How to String a Lacrosse Stick

Mark Muto

English 202C – Rachel Bara

Lacrosse is one of, if not the oldest sport in America. A game played by Native Americans before

European colonization, lacrosse has evolved into one of the fastest growing sports in the world today. To

simply, the game of lacrosse for those who are unfamiliar with the sport, it is basically like hockey in the

air. Of course, there are slight differences in the rules but overall the two are very similar. Each team has

eleven players (including the goalie) on the field at all times and the goal is to score by shooting the ball

into the opponent’s net. All goals are only worth one point, yet lacrosse games tend to be high scoring.

Lacrosse started as a simple sport with all sticks being “strung” almost exactly the same; however, as the

sport evolved players began to tweak their styles of play to confuse opponents. One very efficient

method of gaining complete control and comfort out on the lacrosse field is by stringing one’s own

lacrosse stick to fit the style of play desired.

Mark Muto English 202C Lacrosse heads (the head is the part strung, not the actual stick) come in all shapes and sizes. Each

design is made specifically for a certain style of play. The head of a lacrosse stick, however, is only half of

the design. Each head is fitted and strung with different types of mesh and shooting strings in order to

control ball release speed, grip and handle of a lacrosse ball. This instruction set will show in detail how

to string a lacrosse head and also provide pointers on how to tweak the stringing in order to get certain

desired results.

Mesh

2 sidewall strings

1 top string

1 bottom string

Shooting strings (preferably 3)

Scissors

Un-strung lacrosse head

Lighter

Always string with the back of the stick

facing you

Pull all string tightly, this will help mold

the pocket when the job is complete

Use the figure 8 knot to end tie strings

To help stretch mesh, run the mesh

under warm water. Make sure rough

side of mesh will be touching ball (for

better grip)

1. Stretch the mesh for a few minutes. Fold over the 1st row of

mesh diamonds over the 3rd row making 10 holes across.

Mark Muto English 202C

2. Tie one end of the top string (the longest string) into a

figure 8 knot (reference picture in helpful hints section).

Slide the opposite end of the string through the top left

sidewall hole on the scoop then through the first diamond

In the mesh.

3. Loop the string through the diamond in the mesh and

then loop it through the first scoop hole located next to

the sidewall hole #1.

4. Feed the string through the second diamond in the mesh and then back up into the next scoop

hole. Repeat this process until the top row is done. Tie off the other end of the top string with a

figure 8 knot. Make sure all ten diamonds in the mesh are looped to the top of the head

(scoop). Pull all strings as tight as

possible.

5. You have now finished the top string part

of your head! Congratulations! It may not

look like much but this is only the first

step.


6. Tie off one end of one of the sidewall strings with a figure 8 knot. Feed the opposite end through

sidewall hole #1.

7. Pull sidewall hole string

through mesh diamond

#1, going towards you.

Loop this around

sidewall hole #2 and

then loop around

sidewall hole #2.

Basically zig-zagging

and moving down the

entire sidewall while

connecting the outer

mesh diamonds.

8. Continue to string the sidewall by looping the outer diamonds of the mesh into the sidewall

holes. Make sure to pull these tight! Repeat

process. Tie off the other end of the sidewall

string with a figure 9 knot.

9. Repeat entire process on other sidewall of

lacrosse head.

10. TIP: For a higher pocket, inter-loop two mesh

rows in the second and third sidewall holes

(from the top); for a lower pocket, inter-

loop the last two sidewall holes (near the

bottom). This is just an issue of preference.


11. You have now completed your sidewalls and are one step closer to completely stringing your

lacrosse stick!

12. Tie off the end of the bottom string with a

figure 8 knot. Slide the opposite end of the

string through the bottom left (not

complete bottom, but hole still on sidewall)

hole.

13. Loop string through diamond mesh so that

about an inch of slack is between the mesh and the head as shown in the picture. The exact

placement of the string through the specific diamonds is up to you.

14. Continue to loop the string through the bottom four holes and the remaining (bottom back

right) sidewall hole. Tie off the end of the string with a figure 8 knot. Tie tightly, but do not pull

the string tight as you want to leave slack room for the ball pocket.


15. Congratulations! You have

now completed stringing the

“skeleton” of your lacrosse

head. Now I will show you how

to install the shooting strings

and which techniques produce

different styles of throwing

and shooting.

16. There is no right or wrong way to install shooting strings, which are essentially shoelaces. The

unique part of each stick is usually found in the design of the shooting strings. This instruction

set will show a stick installed with

high shooting strings and a “U”

shaped string.

17. To begin, weave the shooting string

all the way across one of the top

mesh rows, preferably two or three

rows down from the top of the head.

When you reach the end of the row,

weave the string back “over-and-

under” the same row.

18. TIP: The tighter you pull your shooting strings

when weaving, the faster the ball will release

from the stick. Those who do not tie their

strings as tight will have more hold and

control of the ball, but also a slower release.


19. TIP: Many lacrosse players like to add

‘swag’ to their sticks for personalization.

Do not be afraid to mix up string colors

and add some personality!

20. To install the “U” shaped shooter, start farther down in the mesh on the head. Weave the string

in a diagonal fashion to reach the other shooting strings. Weave straight across for about four

mesh diamonds then return to the diagonal fashion the other side. This creates a “U”, which

allows for better ball retention (hold) and helps form the pocket. Remember to tie the ends of

your shooting strings so they

stay on!

21. TIP: The “U” is typically not tied

as tight as other shooting

strings to allow the ball to flow

upwards upon release.

Tightening the “U” significantly

will affect the ball release and

cause the stick to have “whip” (this will release the ball in a very downward motion – force

the ball toward the ground – instead of flowing freely off the mesh as it should.)

22. Congratulations you have now basically

finished your lacrosse stick, BUT wait;

there is still one more thing to be done.


23. Cut excess strings

and mesh. Use a

lighter to burn the

remaining ends of

strings to ‘un-fray’

the edges.

24. Screw head onto

lacrosse shaft.

25. Now go out onto

the field and have

some fun!

Remember Y.O.L.O.

– You Only Lax

Once!

Documents

How to String a Lacrosse Stick