Free Sample
The Complete Handbook of Lacrosse Stick Heads
A practical reference for coaches, equipment managers, retailers, and serious players
by Alumigogo Books
Chapter 1: Understanding Lacrosse Stick Heads
A lacrosse stick head is the netted pocket assembly that attaches to the shaft and does the essential work of the sport: catching the ball, cradling it against your body, and throwing it with power and accuracy. It is not a simple piece of plastic. The head is an engineered system composed of specific materials, internal and external structure, and dimensional tolerances that determine how the head performs in actual play and how long it lasts under use and maintenance. Understanding what a stick head is, and how its components work together, is foundational to making informed purchasing decisions, maintaining equipment correctly, and recognizing why two heads that look similar can behave very differently on the field or in practice.
The Core Structure of a Lacrosse Stick Head
Every lacrosse stick head has four essential structural elements: the scoop, the sidewalls, the throat, and the pocket.
The scoop is the forward-facing curved surface at the front of the head. It is designed to scoop a ball off the ground without the ball bouncing away or requiring the player to bend down further than necessary. The scoop's curvature and width vary by head type and manufacturer, but its functional purpose is constant: it extends the reach of your hand and allows you to pick up a ground ball efficiently. When a ball rolls along the ground toward you, you use the scoop to trap it in the pocket without having to stoop or adjust your