EQUIPMENT SWAP

Have some old equipment that’s still useable?  Were looking for donations of sticks, helmets, gloves, and elbow pads.

Lacrosse Equipment can be expensive and Wisslax is committed to helping equip any player looking to join.  If you would assistance getting equipment for your son please email us.  Wisslax has an inventory of new and used equipment designed to get your kid playing and loving lacrosse.

Lacrosse Equipment Buying Guide-

Beginner Equipment Buying Guide (1^st-4^th grade).

Unlike some sports, proper lacrosse equipment is crucial to your son having a positive first experience.  Improper fitting equipment, poorly strung pockets, unsuitable shaft sizes…  All can cause an otherwise good lacrosse player seem like they are unable to play the game.  Wisslax is committed to getting your son the right equipment, please email Rich Krekstein at rkrekstein@gmail.com with any questions.

Dicks- what you need to start:

Beginner pads- ranging from $100-$150

Beginner helmet- Cascade CS-R or STX Rival ($120)

Beginner stick- see below but around $100

Mouth guard & cleats

Stick:

A proper fitting lacrosse stick with a well strung pocket is crucial to a child learning to play the game.

Youth lacrosse players are allowed by rule to cut the shaft to a minimum length of 26 inches. Once they add the head to the shaft, the combined length will be within the youth regulation size of 36” to 42” long. It’s a judgment call when deciding shaft length for young lacrosse players.

Pocket:

One of the most common reason for a youth struggling with throwing a lacrosse ball is the pocket.  Most inexpensive beginner sticks are poorly strung and will result in your child struggling to throw, and or cradle.

A good pocket is one where your son can cradle and catch the ball.  When they go to throw the ball, it  should release towards the top of the stick so that they are not throwing into the ground when they pass.

Beginner Stick Buying Guide 2022

Two of the best first-time youth sticks (10 and under):

Warrior Evo WARP Jr.- One of the best starter stick there is.  The pocket is knitted on and is ready to throw right out of the box with a consistent release point every throw.

https://www.sportstop.com/products/warrior-evo-warp-jr-complete-youth-lacrosse-stick_2

StringKing Complete 2 Junior- A great starter stick for someone that wants their child to get used to a more traditional mesh pocket, which will most likely be the pocket they chose to play with as they get older.  This stick also has a thinner shaft which is great for teaching your child cradling and ball control.

https://www.sportstop.com/products/string-king-complete-2-junior-youth-lacrosse-stick

Some less Expensive sticks, like the STX Stallion and Under Armor, Junior can be fine, but have pockets that require breaking in.  Please see the below section on breaking in a stick and preventing bagging, or whip.

Breaking in a pocket-

The best way to break in a pocket is to play with it, but unfortunately if you son is a beginner this may prove challenging.  Start by taking a ball and pounding the pocket from both sides (front and back).  Focus on the higher half of the stick around the shooting strings.  A baseball bat standing upright is a great quick way to achieve this.

How to break in a pocket .

If needed you can loosen the bottom lace so that the ball sits nicely in the bottom of the stick, but make sure it does not make the stick illegal (if you can see the top on the ball from the side of the stick)

A perfect pocket is when looking at the pocket sideways the top of the lacrosse ball is at the bottom rail of the stick.  You can loosen the bottom lace on the stick to assist if needed.

Preventing Bagging- If the pocket is getting too deep, tighten the bottom lace.  If the problem persists it may be time for a new pocket.

Preventing Whip- Whip is the term used to describe the ball staying in the pocket longer and releasing later.  In youth lacrosse players this results in throwing/shooting into the ground.  In professional lacrosse players this adds speed to their shots and hold to their cradling.  Some whip is ok, too much is impossible for a kid to play with.  If you notice you son throwing/shooting the ball too low try one of the following:

• Tighten bottom lace, making the pocket more shallow
• Loosen shooting strings
• Remove the lowest shooting string

Understanding Whip

Beginner Protection 2022

Shoulder Pads-STX Stallion, Maverik Charger, and Warrior Burn are 3 of the most common youth brands.  All shoulder pads must meet new NOCSAE performance standard ND200 to help address commotio cordis.

Gloves and elbow pads-STX Stallion, Maverik Charger, and Warrior Burn are 3 of the most common youth brands.

Lacrosse Helmet – Cascade and Warrior are the most common brands, with STX having a stallion youth specific helmet as well.

Do’s

• Get a mouth guard that attaches to the facemask so it’s always available for your son to use.
• Select the correct size that fits snug with no movement.
• Place the helmet on to the player and move it to be looking through the first or top set of bars of the helmet.
• Tighten the chinstrap and the back of the helmet (Cascade pinch, Warrior BOA etc) so it is fitting snugly and evenly on the player.
• The top chin straps (typically with the brands name on them) attach to the top snap buttons of the helmet and should be even in how tight they fit. The bottom straps should also be even in length and snap onto the bottom or side snap buttons.
• Always unbuckle the bottom or side snap buttons when taking off the helmet. Typically, once you have them set, you will never need to unbuckle the top straps.

Dont's

• Buy a helmet that is too big to “grow into”.
• Look through the second or third set of bars.
• Have uneven levels of chinstrap tightness.
• Buy old, used helmets. The plastic wears down after years of use and they are not made to be hand-me downs.