Choosing a Shaft
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One of the hardest decisions for a lax player is picking out that new shaft that you want everyone to envy on the field. Most people make their decision on what their friends or teammates are using or by the colors or make of the shaft. That’s probably not the optimal way to choose a shaft. Below, I will give you a rundown on which shafts you should be looking at, considering what level of player you may be. Things like the strength and weight of a lacrosse shaft are much more important that using a shaft just because someone else does! A little advice when it comes to picking out shafts is that you don’t need the best shaft on the market to be the best player on the field. When choosing a shaft you should put a lot of thought into it. A lot of it is preference - do you want a heavier shaft that is stronger, or a lighter shaft that might not be as strong? Some players like having a grip on the shaft while others don’t. Luckily, we are here to help guide you in the right direction with this decision.
Intermediates: Here is when picking a stronger shaft does help. The player will start experiencing checking in the game and will need something to hold up against it. The metals in these shafts are enforced with a stronger yet lighter metal to last longer than a basic alloy shaft. Recommended for Intermediates: Warrior Gnar, Maverik Se7en, Brine F-15 and Brine Swizzbeats.
Advanced Players: This is where you will find the lightest but also most expensive of the shafts. Though it is possible to break and dent these shafts, the metals used are going to be light-weight but strong at the same time. Within this category, the technology used is to make sure that you’re not losing out on overall strength with how light the shaft is. Instead companies use lighter but stronger metals. Recommended for Advanced: Warrior Dolomite Diamond, STX Force SC or the Gait Silencer.
CHOOSING A SHAFT
(By Terry Soloski, Manager of the Framingham, MA Comlax store)
One of the hardest decisions for a lax player is picking out that new shaft that you want everyone to envy on the field. Most people make their decision on what their friends or teammates are using or by the colors or make of the shaft. That’s probably not the optimal way to choose a shaft. Below, I will give you a rundown on which shafts you should be looking at, considering what level of player you may be. Things like the strength and weight of a lacrosse shaft are much more important that using a shaft just because someone else does! A little advice when it comes to picking out shafts is that you don’t need the best shaft on the market to be the best player on the field. When choosing a shaft you should put a lot of thought into it. A lot of it is preference - do you want a heavier shaft that is stronger, or a lighter shaft that might not be as strong? Some players like having a grip on the shaft while others don’t. Luckily, we are here to help guide you in the right direction with this decision.
As you can see below, this is just a quick reference of shafts that would be considered in the three ranges.
Here's my guide for you:
Beginners: These make great shafts for the players that are getting into the game at a younger age. You don’t need a stronger shaft because most of them at this age aren’t allowed to check anyway (usually can begin semi-checking in U13s). Recommended for Beginners: Warrior Alloy 6000, Warrior Platinum Alloy or the STX Steel 7000.
Intermediates: Here is when picking a stronger shaft does help. The player will start experiencing checking in the game and will need something to hold up against it. The metals in these shafts are enforced with a stronger yet lighter metal to last longer than a basic alloy shaft. Recommended for Intermediates: Warrior Gnar, Maverik Se7en, Brine F-15 and Brine Swizzbeats.
Advanced Players: This is where you will find the lightest but also most expensive of the shafts. Though it is possible to break and dent these shafts, the metals used are going to be light-weight but strong at the same time. Within this category, the technology used is to make sure that you’re not losing out on overall strength with how light the shaft is. Instead companies use lighter but stronger metals. Recommended for Advanced: Warrior Dolomite Diamond, STX Force SC or the Gait Silencer.
Goalies/Defense: A little added feature here for those of you who play this position. Most of prefer a lighter stick so it is easier to maneuver, but not losing out on overall strength. A good choice for these would be the STX Scandium Pro, Warrior Kryptolyte and Kryptolyte Pro Diamond models. These shafts are some of the best on the market and will handle the abuse that you can give out with them.
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