Stick Length

[2013Dad]

What stick length do you use?

I believe the legal length can range from 35 1/2 to 43 1/4 inches, which is a huge difference! Obviously in the boys game there is a huge difference between the lengths of the sticks being used by different players, but I was wondering how many of you are cutting down your sticks to something less than the stock 43 1/4 inches that it will be with the shaft straight out of the store.

A shorter stick will reduce the power of the shot and range for interceptions/checking, but will increase the ability to protect the stick for dodging, etc.

Any and all thoughts and experience with this would be most appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

[laxgirl0108]

i think it also depends on your size and what position you play. personally i am an attacker and am an average height, so i cut down my sticks about an inch or a little more to protect my stick and because prior to cutting the sticks they are a little too long for me. however, if you play defense, especially low d, i recommend not cutting your pole. it is more likely that you will need that extra length for interceptions, etc.

[LaxChick_29]

the "perfect" stick size for a certain person is when you can stick the but of the stick in your armpit and your index finger can touch the bottom of the stick's head.

[laxgirl0108]

laxchick-not necessarily. a lot of people who work in lacrosse stores will tell you that, but that is a less recent method of determining the proper length of your pole. it all depends on preference and position as stated before.

[NC_Goalie_Girl]

While we were at state games we played against a girl whose stick was 36' ( we had the refs measure it bc we thought it was too short). It was ridiculous, there was nothing to check and it gave her quite an advantage on the draw. Several of our attackers are considering cutting their sticks to be that short

[SaiLax]

NC_Goalie_Girl: but how fast were her shots? A short stick can't get you as much power as a longer stick. And I was wondering, how did the short stick help her on draws?

I play midfield/attack and I'm pretty short, so I cut down my sticks at least 3 inches. There's less to check and it gives you more control, but it's still long enough to be able to shoot hard and long enough so that it's still effective on defense.
43 inches is really pretty long. NOT cutting your stick only makes sense if you play a lot of defense and need the extra length or are really tall - otherwise it's harder to protect your stick from checks. (esp. for mid/attack)