stick length

[shorty]

new guy here with a stick length question. Is there a general rule of thumb for getting the right stick length. I've got two kids age 6 and 7 and they love lacrosse so I figure I should learn right at the start what's what. They're playing box lax if that makes any difference.
Thanx,
Shorty

[laxgirl45]

Well..not really. Get them to hold the stick as if they were playing...then see how much extra length there is. If there is more than maybe 2 inches of stick after where you would put your bottom hand, then it's too long. If it's anylonger than that, they could end up getting called for butt ending accidentaly and people would be able to knock the ball out of their sticks really easily.

[shorty]

Does age make a difference for min.- max. length??

[LL71]

yea it does, you should check the rules of where they are playing......

[Hackstall]

Ages 6 and 7...do you have them using junior shafts?

[shorty]

Yea, they've both got junior shafts. I think our regulations allow for 34" for the little guys.

[Hackstall]

I wish I could be more helpful but I can only speak from personal experience. I took up lacrosse at an older age so I remember the process I went through while learning to hold the stick. I found that at first I tended to keep my hands closer together and my bottom hand at least 6 inches from the end of the stick. I think I did this because it gave me more control of the stick. However, once I felt I had control I gradually moved my hands lower so that my bottom hand was at the butt end and my upper hand was towards the middle of the stick. Obviously this allows for more powerful shots and passes.

I guess the reason I am saying this is to caution you from shortening the stick if they are just learning. Perhaps they might later find they need that bit of extra on the stick once they get the hang of it and want more leverage. Of course you could always just buy a couple of new shafts. I really don't know the answer. It goes without sayingthat you will want them shorter than the league maximum...what are other parents in the league thoughts on the issue?

[RockStar]

40" total length is minimum for PeeWee age group and up.

I think it's 34" for the youngsters. If you're in Canada, I can look it up for you later, let me know.

I recommend playing with minimum length. It's a bit easier to handle, and you hardly sacrifice anything on shot power.

A storebought junior stick will probably come 36" long or so, so you can consider hacking a couple inches off.

(for pruning a stick, 5 minutes with a hacksaw will do an aluminium kid's stick nicely. 2 minutes with a Dremel is preferred if you have a shaft with better metal alloy)

[regulate34]

man i wish i strted playing when i was younger

[Stonewall35]

40" total length is minimum for PeeWee age group and up.

I think it's 34" for the youngsters. If you're in Canada, I can look it up for you later, let me know.

I recommend playing with minimum length. It's a bit easier to handle, and you hardly sacrifice anything on shot power.

A storebought junior stick will probably come 36" long or so, so you can consider hacking a couple inches off.

(for pruning a stick, 5 minutes with a hacksaw will do an aluminium kid's stick nicely. 2 minutes with a Dremel is preferred if you have a shaft with better metal alloy)

I believe that the 40" minimum goes from Bantam and up. Pee Wee and lower, the minimum is 34".

[SF_13]

yes thats right peewee and lower the reguation is 34" - 46" bantam and above it is 40 - 46. the top of the head must also be 4 1/2" - 8 " wide but at age six and seven there wont be many stick checks called. they shoud be in tyke? so if in a couple years you're willing to put out some more money just make it so their sticks comfortable. note: the junior shafts are made with junior heads. a regular shaft does not fit in the junior head unless you shave the top down with a knife.