When choosing a new lacrosse stick you want to leave your personal stamp on, look for one with hard mesh. While soft mesh is ideal for beginners, there is little hope in customizing the head for the most comfort and proficiency during game play. A hard mesh head will soften over time, so you can customize your stick to the way you play. You can break in a hard mesh head using water and a lacrosse ball to create the pocket where you most often catch the ball.
Step 1
Take your new lacrosse stick to practice. While practicing throwing and catching a ball, whether against a wall or with a teammate, take note of the area of the mesh where you most often catch the ball. This is where you want to create the deepest pocket. You'll notice that, when you first play with a new stick, it might be more difficult to catch and hold the ball because of the hard mesh.
Step 2
Wet the lacrosse head by running it under warm water. Ensure that the leather and the strings are thoroughly soaked. Shake off the excess water, then move the head to a dry towel.
Step 3
Place a lacrosse ball in the area of the mesh where you'd like the best-formed pocket to be. If you're using a girl's stick, wrap the towel around the head to keep the ball in place. If you're using a boy's or adult stick, which are deeper than a girl's stick, slide a butter knife or stick between the leather across the opening of the head to keep the ball firmly in place.
Step 4
Remove the towel or knife after 24 to 48 hours, after the lacrosse head is completely dry. Should the strings still feel tight, wet the head once more, then pound the strings with a hard object, like a rubber mallet, where the pocket should be. This will loosen up the strings.
Step 5
Play with your new lacrosse stick. Trying different methods to loosen and break in the head at home may help, but catching and throwing with your new stick breaks the stick in organically and helps you become more used to the feel of your new stick.
Things You'll Need
- Water
- Ball
- Towel
- Butter knife
References
- Simply Lacrosse: How Do You Break In a Woman's Lacrosse Stick?
- "Lacrosse: The Player's Handbook"; M.B. Roberts, et al.; 2007
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