Lacrosse Shafts

Different Types of Lacrosse Shafts

Lacrosse shafts come in different types and sizes. The standard lacrosse shaft that is normally used measures 30 to 60 inches long. However, they sometimes come in reduced or increased diameters. For the National College Athletic Association (NCAA), they allow a maximum of three and a half inch-diameter lacrosse shafts for official use.

In earlier times, lacrosse shafts were made from wood but nowadays they are made from graphite or other types of metal.

Different types of lacrosse shafts:

1. Graphite lacrosse shafts

This type of lacrosse shaft is derived from carbon-composite graphite and is rubber-finish coated for a firm and better grip. Graphite lacrosse shafts are lighter and more durable than the ones made from metal. However, the price is a lot more expensive.

2. Aluminum lacrosse shafts

This type of lacrosse shaft is made from a mixture of aluminum and steel or aluminum and titanium. Aluminum lacrosse shafts are heavier but easier to bend than graphite lacrosse shafts.

3. Steel lacrosse shafts

This type of lacrosse shaft is a lot heavier than aluminum and graphite lacrosse shafts. For better durability, they can be reinforced by mixing carbon fiber and titanium.

4. Titanium lacrosse shafts

This type of lacrosse shaft is the lightest and also the strongest among the others. They are resistant to impact and rustproof which make them last longer than the other types.

In buying a lacrosse shaft, you would need to consider its weight and length. It is advisable to get a lightweight lacrosse shaft so that it will be easier to carry and swing during the game. If you choose a heavy shaft, it will be uncomfortable and could even slow you down. It is also important to consider the head’s weight because it needs to be proportional with the entire weight of the lacrosse stick. Nonetheless, you should make sure that it is durable and rigid despite of its lightweight.

For the length of the lacrosse shaft, you should consider your body size and height. Usually, big players are more at ease with longer lacrosse shafts. The shaft that you will buy should also be appropriate for your type of play and game level. For starters, smaller lacrosse shafts are advisable. This will give the player easier control of the ball. Eventually, the player can move on to longer shafts after improvement in ball handling.

Traditional Native American lacrosse shafts are made from wood with a hand-woven net at the top and the ball that is used is made from either deerskin or tree-knot. Since the game has evolved, other types of lacrosse shafts were developed for optimum performance.

To know more about what type of lacrosse shaft to purchase, you can visit sports shops or you can also ask for guidelines from experienced lacrosse players.