The crosse is a long stick with a plastic head that you use to move the ball up and down the field in the game of lacrosse. Between the plastic sidewalls of the head, you can lace the crosse with mesh netting or hand weave it yourself. Depending on how you weave the mesh in the lacrosse head, you can improve your handling or shooting speed to suit your needs as a player.
Soak the Mesh
Syracuse University attacker Mike MacDonald suggests soaking your mesh in warm water before you begin working with it. This is particularly true of hard mesh, which can be difficult to work with otherwise. Ring out the mesh or allow it to dry thoroughly before you begin to lace it in the lacrosse head. This may not be necessary with soft nylon mesh, however.
Experiment for Performance
According to authors Daniel and Michael Morris in "The Confident Coach's Guide to Teaching Lacrosse," you can string your lacrosse mesh in any way you want to suit your style. Try many different methods of stringing the mesh during practice or when you are at home. For example, find out if a V-shape or horizontal shooting strings give you better performance on the ball. Trying different string positions and lacing techniques before a match guarantees that you will have the best crosse available for your style come game time.
String Cautiously
Many new lacrosse players have problems with stringing their mesh too tightly at first. While the top string should be tightened securely with knots at both ends to hold the mesh in place laterally, close your sidewall strings with knots that are 2 cm out from the plastic. This allows you to use the extra slack to pull the mesh back when you are forming the pocket.
Gradual Slope
Do not lace your mesh with a pocket that has a steep incline. This can be illegal if the pocket is too deep, but it can also cause the ball to have difficulty exiting the crosse during a pass or shot. Tighten your sidewall strings first if you notice the pocket is sagging. If the problem persists, add another shooting string toward the base of the pocket to tighten up the mesh.
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