If you are new to lacrosse, you are best off getting an affordable beginner's complete stick.  This will be a stick that comes ready to play.

It won't be long before your player has an eye on a specific head, or specializes in defense and is asking for a longer pole.  And learning how to string up a head is a right of passage.  So enjoy the early days when an affordable off-the-shelf stick will be all they need. 

A couple of notes:

• There are girls sticks/heads, and boys sticks/heads.  Please be sure you are purchasing the correct stick for your player.  
• Fiddlesticks are not legal to play with in a practice or game environment.  These will usually be clearly labeled and are much shorter than standard lacrosse sticks.
• Use the guidance from U.S. Lacrosse (below on left) to understand the boys requirements, especially when it comes to stick length and age.