Abstract: An improved lacrosse stick shaft for attachment to a lacrosse stick head is provided. The stick is formed from a composite base shaft body with reinforcement features embedded or adhered to the surface thereof at selected locations to improve the resistance of the shaft to impacts and breakage without adding significant weight. The reinforcement features may take the form of rings of varying heights surrounding the entire handle at various longitudinal locations. In another preferred embodiment, the reinforcement features line selected edges of the shaft in a longitudinal direction where adjacent facets forming the cross-sectional shape of the shaft meet, or form a spiral along all or part of the length of the shaft. In yet another preferred embodiment, the reinforcement features are plates adhered to vulnerable areas of the shaft. The lacrosse stick herein described is advantageously used for both men's and women's lacrosse.