February 1, 2009 E-MAIL PRINT

Sticks face changing future

by Staff Report/

adidas adiStrike

adidas adiStrike

MORE IMAGES     previous   next    start over

The big news in lacrosse sticks is the pending change in the allowable dimensions of heads as permitted in the men’s college game.

Effective Jan. 1, 2010, there will be a required minimum width dimension of 3 inches for the throat of the lacrosse stick head (that’s the key measurement among a few that have been tweaked).

The NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Rules Committee indicated that manufacturers basically have done too good a job, making stick heads narrower and more protective of the ball. The difficulty in dislodging the ball has given the possessing player too much of an advantage.

Lacrosse manufacturer Warrior disagreed and filed a lawsuit last summer in an attempt to stop the changes. The company also was unhappy about what it considered too short a time period to make the necessary adjustments.

“We were disappointed that the NCAA did not respect the production limitations of manufacturers and did not allow for an appropriate phase-in period,” David Morrow, president of Warrior Sports, said in a statement. “That meant that manufacturers were expected to completely redesign, re-tool and introduce entire new product lines by next fall in order to meet the January 1, 2010, date set by the NCAA.”

High school stick rules remain unchanged, but the matter is expected to be discussed in July at a meeting of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Boys Lacrosse Rules Committee.

According to US Lacrosse, some youth leagues have chosen to adopt the new stick requirement at the same time as the NCAA.

The New England Lacrosse Journal buyer’s guide is a section for our advertisers to provide information about their latest products. Comments or suggestions can be sent to feedback@laxjournal.com.

adidas

www.adidas.com/lacrosse

adiStrike MH.109 head — A great head for the elite player or attacker. Features Mid-Set design that provides the advantages and feel of an offset head while allowing the ball to sit higher in the pocket for a quick and accurate release. Stiffened head design is strong and rigid. Multiple stringing holes allow for custom pockets. Pinched throat and rounded scoop provide improved ball retention and shot accuracy. MSRP: $190 (30 inches), $330 (60 inches); MH.109 head $100 (strung), $80 (unstrung)

adiStrike handle — Performance titanium has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than most alloys. Unique asymmetric concave design delivers unmatched control while cradling due to ergonomic shape. Features unique adidas graphic combinations. MSRP: $190 (30 inches), $330 (60 inches)

Excel MH.209 head — A great head for the performance player or midfield. Mid-Set design provides the advantages and feel of an offset head while allowing the ball to sit higher in the pocket for a quick and accurate release. Stiffened head design is strong and rigid. Multiple stringing holes allow for custom pockets. Throat shape and moderate scoop shape provide the right balance for ground balls, throwing, and catching. MSRP: $80 (strung)

Excel handle — Its 7050+ high-performance alloy is one of the lightest materials on the market while maintaining maximum strength characteristics. The traditional octagonal shape is enhanced with three performance ridges for improved feel while cradling. This is a revolutionary design made only by adidas. MSRP: $60 (30 inches), $100 (60 inches); $80 (complete stick, 30 inches), $134 (complete stick, 60 inches)

Versa MS.309 complete stick — Classic 6061 alloy handle is light and reliable. Head is great for developing players. Wider throat and flatter scoop shape make catching passes and retrieving ground balls a snap. MSRP: $50 (30 inches), $70 (60 inches)

Brine

www.brine.com

Asset — Part Clutch, part Voyce, part Franchise, the Asset features advanced Offset for better feel; tight face for ball retention, handling and accuracy; and superior strength. The Asset’s mid-strung sidewall allows the pocket to begin higher in the stick, allowing a deeper feeling bag. Reverse sidewall channel stringing keeps the ball in the center of the pocket. MSRP: $130 (unstrung), $170 (complete stick)

Answer Pro — This is an improved update of a classic top-seller. Reinvigorated stiffness and an improved scoop act like a vacuum on ground balls while helping players ping corners. A full Offset keeps the ball right in the sweet spot of its custom pocket using new sidewall stringing hole options. Narrow face for increased hold. MSRP: $90 (unstrung), $140 (complete stick)

Reign — This women’s stick features Extreme Offset, which allows the ball to sit deeper in the pocket for superior control and feel, tail drop that provides ultimate protection when carrying the ball on the ball stop, angled U scoop for easy ground ball pickups and accuracy, and raised stringing holes that create the perfect pocket shape and give incredible stiffness. MSRP: $120 (complete stick)

Reebok

www.reebok.com/lacrosse

9K Career head — This head offers a pinched profile with streamlined sidewalls and a full offset scooped head design. Great for high-performance players looking for extreme accuracy and ball control. This head comes strung with hard mesh, unstrung and complete with Reebok’s 3K handle. Meets new 2010 NCAA specs. MSRP: $99

6K Ill head — The 6K head is Reebok’s most durable head, offering a more traditional shape with increased stiffness and durability. The full offset scooped head design is great for any player looking for an all-around performance-enhancing head. Meets new 2010 NCAA Specs. MSRP: $79

9K O-Tech handle — The game changing O-Tech handle features revolutionary O-Ports. O-Tech technology is engineered into the top of the handle through a succession of holes aligned with the direction of the shot. The 9K O-Tech handle also features Smooth Grip technology for a softer, smoother feel. MSRP: $125

7K multi-grip handle — The newest addition to the 7K Carbon Fuse line is the multi-grip handle that combines Reebok’s two most sought-after grip technologies, Snake and Blister. The Snake grip wraps around the handle at the top and bottom for ground ball, shooting, one-handed cradling and faceoff control while the middle of the handle is filled with Blister grip for increased two-handed cradling control and easy hand-changing. MSRP: $110

STX

www.stxlacrosse.com

Xcalibur head — STX’s classic trestle sidewall provides extra stiffness and durability for solid checks and defensive play. Aggressive Forward Cant creates quick release when passing and quickest entry into sweet spot of the pocket on ground balls. Scalloped scoop is designed to flex on contact and provides exceptional ground ball play. MSRP: $88

Proton Power head — Gradual pinch and channeled design provides pinpoint accuracy when shooting and feeding. Forward Cant provides quicker passing and shooting on the run. Aerodynamic, streamlined, sleek design removes excess weight. MSRP: $85

Viper2 head — Updated, authentic STX design delivers the best combination of ball retention and catching ability. Forward Cant provides quicker passing and shooting. Strategically placed stringing holes makes stringing the perfect pocket easy for even inexperienced stringers. Open scoop improves ground ball pickups. MSRP: $72

X3 head — Designed for the “old school” midfielder who does it all — wins faceoffs, plays defense and scores goals. Best combination of Crankshaft 10° technology and STX Forward Cant creates a natural high pocket for maximum velocity when shooting on the run. STX’s classic trestle sidewall provides extra stiffness and strength for solid checks and defensive play. Extreme pinch design provides excellent ball retention. MSRP: $85

SC+TI Pro handle — Now 20 percent stronger and just as light. Exclusive STX alloy provides unrivaled combination of weight and strength. Concave edges provide an ideal grip and feel. MSRP: $180

Scandium Pro handle — Redesigned to be 20 percent stronger. Features exclusive STX alloy. Concave edges provide an ideal grip and feel. MSRP: $110

Grip handle — Rubberized coating for superior grip in all conditions. Extreme concave octagon shape. Constructed with 7075 custom alloy. MSRP: $73

Outlet handle — Engineered specifically for the goalie. Teardrop-shaped handle designed for better comfort and maneuverability in the goal. Improves hand rotation on saves and outlet passes. Provides better comfort when cradling and pushing transition. Its 7000 series alloy delivers great strength-to-weight ratio. MSRP: $92

Talon

www.talonlacrosse.com

Talon lacrosse shafts are handcrafted by layering beautiful hardwood veneer over a composite fiberglass core for maximum strength and light weight. They combine the warmth and aesthetic appeal of traditional wood with the power of today’s high-tech materials. They are available in oak, hickory and walnut.

MSRP: Prices are for oak shafts.
Offense shafts: Spirit $75, Legend $115, Thunder $130
Defense shafts: Hunter $155, Protector $185, Beast $200
Goalie: Keeper $145
Women: Hummingbird $85

Warrior

www.warriorlacrosse.com

Evo Ti — Warrior’s patented fused-titanium rod provides targeted stiffness, flared sidewalls allow for maximum ball control, and a double-bar offset design provides the lowest possible pocket that generates power on a shot. MSRP: $134.99 (unstrung)

Punisher — The open head design creates a larger pocket area in the head that makes throwing and catching easier. The curved shape and wide scoop allows for easier ground ball pickups. It comes standard with a full-length Skull graphic on an Alloy 6000 series shaft. MSRP: $39.99

Void — The new Void is the first goalie head to incorporate the Offset design. This drop in the sidewall allows for better ball control when catching and cradling. This head is perfectly balanced to provide the most accurate release on outlet passes. Created with the help of some of the top goalies in Major League Lacrosse, the Void is a pro-style goalie head. MSRP: $79.99 (unstrung)

E-MAIL PRINT