STX Stallion 300 Junior Complete
Best youth starter stick, easy to catch with, legal out of the box, and priced right for kids.
Check Price on Amazon →Top Pick: STX Stallion 300 Junior Complete
★★★★½
Best youth lacrosse stick for U10 and under. Widest catch zone, legal pocket, and the most affordable quality option for younger players.
In This Guide
- Quick Picks by Age Group
- What Size Lacrosse Stick Does My Kid Need?
- STX Stallion 300 Junior, Best for U10 and Under
- StringKing Complete 2 Intermediate, Best for U12
- STX Stallion 50 Complete, Best for U13/U14
- StringKing Boy’s Starter Attack, Best Step-Up for U13/U14
- What Parents Get Wrong
- FAQ
- Key Takeaways
Last Updated: August 2026 | By LPT
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Quick Answer: For U9/U10 players, the STX Stallion 300 Junior Complete is the best all-in-one starter, properly strung, safe, and sized right. For U12 players with a season of experience, the StringKing Complete 2 Intermediate is the step up. For U13/U14 players ready for full-size equipment, the STX Stallion 50 Complete gives adult-size performance at a beginner price. Don’t buy adult equipment for young kids, sizing matters for development and safety.
Quick Picks by Age Group
| Age Group | Best Pick | Shaft Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| U9 / U10 | STX Stallion 300 Junior Complete | 30″ | Check Price → |
| U12 | StringKing Complete 2 Intermediate | Intermediate | Check Price → |
| U13 / U14 | STX Stallion 50 Complete | 39″ | Check Price → |
| U13 / U14 (step-up) | StringKing Boy’s Starter Attack | Full-size | Check Price → |
What Size Lacrosse Stick Does My Kid Need?
This is the question parents most often get wrong. Youth lacrosse stick sizing is different from adult, and getting it wrong hurts development and can create injury risk. Here’s the breakdown:
| Division | Ages | Shaft Length | Head Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box / U9 | 8 and under | 26-30″ | Youth (wide, open) |
| U10 | 9-10 | 30-36″ | Youth or intermediate |
| U12 | 11-12 | 36-40″ | Intermediate or adult |
| U13 / Middle School | 12-14 | 40-42″ | Adult (standard rules apply) |
Rule of thumb: The bottom of the stick should reach mid-thigh when standing upright. Too long = poor control. Too short = won’t develop proper mechanics.
STX Stallion 300 Junior Complete, Best for U10 and Under
Price: ~$40-55 | Best For: U9 / U10 players, first-time lacrosse players
The STX Stallion 300 Junior is the go-to complete stick for young beginners. STX builds youth-specific heads with wider channels and more open sidewalls, making it dramatically easier for young players to catch and cradle before they’ve developed stick skills. The pre-strung mesh pocket is properly done, not too tight, not too loose, saving parents from having to immediately re-string it. The shaft is lightweight aluminum, which at this age group is actually better than carbon because it absorbs impact without transmitting shock to small hands.
Pros
- Widest catch zone, easiest for beginners to catch with
- Legal pocket out of the box
- Most affordable quality option in this category
- Correctly sized for U9/U10, not an adult stick cut down
Cons
- Head and shaft are entry-level, expect to upgrade in 1-2 seasons
- Basic shaft grip
Bottom line: The best starter stick for U9/U10 players. Properly sized, correctly strung, and affordable.
StringKing Complete 2 Intermediate, Best for U12
Price: ~$120-140 | Best For: U12 players with 1+ seasons of experience
The StringKing Complete 2 Intermediate is built for exactly the gap U12 players sit in: too big for a junior stick, not ready for full adult equipment. The shaft is shorter and thinner than an adult stick, sized for middle-school frames, and the head comes factory-strung with StringKing’s Type 3 mesh, a genuinely good pocket out of the box, not the loose stock mesh most complete sticks ship with. There’s no break-in period; it throws consistently from the first practice. That pocket consistency matters more at this age than any spec sheet: a U12 player developing real mechanics needs the stick to do the same thing every time.
Pros
- Intermediate sizing actually built for middle-school frames, not a cut-down adult stick
- Factory-strung Type 3 mesh pocket needs no break-in and throws consistently
- Smooths the transition to adult equipment at U13/U14
Cons
- The most expensive stick in this guide, at $120-140, more than double the Stallion 300 Junior
- Overkill for a first-year player who’s still learning to catch
Bottom line: The best stick for U12 players who’ve played at least one season and are developing real skills. If this is your kid’s first season, start cheaper with the Stallion 300 Junior and upgrade once they’re hooked.
STX Stallion 50 Complete, Best for U13/U14
Price: ~$50-65 | Best For: U13/U14 players stepping up, where a 39-inch shaft is legal
At U13/U14, most leagues switch to adult equipment rules, which means your player is moving toward a full-size stick. The STX Stallion 50 Complete measures 39 inches, one inch under the 40-42 inch adult range in the chart above, which is exactly what makes it a transition stick rather than a first adult stick. STX sells it as a youth complete. Check your league’s length rule before you buy: if it enforces the full 40-42 inch minimum, your player needs a longer shaft. Where 39 inches is allowed, it pairs the Stallion 50 head with an alloy shaft at a price that makes sense for players whose preferences are still developing. The Stallion 50 head is wide and forgiving, exactly right for a U13/U14 player new to adult equipment. The pocket holds up through a season without needing re-stringing.
Pros
- Adult-size components for league compliance
- Wide, forgiving head for the transition to full-size play
- STX brand trusted by coaches at every level
- Legal pocket out of the box
Cons
- Not ideal for players under U12
- Expect to upgrade the head after 1-2 seasons
Bottom line: Best transition stick for U13/U14 players moving to adult equipment for the first time.
StringKing Boy’s Starter Attack, Best Step-Up for U13/U14
Price: ~$90-100 | Best For: Competitive U13/U14 players who want to make the school team
If your U13/U14 player has played 2+ years and is serious about the sport, the StringKing Boy’s Starter Attack is the step up worth taking alongside the Stallion 50. It’s a full-size stick where the head, pocket, and shaft are engineered together as one matched system, and the factory pocket is the best in this price range, period. It throws with a consistent release from day one, which is exactly what a developing attack player needs when they’re refining shooting technique. StringKing also backs it with a real warranty: if the stick breaks during the warranty period, they replace it. At a tryout, a pass that hits the target the same way every rep is what coaches actually notice, and that’s what the matched pocket buys you.
Pros
- Best factory pocket at this price, consistent release with zero break-in
- Head, pocket, and shaft designed as one matched system, not bundled parts
- Warranty replacement if it breaks, rare for a complete stick
Cons
- Built around attack play, not the pick if your player hasn’t settled on a position
- At nearly $100, it’s roughly double the price of the Stallion 50
Bottom line: Best stick for competitive U13/U14 players with serious ambitions. If they’re still developing catching basics, start with the Stallion 50 first. For more full-size options at this price, see our guide to the best lacrosse sticks under $100.
What Parents Get Wrong When Buying Youth Lacrosse Equipment
🚨 Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying adult size for a kid to “grow into”: A stick that’s too long prevents proper mechanical development. Buy the right size now and upgrade when they grow.
- Choosing based on favorite team colors: Fit and function first. Brand logos second.
- Spending $200+ before the first season: Buy affordable until they’re committed. Upgrade after year two when you know their position and they know they love the sport.
- Forgetting the helmet is the most important piece: A cheap stick is fine. A cheap helmet is not. Always buy a NOCSAE-certified helmet from a reputable brand, see our Best Lacrosse Helmets guide.
- Not re-stringing after the first season: Mesh breaks down with use and weather. A re-string ($10-15 DIY or $25 at a shop) can extend a good stick’s life significantly.
FAQ: Youth Lacrosse Sticks
What size lacrosse stick should I get for my child?
Match to their age division: U9 players use 26-30″ sticks and U10 players use 30-36″. U12 players use 36-40″ sticks. U13/U14 players transition to full adult size (40-42″). When in doubt, go on the shorter side, control beats reach for developing players. See the size chart above.
What’s the difference between a complete stick and a shaft + head combo?
A complete stick comes pre-assembled with a shaft, head, and strung pocket, ready to play right out of the box. A shaft + head combo lets you mix and match components but costs more and requires assembly or professional stringing. For beginners and younger players, complete sticks are always the right call.
Does my youth player need a specific pocket depth?
Yes. Youth lacrosse rules require a shallow pocket, the ball cannot sit below the bottom of the sidewall when resting in the pocket. Most complete sticks for youth players come pre-strung to a legal depth. Always check your specific league rules, as they vary by age division and state association.
How do I know when my child needs to upgrade to an adult stick?
When your player is around U13/U14 and their league switches to adult equipment rules. The key signs: they’ve outgrown their complete stick’s length, they’re developing shooting technique and want a more precise pocket, or their coach recommends moving up. This typically happens around age 12-13.
What’s the best brand for youth lacrosse sticks?
STX dominates the entry-level youth space, the Stallion line covers every age group at reasonable prices. StringKing is the step up: their Complete 2 and Starter series come with genuinely well-strung factory pockets that hold their shape through early seasons, which is the single biggest quality difference in youth complete sticks.
Key Takeaways
📋 Key Takeaways
- Sizing is the most important decision. A stick that’s too long prevents proper mechanical development. Match to the age division chart, don’t buy adult equipment for young kids.
- U9/U10: STX Stallion 300 Junior. Youth-specific sizing, widest catch zone, legal pocket. The right tool for the youngest players.
- U12: StringKing Complete 2 Intermediate. Intermediate sizing that bridges the gap before transitioning to adult equipment at U13/U14.
- U13/U14: STX Stallion 50 Complete. A 39-inch stick at a beginner price, one inch under the 40-42 inch adult range. Confirm your league allows it before buying.
- Competitive U13/U14 players: consider the StringKing Starter Attack. The best factory pocket at the price for players taking the sport seriously and heading to tryouts.
- The helmet is more important than the stick. Budget for a NOCSAE-certified helmet first, never compromise on that purchase.
- Don’t overspend before year one. Buy affordable until they’re committed. Upgrade to a separate head and shaft after two seasons when you know their position.
📖 Related Guides
When your young player is ready to upgrade, our guide to the best lacrosse sticks for beginners covers the next step up. You’ll also want to check our picks for the best youth lacrosse helmets and top lacrosse heads as they develop their game.
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