Chitika

Monday, December 10, 2012

Warrior lacrosse heads: Cobra X review

By Hector Maynard


Aiming for ball control and stiffness, the Cobra X lacrosse head from Warrior incorporates a molded throat design. Its ultra-lightweight sidewall design emphasizes the firmness in the lower part of the head providing sturdiness. The raised ball stop aids in preventing the ball from becoming dislodged as well as better handling.

This head features a 2-tone color design for a completely unique look. This lacrosse head has been constructed with goal scorers in mind. This lacrosse head is approved for all leagues, it's NCAA and NFHS compliant.

The good points

Very accurate

The top of the scoop is pointy enough that I was able to string up a really good channel. The scoop is rather flexible that might be as a result of the weight reduction changes. When shooting, you might even sense some flex. I didn't feel it at first but wound up a big crank and eventually felt it.

This lacrosse head is rigid

This lacrosse head is definitely tough which is a positive thing. The lacrosse head was stable when fitted on any shaft. I trialed shafts from STX, Brine, and Warrior . Sometimes heads can get loose when attached to shafts from different manufacturers but it's good that this head does not. Warrior has executed well accomplishing this. Warrior has made a serious effort to increase the firmness of the whole lax head. The sidewalls, while light, are bolstered by the sturdy neck. This added strength in the neck also gives support in the throat too.

Reverse flared sidewalls

One important thing you'll notice within the Warrior Cobra x lax head is that it has not got much of a pinch. But it's not a problem. The lacrosse head has a alternative solution for ball protection with the addition of reverse flared sidewalls. The flare is positioned high enough up the side walls to really suit a high pocket, but I strung a mid pocket to be consistent with other reviews. You will certainly have a more precise and quicker crank with the combination of the scoop, the offset and the reverse flared sidewalls. Forwards, you'll want to take note of this.

Made to shoot

Attackers hear this, the Cobra X from Warrior is created for you. Each of the primary features work to enable you to score. The flex, sidewall flare, scoop and light-weight construction all come together nicely. This head will certainly offer you the very best chance to score. Or at the very least take away your head as a factor for why you're not scoring!

Things for Warrior to work on

All play, so some possibility of warping

One thing to be aware of concerning the NCAA and NFHS compliant, or "universal", or "all play" heads is that the side-walls have to stretch out from the throat and curve out to a 6.5inch scoop. When you're conscious of this difference, you'll be able to recognize these heads miles away. Nevertheless, catering to both group of sizing specifications means some limitations. The chance of your lax head bending, or "hourglassing" is increased due to the distinct bends on the sidewalls. This isn't a critique aimed at the Cobra X lacrosse head from Warrior specifically, but more this type of lax head.

Raised ballstop, what is up with that?

I've got no idea exactly what the raised ball stop is for. STX have the identical structure in several of their heads and maybe Warrior are attempting to compete on this. Warrior claims "it's to help prevent the ball from being knocked from the head". Huh? It makes no sense! For the ball-stop to help with retention, the ball would need to go behind it and to do that you would need to string an ultra low pocket. Additionally, to sit the ball at the back of the ball stop, you would have to totally loosen up the bottom strings. In any case, as soon as you try this the ball won't freely fall out if angled forward and your head will be illegal. The ball-stop would also play no part because once you cradle the ball it will probably sit higher in the pocket. That's with any type of stringing. But the ball-stop has at least one thing going for it, it looks nice.

Hard for ground-balls

Your angle of approach to a ground-ball with this particular lacrosse head needs to be higher because of the lip behind the head. I have found that the top of the head raises off the surface because of the ridge behind and especially when you are getting low down right over the ball. When you get low and off center, you can't scoop the ball up. Ground balls, mainly on turf, were unfortunately difficult to pick-up with this particular head.

Straight line ground-balls were ok. However picking up ground balls going across my path I had plenty of problems with. I noticed a couple of times it took me 2 or 3 tries to scoop it up. It was mainly a concern on grass surfaces, because you need to get lower on grass because of the varied consistency. I had absolutely no issues on the synthetic pitches. My old Evo had the same kind of top and results.

Summary

I'm really impressed with the Warrior Cobra X. I really like how Warrior has focused on a distinct position, and developed it especially for that one objective. That objective being designed for attackers who score. This lax head is perfectly suited to forwards, even when there are doubts with the ball-stop and ground balls. Prepare yourself to shoot.




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