Women’s lacrosse sticks

Whether you’re an elite player or a parent just beginning your daughter’s lacrosse journey, knowing what lacrosse stick to purchase is vital for success at any level. In order to help in the process, we designed this guide to cover everything you need to know on how to choose a women’s lacrosse stick. 


In this article, we’ll cover:

  • How Do You Pick a Women’s Lacrosse Stick?
    • Field Position
    • Size
    • Material of Shaft
    • Head
  • Best Brands for Women’s Lacrosse Sticks
  • Women’s Lacrosse Sticks FAQs

How Do You Pick a Women’s Lacrosse Stick?

Looking at the large selection of women’s lacrosse sticks available can create some confusion if you’re not sure which style is appropriate for you or your youth player. Before diving too deep into your shopping experience, you’ll want to consider different factors that come into play when searching for the right women’s lacrosse stick. 

When browsing our women’s lacrosse stick selection, you’ll want to think about:

  • Field Position
  • Size
  • Material of Shaft
  • Head

Field Position

Different field positions have different needs when it comes to the right lacrosse stick. 

Attacking players want a lightweight stick for quick shots and passes. They also want to find a stick that’s on the lower end of the legal women’s lacrosse stick length range. A shorter stick allows for better control and is tailored to close range shots and short passes.

Defensive players may want to find a stick towards the longer end of the acceptable length of women’s lacrosse sticks. Defense players sometimes also prefer a slightly heavier women’s defense lacrosse stick so they can get more power and momentum on long passes and gain tighter ball control.

Women’s lacrosse goalie sticks can be more specialized than field players. For example, the shafts will be much longer, and the pocket will be both wider and looser to trap and control shots on goal.

Size

A women’s lacrosse stick length will vary based on a few different factors. Age, player height and position should all be considered.

Younger players, beginners and smaller players may not be able to handle a full length women lacrosse stick. Youth league players will need a shorter stick to learn control, shooting and passing motions as well as other key elements of the game. High school through adult leagues will follow the guidelines for a full size stick.

Attack players will use women’s lacrosse sticks that are on the shorter end of women’s lacrosse stick length rules while defenders will use longer sticks. Goaltenders, however, use a much longer stick than what’s allowed for field players.

How long should a women’s lacrosse stick be?

For older lacrosse players, a women’s lacrosse stick length will fall in a range between 35.5 and 43.25 inches to meet requirements. 

Youth leagues for the youngest ages may have different guidelines depending on the level of play, so it’s best to consult your league’s rules before purchasing a youth girl’s lacrosse stick.

Material of Shaft

Women’s lacrosse shafts are crafted from a few different types of materials that you should be aware of. The most common include:

  • Aluminum Alloy
  • Titanium Alloy
  • Scandium Alloy
  • Carbon Fiber/Composite

Want to learn more? Check out our Women's Lacrosse Shafts Guide. 

Lacrosse Head

The head of the lacrosse stick has a few different variations that should be explored. While women’s lacrosse stick heads have a shallow pocket, there is some room for customization tailored to a player’s game.

A stiff lacrosse stick head is more durable than a flexible one. It’s less prone to breaking in the event of contact with another stick. One the other hand, a flexible head allows for more intricate movement and is usually a lightweight option. Defensive players generally lean more towards a stiff head, while attackers can benefit from a flexible head.

The tops of the head also offer personalization. Advanced players might prefer a curved head with a rounded top for more accuracy on quick passes and shots. Youth players and defenders can benefit from a flat top as these women’s lacrosse sticks allow for easier scooping of balls on the ground.

Want to learn more? Check out our Women's Lacrosse Heads Guide for more in-depth information.

Best Brands for Women’s Lacrosse Sticks

There are some great brands of women’s lacrosse sticks available at Lacrosse Monkey. Many are easily recognizable to seasoned lacrosse players, and most can appeal to players at every level.

Brine is one of the older manufacturers of women’s lacrosse sticks in the industry. They construct their sticks with lightweight yet durable materials that appeal to intermediate and expert players alike.

STX women’s lacrosse sticks are some of the most recognizable on the market. Beginner players will be able to easily find affordable STX lacrosse sticks and can grow with the brand if they like. STX makes products suitable for every level, from youth to professional-grade women’s lacrosse sticks.

StringKing is another brand that’s well respected in the professional ranks, and their women’s lacrosse sticks are known for quality and comfort. They have a few offerings at the beginner and junior level as well as a large selection of high-end lacrosse sticks and shafts.

Find the Best Selection of Women’s Lacrosse Sticks at Lacrosse Monkey!

Once you’ve decided what style of stick and combination of features is right for you or your youth women’s lacrosse players, it’s time to start weighing your options. 

Check out the full selection of women's lacrosse sticks at Lacrosse Monkey today.

Women’s Lacrosse Sticks FAQs

Why are women’s lacrosse sticks different than men’s?

You may notice that men’s lacrosse sticks can be longer than women’s lacrosse sticks. This is due to the fact that the men’s game allows body and stick checking, while the women’s lacrosse rule book restricts physical contact. The women’s lacrosse game is a game designed for finesse rather than physical contact, so women’s lacrosse stick lengths are restricted to ensure a smoother style of play.

What is the best women’s lacrosse stick?

While the best women’s lacrosse stick may largely depend on personal opinion, STX women’s lacrosse sticks have been considered the best on the market by many elite players. Countless advanced players will only use a StingKing women’s lacrosse stick, however, so there’s plenty of room for discussion. The best lacrosse stick is the one that you find comfortable and that suits your individual level of play.

Are all women’s lacrosse sticks the same size?

Not all women’s lacrosse sticks are exactly the same size, but they will all fall into a certain range. Attackers will use a shorter stick than defenders and a goaltender will have the longest women’s lacrosse stick on the field.

How long is a women’s lacrosse stick?

A women’s lacrosse stick length should be between 35.5 and 43.25.

How do you tell if a women's lacrosse stick is illegal?

A legal women’s lacrosse stick will fall between 35.5 and 43.25 inches for field players. The heads of the stick must have a shallow pocket. For more information, ask your local association about USA Lacrosse rules for sticks at your specific level of play.