customization, pre-strung models provide reliable performance right out of the box.

Across most lacrosse brands, pre-strung heads feature meticulous stringing by experts focused on optimizing overall playability. The shooting strings, sidewall strings, and mesh are engineered to work together for ideal handling, control, and release based on head shape.

This consistency ensures the pocket breaks in evenly and maintains its shape over time. With DIY stringing, you risk uneven mesh and strings stretching at different rates, compromising your initial stringing effort. It takes plenty of stringing experience to get a self-strung pocket dialed in just right.

Pre-strung also saves you the time and hassle of learning to string a lacrosse head yourself. From getting the right mesh, to tying the sidewalls and interlocks, to threading the shooters, the process takes patience and precision. Unless you plan to string for others, buying pre-strung gives you more time to practice.

Of course, opting for an unstrung head allows you to customize the exact pocket shape, depth, shooting strings, and sidewall pattern you want. Pre-strung takes away some of that personalization in the name of out-of-box consistency and playability.

At the end of the day, choosing pre-strung lacrosse heads or DIY comes down to your specific needs and dedication to the stringing craft. If you just want to plug and play, go pre-strung. For tuning the details, learn to string your own.

Compare Lacrosse Brands Like Maverik, STX, and Warrior for Quality

When shopping for a pre-strung lacrosse head, comparing options across top brands like Maverik, STX, Warrior, and Brine allows you to assess quality and value. Each company brings its engineering and design philosophy to their lineup of heads.

Maverik emphasizes optimized shape and styling in their heads like the Tactik, Tank, and Optik. They leverage technology like Carbon Pro and Zyonc to build lightweight yet durable frames. For example, the Maverik Optik has an angular scoop and flexible sidewalls great for quick releases.

STX focuses on advanced materials in heads like the Stallion and Super Power. STX was one of the first brands to utilize lightweight alloys and composite materials back in the 1970s. The Stallion 1300 in particular has a stiff yet flexible feel due to the titanium frame and carbon composite overlay.

Warrior emphasizes aggressive shaping for enhanced ball control in many of their heads. Scoops like the one on the Burn have distinct flare and curvature to improve ground ball pickup. Warrior also offers a wide range of head shapes like the narrow, pointed Sequel S to the wider, rounded Exobralite.

Comparing heads across brands allows you to find the right blend of materials, construction quality, styling, stiffness, and stringing. Be sure to read product descriptions closely to understand what each company prioritizes. Weigh your preferences for lightweight vs. stiff, curved vs. angular, flexible vs. rigid, and more.

It’s a good rule of thumb to hold offerings from Maverik, STX, and Warrior side-by-side during your lacrosse gear research. Trying them out on the field takes things a step further. Dialing in the right head starts with making informed brand comparisons.

Read Lacrosse Head Reviews to Learn from Other Players’ Experiences

Reading lacrosse head reviews from other players is a valuable way to leverage first-hand experiences when buying a pre-strung model. Detailed reviews provide insights you can’t get from product specs alone.

Look for reviews that go in-depth on factors like overall head stiffness, flex, and scoop design. You’ll get a better sense for how the head moves, handles, and performs based on real gameplay. Things like the smoothness of passes or consistency of shooting can be hard to convey on paper.

See if reviews comment on how the fixed stringing affects ball control, retention, and release. Does the pre-strung pocket have adequate depth for cradling but allow fast passes and shots? How does it handle ground balls off the scoop? What about reliability after some usage and pocket break-in?

Check if reviews provide perspective on using the head for different positions like midfield, attack, or defense. Are certain heads better optimized for ball handling versus quick passing? You want context tailored to your specific needs on the field.

Look for any insights on drawbacks or downsides along with the benefits. Understanding shortcomings ahead of time prevents disappointments. Also ensure the reviews come from experienced lacrosse players rather than casual users.

At the end of the day, reading lacrosse head reviews gives you more informed buying confidence. You benefit from the trial and error of fellow players so you can make the best choice from the start. Leverage reviews for key purchasing insights when selecting your next pre-strung head.

Choose a Pre-Strung Head to Save Time and Effort

Opting for a pre-strung lacrosse head saves you substantial time and effort compared to stringing your own. While DIY stringing allows for complete customization, pre-strung models provide out-of-the-box playability in exchange for convenience.

Learning to string a lacrosse head takes patience and practice. From getting the sidewall and shooter strings tight yet evenly spaced, to achieving the ideal pocket shape, to breaking in the mesh just right, proper stringing requires precision and care.

Pre-strung heads remove the hassle of trying knots and interlocks until your hands are sore. They also prevent the inevitable frustration when you brainstorm some complex stringing technique only to have it fail miserably. No more redoing a crooked pocket from scratch multiple times.

With pre-strung, all you need to do is screw on the head and adjust the face angle to your stick. After verifying the pocket and shooters feel balanced, you can take it straight to the field. The time savings add up, giving you more hours to practice rather than obsess over stringing details.

The drawback is less ability to fine-tune the pocket specs to your exact preferences. But unless you plan to string sticks for teammates, the simplicity and convenience of pre-strung often wins out over minor personalization.

Evaluate if your desire for the perfect customized pocket outweighs the effort required. If optimizing every string is low priority, go pre-strung and get more time playing the game you love.

Ask Your Lacrosse Coach for Gear Recommendations

When selecting a new pre-strung lacrosse head, don’t overlook asking your coach for input and recommendations. Their on-field observations and equipment expertise can guide you to the ideal head for your needs and playing style.

Provide your coach with some context around what heads you’re considering and why. For example, mention if you want to improve ground ball scooping, passing accuracy, shot speed, or some other aspect of your game. The more context the better.

Ask them questions about shaft flexibility, head shape, scoop design, and stringing to prompt additional thoughts. You want to tap into their experience watching you play and coaching the sport versus just generic recommendations.

If possible, bring your top head choices for your coach to see and feel in person. They may notice subtle aspects of the materials, structure, and stringing that impact performance one way or another.

Make it a two-way conversation and listen closely to their evaluations. Be receptive even if it means reconsidering your original preferences. An outside expert perspective brings insights you can’t get from simply reading product descriptions.

Leverage your coach’s desire to put you in the best position to improve your skills and succeed on the field. While the final gear choice comes down to your needs and budget, make the most of your coach’s guidance during the selection process.

Get a Reputable Lacrosse Brand Known for Consistency

When buying a pre-strung lacrosse head, stick with reputable brands known for quality construction and consistent performance. Trusted names like STX, Maverik, Warrior, and Brine are safe bets.

Established lacrosse companies have engineered excellent head shapes over decades of design iterations. They utilize advanced yet proven materials like lightweight alloys and composites to optimize durability and handling.

These top brands also have the stringing expertise to pre-install pockets with ideal depth, shooting strings, and sidewall patterns. Their pockets break in evenly over time versus getting wonky and misshapen.

Reputable lacrosse brands thoroughly test heads using demanding playing conditions and impact tests. This ensures the head, scoop, and sidewalls can withstand checks and abuse. Badly constructed heads become wobbly and warped.

Known lacrosse brands also back their products with better warranties compared to generic manufacturers. You’ll have support if anything breaks or wears out prematurely. Budget brands tend to have little to no warranty coverage.

While lesser-known brands can offer deep discounts, consistency and quality are worth the few extra dollars. Your lacrosse head impacts every pass, catch, shot, and scuffle so it’s not worth the risk just to save a little money upfront.