StringKing Mark 2 Offense Tech Trad Women's Lacrosse Head
A lightweight, narrow women's head with a pre-strung Tech Trad pocket, built for the offense-minded middie who feeds and finishes from mid-range.
LaxDrip verdict: elite feel and accuracy for mid-range shooting middies, but too flexible for checks, draws and high-speed shooters.
Shop similarWe may receive a commission if you make a purchase through a link on this page at no cost to you. This helps us keep this site free & we appreciate your support!
Key Details
- Brand
- StringKing
- Position
- Offense Midfield
- Cost
- $159.99
- Level
- All Levels
- Legality
- NCAA & NFHS
- Year released
- 2021 (relaunch)
- Colors
- White / White
- Black / Black
- Yellow / White
- Yellow / Black
Product Specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Weight | 4.5 ounces |
| Pocket Location | High |
| Stiffness | Flexible |
| String Holes | Top Holes: 6 | Sidewall: 32 |
| Original Release | 2018 |
| Face Shape | Narrow |
| Ground Pickup | Good |
| Ball Release | Early |
| Ease of Use | Intermediate | Advanced |
| Position | Midfield |
| Gender | Female |
| Spread on Shot | Sharpshooter |
| Level of Play | All |
Battle Lax doesn't currently carry the StringKing Mark 2 Offense. If you want a pre-strung, pro-pocket women's head from Battle Lax, look at the Maverik Ascent Pro Women's Hex-Strung Head ($199.99), the ECD Halo unstrung head ($124.99), or go game-ready with the ECD Halo Elite Setup complete stick ($299.99).
StringKing Mark 2 Offense Tech Trad Head Ranking: Drip Meter
Each row ranked between 0 and 10.
| Category | Bar | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy of Shot and PassPassing accuracy is impressive for a flexible head. The narrow face provides good shot accuracy. | 9 | |
| CheckingThe flexible stiffness of the Mark 2 Offense is not good for throwing punishing and aggressive checks. | 7 | |
| Cradling Performance / Ball SecurityThe aggressive sidewall and offset angles help deflect checks on the head and allow for increased ball security. | 8.5 | |
| CatchingThe narrow face requires a higher skill level to make consistent catches. | 8.5 | |
| Ground Pickup PerformanceIt features a flatter scoop shape. Ground ball performance is average, and there is room for funnel improvement. | 7 | |
| Faceoff (Draw) PerformanceThe head is far too flexible to recommend for draws. | 5.5 | |
| StringabilityAn above-average number of stringing holes allows for a very versatile pocket setup. | 8.5 | |
| Durability (Material and Thickness)A durable design with five struts on the side rails of the head. | 8 | |
| Drippiness / Aesthetics / BrandStringKing is known for its minimalist, clean designs and a good brand reputation. | 9 | |
| CostGood value for a Tech Trad pocket head. | 8 | |
| Total | 7.9/10 |
Pros/Cons of Head
- Elite performance for mid-range shooters
- Tech Trad pocket
- Aggressive sidewall and offset
- Predefined sweet spot
- Flexible stiffness
- High pocket customization
- Lightweight
- Multiple color options
- 6-month warranty
- Requires skill to use
- Not good for high-speed shooters
Shop the Ascent Pro at Battle Lax View new drops on Battle Lax
Who's This Head Made For?
I have always been intrigued by the StringKing Mark 2 series and the hype surrounding it. I decided to give it a go and see for myself how it performs on the field based on the features StringKing advertises.
The StringKing Mark 2 Offense was originally released in 2018, but it caught my attention again when it was relaunched in 2021 with pocket upgrades. This head is specifically designed for offense-minded women's midfielders (here's more on the positions in lacrosse). One of the key improvements in the relaunched Mark 2 Offense was the inclusion of the Tech Trad pocket, aimed at delivering elite performance.
Now, let me tell you what makes the Tech Trad pocket stand out. The Tech Trad pocket looks like a traditional pocket, but it uses modern synthetic mesh and strings for better consistency and control. On the Mark 2 Offense women's head, the Tech Trad pattern shows controlled diamond shapes in the center, along with two runners on top. (New to pockets? Read up on the different types of lacrosse pockets.)
I ran it through the same work I give every middie I coach, from the girls' programs around Virginia Beach to club teams in upstate New York: feeds on the run, catch-and-shoot from the 8-meter, cradling through traffic, and a few ground ball and draw reps to see where it breaks down.
Accuracy of Shot and Pass
My experience with the StringKing Mark 2 Offense Tech Trad left me with mixed feelings. The tight face shape and higher pocket location were notable features, making the head light and responsive. My first impression was that it might not suit high-speed shooters like myself. I found it a bit underpowered for my style.
However, for midfielders who excel at mid-range shooting, have sharp stick skills, quick decision-making, and a strong grasp of shooting angles from medium distances, this head will work like a charm.
The narrow head profile and predefined sweet spot proved beneficial for making accurate passes and seizing opportunities to shoot when gaps appeared in the opposing defense. The high pocket location loaded the ball into the sweet spot faster, and I had good ball control and consistency because of it.
I liked the aggressive sidewall and offset design that helped me transfer power to my shots. It helped me feed the ball pretty quickly. While the accuracy of shots and passes is commendable, the head's speed range may not intimidate opponents. You will have to apply your tactical approach to get the job done. (Curious how the women's game compares? See is it harder to score in boys' or girls' lacrosse.)
Catching and Cradling
The tighter face profile, predefined scoop, aggressive offset, Tech Trad pocket, and flexible stiffness worked well with my catching and cradling. I liked the feel of the ball snuggling in and then staying there. The high pocket maximized ball retention for me, and it held the ball well during high-speed catches.
The tight face shape helped with ball retention while cradling, which minimized the risk of losing possession. I felt confident as the ball stayed stable in the head without rolling up and down.
The aggressive sidewall and offset design helped me keep a strong hold on the ball. The sidewall has five struts: two shorter struts around the pocket location and three larger struts along the down flare of the head, offering increased ball security for mid-range midfielders.
Although I typically prefer stiffer heads for midfielders, the flexible stiffness of the Mark 2 Offense surprisingly improved my ball feel and control. The flexibility helped my vertical and sidearm cradling.
For the middie who'd rather thread a feed than rip one from 12 meters, this head is a scalpel, not a hammer.
Checking
I was a bit disappointed with the checking performance of the StringKing Mark 2 Offense. I had hoped for better results here, but the flexibility works against it. The head is incredibly lightweight and easy to maneuver, and the trade-off for that agility is less material around the throat, sidewall, and scoop.
The scoop's shape is somewhat flatter due to a relatively straighter curve. It worked well for me in dry conditions, but I wished the scoop funnel were a bit deeper, as I sometimes struggled to keep the ball stable during checks; it would occasionally bounce off the scoop.
For checking, you need more stiffness in the head to throw aggressive, punishing checks. During my review in March, I could easily bend the head with one hand, which makes me concerned about how much more flexible it might get in summer heat. For midfielders whose role involves throwing checks frequently, I would recommend considering the StringKing Mark 2 Defense head, as it offers greater stiffness.
Ground Pick-Up and Draws
For ground balls, you will need to be good with your skills. Because of the flatter scoop, it took some work to scoop loose balls cleanly, and in wet or muddy field conditions a flatter scoop won't perform as well as a deeper scoop shape. Chances are the head will dig into the ground.
Having said that, the high pocket location makes up for the flatter scoop. Once the ball rolled in, it was easy for me to keep possession. It's not that you can't pick up ground balls; you'll just need some good practice sessions to master it.
For draws, simply put, do not use the StringKing Mark 2 Offense. You might end up breaking the head because of its lightweight construction and flexibility. Even if you take the draws, you are unlikely to win them because of the low warp resistance.
Final Remarks
The StringKing Mark 2 Offense with Tech Trad pocket is an ideal head for mid-range shooting midfielders who like to play as feeders and manipulate the openings in their opponent's defensive lines. The tight face profile with a higher pocket location is good for catching, cradling, passing, and shooting. For scooping and ground balls, expect a break-in period.
If you're shopping today, compare it with the rest of our newest women's lacrosse heads and best women's lacrosse sticks, and pair your head with one of the best women's lacrosse shafts.
See it live
Want to see the Mark 2 Offense and its Tech Trad pocket up close?
More Mark 2 Offense videos:
Battle Lax: Maverik Ascent Pro Women's Hex-Strung Head$199.99
Read more:
