sticks & pockets
"hey coach, look I restrung my own stick last night"
This may possibly be the worst thing you can hear game from a middle school lacrosse player right before the big game.
Many lacrosse players are obsessed with their pockets. It seems every year some one on the team gets designated as the "stick doctor". Many players are very gifted at the fine art of stringing pockets. Unfortunately they are extremely rare in middle school.
Here is a checklist to make sure a bad pocket or string job doesn't ruin a players practice, game, or season.
1/ Throw and catch with every players stick a few times in the beginning of the season. I throw and catch with 4 or 5 every practice to see how they feel. Check sidewall strings, shooting strings, pocket depth, (or lack there of) and head condition. Many players get hand me downs or abandoned sticks from older brothers, the kid next door, etc. Some are worn out or cracked.
2/ I forbid the players to do any "custom stringing"on their game stick. There is a reason Warrior, STX, and Brine offer simple stringing versions on new heads - they work. Most of the variations seen in forums or on line are made by kids with too much time on their hands or by lacrosse peddlers trying to add a few bucks to the sale. If you want a weird pocket, do on your back up or an extra head lying around the house. A factory string job is fine. They are simple to tweak. Sidewalls and shooting strings can be easily and quickly adjusted.
Complex pockets with multiple twists and several extra shooting strings are virtually impossible to adjust on the fly.
I have been to MLL, NCAA, and NLL games. I can honestly say I have never seen any "custom pockets" at this level. Its always 6 diamond, hard or dura mesh, or sometimes an occasional traditional pocket.
3/ Back ups. I keep two short sticks in my truck, a long stick, and a goalie stick. Sidewalls strings break, heads crack, and sticks get soggy in games. Not to mention that kid who shows up at an away game with no stick at all. Having these extras are life savers. Make sure they are throwing and catching perfectly.
Its a good idea to introduce youth players to the fact they will, at one time or another need to get a back up stick or head. Especially in the future when they move on to the next level. I don't advocate Parents buying two sticks at the MS level, but if they can get a back up cheap or used, it may be a good idea.
hope this makes sense...
This may possibly be the worst thing you can hear game from a middle school lacrosse player right before the big game.
Many lacrosse players are obsessed with their pockets. It seems every year some one on the team gets designated as the "stick doctor". Many players are very gifted at the fine art of stringing pockets. Unfortunately they are extremely rare in middle school.
Here is a checklist to make sure a bad pocket or string job doesn't ruin a players practice, game, or season.
1/ Throw and catch with every players stick a few times in the beginning of the season. I throw and catch with 4 or 5 every practice to see how they feel. Check sidewall strings, shooting strings, pocket depth, (or lack there of) and head condition. Many players get hand me downs or abandoned sticks from older brothers, the kid next door, etc. Some are worn out or cracked.
2/ I forbid the players to do any "custom stringing"on their game stick. There is a reason Warrior, STX, and Brine offer simple stringing versions on new heads - they work. Most of the variations seen in forums or on line are made by kids with too much time on their hands or by lacrosse peddlers trying to add a few bucks to the sale. If you want a weird pocket, do on your back up or an extra head lying around the house. A factory string job is fine. They are simple to tweak. Sidewalls and shooting strings can be easily and quickly adjusted.
Complex pockets with multiple twists and several extra shooting strings are virtually impossible to adjust on the fly.
I have been to MLL, NCAA, and NLL games. I can honestly say I have never seen any "custom pockets" at this level. Its always 6 diamond, hard or dura mesh, or sometimes an occasional traditional pocket.
3/ Back ups. I keep two short sticks in my truck, a long stick, and a goalie stick. Sidewalls strings break, heads crack, and sticks get soggy in games. Not to mention that kid who shows up at an away game with no stick at all. Having these extras are life savers. Make sure they are throwing and catching perfectly.
Its a good idea to introduce youth players to the fact they will, at one time or another need to get a back up stick or head. Especially in the future when they move on to the next level. I don't advocate Parents buying two sticks at the MS level, but if they can get a back up cheap or used, it may be a good idea.
hope this makes sense...
posted by 313 LACROSSE at
11:04 AM
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