A lacrosse head having a front scoop geometry optimized to promote smooth ground ball play such as scooping of a ball by ground contact. The lacrosse head has a distal scoop with a mid-section cross-section shaped like a chef's-knife with a foremost point, a rear edge (lower edge of tang), a rearmost corner point (tower distal end of tang), a low continuous curve point (where heel joins choil), and rear-innermost point (choil), with a continuous perimeter bounding all of said points, the perimeter bounding said rear edge, lowest continuous curve point, and rear-innermost point defining a cavity extending toward said foremost point. The perimeter joining the foremost point and low continuous curve point is formed to optimize ground ball play when incorporated into a lacrosse head scoop,