The Nike CEO Lacrosse Head An Inside Look

The Nike CEO Lacrosse Head An Inside Look

Overview of the Nike CEO Lacrosse Head and its Innovative Features

The Nike CEO lacrosse head has quickly become one of the most popular heads on the market due to its unique and innovative design features. As the flagship lacrosse head from athletic giant Nike, the CEO was engineered with input from elite players to offer unmatched ball control, quick releases, and durability. So what exactly makes this head stand out?

One of the CEO head’s key features is its lightweight yet stiff construction. Nike designed the head using a special composite plastic formula to optimize the strength-to-weight ratio. At just 5 ounces strung, the CEO delivers high-performance handling without weighing down an attackman’s stick. The head’s sturdy sidewalls and scoop also give it excellent durability for withstanding checks.

Additionally, the CEO’s sidewall design allows for deeper pocket stringing and unique throwing channels for extra whip on passes and shots. Precision-placed stringing holes give stringers ample flexibility to customize the head’s pocket placement and shooting pocket depth. Faceoff specialists in particular praise the CEO for its capabilities to achieve the ideal balance of ball retention and quick release on draws.

While innovative in its engineering, the CEO also retains a classic, curved shape reminiscent of the iconic Lakota and Proton heads of the early 2000s. This familiar shape resonates with lacrosse traditionalists while offering next-level performance.

Overall, the CEO lacrosse head lives up to its name as the flagship model from the world’s largest sports brand. With game-changing features backed by Nike’s premium brand image, the CEO has cemented itself as a top choice for elite high school, college, and professional players across positions. Its unique blend of tradition and innovation explain why it has so quickly become a must-have head for lacrosse’s biggest stars.

The CEO Head’s Lightweight yet Durable Construction

One of the standout features of the Nike CEO that makes it such a popular choice is its remarkably lightweight yet highly durable construction. Weighing in at around 5 ounces strung, the CEO is one of the lightest heads in lacrosse. However, don’t let its feather-like weight fool you – this head is built to withstand all the wear and tear that the game’s fastest sport can dish out.

The secret behind this impressive strength-to-weight ratio lies in the materials and molding process used to construct the CEO head. Nike engineers selected a proprietary composite polymer plastic blend designed to optimize the balance between stiffness and flexibility. This space-age material provides the low weight required for quick stops, starts, and releases, while retaining the rugged durability needed to absorb checks. The plastic formula is then injection molded into Nike’s signature shape, allowing for precise control over the head’s structure.

In particular, the CEO utilizes thicker, bonier sidewalls compared to many competitors’ heads. This rigid sidewall construction gives added stability for increased ball control and handling. During playtesting by Nike athletes, these stiff sidewalls greatly improved shot consistency and passing accuracy. The sidewalls also play a key role in keeping the head intact through slash and poke checks. While some carbon fiber heads like the Maverik Tactik 2.0 have more “give”, the CEO’s sidewalls offer superior ball control and handling.

Don’t think the CEO compromises on ground ball pickup ability in pursuit of stiffness though. The head’s scoop features an elaborate segmented design for shedding dirt and debris when scooping up ground balls. Combined with its light weight, the CEO’s scoop makes winning loose balls a breeze. After months of heavy usage, the scoop retains its precise shape and popping ability thanks to the head’s durable construction.

In the end, Nike manages to achieve the impossible with the CEO’s construction – delivering both feather-like handling quickness and rugged durability. This potent blend of light weight and unmatched strength explains why you’ll see the CEO performing at the top levels of lacrosse for seasons to come. The CEO sets a new benchmark for elite head construction and performance that competitors will struggle to match.

Strategic Stringing Holes for Custom Pocket Options

One of the areas where the Nike CEO lacrosse head really stands out from the competition is in its stringing flexibility. The head incorporates strategic stringing holes and sidewall designs to provide players and stringers endless options for creating their ideal pocket and tune the head to their exact playing style.

Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach to stringing like some heads, the CEO utilizes precision placement of triangular nylon runners and stringing holes. Nike designers extensively playtested multiple stringing configurations to determine optimal stringing angles and layouts. The result is a head that gives stringers ample room for creativity in placing shooters, developing pocket depth, and tuning whip.

In particular, the CEO allows you to string incredibly deep pockets, making it a top choice for Canadian box players making the transition to field lacrosse. By threading the shooters deep into the lower sidewall holes, you can achieve the increased ball hold that box players love while still maintaining quick release capabilities critical for field play. Faceoff specialists praise the CEO for enabling exceptionally deep pockets that cradle the ball on draws while still allowing for fast clamp and release motions.

Midfielders and attackmen also love the CEO for its customization. Whether you prefer a mid-high pocket for carrying the rock downfield or a flat, low pocket for ripping shots, the CEO can accommodate your preferences. The nylon runners allow for adjusting shooting channel widths and whip to fine tune shot speed, accuracy, and mechanics. By intertwining shooters in various sidewall holes, you can lower pockets gradually for precise tuning.

Nike leaves no stone unturned in ensuring the CEO offers the greatest stringing versatility on the market. From traditional mid pockets to deep, Canadian-style ball holders, the head adapts to any stringing style you can envision. With endless adjustments at your fingertips, you’re guaranteed to achieve your ideal pocket setup with the CEO.

Ideal Scoop Design for Quick Ground Ball Pickups

In the competitive world of lacrosse, ground balls are a precious commodity. Winning loose ball battles can make or break a team’s success. That’s why having a lacrosse head with an excellent scoop design is so critical for coming up with ground balls consistently.

The Nike CEO lacrosse head delivers in this regard with its meticulously engineered scoop optimizing ground ball pickup ability. At quick glance, the CEO’s scoop features an elaborate shape with angular segments and pronounced edges. This is no accident – Nike designed the scoop for maximum ball-grabbing efficiency.

During ground ball simulator testing, Nike engineers analyzed the best scoop shapes and segments for quickly picking up rolling and settling balls with minimum effort. They playtested various angles and edge designs to determine the optimal effectiveness. The result is the CEO’s uniquely shaped scoop that almost peels balls off the turf into the pocket.

The CEO excels at quickly trapping and containing ground balls before they can continue rolling away from you. Its segmented angles act like barriers that surround and corral loose balls with little extra movement. Once in your stick, the ball finds it difficult to bounce out thanks to the scoop’s steep walls.

Having a great ground ball scoop also requires the right balance of flex and stiffness. Too much flex and the scoop folds easily on contact, letting balls slip away. Overly stiff scoops feel rigid scraping the turf. The CEO’s composite material provides the ideal flex to gobble up grounders without bending too much. The scoop keeps its precise shape despite heavy abuse.

Whether snagging up forced turnovers, outlet passes gone awry, or battling for a critical late-game ground ball, the CEO gives you an edge. All those additional ground balls pay dividends over the course of a game and season. The CEO’s next-level scoop design is essential for gaining extra possessions and winning games.

Comparisons to Other Popular Lacrosse Heads

In the world of lacrosse equipment, the “big three” brand names that dominate the head market are Nike, Maverik, and STX. Lacrosse athletes at all levels use heads from these top manufacturers. So how does Nike’s CEO stack up against the other top heads from Maverik and STX?

One of the CEO’s main competitors is the Maverik Tactik 2.0. Like the CEO, the Tactik 2.0 is on the lighter side at 5.1 ounces strung and geared towards faceoff specialists and offensive players. It provides decent customization through the adjustable Channel Lock sidewalls. However, the Tactik’s carbon composite construction makes it less stiff and more prone to warping than the CEO. Maverik’s head excels at groundballs but lacks the CEO’s elite ball control.

STX’s most popular head, the Surgeon 500, offers a stiffer alternative with a rigid metallic alloy frame. The Surgeon provides incredible ball retention when strung properly and excels at ground balls. However, its heavier 6.4 ounce weight slows down handling compared to the CEO. Shooting with the Surgeon generates high power but less precision due to limited stringing adjustments.

For faceoff specialists in particular, heads like the Weapon X provide deep pocket stringing but less versatility overall. Their scoops tend to be less effective at picking up settling ground balls compared to the Nike CEO’s innovative design.

While sticks like the Tactik 2.0 and Surgeon 500 have their strengths, the Nike CEO combines the best aspects of its competitors. The CEO matches the ball control and stringing options of pinched heads with the quick release of offset designs. And it accomplishes this while retaining the durability and ground ball capabilities lacking in some lightweight carbon heads. In all areas, the CEO lacrosse head stands out from the competition.

Nike spent years engineering the CEO to master every aspect of the modern game. From faceoffs to fast breaks, it represents the full evolution of lacrosse head technology. For players demanding the most well-rounded high performance head, the CEO delivers.

Review of Passing and Shooting Performance

Lacrosse heads live and die by their passing and shooting capabilities. A great lacrosse head needs to provide precision and power for moving the ball around the field and firing shots on cage. This makes passing and shooting performance crucial areas to evaluate for any head.

When it comes to passing, the Nike CEO lacrosse head delivers excellent performance thanks to its stiff sidewalls and customizable stringing options. The head’s construction gives it just the right amount of flex for clean catches while maintaining rigidity for great ball control. Once receiving a pass, the ball sticks firmly in the pocket allowing you to cradle and survey the field.

The CEO’s stringing holes are designed to allow quick adjustments to passing pocket placement. By interweaving shooters higher or lower, you can control the passing channel’s width and angle. This customizability lets you tune the pocket’s hold and release point to match your passing mechanics. With the CEO, you can place crisp leading passes right in your teammate’s crosse time after time.

When running shooting drills, the CEO also shines thanks to its pinched head shape and sidewall stringing options. During Nike’s development, engineers tested multiple pocket placements and shooter setups to optimize shot speed, power, and accuracy. The resulting head offers ample whip on passes while still providing great ball control and aim on shots.

During playtesting, the CEO delivered consistent 10-15 mph improvement on shot velocity compared to conventional heads strung similarly. By tweaking shooter placements along the sidewall, players can fine tune the pocket’s hold, channel width, and release point to match their shooting style. Faceoff specialists praise the CEO for providing touch and accuracy on quick sticks off the draw.

Whether you love sniping corners with a low pocket or unloading heat with a mid-high shooter setup, the CEO delivers. Nike pulled out all the stops to make the CEO one of the most well-rounded shooting and passing heads ever engineered. For performance across all lacrosse disciplines, the CEO has you covered.

Faceoff Mechanics and Advantages

In the fast-paced game of lacrosse, possession is everything. Winning faceoffs gives your team extra scoring opportunities while keeping the ball away from opponents. That’s why having the right faceoff head can make or break a FOGO’s game.

The Nike CEO lacrosse head provides faceoff specialists big advantages in draws and scrap situations. Its pinched head shape, strategically placed stringing holes, and scoop design all optimize ground ball pickup and fast clamping motions.

During faceoffs, the CEO’s stiff sidewalls and endwall give precision control for securing ground balls underneath you. The head’s lightweight feel also allows for quick downward clamping force to capture the ball before an opponent can rake it away. Its segmented scoop then makes smoothly guiding ground balls into the pocket a cinch.

Once securing possession, the CEO’s deep pocket stringing enables keeping the ball locked in during scraps while still allowing quick stick maneuvers. You can string extra deep pockets while retaining fast release capabilities for pushing transition offense immediately after a win.

During live draw situations, faceoff guys love the CEO for its balance of ball retention and handling dexterity. Quick stick passes off the faceoff draw become much simpler with the CEO dialed into your play style. The head gives you an extra split second to make the right read thanks to its superior ball control.

The CEO also holds up well during physical play thanks to its rugged construction. Often faceoff heads break down quickly from all the ground ball scrums and slashing. But the CEO keeps its structure longer through constant abuse.

Having trustworthy equipment breeds confidence at the faceoff X. Winning that first draw sets the tone for possessions and momentum. For FOGO’s looking to boost their faceoff prowess, the Nike CEO delivers a big edge.

Durability After Continued Use and Abuse

With the lightning-quick pace of lacrosse and all the slashing, poking, and physicality, a lacrosse head takes a beating game after game. A top-level head needs to maintain its playability and performance over time despite the constant abuse. Durability stands as a key factor in determining a head’s longevity and value.

This makes the Nike CEO such an impressive feat of engineering. Despite its feather-light weight, the CEO lacrosse head holds up incredibly well to heavy use thanks to its rugged composite construction.

Nike designed the CEO’s plastic blend specifically to optimize high stiffness for minimized warping and denting. The head’s thick sidewalls and scoop maintain their structure even after vicious checks. While most heads develop cracks in the lower sidewalls over time, the CEO counters these weak points with reinforced plastic.

The high-grade nylon plastic also resists weathering deterioration from sun exposure and rain. Other heads become more brittle over time while the CEO retains its balanced flex and rigidity. Extended UV exposure sometimes causes fading or discoloration on heads, but the CEO’s polymer material is less prone to sun damage.

From game to game, the CEO continues delivering consistent precision and handling without unwanted warp or wiggle. Season after season, it maintains its shape, pockets shape, and ball control through all sorts of impact and strain. While lighter carbon heads and metallic alloy heads tend to degrade and fatigue over time, the CEO outlasts them with its incredibly durable construction.

Considering its impressive longevity at the highest levels of competitive play, the CEO provides great value for its price point. Nike engineers quite simply built one of the toughest lacrosse heads pound for pound. For players wanting reliable consistency game after game, season after season, the CEO delivers in spades.

Player Feedback and Reviews

When researching a new lacrosse head, player feedback and online reviews provide invaluable insight. Hearing directly from other athletes about their experience with a head gives you an unfiltered perspective.

Overall, player reviews of the Nike CEO lacrosse head have been overwhelmingly positive. Across attack, midfield, defense, and faceoff positions, players praise the CEO for its elite performance across all facets of the game.

In online lacrosse forums and video reviews, players consistently rave about the CEO’s lightweight feel and stiffness. They describe an incredibly responsive head with no lag or wiggle during play. The CEO’s scoop receives particular praise from players for how effectively it scoops up ground balls compared to other heads.

Those stringing the CEO highlight the ease of dialing in their preferred pocket placement thanks to the head’s strategic stringing holes. Players switching from other brand heads needed only minor adjustments to their patterns to replicate their ideal pockets. The highly customizable stringing delivers noticeable improvements in passing, catching, and shooting consistency.

For faceoff specialists, the CEO earns rave reviews for its clamp speed, ground ball control, and hold during scrums. FOGOs switching to the CEO report immediate boosts in draw possession wins. Overall, faceoff players love the head’s balance of phenomenal ball control with quick release capabilities.

A few players note the CEO has a slightly stiffer feel and different flex point than older Nike heads like the Lakota and Stallion series. However, they emphasize that after an adjustment period, the CEO feels “unstoppable” for handling, passing, and shooting.

Across positions, levels, and ability, the same message emerges from players: the Nike CEO simply performs. Given the amount of research and engineering Nike put into its development, the universal acclaim comes as no surprise. The CEO was designed to push the boundaries of what a lacrosse head could achieve – and by all accounts, it delivered on that goal.

Ideal Player Positions and Roles

With lacrosse heads, one size rarely fits all playing styles and positions. What works great for a midfielder may feel foreign to a defenseman. Finding the right fit for your position and role is key to maximizing a head’s performance.

One of the Nike CEO lacrosse head’s biggest strengths is its versatility across positions. The CEO works great for offensive players like attackmen and midfielders thanks to its elite shooting, passing, and ball handling capabilities. The head gives them the control and high pocket options needed for initiating the offense and finishing plays.

However, the CEO excels just as much on the defensive end. Defenders and LSM’s love the head for its ground ball capabilities, checks durability, and intercepting ability. The CEO’s stiffness gives them confident poke checks while still scooping up ground balls with ease.

Faceoff specialists may benefit the most from the CEO head given its purpose-built design focus on draws. Everything from the scoop, sidewalls, and stringing layout aims to boost ground ball wins and possessions off the draw. FOGOs report immediate improvements switching to the CEO.

Goalies also appreciate the CEO for its precision passing when clearing the ball. Along with solid outlet passing, goalies praise the head’s durability for snagging high velocity shots aimed for the corners. The CEO holds up play after play as the last line of defense.

While specifically designed with elite players in mind, the CEO still performs incredibly for newcomers to the sport. Its handling helps reinforce proper fundamentals while enabling players to advance their skills and shooting power with the same head.

In the end, Nike managed to build a versatile head benefiting every position and skill level rather than catering to a single niche. From game-deciding faceoffs to clock-winding possessions, the CEO delivers across all lacrosse roles. It rightfully earned its name as the ultimate do-it-all lacrosse head.

Stringing Tips and Recommendations

While the Nike CEO lacrosse head provides unmatched versatility right out of the box, stringing it up strategically can further optimize its performance. The right stringing and pocket setup amplifies the CEO’s strengths for your playing style and position.

For faceoff specialists, focus on developing an exceptionally deep pocket with strong ball retention. String the shooters deeply into the lower sidewall holes and interweave multiple nylons to form deep “U” pockets. This allows securing ground balls while retaining quick release capabilities for pushing transition.

Midfielders should consider a mid to mid-high pocket for carrying the ball effectively through traffic downfield. A pocket with a slightly wider channel pocket also benefits middies by catching errant passes more easily. Keep shooters higher on the sidewalls for extra hold during cradling.

Attackmen and snipers can take advantage of the CEO’s pinched head shape by developing defined shooting channels up through the sidewalls. Focus on consistent pocket placement for muscle memory shooting accuracy. Adding a slight mid-low pocket improves high corner sniping.

For defenders and LSMs, a mid-low pocket improves ball control when cradling downfield for clears after turnovers. A strong hold prevents drops from checks. Also consider more defined shooting strings for quick outlet passing accuracy.

No matter your position, it pays to experiment with shooter configurations and pocket placements during stringing. The CEO’s holes enable endless adjustments until achieving your ideal setup. Don’t be afraid to tweak stringing over time – slight changes make a world of difference in optimizing performance. The right adjustments take the CEO from great to unstoppable.

Aligning with Nike’s Brand Image

In the sports equipment world, few brand names carry more influence than Nike. The athletic giant dominates multiple sports with its cutting-edge product innovation and savvy marketing campaigns built around elite athletes.

With the Nike CEO lacrosse head, the company aimed to reinforce its brand image as a leading innovator elevating performance to new levels. Nike positioned the CEO lacrosse head as the ultimate embodiment of its “Committed to Performance Innovation” motto.

The head proudly displays Nike’s trademark Swoosh logo in a matte black finish, instantly connecting it to the brand’s aura of elite athleticism. Yet the CEO doesn’t simply rely on brand recognition – it delivers innovative engineering advancements you’d expect from Nike’s labs.

From composite polymers to construction molds, Nike utilized proprietary technologies honed across its equipment lines to build the CEO head. The company called upon itspartnerships with elite players to guide the CEO’s design based on maximizing real game performance. No expenses were spared perfecting the head’s structural qualities.

Nike’s marketing highlighted the CEO’s development from handle flex testing to wind tunnel ball trajectory analysis. The goal was conveying a no-compromise engineering approach drawing from Nike’s 40+ years perfecting athletic gear.

Upon its release, Nike publicized key endorser partnerships with standout NCAA and MLL stars to give the CEO immediate credibility on the field. This built anticipation and demand among competitive players seeking any performance advantage.

With the CEO head, Nike seized the opportunity to push lacrosse equipment to new levels. By combining its brand heritage with a commitment to purposeful innovation, Nike added a game-changing head to its growing lacrosse product lineup.

College and Pro Player Usage Trends

In the competitive lacrosse landscape, product adoption by top college and pro players heavily influences broader equipment trends. Athletes at the highest levels expect gear that boosts their game, so tracking what heads elite players use provides valuable insight.

Since hitting the market, adoption of the Nike CEO lacrosse head by premier NCAA and MLL stars has skyrocketed. In just a few short years, the CEO rapidly emerged as one of the most used heads across top college programs and pro teams.

Many high profile NCAA players citing the CEO’s performance benefits switched from their long-used heads to Nike’s latest innovation. The CEO delivered an instant edge for premier players once they adjusted to its stiffer, more responsive feel.

Star attackmen and midfielders highlight the CEO’s superior shooting speed and accuracy. Faceoff specialists in particular praise the head’s advantage in ground ball control. Goalies value the head’s outlet passing precision when starting the clear.

MLL stars known for their lacrosse equipment free agency didn’t hesitate to adopt the CEO head either. Typically avoiding sponsor obligations, these pros will use any product providing a competitive edge. The fact Nike landed so many top pros as dedicated CEO users speaks to the product’s capabilities.

On any given weekend of NCAA lacrosse, a large portion of players on a typical Top 20 team’s roster will be wielding the CEO head. At the pro level, the CEO earned a strong following in its first year, which only grew as more players tried it.

Winning over such loyal product users proves Nike achieved its ambitious performance goals with the CEO head. The rapid rate of adoption by college and pro stars shows Nike has a long-term lacrosse powerhouse with the CEO anchoring its lineup.

Value and Pricing Compared to Competitors

With premium lacrosse heads now costing over $100, assessing value and pricing comparisons is key for players’ gear budgets. You want the best bang for your buck without overspending for hype and branding.

At around $119 retail, the Nike CEO lacrosse head delivers an impressive value proposition compared to competitors. Maverik’s Tactik 2.0 costs nearly the same while lacking the CEO’s structural stability and handling. STX’s comparable Surgeon 700 model runs over $130 yet falls short of the CEO in ground balls and customizable stringing.

Newer heads like the East Coast Dyes Rebel and Under Armour Mirage boast lower cost but compromise on elite-level performance capabilities. Their heavier weights and less durable builds make them less attractive for competitive players.

While not the cheapest head available, the Nike CEO outperforms heads even $20-$30 more expensive by offering elite performance and longevity. From club to college and the pros, no other model matches the CEO’s well-rounded excellence across all aspects of the game.

When factoring in the CEO head’s durability and longevity, its value proposition becomes even stronger. Less degradation and warp means the head maintains its high performance far longer than most competitors. Extending its usable lifespan makes the CEO’s value hard to beat.

Nike could actually charge even more than $119 for the CEO given the immense innovation and resources poured into its development. However, Nike smartly priced it attractively for widespread adoption across all levels of competitive play. For your money, no other lacrosse head comes close to the CEO’s mix of quality and performance.

Nike CEO Strung vs. Unstrung Costs

When purchasing a new lacrosse head, players face the decision of buying it pre-strung or getting an unstrung head and stringing it up themselves. Both options have their pros and cons to weigh.

Pre-strung Nike CEO heads run around $159.99 versus $119.99 for the unstrung version. At first glance, the $40 price difference may seem significant. However, factoring in stringing kit costs and labor, buying pre-strung isn’t necessarily more expensive.

High quality mesh, nylon, and shooters cost $15-$25 alone. Add another $20+ for an experienced stringer’s labor if you can’t string heads yourself. Suddenly the pre-strung premium is only $10-15 more. Considering the intricate stringing required, this can be worthwhile to have pro pocket placement.

Of course, players able to string their own heads can save costs while customizing pockets exactly how they want. Learning to string heads takes practice, so novices may still prefer pro stringing for optimal performance.

Pre-strung CEOs allow breaking in pockets immediately out of the box. However, players who relish stringing craftsmanship may enjoy tuning up an unstrung head. Both options have their merits depending on your budget, stringing skill, and style preferences.

For elite players sponsored by Nike, cost matters less than optimizing performance. Pro stringers can tweak stringing over time as players adjust to the head. Top college programs also keep staff stringers for dialing in pockets.

In the end, choosing pre-strung or unstrung CEO heads comes down to personal factors. Just don’t assume pre-strung is vastly more expensive considering total costs. Either way, the CEO delivers high-caliber playability for players focused on excelling.