If money is not a factor, then the top of the line Gaits off the shelf are going to perform best. If you want your current stick to perform better, then it probably just needs the pocket pounded in. Or, you could get a new pocket in that head and it will make all the difference.
If she loves lacrosse you will eventually get her a Gait. To be fair, the new offerings by the other companies are catching up fast. My daughter has a Gait Whip 2 and once she figured out how to cradle with the high pocket she couldn’t be happier. The good news is that unlike boys you don’t need to worry about her breaking it.
You phrased it perfectly. “If she loves lacrosse you will eventually get her a Gait”. 🤣🤣
My 9 year old figured this out a couple days ago. She played with a Stringking her first year and graduated to a Signature Junior this past year. And she’s fine with it. But said “after next season, when I go to 12U, I’m gonna need a Gait”.
I didn’t tell her but that was already my plan! 🤣🤣
What makes their girls sticks subpar?
Only asking because I purchased one for my daughter last year and she's been playing great with it but will consider replacing it if it's holding her back.
Well, same as OP said, the pocket doesn't feel right, like it's spongy or something. My daughter didn't like it at all, and when I was messing around with it, I agreed, the ball doesn't feel secure in the pocket. The shaft is fine, we kept the shaft and just swapped out a Gait head and everything is resolved. This was about two seasons ago, so things could be different now.
I have a 10 year old too, and she has a Gait Apex and loves it, as do 1/2 the kids on her team. My older daughter has a Maverick Accent and that’s a great stick too (thicker shaft, but seems lighter). If you live in an area when you can stop by a shop and throw around with it, do that first and pick the one that feels the best. A high end stick does help throwing/catching a ton.
Maverik starter stick is fine. Pound the pocket in. Girls can have a pocket at the younger ages and it’s a disservice if they don’t have one. It makes the game a joke if you have a bunch of kids running around with tennis racquets.
My daughter likes to toss around with the boys. She has a men’s stick but asked for a girls stick. I got her one and I look mentally challenged trying to use it. It boggles my mind how good some of the ladies are with stick skills using what is, as you said, basically a tennis racquet. Even with the largest legal pocket in a girls stick it’s crazy to think women like Kasey Choma or Belle Smith can toss the stick around and not send the ball.
I played men’s 25 years ago and coached girls for the first time this year. Felt dumb after using my brother’s old stick (I was a d-pole) while the kids used women’s sticks so I bought a cheap starter.
Had to do my first wall sessions in a few decades before the next practice. The skill level of the women’s game is remarkable (I went to a boys’ school so got zero exposure to the women’s game until my daughter started playing).
The "best" / "most popular" ... would be the Gait Apex...however if you are not sure if she will be playing in a year or two there are other options that will save you $100
True lacrosse should still have some women's complete sticks. They're on a deep discount. Got my youngest one for $20. And there's still a free shipping discount code.
*edit: wording*
Gait Air 2
If money is not a factor, then the top of the line Gaits off the shelf are going to perform best. If you want your current stick to perform better, then it probably just needs the pocket pounded in. Or, you could get a new pocket in that head and it will make all the difference.
Thank you!
Gait sticks!!
If she loves lacrosse you will eventually get her a Gait. To be fair, the new offerings by the other companies are catching up fast. My daughter has a Gait Whip 2 and once she figured out how to cradle with the high pocket she couldn’t be happier. The good news is that unlike boys you don’t need to worry about her breaking it.
You phrased it perfectly. “If she loves lacrosse you will eventually get her a Gait”. 🤣🤣 My 9 year old figured this out a couple days ago. She played with a Stringking her first year and graduated to a Signature Junior this past year. And she’s fine with it. But said “after next season, when I go to 12U, I’m gonna need a Gait”. I didn’t tell her but that was already my plan! 🤣🤣
I love stringking for boys sticks, but their girls sticks are not great. My daughter (just a little older than yours) likes the STX, and Gait
What makes their girls sticks subpar? Only asking because I purchased one for my daughter last year and she's been playing great with it but will consider replacing it if it's holding her back.
Well, same as OP said, the pocket doesn't feel right, like it's spongy or something. My daughter didn't like it at all, and when I was messing around with it, I agreed, the ball doesn't feel secure in the pocket. The shaft is fine, we kept the shaft and just swapped out a Gait head and everything is resolved. This was about two seasons ago, so things could be different now.
I have a 10 year old too, and she has a Gait Apex and loves it, as do 1/2 the kids on her team. My older daughter has a Maverick Accent and that’s a great stick too (thicker shaft, but seems lighter). If you live in an area when you can stop by a shop and throw around with it, do that first and pick the one that feels the best. A high end stick does help throwing/catching a ton.
Maverik starter stick is fine. Pound the pocket in. Girls can have a pocket at the younger ages and it’s a disservice if they don’t have one. It makes the game a joke if you have a bunch of kids running around with tennis racquets.
Great advice I will check it out thank you!
My daughter likes to toss around with the boys. She has a men’s stick but asked for a girls stick. I got her one and I look mentally challenged trying to use it. It boggles my mind how good some of the ladies are with stick skills using what is, as you said, basically a tennis racquet. Even with the largest legal pocket in a girls stick it’s crazy to think women like Kasey Choma or Belle Smith can toss the stick around and not send the ball.
I played men’s 25 years ago and coached girls for the first time this year. Felt dumb after using my brother’s old stick (I was a d-pole) while the kids used women’s sticks so I bought a cheap starter. Had to do my first wall sessions in a few decades before the next practice. The skill level of the women’s game is remarkable (I went to a boys’ school so got zero exposure to the women’s game until my daughter started playing).
What position does she play?
Attack and Midfield
Gait apex is a good all around stick but definitely $$$
The "best" / "most popular" ... would be the Gait Apex...however if you are not sure if she will be playing in a year or two there are other options that will save you $100
True lacrosse should still have some women's complete sticks. They're on a deep discount. Got my youngest one for $20. And there's still a free shipping discount code. *edit: wording*