AboutJonathan Edwards Expertise I'm a former All-American goalie and have played every position at all levels.
I also coached a high school program in Massachusetts for four years where I helped a number of athletes go on to play college ball in all divisions. Currently I spent much of my time between Massachusetts and Calgary, AB Canada where I have had a chance to work with a number of box lacrosse players who have gone on to play field in the US. Currently I run two blogs. www.lacrossegoaltending.blogspot.com for goalies. As well as www.yourbestlacrosse.blogspot.com for field players. I also run the number one lacrosse newsletter for goalies and the number one conditioning newsletter for field players.
Experience I was a high school All-American who was recruited by a number of Division 1 schools. I have also been a coach and ran a high school program for four years. I have coached at summer camps and also run my own website for goalies as well as a lacrosse fitness site.
Publications Too numerous to name here.
Education/Credentials Currently I am the most requested Expert on AllExperts.com in the category of lacrosse. I was an Olympian in the sport of luge. Also attended Stanford University. Former strength and conditioning coach who has helped thousands of athletes world wide improve their game.
Awards and Honors I was an All-American and an All-League player as well as the MVP of the East West Prep School All Star Game.
Question QUESTION: My son is 6 years old and only 44" tall. He has been playing very casual pick
up lacrosse at a day camp where I work. The sticks work fine, but they are
"Franklin" plastic sticks. He wants his own stick because he thinks this game
is totally awesome. I saw a two pack of mini STX sticks (bionic and proton
heads). It says they are 30" long. A youth STX Rotor 2 is 37.5" long. I would
like to get the 2 pack if that length is OK for him. I know it won't be "legal"
but he won't be playing organized lacrosse until he is at least 8.
What do you think? Get the 2 pack so I can play with him or he can find a
friend to play catch? Or get the longer 37.5" stick?
Thanks for the help,
Ann
ANSWER: Ann the fiddlestix are fine in my opinion. My son is four and that is what we have for him. But I would keep an eye out for when his friends start getting more "adult" sticks.
The big things with the fiddlestix is that they have smaller diameter shafts so they are easier for smaller hands to hold.
The fiddlestix also have smaller versions of "real" heads so that the transition to a real stick is easier. I think they are a perfect choce for you.
Jonathan -
www.LacrosseGoalieTips.com
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: OK. But I am worried that the different size head will set him apart at camp.
How much smaller is the head? The company I called had told me that the
head size was the same as a regular stick. Same as the bionic and proton
regular head. Also, does the regular ball work with the fiddlestix smaller
head? If the size isn't too noticeable and it works with the regular ball, I will
definitely get the fiddlestix.
Again, thanks for your help!
Ann
Answer Ann the Fiddlestix heads are definitely smaller. I measured about an inch compared to an older Proton that I have. Head sizes vary among manufacturers but there are minimums.
My four year old is 41 inches tall but has small hands so I like the fiddle stix for his small hands. If you are worried about the heads here is what I would do: Buy a "normal" stick with a cheap shaft and then chop it down to a length that is managaeable. I would say that the 37.5 inch stick would be too long.
Personally, I would go with the fiddle stix. The lacrosse ball works in there as well as tennis balls which don't brake windows.
