Scoop Designs Make Ground Balls Easier
The best lacrosse heads for midfielders have scoop designs that facilitate quicker ground ball pickups. Wider scoops give you more surface area to get under the ball, while a deeper scoop allows better ball retention. Scoop holes help channel the ball into the pocket. Look for scoop angles that make ground balls easier to direct into the head. Consider scoop stiffness too – you want some flex to cradle the ball, but not too much where the scoop collapses. Testing out scoop designs to find the optimal shape and stiffness for your ground ball style is advised.
Wider Heads Improve Ball Control
When choosing a lacrosse head for midfield play, head width is an important consideration for ball control. Wider heads give you a larger sweet spot and more ball control on cradles, passes and shots. The NCAA maximum legal width is 6 inches at the widest point. While narrower heads offer precision, wider heads in that max legal range provide superior handling. Testing out head widths to find your optimal balance of precision vs. enhanced ball control is recommended. Just don’t go so wide that you sacrifice accuracy.
Stiff Heads Excel at Passing, Shooting
Optimal stiffness is a key factor when selecting the best lacrosse heads for midfielders. Stiffer heads give you more precise passing and increased shooting power, at the cost of some ball feel. Extra stiff heads really shine for quick, accurate feeds and blistering shots on goal. But you don’t want a head so stiff that cradling and handling suffer. Try out lacrosse heads across the stiffness spectrum to dial in the right flex and responsiveness for your game. Remember, you can add stiffness through stringing too.
Lightweight Heads Boost Speed
Since speed is critical for midfielders, lightweight lacrosse heads can provide an edge. Heads weighing 5 ounces or less help minimize fatigue over a game, keeping you fresh. The reduced mass also allows you to move the stick quicker for faster passing, quicker releases and more deceptive dodges. Just ensure the head is engineered with optimal strength – you don’t want durability compromises. Trying heads of different weights will help you find the ideal balance of minimized mass without sacrificing sturdiness.
Wider Heads Improve Ball Control
When looking for the best lacrosse heads for midfielders, head width is key for enhanced ball control. The wider the head, the larger the sweet spot you have to work with. This gives you more surface area on cradles, better ball handling on dodges, and more margin for error on passes and shots. The maximum legal width per NCAA rules is 6 inches at the widest point. While more narrow heads offer precision, wider heads up to that max limit provide superior control and feel. The right balance of width comes down to testing out heads to find what works best for your specific handling style and desired balance of precision versus enhanced control. Just don’t go so wide that you start sacrificing any accuracy. The sweet spot is heads as wide as allowed that still provide pinpoint passing and shooting.
Stiff Heads Excel at Passing, Shooting
When selecting the optimal lacrosse head for midfield play, stiffness is a major factor to consider for precision passing and shooting. Stiffer heads provide less flex and warp, giving you more accurate feeds to cutters and blistering shots on cage. The increased stiffness translates to enhanced control, resulting in pinpoint passing and rocket shots. Just keep in mind that increased stiffness comes at the expense of some “feel” on cradles and handling. You don’t want a head so stiff that it negatively impacts cradling, carrying and riding. Finding the right balance of stiffness for your game is key through testing heads across the stiffness spectrum. Remember you can add stiffness through stringing too. The ideal mid head has just enough stiffness for precision passing and shooting without sacrificing too much in overall ball control.
Lightweight Heads Boost Speed
Since speed and quickness are so vital for midfield play, choosing more lightweight lacrosse heads can provide an edge. Heads that weigh 5 ounces or less help reduce fatigue over the course of a game, keeping you fresher in those critical late game situations. The lighter mass also allows you to move the stick faster for quicker passing, faster shots and more deceptive dodges. Just be mindful that super light heads sacrifice some durability in exchange for minimized weight. Make sure any lightweight head still has decent strength and stiffness. Testing out heads of varying weights will help you find the optimal balance of lightness without compromising sturdiness. The goal is the lightest head possible that still holds up to your playing style.
Adjustable Heads Customize Pocket Depth
Finding the best lacrosse heads for midfielders often comes down to optimizing pocket depth for your style. This is where adjustable heads that allow you to customize pocket depth are advantageous. Adjustable sidewalls enable precise pocket tuning, letting you dial in the exact depth and hold preferred for cradling, scooping and passing. Just keep NCAA rules in mind – pockets must be between 3.5 inches and 6 inches deep. Test out adjustable heads to find your ideal pocket for quick ball release while still maintaining control. Be sure to adjust in small increments and check frequently, as even subtle depth changes impact overall performance.
Offset Facilitates Quick Releases
When evaluating lacrosse heads for midfield play, pay close attention to the offset – the distance between the sidewalls at the scoop. Optimal offset provides superior ball handling for quicker releases. Low offset heads position the ball more centered in the head, resulting in increased ball control. Mid offset heads place the ball slightly back from the scoop, enabling faster passing and shooting via better mechanics. High offset heads offer the quickest releases but compromised control. Testing out heads with different offset configurations is key to finding your ideal setup for fast feeds and shots without sacrificing too much feel. Remember to factor in offset when stringing pockets too. The right offset for your game helps separate the best lacrosse heads for midfielders.
Optimal Balance and Handling
The right balance and handling properties are crucial when selecting the best lacrosse heads for midfielders who face constant pressure. Heads with a neutral balance between the scoop and throat provide stability for carrying the ball in transition. A slight throat-heavy balance helps with stick protection on rides and checks. Test balancing heads at the throat and scoop to find your ideal weighting. Also look for optimal finger and hand placement on the sidewalls for comfortable cradling – contoured grip areas help. Face shape impacts handling too – more curved heads offer superior control while flatter heads provide accuracy. Dialing in balance and ergonomics ultimately comes down to trying different heads until you find the one that feels like an extension of your hands.
Durable Heads Withstand Abuse
With the constant checks, slashes, and impacts midfielders endure, durability is paramount when picking lacrosse heads. Look for sturdy yet lightweight materials like aircraft-grade alloys that provide strength without excess mass. Rock-solid scoops that retain shape are ideal for maximizing ground ball lifespan. Opt for stiff sidewalls that resist warping to maintain pocket integrity longer. Reinforced joints boost longevity. Don’t sacrifice too much just to shed ounces – the head still needs to hold up. Test head durability yourself by simulating slashes, checking impacts, and scooping abuse to determine optimal sturdiness. Remember, a head lasting even a few more games before needing replacement can equate to multiple goals and wins over a whole season.
Stringing Holes for Custom Jobs
One of the keys to finding the best lacrosse heads for midfielders is optimizing stringing. More stringing holes give you more options for custom pocket and sidewall stringing jobs tailored to your preferences. Look for heads with holes along the scoop, sidewalls and throat to enable exact string placement. The ability to tweak stringing hole alignment even by just a few millimeters can significantly impact pocket function. Test out heads with varied hole configurations to find the setup allowing your stringing to best enhance feel and ball control. Remember, you can also increase/decrease pocket depth, tweak release points and adjust other stringing aspects by utilizing all available holes for truly customized string jobs.
Optimal Sidewall Stiffness
Dialing in the ideal sidewall stiffness is key for finding the best lacrosse heads for midfielders. You want stiff enough sidewalls to maintain pocket shape and accuracy, but not so stiff that the head feels rigid and unforgiving. Optimal sidewall stiffness also improves ball retention around the face of the head while providing enough flex for responsive feel and control. Test out heads with different sidewall stiffness levels to find your preferred balance of stability versus responsiveness. Remember that materials like aircraft-grade alloys allow stiff yet lightweight sidewalls for the best of both worlds. Focus on heads promoting confident, consistent passing and shooting via stability without sacrificing ball control and feel due to rigidity.
Heads Legal for Elite/College Play
When selecting the best lacrosse heads for midfielders, it’s vital to ensure the head is legal per NCAA and elite league rules. Only legal heads are permitted for competition play. Key factors like width, pocket depth, offset and other specs must adhere to standards. For NCAA men’s lacrosse, heads cannot exceed 6 inches in width and pockets must be between 3.5 – 6 inches deep. Ensure any head technologies like adjustable sidewalls meet guidelines too. Before playing with a new head, double check the specs align with league rules. The last thing you want is to have a crucial goal disallowed due to an illegal head. Just as important as performance is selecting heads approved for competitive play at the highest levels.
Check Head and Pocket Specs
Selecting the ideal lacrosse head for midfield requires carefully considering key specs like width, offset, stiffness and pocket depth. Wider heads (up to the 6-inch limit) provide superior ball control, while more narrow heads offer precision. Mid to high offset facilitates faster passes and shots. Stiffer heads excel at accurate feeding and blistering shots. Legal pocket depths between 3.5-6 inches enable custom tuning for ideal hold and release. Keep NCAA and league rules in mind for competition legality. Test heads with different specs to find your optimal configuration that maximizes playmaking ability. An extra quarter inch here or a slight offset change there can make a dramatic difference in performance. Dialing in your preferred balance of precision, control and quickness all comes down to finding the specs that sync with your playing style.
Test Heads with Your Style
Finding the absolute best lacrosse head for your midfield game ultimately requires testing different heads with your specific playing style. Each midfielder has unique preferences for precision, speed, quickness and feel based on their strengths, role and approach. The only way to truly evaluate what performs and feels best is to string up and play with multiple heads. Keep an open mind and run heads through the full gamut of game simulations – cradling, shooting, scooping, passing – to make informed judgments. Take notes on what you liked and didn’t about each head to narrow in on your ideal specs. Don’t be afraid to tweak pocket stringing between tests as well. With so many high-end midfield heads available today, on-field testing helps ensure you select the one that optimizes your abilities.