There’s really no way around it — the only way to ensure you’ll be playing lacrosse to the best of your ability is to have the right gear and equipment at your fingertips. Talent can take you a long way, but if you’re not paying attention to those details and your opponents are, then they’re eventually going to finish ahead of you when it comes to one-on-one competitions.
So with this in mind, it’s important to get everything you need to be successful on the lacrosse field to stop worrying about those small details during the heat of battle. It’s a crucial part of the experience of our campers at GameBreaker Lacrosse Camp, too. Our overarching goal is to make sure everyone in attendance is elevating their game while having fun in a safe environment. We bring in some of the game’s top coaches and players from across the country, and the best way to take advantage of top-notch instruction is to be properly outfitted with the correct equipment.
If we had to pick a piece of equipment that was most important to a lax player’s success, it’s definitely their lacrosse stick. Why? Well, it’s the one piece of equipment that’s key to making everything happen once you step on the field. So for those just beginning in the sport, how are you supposed to know what length is the best for you and what you’re planning on using it for in between the lines?
Source: Lacrossemonkey.com
When talking generally about lacrosse stick lengths, there are three different measurements for men’s lax: 30 inches for attack and midfield, 60 inches for defense, and 40 inches for goalies. What’s important to keep in mind is that while companies manufacturing these products will specifically be measuring the shaft of a lacrosse stick, some leagues and/or tournaments will include the length of the head in their measurements (which can add about another 10 inches).
The sticks used for those playing attack and midfield positions are considered the “classic” lacrosse stick. While the above measurements are for college and adult players, the same general rule exists. However, youth players can cut their lax shaft as short at 26 inches at these positions. What’s important to remember, though, is that as a player grows and matures into their body, it could be difficult for them to adjust from a short stick to a long stick.
For youth players who are defensemen, their stick length can vary from 42 inches, all the way up to that 60-inch length discussed earlier. Defense is a game of inches, so it’s vital to pay attention to the details here, with the general rule of thumb being that the combined length of the shaft and head of a lacrosse stick should be about the same size as a player’s height. Meanwhile, the combined length of a goalie’s stick can be anywhere from 40 to 72 inches long, mostly because they need to clear the ball much more than anybody else. It is based on personal preference and how comfortable a player feels while using sticks of all different sizes.