Gait doesn’t usually make faceoff-specific heads. So when they dropped the Gait Faceoff Stiff lacrosse head in collaboration with PLL and NLL pro TD Ierlan, the most dominant faceoff specialist in NCAA history, I paid attention.

This isn’t a midfield head with a repositioned scoop. It’s purpose-built from the ground up for one thing: winning draws. The Stiff version is designed for power-first players who grind out 50/50 battles with physicality rather than finesse.

At $119.99, it’s priced like a serious piece of gear, so let me tell you whether it actually performs like one.

Key Features and Specs of the Gait Faceoff Stiff Lacrosse Head

Attribute	Details
Position	Faceoff Specialist (FOGO / FOSO)
Weight (oz)	N/A
Pocket Location	Faceoff-specific stringing recommended
Stiffness	Stiff (stiffer than the Flex counterpart)
String Holes	Top Holes: 8 | Side Holes: 28
Face Shape	Narrow bottom edge, pinch-optimized
Ground Pick-Up	Improved scoop design for seamless recovery
Ball Release	Quick exit via pinch-and-pop mechanics
Ease of Use	Intermediate to Advanced
Spread on Shot	N/A — faceoff-specific head
Level of Play	Intermediate & Advanced
Legality	Legal for field play when properly strung
Colors	Championship Gold (and additional colorways)
Release Year	2025

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Innovative inside handle/head attachment system places your hand closer to the ball than most competitors, giving you a real speed edge in tie-ups
• Cold water quenching after injection molding gives the plastic both durability and snap-back recovery; it doesn’t stay bent after a hard clamp
• Narrowed stiff bottom edge holds up in physical 50/50 battles better than softer heads like the Gait Faceoff Flex
• Purpose-built pinch-and-pop profile supports both forward and backward move sets
• Improved scoop shape makes ground ball recovery fast and natural without needing perfect technique
• Designed with TD Ierlan, the greatest NCAA faceoff man ever — the feedback in this product is real, not marketing

Cons

• The Stiff version will frustrate finesse-heavy players who rely on oblique flex for clamp-and-rake moves — the Flex version suits that style better
• Newer to market, with less long-term durability data compared to established options like the ECD Weapon X 2.0

Gait Faceoff Stiff Performance Rating

Based on its on-field performance, I would rate the Gait Faceoff Stiff a solid 7.5.

Attribute	Rating	Details
Accuracy of Shot and Pass	8.5/10	Stiff sidewalls and a defined narrow channel create a consistent release point, leading to precise shots and accurate feeds. Ideal for players with refined mechanics.
Checking	8/10	Reinforced structure and cold water-quenched plastic absorb contact well, allowing controlled checks without unwanted flex or warping.
Ball Security	8/10	Pinched sidewalls and proper pocket placement keep the ball secure during dodges and cradling, though one-handed cradle feel is slightly restricted.
Catching	7.5/10	Tight face shape improves control but reduces the catching surface, making off-target passes harder to handle under pressure.
Ground Ball Pickup	8/10	Improved scoop design performs well in traffic and at low angles, though it requires proper technique for best results.
Faceoff Performance	9/10	Purpose-built from the ground up for the X. Pinch-and-pop mechanics, narrow bottom edge, and hand-close attachment system give physical faceoff specialists a real edge.
Stringing	7.5/10	Faceoff-specific stringing is recommended. Setup flexibility is solid, though fewer data points exist given the head’s newness to the market.
Durability	8.5/10	Cold water quenching and proprietary plastic maintain shape after hard clamps and repeated heavy contact.
Aesthetics / Design	8/10	Championship Gold colorway looks sharp. The Flex version also comes in special colored options worth checking out.
Cost	7/10	$119.99 is a premium ask in a competitive FO head market. Justified for dedicated specialists; harder to recommend for casual use.
Overall	7.5/10	A power-forward faceoff head that excels at physical draws. Best for FOGOs and FOSOs who win with strength and body position rather than speed and finesse.

Overview of the product.

Who’s This Head Made For?

This head was built for one type of player: the physical, power-first faceoff specialist.

If your game at the X is about raw strength, body leverage, and grinding through 50/50 scrums, the Gait Faceoff Stiff lacrosse head was made with you in mind. 

It suits intermediate-to-advanced players at the high school and collegiate levels who have already developed consistent technique and want a head that matches their physicality without breaking down.

FOGOs will love the quick exit mechanics. The inside handle system puts your hand unusually close to the ball, which shortens your reaction window off the whistle in a meaningful way. 

FOSOs who stay on to play field positions will want to evaluate whether the tight face shape fits their offensive needs. It can work, but the head’s best attribute is clearly at the X.

If you prefer speed and finesse, theGait Faceoff Flex is the better pick. That version prioritizes oblique flex and quick-clamp engagement, and TD Ierlan confirmed that the Flex is the suggested starting point for newer faceoff players. The Stiff is for players who already know what they need.

The head was co-designed with TD Ierlan, who holds every major NCAA faceoff record, including 1,245 career faceoff wins, the highest in history by nearly four percentage points. That’s not a celebrity co-sign for marketing. Ierlan reportedly put real hours into tuning both versions. That design credibility matters.

Shot and Pass Accuracy

I ran the Gait Faceoff Stiff through some field work after a few faceoff reps to test whether it was worth anything as a field head post-draw.

Honestly, it holds up better than I expected. The narrow bottom edge and tight face shape create a defined channel that produces a consistent release point. Shot accuracy from settled positions felt clean, and passes on the run tracked well without a ton of wobble. 

The proprietary plastic keeps sidewall shape locked in, so you don’t get the pocket drift that kills accuracy in softer faceoff heads mid-season.

That said, this is not an offensive head. Players with refined mechanics will get more out of it than players still developing their throw. If you’re a FOSO looking to shoot off transition, you’ll find the tight face shape limits your margin for error on contested catches — something I’ll cover below.

For context, theECD Weapon X 2.0 has a slightly wider face profile that gives FOSOs more catching surface post-win. The Gait Stiff trades that margin for better pinch mechanics at the X. Worth knowing before you buy.

If you’re a faceoff specialist, you should also explore our review of the top-rated faceoff lacrosse heads.

Catching and Cradling

This is where the Gait Faceoff lacrosse head shows its limitations as a dual-use option.

The narrow, pinch-optimized face shape that makes this head great for clamping makes it less forgiving on catch. Off-target passes from wing defenders or midfielders hit in transition are harder to handle under pressure. If you’re a FOSO who works consistently in settled offense, you’ll notice the reduced catching surface after a few games.

Cradling is fine in two-handed situations. The pinched sidewalls keep the ball seated well enough, and the proprietary plastic doesn’t let the pocket sag the way cheaper heads do after repeated flex cycles. 

One-handed cradling under contact felt a little restrictive; the tight channel grips the ball, which sounds good until you need to transfer it quickly.

For pure FOGOs who never need to play field position, none of this matters. For anyone staying on, I’d compare this directly to theSTX X-IT Flex, which gives you a softer, lower sidewall that’s easier to manage in field situations while still performing at the X.

Checking

The cold water quenching process is one of the more interesting technical details on this head, and it pays off in checking situations.

Most plastic lacrosse heads distort or flex unpredictably after hard contact. The Gait Faceoff Stiff’s quenched plastic absorbs impact better than I expected, the head doesn’t warp on contact, and it snaps back cleanly after bump checking or being checked through a scrum. 

The stiff construction means you’re not losing sidewall shape after a season of hard play.

The narrow bottom edge also gives you leverage in body checking situations at the X, specifically in tie-ups where you’re grinding for position. The head’s rigidity, combined with the handle attachment system placing your hand lower, gives you better torque when pushing through contact.

This is one area where the Gait Faceoff lacrosse head Stiff version clearly outperforms the Flex. If you’re playing physical draws against older, stronger opponents at the varsity level or above, the added stiffness keeps the head from becoming a liability when things get rough.

Ground Ball Pick-Up and Faceoff Performance

This is where the head earns its price tag.

The improved scoop shape is one of the best things about the Gait Faceoff Stiff lacrosse head. It glides under the ball cleanly at low angles, even in traffic on turf, without catching on the surface. I found ground balls easier to recover on the move, which matters enormously in transition play after a contested draw.

At the X itself, the pinch-and-pop mechanics are the highlight. The head loads into the clamp position quickly and springs back with real force. Forward and backward move sets both felt natural, and the snap-back consistency from the proprietary plastic means the head doesn’t get sluggish between reps the way some heads do mid-game.

The inside handle attachment system is something I want to specifically call out. Most lacrosse heads attach to the shaft in a way that leaves a gap between your hand and the ball. The Gait Faceoff’s system eliminates a meaningful portion of that gap.

In faceoffs, that proximity translates to faster reaction time off the whistle, not in a way that’s dramatic the first time you pick it up, but in a way you notice after 50 reps.

For FOGOs: this is one of the better-performing faceoff-specific heads in its price range. For FOSOs: it works at the X and the scoop is excellent, but evaluate the catching trade-off honestly before committing.

Comparison: Gait Faceoff Stiff vs. Gait Faceoff Flex

The most natural comparison for the Stiff is its own sibling: theGait Faceoff Flex, which retails alongside it and also came in limited special colored options.

Both heads share the same DNA, same inside handle system, same scoop design, same cold water quenched plastic, and same TD Ierlan development process. The differences come down to flex profile and who each one benefits.

Attribute	Gait Faceoff Stiff	Gait Faceoff Flex
Price	$119.99	$119.99
Stiffness	More rigid construction	Ultra-flexible profile
Best For	Power, physical draws	Speed, finesse, quick clamps
50/50 Battles	Clear advantage	Less dominant in prolonged scrums
Pinch-and-Pop	Strong	More responsive to quick-hand technique
Face Flex	Moderate	High — best for picking up on top of ball
Ideal Player	Intermediate-Advanced FOGO/FOSO	Newer FO players and quick-handed specialists
Warp Resistance	Higher	Slightly lower

Gait’s own guidance is that the Flex is the better starting point for newer faceoff players. The Stiff is for guys who already have their mechanics dialed in and want a head that matches their physical approach. 

If you’re between the two and unsure, go Flex first. it’s more forgiving. If you’ve used multiple FO heads and know you play power-first, the Stiff is the right call.

Neither head is a substitute for the other. They serve different styles, and Gait was smart to release both simultaneously rather than forcing players to choose one profile for the whole position.

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