SPARKS, Md. – There are two versions of the Gait Apex 2 women’s lacrosse head currently available for purchase in the marketplace. Although both heads use the same name, only one version has been approved for use in games governed by NCAA, NFHS and USA Lacrosse rules.
In the picture below, the version on the right was approved for play in November 2024. The version on the left was never approved for play.
The easiest way to tell the difference is that the not-approved version on the left includes a third row of holes for stringing on the plastic tabs on the sides of the head near the top of the pocket (shown with red circles around the tabs).
This close-up photo on the not-approved version shows the tabs more clearly.
One other difference is the addition of an extra two holes on the side of the not-approved head as noted on the picture below. On the approved version, these holes still appear on the outside of the head, but they are filled in on the inside of the head.
Consumers should make sure they purchase the version that has been approved for play by USA Lacrosse.
Individuals owning a version of the stick that has not been approved for play can contact the manufacturer for additional information.
