Mini sticks are the first lacrosse stick most people pick up. Short, light, cheap — perfect for a 5-year-old's first catch in the backyard.

But if you're here, you already know — a mini stick isn't what you need.

Here's the problem with mini sticks:

• Mini ball only — the head is too small for tennis or wiffle balls, so you're stuck with the foam mini ball it comes with
• Sub-par pocket — teaches bad catching habits that don't transfer to a real stick
• Too short — the shaft forces a throwing motion that looks nothing like your game throw
• Can't shoot — you can toss, but you can't actually practice shooting well for hours on end do to the limited nature of compatible balls getting lost on missed shots
• Quickly outgrown — by age 8 or 9, a mini stick is holding you back, not helping

The Skill Stick is not a fiddle stick. It's built for actual skill development, and it's the same price:

• Fits common backyard balls — tennis, wiffle, foam (not just mini balls)
  
  
• Real pocket depth — develops catching mechanics that transfer to your game stick
  
  
• 24" shaft — long enough for proper throwing and shooting form but short enough to use indoors and in tight spaces
  
  
• Reliable mesh — swap the pocket when you want, no constant manual adjusting
  
  
• Score more goals - go all-out in your shooting practice; rip shots in the backyard without breaking windows
  
  

The bottom line: If you want a starter toy for a young kid, a mini stick works. If you want to build real stick skills at home, the Skill Stick is the move.