Face-off equipment

[jdd1260]

So I just talked to my jv coach today and he said that he wants me working on face-offs. The problem is, my game stick is a Cyber with 6D, which I'm pretty sure might snap during a FO. I have a couple cheap heads as back-ups: an Icon, Viper, and Hi-wall. I'm not quite sure if any of these would hold up. I'm also not sure if I want a stiff or flexible head, so I'd like it if someone could outline the pros and cons of each. If it helps, I'd probably be more of a brute force type of FO player since I'm pretty strong and bulky. Oh, and if anything I have doesn't sound like itd work, could someone reccomend a pretty cheap head/stringing combo that might work. Make sure you say why you reccomend it, not just that you like it. I don't want to get this closed.
Thanks

[LaxMaxVince]

As for mesh, I'd use Semi-hard. Good consistency for face offs (when broken in).

Head wise- basically anything pinched, get a new Gait Phoenix for $30 or $40 (forgot the price). Pretty narrow, should hold up (and cheap).

[sharpshooterFTW]

as lax said, useually cheap heads are the best so when you do snap/crack it it's inexpensive to replace

i use a razer, it's cracked at the bottom below, and through the hole. i would recomend that, they're really nice when they're pinched, and right in the middle of a flexibility scale.

you may also want to look into oracle's i have one and the short throat makes it easier to get a hold on the ball and they're also pretty durable

[Jephman]

Maybe a Harrow Variable. Made for F-O and can be found on their site (HarrowSpotts.com), and bu using the "TRIPLEEDGE" code, you could get one for about $40. An AV8 would work fine, or a Brine Prophecy if you can get one for sale. Geoff Snider says it is one of the best faceoff heads made.

On Lacrosse.com, Prophecies cheap.

[WinnytheSully]

you can get strung prophecy heads at lacrose monkey for 20 strung

[MaKiMaKi13]

you may want to try a Profile or Proton Power both are very stiff and strong, but nothings wrong with the Viper that you have

[jdd1260]

you can get strung prophecy heads at lacrose monkey for 20 strung
Ya, I can't find what you're talking about

[WinnytheSully]

http://www.lacrossemonkey.com/brine-lacrosse-heads-prophecyd.html
it's unstrung, sorry, but it's only 20 dollars

[jdd1260]

http://www.lacrossemonkey.com/brine-lacrosse-heads-prophecyd.html
it's unstrung, sorry, but it's only 20 dollars
Thats wierd, I looked at all the heads, and I still couldn't find it. Where was it hiding?

And do you actually like the fingers on it? they work ok?

[WinnytheSully]

In the clearance section! haha, we all make e-shopping blunders

[checklax]

Well as you said, youre more of a brute type force F/O guy (same here) so I'd recommend a pretty stiff head for Face offs. Reason is youre probably going to be doing moves such as jumping the ball with your head and pushing off the others guys stick to get the ball out infront of you, and if you're strong but your head is flimsy, the other guys head is just gonna go right through yours- with the ball in it.

[jdd1260]

So how is the prophecy in terms of stiffness?? and how do people like the fingers?

[RIT37FO]

that cyber will blow up on you.
check the face off thread sticked in the instruction forum to answer all your questions

[the next 'one']

i use a cyber that i pinched and i am the main face off guy on our team. it works great for me...i used to use an answer and that worked really good for face offs because it was so flexible. if you can find a Blade, jump on it, because thats the best face off head ever.

[manup5183]

pinch your viper then string it up with some semi hard.

[EHSLAX12]

ill go with the blade and x2 as great f/o heads...and the excal if you are experienced. and i think i may have found a jackpot of like 5 excals at my school, so i gotta find a way to get them out of there.

[toey2516]

Paul cantabene is one of the best FOGO's ever. In the MLL championship game he was using a Krypto Diamond with a blade. I was not there so I don't know what mesh it was but it was def the mesh and it wasn't monster mesh. If you can't get your hands on a blade I highly recommend the Proton Power. Also remember to put tape on your stick so you know where to put your hands when you go down to face off. Also be sure to put tape on the plastic at the bottom of your head so it is harder for refs to see if you are grabbing the plastic. Holding the plastic of the head, while illegal, is a huge advantage and any time a ref will let you get away with it you should do it.

[nemiman18]

I have an excalibur

it is super stiff and flat, like an older vesion of the truth

[itsthatkid]

Excals are pretty nice. VERY stiff, flat, unpiched (might wanna pinch it).

Also you might want to look into a...
Blade. Nice stiffness, nice pinch. Flared so its more pinched, but more head to block the ball. Wont snap often

X2- Very stiff, wide, can be pinched. Offset version of the excalibur

Asylum-I may be the only one to suggest this head, its fairly new and not very popular. I love this things stiffness. Its not mega stiff, but a great stiffness for a faceoff, perfect IMO. Has a shortened throat, so you can have your hand father up the shaft. has a HUGE underside lip of raking, you can send balls flying. I love this head, its kinda expensive at around 80 dollars though. (My game stick)

[laxmiddie11]

I would say a blade, X3, or an asylum. but the X3 and asylum are kinda expensive.

[stinisonfire]

http://www.lacrosseforums.com/showthread.php?t=45108&highlight=fogo

I believe there are 4 pages of what faceoff kids on here use.

[graylaxer88]

I use a gait chaos, its pretty stiff making it easy to power through the other guys clamp. I used to face with a blade, but the scoop sucks and mine was to flexiblie to be effective when I finished with it. I found the choas for $45 unstrung at www.laxstore.com. Also, the triton or the intrepid are good, cheap face off heads.

[goalie1215]

I use a gait chaos, its pretty stiff making it easy to power through the other guys clamp. I used to face with a blade, but the scoop sucks and mine was to flexiblie to be effective when I finished with it. I found the choas for $45 unstrung at www.laxstore.com. Also, the triton or the intrepid are good, cheap face off heads.


are you gray scott? thats tight.

[LaxMaxVince]

Besides the Phoenix, you can look into a Proton Power. I myself use one and when I face off with it, it's great because it has teh perfect pinch and stiffness.

[nikewarrior5]

i recently got the brine clutch and it is really nice and it is really stiff and i doubt it will warp at all, i threw in some semi hard mesh and it is one of the best sticks i have ever used for f/o and for midfield, i also have an e3 which was really nice but it is a wee bit too pinched for me, but it was an amazing f/o head. I really reccommend the brine clutch to anyone in any position.

[emersonlax]

i`d say use some of your old heads and if those break get a new one. personally i use a icon because they bend into anyshape you want and bend back into a good shape to pass or shoot. the stringing doesn`t really makker i would stay away from all leather stringings and super stiff mesh.

[AHSlax21]

I use a Torque right now, but I want something new since my last one has gone to crap from a year of facing off(only thing its good for now is box). Im looking for a stiffer head so I'll try one of the ones you guys recomended.

[laxplease14001]

k18, i have one and im a faceoff middie its awesome

[laxpro]

Blade. Nice stiffness, nice pinch. Flared so its more pinched, but more head to block the ball. Wont snap often

Do you mean no stiffness? They are so flexy.