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# Nike L3 Head

  

The Nike L3 Lacrosse Head, a successor to the iconic Lakota line, carves its niche as a top-tier option for midfielders. Its tight face shape enhances control and accuracy, while the deep bottom rail facilitates a mid-to-high pocket ideal for quick releases. The PowerForm material boasts increased stiffness and durability, making it a reliable companion in any condition. This head caters to advanced players seeking versatility across passing, dodging, and ground balls.

  

While not the first foray for Nike into lacrosse, the L3 signifies a renewed focus on the sport. It leverages the brand's legacy of innovation, applying it to modern materials and designs. By building upon the success of the Lakota, Nike refines a popular choice for midfield dominance.

**Perfect head for:** elite midfielders

### Key Features Include

-   PowerForm material for increased stiffness and toughness
    
-   Tight face shape for control and accuracy
    
-   Optimal shape for ground ball play
    
-   Stringing favorite, deep mid-angle pocket setup
    
-   Short round throat allows you to get your hand very high on the lacrosse shaft
    

  

### Top Competitor Comparisons: the [STX Hyper Power](https://sidelineswap.com/shop/lacrosse/heads/stx/hyper-power/l168596) and the [StringKing Mark 2V](https://sidelineswap.com/shop/lacrosse/heads/string-king/mark-2v/l760)

  

Designed for well-rounded midfielders, the Nike L3 finds itself competing with the STX Hyper Power and the StringKing Mark 2V, each offering distinct advantages on the field. The L3 prioritizes a lightweight design and a shallower pocket, making it ideal for quick transitions, ground ball pickups, and facilitating checks. The STX Hyper Power leans towards a stiffer pocket and wider face shape, excelling at generating powerful shots and holds for offensive plays. The StringKing Mark 2V takes a middle ground, featuring a mid-depth pocket and a balanced face shape, offering versatility for both offensive and defensive contributions, with good pocket customization options.

### Progression:

The Nike L3 is a rebranding of the Lakota 2 with a material upgrade. While the L3 retains the core features of the Lakota line, some players might not perceive a significant difference in feel or performance between the Lakota 2 and the L3. All three models are designed for offensive players and excel at quick release and accurate shooting.

  

[Original Nike Lakota](https://sidelineswap.com/shop/lacrosse/heads/nike/lakota/l7061)

-   Lightweight and compact design provides extra ball security
    
-   Reinforced lower sidewall offers increased stiffness
    
-   Multiple stringing holes for a variety of setups
    
-   Built to universal specification for all levels of play
    

  

[Nike Lakota 2.0](https://sidelineswap.com/shop/lacrosse/heads/nike/lakota-2/l604)

-   HyperLite™ Technology reduces the overall weight of the head
    
-   Secure Lacelock Technology along the sidewalls helps reinforce pocket tension
    
-   Narrow pinch face and offset enhance accuracy for pinpoint passes and shots
    
-   Optimized rounded scoop ensures easier groundball pick-up performance
    
-   Redesigned sidewalls boast greater stiffness for added durability and consistency
    

  

[Nike L3](https://sidelineswap.com/shop/lacrosse/heads/nike/l3-2/l168650)

-   Changed from Lakota to L3, potentially signifying a new era for the design, but retaining the core features of the Lakota line.
    
-   Exclusive PowerForm material for increased stiffness and toughness
    
-   Tight face shape for control and accuracy
    
-   Stringing favorite for its deep mid-angle pocket setup
    
-   Short round throat allows you to get your hand very high on the lacrosse shaft
    

  

### What people are saying (edited for brevity and clarity)

  

PROS

-   I switched to the L3 from the old model, and it's a perfect upgrade. The plastic is lighter and stiffer, and the face shape is great. Although there are plenty of stringing holes, I wish the sidewall holes were slightly larger.
    
-   Can be strung in various ways to fit any pocket location (high to low). Suitable for traditional style. Feels stiff. If you liked Lakota 2, you'll love L3.
    
-   One of the best middie heads I have used. The offset and the face shape makes it perfect for a fast shooter.
    

  

CONS

-   I prefer a wide range of user reviews before making a purchase and I can’t hardly find anything useful about the L3.
    
-   Gotta spend the time to break this head in to achieve optimal performance.
    
-   Not my favorite head to string up.
    

  

### Expert Review (by [Allen Melick](https://sidelineswap.com/locker/EmpireSports))

  

The Nike L3 brings a new design to one of Nike’s most popular heads. The Lakota line is for the elite midfielder. It has a tighter face shape designed for greater control and accuracy. This head lets you rip lasers or dish dimes. The head is made with Nike’s Powerform material to ensure stiffness and durability and has an optimal shape for ground balls.

  

Durability: ⭐⭐⭐

Stringability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Flexibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lakota 2

### Expert Notes

The Lakota 2 is the sequel to the original Lakota, a highly popular head and one of the most frequently used heads amongst all youth and high school players. As soon as the Lakota 2 came out, you slowly saw it taking over fields again because of its new features that build off of the original’s success. Made for offensive players, the Lakota 2 allows you to rip corners and control the ball like no other. A solid mid-pocket works best in this head, and will retain its hold and shape most easily. If you’re a fan of the original Lakota, or just looking to upgrade your head, the Lakota 2 is a no-brainer. 

### Product Description

The Lakota 2 was the most sought after head of 2018, and could be one of the most loved offensive heads by high school and youth players. It is incredibly lightweight and durable, offering a quick release and a boost of power on your shots. This head incorporates Lacelock technology that helps hold stringing knots in place and secures down the mesh to the scoop and sidewall. Thanks to the deep mid pocket setup, it allows for premium ball control. The head’s scoop has a slight point at the top, which provides the option to produce a great channel. The incorporation of a short throat gives the player the option of maximum hand positioning and control of the overall stick.

# Nike CEO Lacrosse Heads

The Nike CEO Lacrosse Head isn't just a namesake—it’s a face-off performance champion. Explicitly designed for midfielders, it boasts a shortened throat for power and control during draws, an aggressive scoop for effortless ground ball pickups, and a zero-friction design for lightning-fast reactions. 

This head isn't just about individual dominance; it also marks a significant chapter in Nike's lacrosse legacy. While Nike entered the scene focusing on offensive sticks, the CEO series specifically targeted the midfield. It quickly gained recognition for its exceptional face-off prowess, solidifying Nike's commitment to cater to all aspects of the game. 


### **Perfect head for:** offensive players and face-off midfielders


### Key Features Include:



* The bottom rail is ideal for mid-pocket placement
* The most pinched universal head in the Nike line
* Elongated bottom rail designed for mid-pocket placement
* Reinforced sidewall delivers durability
* 8 top wall string holes and 16 sidewall string holes
* Meets NCAA and NFHS specifications


### Top Competitor Comparisons: the [STX Duel 3](https://sidelineswap.com/shop/lacrosse/heads/stx/duel-3-2/l172275) and the [StringKing Mark 2F Stiff](https://sidelineswap.com/shop/lacrosse/heads/string-king/mark-2f-stiff/l406788)

While the Nike CEO reigns supreme for elite face-off specialists with its high-flex profile and narrow scoop, it faces stiff competition from the STX Duel 3 and StringKing Mark 2F Stiff. The STX Duel 3 also prioritizes face-off dominance with its refined high-flex profile and similar narrow scoop design. However, the Duel 3 incorporates XT2 sidewall technology for increased stiffness and stability, appealing to face-off specialists who value a more secure feel during clamps. The StringKing Mark 2F Stiff takes a slightly different approach, catering to two-way midfielders who participate in both face-offs and regular play. Its stiff construction offers power for both face-offs and shots, while the mid-pocket design allows for decent control during passing and cradling.


### Progression:

Over the years, the Nike CEO Lacrosse head has steadily refined its scoop, stiffness, and weight for optimal performance.  


[Nike CEO](https://sidelineswap.com/shop/lacrosse/heads/nike/ceo/l721): 



* The original Nike CEO head was designed for elite offensive players.
* It gained popularity among face-off specialists due to its optimal stiffness and unique flex point, offering an advantage in securing ground balls and winning draws.
* The head featured a high and wide scoop, well-suited for mid-pocket stringing styles.

[Nike CEO 2](https://sidelineswap.com/shop/lacrosse/sticks/heads/nike/ceo-2-2/l11445) 



* An updated version of the original, it retains the strengths of its predecessor, including the optimal stiffness and a high, wide scoop.
* Modernized design and improved functionality compared to the original CEO.

[Nike CEO 3](https://sidelineswap.com/shop/lacrosse/heads/nike/ceo-3/l352849):



* Building on the success of the previous models, the CEO 3 prioritizes face-off specialists even more than before.
* It features a shortened throat design for closer hand placement, enhancing power and control during face-offs.
* A zero-friction scoop for easier ground ball pickups from various angles, aiding offensive plays.
* Updated flex profile to provide face-off players with multiple options for controlling the draw efficiently.


### What people are saying (edited for brevity and clarity)

PROS



* Good for the faceoff guy. This head can withstand a lot of punishment.
* Ball stays in the pocket until you shoot. Provides clean, accurate shots. String job with hero mesh is the way to go.
* This is a great weapon to have at the X. Super durable and after one year, still performing at the highest level.

CONS



* The scoop is just okay; it’s pointed so if the ball is not right in the center of the head, the ground ball will not work. Also, the head gets stuck in the ground if you're going on an aggressive angle. 
* Exits well, but will need to put a softball in it every day.
* GB are 50/50; sometimes the head folds in so you have to get pretty low for them.


### Expert Review (by [Allen Melick](https://sidelineswap.com/locker/EmpireSports)) 

 
The Nike CEO is the first generation of the CEO line that Nike came out with. The design gave faceoffs a whole new perspective of the game because the head is really flexible. You can do a lot with it. And it will continuously hold its shape. The head allows you to define how you want to take a face-off. If you're more of a player who wants to pinch the ball and pop it out backward to your wing, then you'd have the ability to do that because the Nike CEO is strong and flexible enough to get that angle and pop. Also, it's a great head for picking up the ground ball from any angle. 

Durability: ⭐⭐

Stringability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Flexibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

CEO 3

Vapor Elite

### Expert Notes

Many people see the Nike Vapor Elite as an upgraded version of the CEO, but the Vapor Elite is packed with a lot more features than you may notice at first. The biggest difference between the two is that the Vapor Elite is much stiffer than the CEO. It has a very high pinch though, that is characteristic of all Nike offensive heads. In addition to its stiffness level, the Vapor Elite has a better rounded scoop than previous Nike heads. Whether you're looking for a new head with a unique face shape or if you were a fan of the CEO but just want a stiffer version of it, this is the head for you!

Lakota

### Product Description

Nike Lakota lacrosse heads are among the most lightweight head options available. With offshoot models such as the Lakota U and the Lakota 2, you can count on Lakota heads to feature a compact design that's well-suited for offensive players. Even though Lakota heads are lightweight, their sidewall construction is incredibly strong, which makes them great for aggressive plays. Specifically for the Lakota U, it features a narrow pinch that increases hold and creates easy control. It doesn't matter what level lacrosse player you are -- Lakota heads from Nike are built for all levels of play.

### Expert Notes 

The Nike Lakota is one of the top offensive heads on the market, and comes highly recommended by some of the game’s top players because of the lightweight strength it offers. Midfielders love the stiffness and durability because it allows them to absorb and land hard checks on the offensive and defensive sides of the field. Players also love the narrow pinch because it helps increase hold, control, and whip. This is ideal for players looking to dodge through contact, or for outside snipers looking to sting corners from 15 yards out. The head is primarily designed for a mid-high pocket with a quick and accurate release for quick, pinpoint passing. Players also love the short round throat because it allows them to move their hand closer to the ball while cradling, a great way to improve control.

Vapor

### About the Nike Vapor lacrosse head

The Nike Vapor is a value lacrosse head built for improved ball control and enhanced accuracy.

With high performance material for a stiff profile, a deep offset profile for improved ball control, and a high pinch shape for enhanced accuracy, the Nike Vapor is a great choice for players at all levels.

Model|Price|Built For
:-:|:-:|:-:
Nike Vapor|$$|Improved ball control and enhanced accuracy

### Nike Vapor - Key Features

- High Performance material for a stiff profile.
- Deep offset profile for improved ball control.
- High Pinch shape for enhanced accuracy.

Lakota U

### About the Nike Lakota U lacrosse head

The Nike Lakota U is a value lacrosse head built for increased accuracy and attack versatility.

With a short throat design for more power, a high-pinch profile for increased accuracy, and an aggressive scoop for attack versatility, the Nike Lakota U is a great choice for elite players.

Model|Price|Built For
:-:|:-:|:-:
Nike Lakota U|$$$|Increased accuracy and attack versatility

### Nike Lakota U - Key Features

- Short throat design for more power.
- High-pinch profile for increased accuracy.
- Aggressive scoop for attack versatility.

Alpha Elite

Alpha Elite 2

Alpha U

### Product Description 

The Nike Alpha U head is one of the top lacrosse heads that’s specifically designed for defensive players. The head features a reinforced sidewall and a wide scoop to help defensive players snag ground balls. The scoop is also rounded to help the ball transition quickly from the turf to the center of the pocket. The reinforced sidewall includes a flat piece that connects the upper and lower sidewall together to increases stiffness and strength; essentially, the head does not bend. The wide design of the head also helps create the perfect mid-high pocket for defenders to focus on power. In addition, the string holes are perfectly placed to make tight, crisp channels in any mid-high pocket. The Nike Alpha U is a universally legal head that’s perfect for any defensive player who desires strength, accuracy, and durability.

### Expert Notes

Nike’s driving concept behind the Alpha U was to create a defensive head that matched the look and feel of past Nike lacrosse heads. They took their popular sidewall design and adjusted it to fit the needs of a defensive head. Nike widened the face shape so that it’s better suited to intercept passes and scoop up ground balls. Along with that, Nike made the sidewall much bulkier. Overall, if you’re a defenseman and a fan of Nike’s previous heads, the Alpha U is a great option for you.

deBeer Lacrosse Heads