June 10, 2008

What would be a good stick to get my 12-year old son? I've heard they might be changing the rules on what will be allowed. Can you shed some light on that? He has also been talking about trying defense. He likes the rough part of the game, even though he's a fast, skinny guy. Should I get him a defensive stick, or keep with the shorty?

- Scott Waldhauser, Kingsville, Md.

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Mr. Waldhauser,

I would recommend Harrow's H2 or STX's Proton. These heads are a little wider than most on the market. The wider the head, the easier it is to catch the ball (half the battle at that age). Also, the wider heads are more conducive to stringing smooth, legal pockets with little or no whip. I don't recommend deep, or near-illegal, pockets for youths because, without sufficient force, it's difficult to throw a straight pass. The narrower heads are really for experienced players who demand every little advantage.

With that being said, in 2010, almost all of the heads that are currently on the market will be illegal for collegiate use because they're too narrow. Last summer the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Rules Committee recommended, and a playing rules oversight panel approved, wider head modifications in an effort to restore some of the game's high-speed pace and skillful integrity. These new measurement specifications will be enacted Jan. 1, 2010 by the NCAA. However, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has yet to decide if or when this rule will be enforced by high school and youth lacrosse organizations.

Many college teams are sponsored by manufacturers who supply them with equipment. Otherwise, the college will buy the equipment for their athletes. I can't see youth organizations being quick to force parents to buy a brand new $100 head (and that will probably be the low end) just so their kid can play in a P.A.L. league. Because of the financial burden, I think the rule transition from collegiate to high school and youth lacrosse will be very slow. In 2003, the NCAA modified uniform specifications and it took until this year for the NFHS to adopt them.

I think you'll be legally safe for a few years with any head you choose to buy now. By the time you're required to have a head that meets the new specs, the market will already be flooded with 2010 NCAA-approved models due to collegiate demand. (Disclaimer: I've been wrong before).

If I were you, I would encourage your son to play as many different positions as possible. Let him experiment while he's young and not forced into a role by a coach. Plus, you never know what kind of body type that fast, skinny, 12-year old will grow into. Regardless, exposure to various positions will help improve his overall game and understanding. If your son can convince a defenseman on his team to try midfield or attack, make the pole switch. Nobody has to buy a thing and everybody wins.

Best,
Matt Zash

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"Straight Shooters" is a US Lacrosse-produced advice series that runs Sundays in the Baltimore Sun and on baltimoresun.com. The series can also be found here on Lacrosse Magazine Online at www.laxmagazine.com.

Matt Zash was a two-time All-American midfielder at Duke, graduating in 2006. He plays professional lacrosse for the MLL's Philadelphia Barrage and the NLL's New York Titans. Zash was a member of the 2003 U.S. under-19 men's world championship team and played for Team USA in the 2007 Indoor World Lacrosse Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He owns and operates the Lax Hut, a chain of lacrosse retail stores.

E-mail your questions to Zash at zash@laxmagazine.com.Mat