The Maverik Ascent Lacrosse Stick Review

The Maverik Ascent Lacrosse Stick Review

Designed with Beginners in Mind

One of the standout features of the Maverik Ascent lacrosse stick is that it is designed specifically with beginner players in mind. Maverik engineered this stick to make it easy for new players to develop their skills and get comfortable handling the ball. The head shape and wider scoop area make it simpler for novice players to scoop ground balls. Additionally, the Ascent comes factory strung with a beginner-friendly mesh pocket. This pre-strung pocket provides decent ball control and handling right out of the box, without requiring a complicated stringing job. For youth or junior players just starting out in lacrosse, having a stick with an already broken-in pocket helps them focus on developing proper throwing, catching, and shooting mechanics without worrying about stringing intricacies. The shape and design of the Ascent’s head and pocket also promote quick and accurate passes, another plus for nascent players. With its beginner-tailored design features, the Ascent allows new lacrosse athletes to gain competency and confidence on the field as they learn the sport’s fundamental skills.

Easy Stringing for Customization

While the Maverik Ascent comes pre-strung from the factory, one of its benefits is that it is also easy for players to re-string the pocket themselves and customize it to their preferences. The Ascent’s head design and stringing holes are structured to facilitate straightforward re-stringing without requiring advanced stringing expertise. For beginners who want to learn how to string their own sticks, the Ascent provides a perfect platform to practice on. Its wider channels and evenly spaced sidewall holes create ample stringing real estate for weaving various pocket patterns. Players can experiment with different types of mesh, nylon, and leathers to find their optimal pocket feel and ball control. More advanced players can also tweak the Ascent’s pocket to match their playing style, whether that be crafting a quicker release channel for faster passing, or a deeper pocket for improved ball retention while cradling. Maverik designed the Ascent with stringing flexibility in mind, making it an ideal stick for beginners to develop stringing skills on while also allowing room for customization as they progress. The accessibility of being able to re-string the pocket yourself grants players more autonomy in crafting their stick to enhance their individual performance. In a sport like lacrosse that relies on unique stick handling techniques, having the ability to easily customize stringing goes a long way in helping athletes hone their skills and reach their full potential on the field.

Durable yet Affordable Price Point

When shopping for lacrosse gear, especially if you are a beginner or buying equipment for youth players, you want sticks that are affordable yet also durable enough to withstand regular play. The Maverik Ascent lacrosse stick hits that sweet spot between price and performance. It is designed to be an entry-level stick with a budget-friendly price tag, making the sport more accessible for new players who don’t want to break the bank buying their first stick. However, just because the Ascent is reasonably priced does not mean Maverik compromised on quality or durability. The head is constructed from strong and sturdy plastic that can hold up to wear and tear from practices and games. It also features an alloy shaft that is lightweight yet stiff enough for good handling. The materials are not so expensive that the price gets driven up, but they still allow the Ascent to deliver responsive performance game after game. For parents buying their child a first stick or adult players new to lacrosse, the Ascent provides that ideal intersection between affordability and lasting durability. Its economical price point allows developing lacrosse athletes to invest in a stick that will hold up for an entire season or more, even with frequent use. So while the Ascent is designed for beginners, it is built to be an instrument that can continue to be reliable as those novice players improve their skills over time and many seasons on the field.

Comfortable Grip and Overall Feel

Finding the right lacrosse stick that feels good in your hands is crucial for optimal performance. An uncomfortable grip or poor stick handling can throw off your fundamentals and negatively impact your playing abilities. The Maverik Ascent is designed with ergonomics and overall feel in mind, allowing developing players to focus on their skills rather than an awkward stick feel. The alloy shaft has a textured grip that provides stability when cradling and shooting. Its light weight also reduces hand and arm fatigue, especially for younger players who are just building strength and endurance. The shaft flex and stiffness strike the right balance for precise control without feeling rigid or unwieldy. The head’s scoop and wider channels allow for easy ground ball pickups, so players can concentrate on quick scooping technique rather than fighting the equipment. The Ascent comes factory strung with a beginner pocket that breaks in quickly and offers decent ball control right off the bat. Together, the full package provides a smooth feel across cradling, passing, catching, and shooting. When first learning lacrosse fundamentals, having a stick with comfortable ergonomics allows you to develop skills with proper form rather than compensating for uncomfortable equipment. The Ascent’s carefully engineered design elements remove obstructions so players can focus on their technique. With a grip, flex, weight, and pocket designed for optimal control, the Ascent gets top marks for its overall feel, balance, and playability.

Decent Ball Control and Handling

One of the most important features of any lacrosse stick is its ability to cradle and control the ball. Without solid ball handling skills, it becomes difficult to complete fundamentals like scooping, passing, catching, and shooting. The Maverik Ascent lacrosse stick provides decent ball control right out of the packaging, especially for beginner players. The head comes pre-strung with a mesh pocket that has some structure but also breaks in quickly. The pocket materials help the ball sit more securely in the stick, allowing young players to focus on tight cradling techniques. The Ascent’s wider head and scoop also make it easier to scoop ground balls on the run. Once the ball is in the pocket, the initial factory stringing helps dampen the ball’s movement for better handling. As players break in the pocket even more with use, they can develop the ball retention and quick release needed for crisp passing and catching. While more advanced players may ultimately want to customize the pocket to suit their preference, the Ascent’s stock stringing provides a solid starting point in terms of fundamental ball control. The pocket allows beginners to hone early stick skills like scooping, cradling, and passing without having to string their own elaborate pocket first. With its pre-strung pocket designed for decent ball handling, the Ascent lets new players concentrate on improving the motor skills that will serve as the foundation for long-term lacrosse mastery.

Durable Head and Shaft Construction

Having lacrosse gear that can withstand the rigors of practice and games is important, especially for developing players who will log many hours with their sticks over multiple seasons. The Maverik Ascent is designed not only for beginners, but also with durability in mind to handle frequent use. The head is made from a sturdy plastic compound engineered to resist cracking or warping even after taking checks or getting knocked around. It maintains its structure and shape over time rather than deforming or bending with use. The Ascent’s alloy shaft is also built survive the impacts from competitive play. It has a lightweight yet stiff construction that offers the right flex without bending or denting easily. By using these more durable materials for the shaft and head, Maverik ensured the Ascent can serve young players well from season to season, even as they become stronger athletes. The pocket stringing is also designed with longevity in mind. The Ascent comes with a mesh runner pre-strung in a way that resists premature fraying or becoming too baggy with use. This ensures the pocket maintains decent ball control and does not need re-stringing too quickly. From its sturdy head to its well-strung pocket, the Ascent is constructed with the demands of youth lacrosse in mind. Its durability empowers developing players to put in the hours of stick work needed to improve without concern over equipment failure. With its hardy construction, the Ascent is designed to be an instrument of skills mastery over the long haul.

Ideal for Youth and Junior Players

When kids and teens are just learning the sport of lacrosse, using equipment designed for their age and skill level can make a big difference in their development. The Maverik Ascent lacrosse stick is optimized for youth and junior players who are getting started. The head size meets requirements for most junior leagues, providing a responsive sweet spot without being too large and cumbersome. The alloy shaft comes in a 30-inch length that is ideal for young players who are still growing. It gives them room to develop good fundamentals without an overly long stick slowing them down. The grip is designed to fit younger hands and the overall weight is tailored not to tire out youth arms and shoulders. Maverik also optimized the Ascent’s stringing and pocket for beginners. The wider pocket and mid-level ball retention help young players gain confidence in cradling and control. As their skills progress, the head’s stringing holes allow room for re-stringing a deeper pocket preferred by more advanced players. From its measurements to its materials to its stringing, the Ascent is thoughtfully constructed with novice youth and teen players in mind. Using age-appropriate gear allows young athletes to build skills efficiently rather than struggling with adult equipment that does not match their physicality. For parents looking to buy their child a first lacrosse stick, the Ascent’s junior-focused design provides an ideal platform for fostering lifelong skills and passion for the sport.

Comes Strung with Mesh Pocket

One advantage of the Maverik Ascent for new lacrosse players is that it comes pre-strung with a mesh pocket right out of the packaging. For beginners still learning about stringing and pocket preferences, starting out with a professionally strung stick helps them spend more time honing fundamentals. The Ascent’s factory mesh pocket provides decent ball control without requiring novice players to string their own complex pocket first. Mesh also tends to be more durable and weather-resistant than traditional leathers or nylons, making it a good choice for young players who will log many hours outdoors with their sticks. The pocket materials on the Ascent form a balanced mid-level pocket that cradles the ball well but also has enough give for developing quick release skills. As players’ abilities progress, the mesh runner allows them to tweak the pocket by adjusting the shooters, V-strings, and sidewall pattern. But to start, the preset mesh pocket gives new athletes one less thing to worry about so they can concentrate on building sound throwing, catching, and scooping technique. Ultimately, players can replace the mesh with leathers or nylons if they choose as their stringing skills advance. But for most beginners, having a pre-strung mesh pocket right out of the box allows them to spend more time mastering lacrosse’s fundamental stick skills rather than struggling with stringing challenges above their experience level.

Holds Ball Securely in Pocket

A lacrosse stick that fails to securely cradle and control the ball can quickly frustrate developing players and hinder their skills progression. The Maverik Ascent comes ready to play out of the box with a factory-strung pocket designed to hold the ball well, especially for beginners. The mid-level pocket has a balanced depth that helps the ball sit snugly inside during cradling and motion. This prevents the ball from bouncing around or dislodging prematurely as younger players learn to run with the stick. The mesh runner helps grip the ball compared to slick nylons, providing friction that keeps the ball in place. Shooters and sidewall strings also give structure that maintains pocket integrity as players whip the stick around and during checks or bumps. Yet the pocket still has enough give to allow smoother passing and release. As players’ abilities improve, they can tweak the pocket to fine-tune ball retention and throw. But to start, the Ascent’s decent stock pocket does the job of stabilizing the ball as beginners develop fundamental stick skills. Rather than needing to meticulously string their own pocket right off the bat, new players can enjoy secure ball control from their first time stepping on the field. Knowing the ball will stay cradled in the Ascent’s pocket allows beginners to build confidence and focus on proper throwing and catching technique without constant fear of dropping passes.

Allows for Quick and Accurate Passing

Being able to execute quick, accurate passes is one of the most vital skills in lacrosse. The Maverik Ascent lacrosse stick is designed to help developing players master passing fundamentals. The head comes pre-strung with a mesh pocket that provides decent ball control for new players without sacrificing throwing speed. The mid-level pocket depth helps cradle the ball securely during motion while still allowing enough movement for fast release. Shooters and sidewalls give just enough structure to keep the ball stable without overly restricting pass velocity. The wider throat also makes it easier for beginners to control the ball on passes and develop swift throws. As players’ hands strengthen and passing expertise improves, they can tweak the pocket to fine-tune ball retention and passing finesse. But right off the shelf, the Ascent’s pocket facilitates quick yet controlled passing. Beyond stringing, the Ascent’s alloy shaft and scoop are also optimized for passing. The shaft gives just the right flex for snappy throws while the wider scoop allows for easier ground ball pickup for transitional passes. With its pre-strung pocket and passing-focused engineering, the Ascent empowers developing players to sharpen their passing accuracy and power. Quick, precise passing is impossible without control of the ball. The Ascent gives beginners that control so they can dedicate training to passing mechanics and ultimately execute seamless passes on the move.

Promotes Accurate Shooting

Along with mastering passing, developing proficient shooting skills is a key pillar of lacrosse mastery. The Maverik Ascent stick provides beginners with a head and pocket designed for accurate shooting. The Ascent’s mid-level factory stringing helps new players control the ball in the pocket while positioning for a shot. This allows them to focus on proper shooting form rather than trying to manipulate a pocket that is too shallow, too deep, or lacks adequate ball retention. The pocket’s balanced depth cradles the ball well during the wind up while still allowing clean release on shots. Its ample width also gives beginners a large sweet spot for catching feeds in position to shoot quickly before defenders close in. Once receiving passes, the Ascent’s alloy shaft has the right stiffness and flex to add velocity on shots without compromising control and accuracy. As shooting strength and technique improves, players can tweak the pocket shape and shooting strings to preference. But out of the box, the Ascent gives developing shooters the ball control, release, and shaft responsiveness needed to dial in their shooting fundamentals. Accurate shooting requires mastery of footwork, body positioning, release timing and follow through. The Ascent’s design removes ball handling obstacles so beginners can dedicate training to refining proper shooting mechanics. By promoting control and quick-release, the Ascent helps new players gain shooting confidence early on in their lacrosse journey.

Smooth Transition to Advanced Sticks

As lacrosse players improve and progress to higher levels of competition, upgrading gear to match advanced skill sets is part of the process. The Maverik Ascent is an excellent stick for beginners looking for equipment that will facilitate smooth transition to elite sticks down the road. Although designed for entry-level players, the Ascent has many features that mimic top-tier sticks preferred by experienced athletes. The head is made from durable high-grade plastic rather than cheaper materials that intermediate players will quickly outgrow. Its stringing holes and shooting strings allow pocket customization options found in pro sticks. The alloy shaft provides the lightweight responsiveness needed for precise stick work at all levels. Additionally, the Ascent meets most regulation requirements for youth leagues as well as high school and college. This ensures it will remain legal gear even as players grow and advance. While tailored for beginners now, the Ascent’s quality construction and customizable elements mean it is built to remain relevant. Players who master fundamentals with the Ascent will appreciate the consistent feel when they ultimately upgrade to higher-end composite or titanium sticks . The Ascent allows developing players to progress smoothly up the ladder without having to learn brand new equipment traits and quirks at each step. Its familiar high-performance design will ease transition from a beginner stick to the elite sticks used by lacrosse’s top athletes.

Meets NCAA and NFHS Standards

When purchasing lacrosse gear, it’s important to ensure your stick will be legal for organized competition as skills progress. The Maverik Ascent is constructed to comply with key lacrosse governing body regulations. It meets stringent NCAA stick standards regarding dimensions, materials, and pocket depth. This allows developing high school players to use the Ascent confidently knowing it will still be permitted if making varsity teams down the road. The head and pocket also adhere to National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules. Again, junior players can feel assured they won’t have to scramble for new gear if called up to higher level teams with different equipment standards. The Ascent is legal even for elite college competition. Since many youth and high school programs now mandate only NCAA and NFHS approved gear, the Ascent has players covered as they advance. Its certification by key lacrosse regulatory organizations means players can focus on improving abilities without stress over potential enforcement issues. While designed for beginners, Maverik engineered the Ascent understanding developing players need sticks that will aid long-term progression. Its compliance with NCAA and NFHS regulations ensures the Ascent remains legal equipment all the way up the ladder as young athletes reach new heights in the sport.

Good Value Beginner Stick Pick

When selecting your first lacrosse stick, finding one that provides quality and durability at an affordable price point is ideal. The Maverik Ascent delivers that sweet spot intersection between value and performance for developing players. It combines specialized beginner-friendly features with sturdy construction built to last through seasons of use. The price tag makes it one of the more budget-friendly stick options on the market, especially for a head and shaft combo. Yet Maverik didn’t sacrifice on materials or quality control just to hit a lower price. The Ascent’s head, shaft, and pocket should provide seasons worth of play. Beginners don’t have to be anxious over breaking a cheap stick or outgrowing flimsy gear too quickly. For parents buying a stick for their growing child, the Ascent’s value proposition means you won’t have to replace it after one season because it couldn’t withstand youth play. Lacrosse gear can require significant investment as skills progress. So starting out with the Ascent helps keep costs low while still equipping new players with performance attributes not found in most true budget sticks. Few hobbies engender more passion and dedication than lacrosse. With its blend of quality and value, the Ascent allows developing players to reap the rewards of that passion without breaking the bank as they hone their skills over time.

Good Beginner’s Stick for Skill Development

When first learning lacrosse, using equipment tailored for your skill level can make a big difference in efficiently developing fundamentals. The Maverik Ascent lacrosse stick provides an excellent beginner’s platform for honing the stick work, cradling, scooping, passing, catching, and shooting abilities needed to excel. Its wider head and pre-strung pocket are designed to give new players sufficient ball control and handling to build confidence early on. The shaft length and flex suit youth and small-framed players still gaining strength and motor skills. Durable construction withstands frequent use by developing athletes who will log many hours with sticks over multiple seasons. A budget-friendly price point allows beginners to invest in a quality stick without overspending on elite-level gear too advanced for their current needs. With its specialized blend of playability, durability, and value aimed at novice players, the Ascent supports skill progression season after season. Once athletes master fundamentals and are ready to elevate their game, the Ascent’s high-grade materials and customizable features ensure a smooth transition to elite sticks. For any player just starting their lacrosse journey, having age and skill-appropriate equipment can make or break both enjoyment of the sport and advancement. The Maverik Ascent allows beginners to hit the field running with a stick engineered specifically to help them create a solid foundation for long-term excellence.