easiest to catch? largest legal pocket?

[Elax2323]

Which stick would you recommend for easiest catching/ground balls, so that a new player would have less hard of a time? I am looking for one with a deep pocket that is still legal.

[laxlove6]

i like the apex for ground balls...if you're just starting up though and dont want to spend a lot of money there is a fairly cheap warrior head that is similar to the apex. there really is no largest legal pocket unless you are comparing a beginner stick with an advanced one, you just have to play with it til you break it in

[laxkay841]

If you're just starting, you don't want a stick that will do all the work for you. You want to start with a beginner stick so that you can learn the basics and get them down. Ultimately, taking the time to master the fundamentals will make you a stronger player. Not to mention, beginner sticks are usually less expensive.

Most of the newer sticks out on the market now can maintain a fairly deep (for a women's stick), legal pocket especially the Envy and the Amonte.

As far as ground balls go, I don't think you will find a drastic difference in scooping because of the head you're using.

[ques]

You might want to try using a very shallow pocket and work on catching with that. It will force you to give with the ball and to concentrate more on you catching the ball and not the stick. When you can catch well with that then go to a deeper legal pocket.

[laxgirl0108]

anything with the precision pocket or an envy, then i would recommened an impulse or tempest for large/legal pockets

[el hucklebarrio]

the warrior amonte is good.
my sister uses it and it has a nice scoop

[laughatmypants]

i like the apex for ground balls...if you're just starting up though and dont want to spend a lot of money there is a fairly cheap warrior head that is similar to the apex. there really is no largest legal pocket unless you are comparing a beginner stick with an advanced one, you just have to play with it til you break it in

yeah. the apex is good. i really like it.

[luvnlax17]

the envy is great because it basically catches like a guys stick.

[celtlax]

the envy is great because it basically catches like a guys stick.
dunno, if that's true...I just made a change from the Envy to the ATK and it has hardly any ball rattle...develops a deep pocket very quickly....I was able to us it in a game after a weekend of wall ball....

[ilaxitup007]

i would highly reccomend the debeer tempest or impulse and the warrior amonte looks like it would be awesome for everything. i have not used it though

[nclaxkid]

The deBeer envy.

Pros: It catches easy, ground ball are simple, low sidewalls, very strong.

Cons: It catches TOO easy (like if you tried to play with another stick you may not be able to catch), It's quite heavy, and some people DON'T like it.

Envy is a great intermediate player stick. Like I said, some people don't like it, some do. It's best to try it out.

edit: I realize you said you're beginner.
I wouldn't recommend the deBeer apex.
That was my first women's stick, it bends when you pick up a ground ball. It's very irritating!
So, I like the tempest and impulse for the beginning.

Once you learn a lot of the basic skills, switch to envy.

[laxgirl0108]

I would suggest for a beginner starting out with a stick that is not as offset. It will really force you to gain great stick skills, where as the tempest and impulse are offset which allow for deeper pockets, so sometimes if beginners use these intermediate sticks in the beginning there stick stills do not developed as strongly. i would suggest a non offset stx stick, or something similar.

[upstatelaxdad]

My 12 yr. old daughter started playing this year and I got her a couple of Debeer Tempests. She loves them very much. I will say though that she struggled on occasion with the traditional stringing in the head, even though we broke it in pretty well. So I strung one with the Trakker Pro and it made a huge difference for her.

But to answer your question I’d say try as many other peoples sticks as you can before going out and spending money on something that you may not like.

Sometimes it makes sense to buy one of the more expensive sticks if you’re going to want things like a different shaft or the head restrung.

This is what we did:
Tempest (came with mens shaft,she didn't like the size)- $35
Shaft upgrade -New Debeer composite triax shaft - $85 (great feel, super light)
Trakker piece - $13
My time stringing the head – PRICELESS (lol)
= $133

So we could have gotten a complete stick like an Envy or Amonte for less $$$. And I'm sure in the next year or two thats exactly what she'll want. I've gone through the same process with my sons equip. You'd think that I'd learn my lesson and just get the good stuff the first time huh.

[celtlax]

well at least you can just upgrade just the head since she likes the shaft....that will save you some $$$...more money to spend on camps, tournaments and club teams....lol....most on-line shops sell heads with your choice of stringing...as an added bonus in some cases you can choose the colors.....

[mass_elite21]

i reccommend NOT spending a lot of money on fancy heads and lightweight shafts for a beginner. I started with a $30 stick, tight as atennis racquet, and learned to catch with a tennis ball. I didnt realize it at the time, but it would give me an advantage for my later years. my catching skills were greater than many of my teammates by the time i was in high school, and because i practiced cradling with a tennis ball i could keep control even when i was checked. thats just me though, im a traditionalist haha

[CPLAX08]

Try the Stingray (STX). The top is specially designed to make ground balls easier, and the sidewalls are good for catching. It is super light, not like the envy, and catching with it is a breeze, even when you are going lefty. It is a good heas for the more agressive players, and the ball rarely rattles in the stick.

[laxgirl6]

I like the Apex myself, I find it catches well, and is good for cradling.

It is good on the ground balls too, and usually doesnt get a pocket that fast.