Equipment | What to Buy 

You can buy used, new or even borrow equipment to get started but the most important thing is to do your homework and find out what to get.  The listed gear is a small batch of what is out there, and you don't have to buy the most expensive it just has to give a player a good playing experience. 

Look at the gear on this page to get an idea of what you need; most if not all of the equipment listed I have used or tested.  The protective equipment is a personal fit and comfort preference, the shafts come down to strength.  The most important purchase would be your lacrosse head, there are low end heads that can really impact a players experience so to you time and find a quality, durable head for your playing style.

Protective Gear

Protective gear is required to play lacrosse, it is designed to protect players from impacts from other players, stick checks and the lacrosse ball. Protective gear should cover as much of the players body that they feel they need however, it also should fit well and be comfortable. Your player needs equipment that fits properly and feels like it is a part of them so they can focus on their performance and not how they feel.

Only shoulder pads and helmets require a certification, because they cover the most vulnerable organs however gloves and arm pads require no certification. USA Lacrosse, and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) require compliance with current National Operating Committee for Sports and Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) standards.

Lacrosse Heads

A lacrosse head is the most important piece of equipment a player will use.  How a head performs can impact a players confidence as well as how a player performs.  Players don't have to spend a fortune on a head but they need to make sure they buy the right head for what position they play. 
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I have strung up countless heads over the years for all different types of players at all skill levels to include myself.  I have also been lucky enough to play with all different kinds of heads but there have been a few that have really made an impression on me that I would recommend on this page.

Knowing how a player plays and wants their head set up will help them decide which head they should buy. Players that cradle with one hand wrapping the crease may want a head designed for a mid-low or low pocket while a north-south dodger may want a head with a narrow face shape and great ball retention to make it through the close defense.

Offense Heads

“Attack Heads” are typically heads designed for mid-low or low pockets. These heads are designed to have the ball sit lower in the head while cradling & dodging, this allows the player to dodge with the stick in one hand. Attack Heads have face shapes that tend to be wider with a gradual pinch lower on the head than heads designed for midfield.  
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Attack Heads can be used for midfield but are rarely used for defense, however players of all ages use heads based on their style of play not necessarily by what position they play. ​

Notable Attack Heads: 
  • ECD ION 
  • Maverik Optik 3.0 
  • Stringking Mark 2A 
  • Warrior EVO QX2-O 
“Midfield Heads” are typically heads designed for mid-high or mid pockets. These heads are designed to have the ball sit higher in the head while cradling & dodging, this allows the shooter to have a quick release with better ball retention. Midfield Heads have face shapes that tend to be narrower than heads designed for defense and attack.  
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Midfield Heads can be used for Attack and Defense; however, players of all ages use heads based on their style of play not necessarily by what position they play. 

Notable Midfield Heads: 
  • ECD DNA 2.0 
  • ECD Mirage 2.0 
  • ECD Rebel Offense 
  • Maverik Kinetik 2.0 
  • Maverik Tactik 3.0 
  • Nike L3 
  • Stringking Mark 2V 
  • Stringking Mark 2T 
  • Stringking Legend Sr. 
  • STX Stallion Series 
  • STX Surgeon Series​

Defense / LSM Heads

“Defense/LSM Heads” are typically heads designed for high or mid-high pockets that allow the ball to sit higher in the head. Having the pocket higher in the head allows balls to fall into the pocket quickly while scooping a ground ball.  
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Even though defense heads are designed for higher pockets some defenders & LSM’s have mid pockets for better ball retention. Defense Heads have face shapes that tend to be wider with a gradual pinch lower on the head & defense heads are also stiffer for strength.  

Defense Heads can be used for midfield but are almost never used for attack, however players of all ages use heads based on their style of play not necessarily by what position they play. 
 
Notable Defense/LSM Heads: 
  • ECD DNA 2.0 
  • ECD Rebel Defense 
  • Maverik Havok 2.0 
  • Maverik Tank 2.0 
  • Stringking Mark 2D 
  • STX Hammer 1K  
  • STX X20 
  • Warrior Burn XP-D 
  • Warrior EVO QX2-D ​

Face-Off Heads

“Face-Off Heads” are heads designed for Face-Off Specialists. These heads are designed to have flex points to bend without breaking so the ball can be pinched between the rails during a face-off. Face-Off Heads have face shapes that tend to be longer & narrower than heads designed for defense, attack & midfield. The long narrow face shape allows the ball to be pinched in several areas of the head so regardless of where the ball sits in the head during a face-off a Face-Off Specialist can secure the ball. 
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Some Face-Off Heads can be used for midfield; however, players who are “FOGO’s” (face-off go off) tend to use a wider range of Face-Off heads designed solely for face-offs. Heads used by players that could be described as a “FOSO” (face-off stay on) lean more toward the StringKing Mark 2F & The ECD Weapon X due to their ability to retain their face shape after a face-off. 
 
Notable Face-Off Heads: 
  • ECD Weapon X (FOSO) 
  • Nike CEO 2 (FOGO) 
  • Stringking Mark 2F (FOSO) 
  • Stringking Mark 2F Stiff (FOSO) 
  • STX Duel 3 (FOGO) 
  • Warrior Burn FO (FOGO) 

Offense Shafts

“Attack/Midfield Shafts” (short stick or A/M shaft) are 30” shafts designed for attack, offensive midfield, defensive midfield as well as goalie. A/M shafts cannot be shorter or longer than 30 inches for ages 3rd grade & up. Only 2nd grade & younger can use shorter shafts than 30 inches. 
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Most A/M shafts are made of either metal/alloy or carbon/composite. Composite tends to be lighter but are also prone to breaking where metal is stronger but can bend or break if it is a thin-walled metal. ​

Notable Attack/Midfield Shafts: 
  • ECD Carbon 3.0 (carbon) 
  • ECD Carbon Pro 2.0 (carbon) 
  • Maverik Apollo (metal) 
  • Maverik Mission Blank (metal) 
  • Maverik Hyperlite (carbon) 
  • Maverik Range (metal) 
  • Maverik Union (metal) 
  • Maverik Wonderboy (metal) 
  • StringKing A155 (metal) 
  • StringKing Composite 2 Pro (carbon) 
  • StringKing Metal 3 Pro (metal) 
  • STX Sci -Ti O (metal) 
  • STX Sci-Ti X (metal) 
  • True Comp 4.0 (carbon) 
  • Warrior EVO Krypto Pro (metal) 

Defense Shafts

“Defense/LSM Shafts” (aka D-Pole or Long Pole) are 60” shafts designed for Close Defense or LSM (Long Stick Midfield). Having a defense shaft allows players to contact an offensive player from further away to disrupt the ball carrier before they can dodge. Defense shafts also allow players to scoop ground balls at a further distance away than a “Attack/Midfield Shaft.” 

Defense shafts can be used by recreational players in 7th grade and older, however players in 5th & 6th grade may use a defense shaft while playing for travel and select teams. Smaller players may choose to cut off 6 to 8 inches from the shaft to have better control while larger players tend to not cut down their shafts. 
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Most shafts are made of either metal/alloy or carbon/composite. Composite tends to be lighter but are also prone to breaking where metal is stronger but can bend or break if it is a thin-walled metal. ​

Notable Defense/LSM Shafts: 
  • ECD Carbon 3.0 (carbon) 
  • ECD Carbon Pro 2.0 (carbon) 
  • Maverik Mission Blank (metal) 
  • Maverik Hypercore (carbon) 
  • StringKing Composite Pro (carbon) 
  • StringKing Metal 3 Pro (metal) 
  • STX Sci -Ti O (metal) 
  • STX Sci-Ti X (metal) 
  • STX Fiber O (carbon) 
  • True Comp 4.0 (carbon) 
  • Warrior EVO Krypto Pro (metal) 

Mesh

Mesh breaks down due to rain, mud, friction, overuse and is something that needs to be replaced almost every season.  The condition of the mesh can affect how the ball releases and holds in the pocket so when your player comes home and says the coach says I need new mesh it's for this reason.

All this mesh listed can be found through the links listed Wonderland Lacrosse, and all this mesh performs well and is really a player's preference.  Not all mesh comes with strings and shooters so remember these or your player will have no way to attach the mesh to their head.

Notable mesh manufacturers:
  • ECD
  • StringKing
  • Lax Room
  • Stringer Shack
  • Mesh Dynasty   


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