Nike CEO 3 Lacrosse Head Review
A stiff, short-throated faceoff head with a zero-friction scoop that wins faceoffs and still shoots. Here's how the CEO 3 held up over a full season.
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Nike marketed the CEO 3 as its most durable faceoff head when it came out for 2023. It's stiffer and tougher than the CEO 2 and keeps the same CEO design, with an even shorter throat and a zero-friction scoop. I couldn't resist trying it out.
In this review, I break down whether the Nike CEO 3 really improved shot speed and ground ball pickups while keeping its quality, or if it's just a cosmetic upgrade.
BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry Nike heads. The closest match they stock is the StringKing Mark 2F Unstrung Head ($99.99), a faceoff head I recommend for players who want more flex. For a stiff faceoff head like the CEO 3, look at the Gait Faceoff Stiff Head ($119.99). I've listed more alternatives at BattleLax below.
Key Features and Specifications
Here's a quick look at the specs before we get into the field test.
- Position
- Faceoff / middie
- Level
- Intermediate to advanced
- Weight
- About 4.9 oz
- Released
- 2023 season
- Sidewall holes
- 16
- Mid
- Built with
- Short throat
- Zero-friction scoop
- Sidewall wedge
- Stiff build
Pros & Cons
- Very durable
- Good value for money
- Sharp shooting accuracy and speed
- Strong sidewalls with plenty of holes for a custom pocket
- Versatile for middies and faceoffs
- Long break-in period
- Uncomfortable throat edges
- Not flexible enough for beginners
Nike CEO 3 Lacrosse Head Ranking
I rate the Nike CEO 3 an 8.3/10 on the Drip Meter.
Who's This Head Made For?
I'd used the Nike CEO and CEO 2 for a couple of years, so I was excited when Nike released the CEO 3 for the 2023 lacrosse season. Once I took it to the field, I could tell Nike had made it stiffer and more useful.
The Nike CEO 3 is built for men's middies and faceoff specialists who need high performance and durability. It has a shorter throat, a zero-friction scoop and a stock mid pocket for easy ground balls and passing.
I took it to the field to put together this detailed Nike CEO 3 review. The face width is close to the CEO 2's, but ball control and shooting accuracy are better, even on long-range shots.
The Nike CEO series.
Accuracy of Shot and Pass
Getting the CEO 3 lined up on my shaft was a pain at first because of the four-screw design, but it didn't let me down on the field.
I liked the face profile. In practices and games, the ball stayed centered, backed up by the sturdy sidewalls. I got good feedback on shots and passes and a consistent release every time I moved the ball. The face width cut down on side-to-side movement, which helped my shooting under pressure.
The sidewalls are stiff, with an added plastic wedge between the rails for more support. The top holes dropped from 8 to 4, but the 16 sidewall holes let me customize my pocket depth easily.
The traditional mid pocket gave me a good balance of power, control and accuracy. My shots were faster and more accurate than with the CEO 2. I expected the stiffness to cause off-center shots, but it didn't. My accuracy was on point.
This head will take a longer break-in for beginners, a couple of weeks. If you're new to lacrosse, and to the midfield in particular, consider a slightly more flexible head like the Nike CEO 2 or the StringKing Mark 2F ($99.99).
Read more: Best Nike lacrosse heads
Catching and Cradling
The narrow throat took some getting used to when cradling, especially after playing with a wider head.
The ball sat snug, though, so I was less likely to lose it on checks. The mid pocket kept the ball secure even when I was dodging quickly through defenders.
The strong sidewalls didn't give at all on big checks. That's a real plus for keeping control and protecting the ball in tight spaces.
I bobbled some catches early on, but that went away once I adjusted to the face. The throat was a bit uncomfortable, too. At times, the edge felt like it was digging into my fingers.
I wouldn't recommend it for offensive middies who want a wider catching channel. The STX Stallion 700 is a better fit, with a bigger surface to secure the ball. At BattleLax, the StringKing Mark 3V ($119.99) is a great offensive middie head.
Checking
The Nike CEO 3 performed really well on checks. I used it for a whole season, and it showed very little wear and tear. It let me throw hard, powerful checks without much effort.
It's light, at about 4.9 ounces, but incredibly durable, and it's impressive how it snaps back into shape after a big check.
The CEO 3 handled the physical demands of high-level play, but I struggled a bit clamping loose balls. The face profile leaves less room for error.
Otherwise, its durability is balanced with enough flex, so my checks had more pop without giving up control.
Ground Pick-Up and Face-Off
The CEO 3's zero-friction scoop.
At the X, the CEO 3's flex profile and short throat gave me better control and warp resistance, and that gave me an edge over the guy across from me. For me, it's the best head in the series.
Ground balls and faceoffs have always been a big part of my game, and with the CEO 3, I came up with a few ground balls in the midfield that I would have missed with my old head.
The zero-friction scoop has a smooth design that cuts down drag on ground balls. It's decent for stand-up scooping, with a smooth entry, and even better for scooping off a knee, with quick pickups from any angle.
Sometimes, though, the steeper scoop angle made the ball bounce off the head, especially on uneven, wet turf. My advice is to be careful on wet fields (good lacrosse cleats help too).
Coach's note: From faceoff camps in upstate New York to Ontario box and Virginia Beach summer leagues, I tell every young FOGO the same thing: the head helps, but your hands win the faceoff. Take 50 reps on the clamp and the rake every day, and break the head in before the season starts, not during the first game.
Alternatives at BattleLax
BattleLax doesn't carry Nike heads, but these are the closest faceoff and middie heads they stock right now. Check out our full list of the best faceoff heads too.
| Gear | Why it's here | Price |
|---|---|---|
| StringKing Mark 2F Unstrung Head | The flexible faceoff head I recommend above | $99.99 |
| Gait Faceoff Stiff Head | Stiff, durable faceoff head, closest to the CEO 3's feel | $119.99 |
| Gait Faceoff Flex Head | More flex for pinch-and-pop FOGOs | $119.99 |
| Maverik Logik Force Head | Maverik's faceoff head | $109.99 |
| Warrior Burn FO Head | Budget-friendly faceoff head | $89.99 |
| StringKing Mark 3V Unstrung Head | For offensive middies who want a wider channel | $119.99 |
Shop the StringKing Mark 2F at Battle Lax
People also ask
What are the key features of the Nike CEO 3 lacrosse head?
The Nike CEO 3 has a stiff build, a short throat, a zero-friction scoop and a mid pocket. It weighs about 4.9 ounces and is built for faceoff players and middies.
How does the Nike CEO 3 improve shooting speed and accuracy?
Its stiff sidewalls and mid pocket keep the ball centered and cut down on side-to-side movement, so you get a faster, more accurate shot.
Is the Nike CEO 3 lacrosse head suitable for beginners?
Not really. It's less flexible and takes longer to break in, so it's a better fit for intermediate and advanced players.
How does the Nike CEO 3 perform on ground balls?
The zero-friction scoop reduces drag, so ground ball pickups are smooth and quick, especially off the faceoff. Be careful on wet, uneven turf, where the steeper scoop can bounce the ball out.
When was the Nike CEO 3 released?
Nike released the CEO 3 for the 2023 season. It followed the CEO 2.
Final Verdict
Overall, the Nike CEO 3 is a stiff, stable faceoff head that showed no signs of damage, even after a full season of hard games.
Based on my time with it on the field, it's a good trade-off for middies. Its face profile improved my shot speed and accuracy and made ground balls easier.
If you want a more flexible head that's easier to get comfortable with, go with the Nike CEO 2, the StringKing Mark 2F or the STX Stallion 700. The Mark 2F is in stock at BattleLax.
