The Uniqueness of a Lacrosse Stick: Choosing Each Component Wisely to Better YOUR Game

Sean Rooney English 202C 3/12/13

Audience and Scope

Over the last ten years, the popularity of lacrosse has undeniably grown at a torrid pace. No other sport besides Mixed Martial Arts has shown a similar, expanding youth participation amongst the Nation. Along with growing popularity comes a surplus of money which in turn leads to new and innovative equipment. As lacrosse players of all ages look to take their game to the next level, whether from recreational lacrosse to high school or from high school to a more competitive collegiate level, failing equipment should be the least of a burgeoning athletes worries. Accordingly, the upgrading of their lacrosse sticks is parallel with their increased level of play. Just as baseball players prefer certain bats over others with respect to weight, length, and grip, the same is true for the more experienced lacrosse players. Since the process of upgrading lacrosse sticks is fairly expensive and filled with never-ending options, each choice must be treated with the upmost care to ensure that the progressing athlete receives full satisfaction on the field. Although these players are familiar with each individual part of a lacrosse stick, as well as its importance to the stick as a whole, they are not familiar with why a certain technology used on that part of the stick would be more effective over another choice. If these players use this product description when crafting their next-level stick, stressful choices will become simple. As a result, the best possible play needed to maintain a competitive balance on the field can be achieved.

Introduction
Lacrosse was one of the first sports to be played in North America. Dating back to the 17th century, it was originally played by Native Americans and Canadians. Although there were fewer rules back then, the basic design of the most important piece of equipment, the lacrosse stick or crosse, did not change during the first 300 years of the games existence. It was a onepiece wooden design that used strings for the netting.
Figure 1: One of the first lacrosse sticks used by Native Americans

Netting or mesh

Shaft and head form one component

However, over the last forty years, with the innovation of manufacturing and engineering processes, the design and components of a lacrosse stick have been modernized. A contemporary lacrosse stick is the main piece of equipment used in the sport of lacrosse, consisting of three individual components:

The Mesh The Head The Shaft

Figure 2: Contemporary lacrosse stick and its three main components

Each component is chosen separately, according to the players desires, and then is assembled to create the unique lacrosse stick that player will use on the field. However, remember that although lacrosse sticks can vary in design and materials, there are specifications that regulate the dimensions of each component (adhering to these specifications is primarily the manufacturers responsibility and not the buyers concern). Without the right lacrosse stick that fits each players unique approach to the game, lacrosse would lack some of the excitement that has propelled it to being one of the fastest growing sports in the world.

The Big Three

The freedom to be able to choose a personal mesh, head, and shaft when crafting a new lacrosse stick can be a lot more stressful than an athlete desires. With a variety of manufacturers claiming they have the newest product on the market, buying a new lacrosse stick becomes a tough and expensive decision. However, before one chooses the mesh, head, and shaft to be assembled into his or her new stick, he or she must first fully understand the specifics of each component.

The Mesh
The mesh of a lacrosse stick is the interwoven nylon fabric that creates the pocket of the lacrosse stick. The pocket is where the ball is held while a player has the ball in his stick. Additional nylon strings are also used in a stringing process. These additional strings attach the mesh to the sidewalls of the head (discussed in next section). The main decisions when selecting mesh for a new stick is whether the individual wants hard or soft mesh, along with the number and shape of shooting strings. Hard Mesh interwoven nylon string that is coated in a special layer to add rigidity, durability, and water resistance. In addition, hard mesh offers a player good ball control, a quick release, and fast shot.

Figure 3: Hard mesh with hockey lace shooter strings before attached to the head

Soft Mesh the same interwoven nylon string used for hard mesh without the special coating layer. A player who chooses soft mesh over hard mesh should know that he or she is choosing ultimate ball control while sacrificing good performance during inclement weather game conditions. In any wet conditions, soft mesh will lose all accuracy as a result of the wet nylon changing the normal pocket size. Shooter strings these pocket additions are interwoven into the mesh. They are either nylon strings just like the actual mesh, or are hockey laces. These strings adjust the tension in the mesh affecting the release of the ball from the pocket. The shape of shooter strings (straight, Ushape, or rounded) affect the hold the pocket has on the ball as well as accuracy. For example, U-shaped shooter strings secure the ball in the pocket much better than straight shooter strings.

Nylon Mesh (Either Hard or Soft)

Figure 4: Front view showing shooter strings. Side view showing pocket.

The Head
Before the 1970s, the head and shaft was still just one long heat-bent piece of wood with leather mesh forming the pocket. Then, in 1970, a revolutionary patent by STX (a leading lacrosse manufacturing company) created the first patent of a lacrosse head. Since then, lacrosse heads have transformed from wood to lighter yet more durable plastic molds, coming in all sorts of shapes. As a result, the complex decision of choosing which head to buy is yet another common problem faced by many current lacrosse players. A lacrosse head is a plastic mold that connects to the shaft. The mesh, woven through provided slots in the head, creates the shape of the pocket, aiding in ball control, catching, and throwing. While beginner players should only consider traditional heads that allow for easy catching and scooping of ground balls, a player looking to take their game to the next level is strongly advised to choose a head in correspondence with a specific position: defenseman, midfielder, or attackman. Defenseman should consider a stiff head that a can take a beating as it will be used to check attackmen throughout the game. Also, a wider head is preferred as it will take up more of the passing lanes and help with catching.

Figure 5: Defensive head called STX Hammer U

Attackman should consider a head that has a much thinner width. This will help with ball protection and keep the ball in the pocket even after getting checked. Also, a thinner head aids in better accuracy and shot control.

Figure 6: Attacker head called Warrior Cobra X

Midfielder should consider a head that incorporates stiffness and durability for defense as well as a thinner width for ball control and accuracy. The multifunctional design is due to the fact that midfielders are required to play both offense and defense during the course of a game.
Figure 7: Midfielder head called Brine Clutch Elite X

The Shaft
The shaft of the stick is the longest component and is used to handle the stick. As opposed to the wooden shafts made over forty years ago, present day shafts are manufactured with many different materials such as titanium, scandium, magnesium, aluminum, or alloys. The choice of material directly affects the strength, durability, and weight. While all shafts are octagonal instead of circular for better handling, shafts vary in length depending on positions. Depending on whether the player is performing in an offensive or defensive position, different materials are preferred in the construction of the shaft. Offensive Offensive shafts can vary from 40 to 42 in length, with the top players often leaning towards the smallest possible shaft. The top attackmen prefer an elite shaft that includes lightweight material while still having enough strength to withstand hitting around the crease. As a result, an attacker looking to take his or her game to the next level should consider shafts such as the Gait 803 Ice, Warrior Krypto Pro, or Brine Swizzle Scandium. The materials in these shafts, such as Titanium or superlight alloys, provide the user with the necessary strength and weight to make quick moves and even quicker shots.
Figure 8: Offensive shaft called the Gait 803 Ice

Defensive Defensive shafts vary from 52 to 72 in length with the most players choosing the longest length possible in order to obtain their greatest reach when defending. Unlike attackers who desire lightweight over strength, defenders want strong shafts that can withstand the multiple hits they will be putting on the attackmen. Therefore, a defenseman looking to take their game to the next level will want to consider defensive shafts such as the STX Sc+Ti Pro, Warrior Dolomite Diamond, or Maverik H2 Scandium Titanium. The combination of Scandium and Titanium in these shafts creates a super-strength shaft while still having a manageable weight.
Figure 9: Defensive shaft called the STX Sc+Ti Pro

Conclusion
In conclusion, players looking to advance to the next level in this physical game of lacrosse should give much consideration and research when choosing a new high performance lacrosse stick. One should analyze the stick as three individual components to purchase: the mesh, the head, and the shaft. Selecting each component with respect to ones position he or she will be playing at the next level is the most advised approach when purchasing a high-level stick. There are many variables to be evaluated when crafting ones new stick to be suitable for the next level of play, but the following three suggestions are the foundation for starting such a complex process: The mesh can either be hard or soft, depending on whether ball control or performance in inclement weather is more important. The head should be chosen with respect to the position one plans on playing at the next level. Shafts are different lengths for each position. The materials in the shaft affect its weight and strength, so choose accordingly to personal preferences. If the suggestions above are considered when choosing a new lacrosse stick to be used at the next level, optimum stick performance will be achieved and stick failure will, in fact, be the least of the players worries.

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