Many lacrosse attack-men and middies prefer a high pocket for faster passes and stronger shots on the goal. Experienced players have the skills to catch and cradle a ball in a high pocket. A less experienced player might augment the high pocket with a more flexible mesh for improved control. Regardless of its stiffness or flexibility, nylon mesh used for lacrosse heads stretches in time and the pocket becomes deeper. You keep a high lacrosse pocket high by adjusting a shooting string and re-lacing the sidewall strings to tighten the mesh.
Shooting String
Step 1
Wrap masking tape around each jaw of needle-nose pliers to prevent damaging the existing shooting and sidewall strings. Each wrap must cover the pointed tip of a jaw.
Step 2
Undo the overhand knot at the outer end of the lowest shooting string in the pocket with the pliers.
Step 3
Hold the lacrosse stick so the face of the head is horizontal and flat instead or tipped or tilted. Drop a lacrosse ball in the mesh and allow the ball to settle in the center of the pocket.
Step 4
Pull the end of the lowest shooting string away from the outside of the head until the top of the ball is at the preferred shallow height. Tie a tight overhand knot where the string meets the outside of the head.
Sidewall Strings and Mesh
Step 1
Place the stick on a table with the pocket facing up. Loosen the overhand knots at the lower ends of each sidewall string with the pliers.
Step 2
Start at the lower end of one sidewall string. Pull the string out of the first course of diamond mesh and the adjacent holes in the stringing rail to the point where the lowest shooting string attaches to the head. Note the particular lacing pattern at the diamond mesh and the corresponding loops at the stringing rails as you go.
Step 3
Repeat the previous step and undo the other sidewall string to the point where it meets the lowest shooting string at that side of the head.
Step 4
Grip each edge of the mesh below the lowest shooting string. Stretch the mesh outward until the second course of diamonds aligns with the inside of the head on each side.
Step 5
Restring each sidewall string through the second course of diamonds and the corresponding lacing holes at each side of the head. Duplicate the original lacing pattern and loops. Tie tight overhand knots where the lower ends of the strings meet the outside of the head. Trim the excess diamond mesh on each side with scissors.
Things You'll Need
- Masking tape
- Needle-nose pliers
- Lacrosse ball
- Scissors
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