The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Womens Lacrosse Head in 2023

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Womens Lacrosse Head in 2023

How Stringing Affects a Lacrosse Head’s Performance

The way a women’s lacrosse head is strung can have a significant impact on its overall performance. When stringing a lacrosse stick, you’re creating a pocket that will determine the ball’s release, hold, and handling. Tighter stringing leads to more ball control and hold, while wider stringing creates a quick release. The best women’s lacrosse heads allow you to customize stringing based on your position and playing style.

Midfield players, for example, rely on a balance of ball retention and fast passes, so a medium pocket is ideal. Attack players focus on quick shots on goal, so an open pocket with a wide top string and straight sidewalls gives the best release. Defenders need superior ball control when carrying the ball upfield or checking opponents, making a traditionally strung tight pocket preferable.

You’ll also want to consider stringing materials, interlocking sidewall stringing, shooting strings, and pocket depth when stringing your women’s stick. Ultimately, the stringing possibilities are endless with a high-quality lacrosse head. Testing different setups is the best way to find your ideal pocket for quicker releases, better ball control, and superior handling.

Weight and Balance Are Critical Factors When Selecting a Women’s Lacrosse Head

The overall weight and balance of a women’s lacrosse head plays an integral role in maximizing your performance on the field. When looking for the best lacrosse head for women, you’ll want to evaluate the weight specifications and make sure the balance suits your position and personal preferences.

Heads typically range from 85 to 135 grams, with attack players generally opting for lighter heads for quicker handling and release. Midfield lacrosse heads balance lightweight maneuverability with superior ball retention, often weighing 100 to 120 grams. Defenders tend to use heavier heads, as the additional weight aids checking and improves control when carrying the ball upfield.

Balance is also a key factor, as an off-balanced head will hinder your accuracy. aim for a head with a balanced sidewall design. The best women’s lacrosse heads have an equal distribution of weight from top to bottom, preventing the head from feeling “top-heavy” or “bottom-heavy” when cradling. Proper weight distribution leads to smoother handling and more precise passing and shooting.

Testing out heads with different weight specs and balance is recommended. An ultra-lightweight head might not provide enough ball control for your liking, while an overly heavy model could tire your arms. Finding the optimal weight and balance boosts your performance, no matter the position you play.

Consider Your Position When Selecting the Best Women’s Lacrosse Head

Your position on the field is a major factor when choosing the ideal women’s lacrosse head. Attack, midfield, defense, and goalie players all have different needs and preferences that impact the optimal head selection.

For attack players, the priority is quick shots and releases on goal. This means you’ll want a head with a wide top string, straight sidewalls, and an open pocket design allowing the ball to easily dislodge. Lightweight construction also caters to attack players for faster handling and release.

Midfielders need to balance shooting speed with superior ball control when carrying the ball upfield. Middie heads offer a blend of quick release and improved ball retention with a medium-depth traditional pocket. Weight ranges in the 100 to 120 gram sweet spot.

Defenders rely heavily on ball control when carrying the ball upfield and exceptional hold when checking opponents. This makes a tight traditional pocket optimal for maximum ball retention during checks. A rigid sidewall and heavier 100+ gram weight also cater to a defender’s needs.

Goalies have unique needs as well, requiring a head with maximum power behind saves and outlet passes. Goalie heads offer wide faces for blocking shots paired with stiff sidewalls and a deep pocket for added ball control during clears. The best goal for all positions is testing multiple heads to find your ideal fit.

Attack Lacrosse Heads Prioritize Quick Releases

Women’s lacrosse heads designed for attack players emphasize optimized passing and shooting through quicker ball releases. The best attack heads feature wide top strings, straight or slightly angled sidewalls, and open pocket designs to provide fast and accurate shots on goal.

Wider top strings give the ball more room to settle in the upper part of the pocket, leading to quicker dislodgement and release. Straight or minimally pinched sidewalls act like ramps to roll the ball out of the pocket. Shallow pocket depths also detained the ball less for lightning-fast shots.

Precision and control are also important for attackers, allowing them to place shots in the corners of the net. Low sidewall holes reduce whip and increase passing and shooting accuracy. A lightweight construction between 85-105 grams caters to the quick handling and maneuverability required of the position.

While customizable stringing allows you to fine-tune the release, the best attack heads feature inherent design aspects like straight sidewalls, wide top strings, and open pockets. Trying out multiple attack heads is recommended to find your ideal balance of ball control and immediate release before attacking the goal.

Midfield Lacrosse Heads Balance Speed and Power

Finding the right balance of ball retention and quick release is crucial for midfield lacrosse players. The top women’s lacrosse heads for midfielders feature pocket and sidewall designs that provide a blend of shooting speed and superior ball control.

Midfield heads offer a medium, traditionally strung pocket depth that contains the ball well for carries upfield while still allowing for fast passes and shots. Sidewalls with a moderate taper help contain the ball while angled just enough for adequate release.

The lightweight feel and handling of an attack head paired with the superior hold of a defender head is ideal for midfields. Heads weighing 100-120 grams give midfielders the perfect equilibrium of swift maneuverability and excellent ball control. Stiff sidewall materials also enable accurate, powerful shots.

In essence, midfield lacrosse heads balance the traits needed all over the field. Testing out pockets with different depths and sidewall angles is key to finding your ideal midfield stick. With the right head, you’ll enhance your play at both ends getting the ball upfield quickly for a fast break or shot.

Defense Lacrosse Heads Prioritize Control and Checking

Women’s lacrosse heads designed for defenders emphasize superior ball control and retention when carrying the ball upfield and checking opposing players. The ideal defensive head provides maximum hold during picks, pokes, and slap checks.

An extra-deep traditional pocket allows defenders to carry the ball securely upfield while maintaining control when being checked. A narrow channel and tightly woven sidewall ensure the ball stays put even during physical contact. Stiffer sidewalls also enhance ball retention when being slashed.

Control is also crucial when executing checks, so defense heads offer ample stiffness from scoop to throat. A rigid head gives you better feel and command when poke checking and lets you get underneath an opponent’s stick. Added weight between 100-135 grams also lends to excellent control when slapping or lifting checks.

While customizable stringing plays a role, the head itself should offer the ball control, stiffness, and retention defensive players need. Testing out pocket depths and sidewall stiffness is key to finding your ideal balance of command and hold when carrying and checking.

Goalie Lacrosse Heads Focus on Powerful Saves

Women’s lacrosse heads made specifically for goalies are designed to provide maximum power behind saves and outlet passes. The wider head shape also helps goalies protect more of the net when blocking shots.

Goalie heads offer an extra-wide face shape to take up more space and block more shot angles. The increased surface area paired with deep sidewall stringing allows goalies to stop point blank shots with force. Stiff sidewalls and throat lend to better rebound control.

The pronounced scoop on goalie heads also enables powerful outlet passes once the ball is saved. A traditionally strung deeper pocket lets goalies cradle the ball securely before passing it back into play. The added head width provides ample room for windup on clears.

While regular field heads can work, goalie-specific heads give you the ideal traits like a wide face and stiff throat needed for commanding saves and clears. Testing out different pocket and sidewall styles helps tune the head exactly to your goalie needs.

Lacrosse Head Materials Impact Durability and Feel

The materials used to construct a women’s lacrosse head affect both its durability and overall feel during play. Most heads utilize specialized plastics or composites that provide an optimal blend of stiffness, strength, and lightweight performance.

Stronger materials like High Grade Polymer withstand deformation from constant impact, maintaining head shape and pocket integrity over time. Composite materials blend polymers with other reinforcements to optimize stiffness and durability while minimizing weight.

Manufacturers also engineer different flex points into heads using elastomers or proprietary processes. Softer scoops allow better ball control on ground balls, while stiff sidewalls and throats add power and accuracy. The right flex balance maximizes ball control and handling.

Beyond materials, quality construction and string hole reinforcement are vital for longevity. Trying out different material blends and flex balances helps determine your ideal strength, stiffness, weight, and feel. Selecting a durable, high-grade head enhances performance and saves replacement costs.

Pocket Shape Impacts a Lacrosse Head’s Ball Control

The shape and depth of a lacrosse head’s pocket significantly influences ball retention, release, and overall control. Finding the right pocket style suited to your position and playing style is key for optimizing performance.

A wider, shallower pocket promotes quicker ball release, ideal for attack players focused on fast breaks and shots. A deeper, traditionally shaped pocket offers superior ball control for midfield and defensive players carrying the ball upfield. Goalies also benefit from deeper pockets when cradling before clears.

Weaving techniques like double traditional pockets maximize hold through added mesh contact points with the ball. Wide top strings or channels enable smooth settling in the pocket for poised cradling. Shooting strings fine-tune release speed and accuracy.

While customizable stringing allows pocket adjustments, the ideal depth and width depends on your needs. Testing different pocket shapes with various stringing techniques helps determine your perfect fit for enhanced passing, catching, shooting, and carry abilities.

Sidewall Design Impacts a Lacrosse Head’s Stiffness

The sidewall design of a women’s lacrosse head directly influences its overall stiffness and flex, critical factors for maximizing performance. Lacrosse heads feature different sidewall stringing setups, hole patterns, and materials to optimize feel and control.

Traditional vertical sidewall stringing interlocks mesh diamonds for superior ball retention and a stiff feel when cradling and shooting. More flexible sidewalls use horizontal lacing and wider diamonds for eased break-in. Strategic sidewall holes also fine-tune flex.

Stiffer materials like composite alloys boost rigidity for accurate passing and checks. Adding a supportive exoskeleton backing the sidewalls maintains shape integrity even under impact. Minimal sidewall flare reduces warp and whip.

While personal preference dictates flex needs, the right amount of sidewall stiffness lends to smoother handling, improved ball control when carrying, and more power when shooting. Testing out various sidewall setups helps determine your optimal blend of hold and command.

Scoop Geometry Makes Ground Balls Easier in Lacrosse

The shape and design of a lacrosse head’s scoop directly impacts a player’s ability to quickly grab ground balls and take off running upfield. Optimal scoop geometries allow smooth ball guidance from ground to pocket.

A rounded scoop makes initial ground ball pickup easier by funneling the ball centrally to the pocket. A lower profile scoop hugs the turf for snug ground ball control while a more pronounced scoop enables confident cradling once scooped.

Offsetting the scoop to align closer to the throat also positions balls more centrally into the pocket upon pickup. Texturing the scoop’s face can add grip and reverse ramps along the scoop’s underside speed ball transfer.

While personal preference varies, the right geometry makes ground ball pickup more seamless. Testing out different scoop shapes and alignments allows you to find your ideal design for cleanly grabbing ground balls and transitioning quickly into dynamic play.

Throat Design Enhances Accuracy and Power

A lacrosse head’s throat area greatly impacts passing and shooting accuracy along with shot power. Optimized throat shapes and stiffening features maximize ball control and precision.

A tapered throat shape focused inwards helps center ball release, enhancing accuracy. An hourglass-like pinch providing a precise channel for the ball exiting the pocket. Angled throats also add more whip for increased ball speed.

Increased throat stiffness boosts shooting velocity and reduces off-center warping. Throat plugs, internal bracing, and composite materials lend more rigidity. Strategically placed flex points isolate whip to the upper channels.

While personal feel differs, optimized throat construction reduces inaccuracies while providing more velocity behind shots. Testing different throat shapes and stiffness levels helps dial in your ideal power and precision.

Know Your Skill Level and Preferences When Selecting a Lacrosse Head

Your own skill level and personal preferences should guide your women’s lacrosse head selection process. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced player, your needs and playing style impacts ideal head performance.

Beginners benefit from more flexible heads offering wider pockets for catching and built-in whip for easier shooting. Intermediate players gain advantage from stiffer, more accurate heads with customized stringing as skills improve. Advanced players look for the lightest, most durable materials and prefer personalized flex and pocket points.

Beyond skill level, factors like your strength, hand size, positioning and whether you take faceoffs impact needs. Preferring more hold versus quicker release also matters. Determining the ideal features that align with ability level makes progression easier.

While recommendations help, the best indicator is testing different heads yourself. Making skill-based selections with your exact needs in mind results in the ideal head for maximizing your potential.

Try Before You Buy If Possible When Purchasing a Lacrosse Head

Whenever feasible, take advantage of opportunities to try out different lacrosse heads before purchasing. Getting hands-on experience provides the best sense of what works optimally for your needs and preferences.

Many lacrosse specialty stores have wall racks or test sticks allowing you to evaluate weight, materials, and flex. Bring your own pocket or throw in a practice ball to assess ball control and release. See how scoops perform picking up balls.

If stores near you don’t offer trial options, ask teammates if you can test their sticks. Compare the performance of different heads in drills. Also consider attending gear expos or events where manufacturers demo products.

While reviews, recommendations and research help streamline selection, being able to personally trial, compare and analyze heads picks the ideal model for your playing style, skills, and needs.

Compare Prices Online to Find the Best Lacrosse Head Value

To get the top women’s lacrosse head at the best price, be sure to compare options at multiple retailers. Online shopping makes price comparisons quick and easy.

Check lacrosse specialty sites along with general sporting goods stores to find the lowest prices. Sign up for retailer email lists to receive discount codes and sale alerts. Compare prices on new versus older models that may have discounted pricing.

Look for price match guarantees that allow you to request a retailer match a competitor’s lower advertised price. Use cash back sites when making purchases to earn a percentage back. Consider used heads in good condition to maximize value.

While performance and fit should drive selection, finding savings opportunities ensures you get the most out of your budget. Comparing retailers makes it easier to get the ideal head that fits your needs at the best possible price point.