As a lacrosse player or fan, you might have noticed the most popular pocket in today's game is the mesh pocket. Mesh pockets are relatively easy to string, maintain and adjust. Stringing styles vary with a player's preference or position on a lacrosse team. Becoming familiar with the styles and methods used to string mesh pockets affords options that complement or improve your game.
Traditional Pockets
Traditional mesh pockets are designed for all-around play on offense and defense. You identify a traditional pocket by the depth, as well as the number and tension of the shooting strings. Stringing begins with lacing the mesh in the head with double top-tie strings and single sidewall strings. Before tightening the sidewall strings, you create the pocket by pushing a lacrosse ball or your fist into the mesh, then lace the bottom of the mesh with a single string. Two or three shooting strings are doubled and laced across the pocket. Typically, the top shooter is the tightest and the lowest shooter has less tension so the ball rolls into the pocket.
Low Pocket
Many attack-men string a low pocket for more tension needed to make stronger shots. To lace a low pocket, you adjust the depth by first loosening the bottom string and pulling the mesh tighter with a ball in the pocket. Next, tighten the sidewall strings so the top of a lacrosse ball is even with the stringing rails of the head. Unlike a traditional pocket, the top shooting string has less tension than the second shooter so the ball rolls against the top of the head. Finish by securing the shooting strings with overhand knots.
Keying
Keying is a modification that forces the ball into the sweet spot in the pocket. Although keying reduces the depth and flexibility of the pocket, you key a stick for faster passes or stronger shots. In essence, keying is adding a pair of vertical shooting strings in the mesh and integrating twisted shooters between these to create the keys. Once you understand the principle, you can key the pocket, try it out and change the keys to suit your preferences.
Adjustments
Adjusting the mesh pocket on your lacrosse stick is part of the game. For example, you might want a deeper pocket or loose shooters if the coach assigns you to play defense against a certain opponent. For this reason, many players and stringers don't trim the excess sidewall and shooting strings when they string a pocket. You adjust a pocket by first removing the bottom string, then undoing the overhand knots that secure the sidewall and shooters at the outside of the head. Pull or deepen the mesh to the desired depth and re-lace the bottom string. Fasten the sidewall and shooting strings with overhand knots.
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