How to Choose the Right Men's Lacrosse Stick: A Buyer's Guide

Buying Guide to Men's Lacrosse Sticks

The lacrosse stick is the most important piece of kit you will buy. In the men's game, sticks vary considerably by position — getting the right length, head, and shaft for how and where you play will directly improve your performance.

Complete Sticks vs. Custom Setups

Complete sticks (head and shaft bundled together) are ideal for beginners and players on a budget. They are ready to play straight away and provide a solid base to learn with.

Custom setups (separate head and shaft) are preferred by more experienced players who want to match components to their position, playing style, and feel preference.

Stick Length by Position

Men's stick lengths differ significantly by position and are regulated by governing bodies including England Lacrosse and World Lacrosse.

Position	Total Stick Length (with head)	Shaft Only
Attack / Midfield	40–42 inches	30 inches
Defence / LSM	52–72 inches	42–60 inches
Goalie	40–72 inches	30–60 inches (varies by preference)

Attackers benefit from shorter sticks for quicker handling, faster cradling, and better ball security in tight spaces.
Midfielders typically use attack-length sticks but may opt for a long-pole mid (LSM) stick in defensive roles.
Defenders use the long pole to extend reach for poke checks, intercepts, and ground ball coverage.
Goalies choose length based on personal preference — shorter for quick reactions, longer for clears.

Choosing the Right Head

The head determines your ball control, passing accuracy, and shooting power.

Head Feature	Attacker / Midfielder	Defender
Face shape	Narrower for ball security and quick release.	Wider for intercepts and ground balls.
Stiffness	Stiff — maintains release point under pressure.	Very stiff — withstands checks.
Offset	Aggressive offset for improved pocket and shooting.	Less offset is fine.

Look for heads with consistent sidewall stiffness — flexing on impact causes inaccurate passing and reduces shot power.

Choosing the Right Shaft

The head determines your ball control, passing accuracy, and shooting power.

Material	Best For
Aluminium alloy	Beginners — durable and affordable.
Scandium alloy	Intermediate to Elite players — extremely stiff and durable.
Carbon fibre / composite	Intermediate to Elite players — lightest & flexible option for maximum shot speed.

Entry-level sticks from university level and above should at least use a mid-range alloy shaft — basic aluminium shafts are functional for learning the basics, but unlikely to withstand the beating from BUCS level competition and beyond. Beginner shafts, by contrast, are designed for youth level players.

Skill Level Guide

Rule of Thumb: "It’s the wizard, not the wand: but the wand helps…" -- ANON.

Beginners / university starters

A complete stick from a reputable brand is the smart starting point. Avoid very cheap entry-level sticks as an adult — beginners sticks are meant for younger players and will hold back adult development. A mid-range complete stick gives far better performance without a significant jump in price.

Intermediate players

Separate the head and shaft, and start experimenting with pocket stringing. Match the head to your position and look for a scandium or composite shaft.

Advanced players

Build a fully custom setup — performance head, premium shaft, and custom stringing. At this level, minor differences in pocket depth and stiffness become meaningful.