Lacrosse Stick TDD Final

7/30/2019 Lacrosse Stick TDD Final

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The Uniqueness of a Lacrosse Stick: Choosing Each

Component Wisely to Better YOUR Game

Sean Rooney

English 202C3/12/13

Audience and Scope

Over the last ten years, the popularity of lacrosse has undeniably grown at a torrid pace.

No other sport besides Mixed Martial Arts has shown a similar, expanding youth participation

amongst the Nation. Along with growing popularity comes a surplus of money which in turnleads to new and innovative equipment. As lacrosse players of all ages look to take their game to

the next level, whether from recreational lacrosseto high school or from high school to a more

competitivecollegiate level, failing equipment shouldbe the least of aburgeoning athletesworries.

Accordingly, the upgrading of their lacrosse sticks is parallel with their increased level of

play. Just as baseball players prefer certain bats over others with respect to weight, length, and

grip, the same is true for the more experienced lacrosse players. Since the process of upgrading

lacrosse sticks is fairly expensive and filled with never-ending options, each choice must betreated with the upmost care to ensure that the progressing athletereceives full satisfaction on the

field. Although these players are familiar with each individual part of a lacrosse stick, as well asits importance to the stick as a whole, they are not familiar with why a certain technology used

on that part of the stick would be more effective over another choice. If these players use this

product description when crafting their next-level stick, stressful choices will become simple.

As a result, the best possible play needed to maintain a competitive balance on the fieldcan beachieved.


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Figure 1: One of the first lacrosse sticks used by Native Americans

Introduction

Lacrosse was one of the first sports to be played in North America. Dating back to the

17th century, it was originally played by Native Americans and Canadians. Although there werefewerrules back then, the basic design of the most important piece of equipment, the lacrosse

stick or crosse, did not change during the first 300 years of the games existence. It was a one-piece wooden design that used strings for the netting.

However, over the last forty years, withthe innovation of manufacturing and engineering

processes, the design and components of a lacrosse stick have been modernized. A contemporary

lacrosse stick is the main piece of equipment used in the sport of lacrosse, consisting of threeindividual components:

The Mesh The Head The Shaft

Each component is chosen separately, according to the players desires, and then isassembled to

create the unique lacrosse stick that player will use on the field. However, remember that

although lacrosse sticks can vary in design and materials, there are specifications that regulate

thedimensions ofeach component (adhering tothese specifications is primarilythemanufacturersresponsibilityand not the buyers concern). Without the right lacrosse stick that

fits each players unique approach to the game, lacrosse would lack some of the excitement thathas propelled it to being one of the fastest growing sports in the world.

Shaft and head form one component

Netting or mesh

Figure 2:Contemporary

lacrosse stick and its

three main

components


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The Big Three

The freedom to be able to choose a personal mesh, head, and shaft when crafting a new

lacrosse stick can be a lot more stressful than an athlete desires. With a variety of manufacturersclaiming they have the newest product on the market, buying a new lacrosse stick becomes a

tough and expensive decision. However, before one chooses the mesh, head, and shaft to beassembled into his or her new stick, he or she must first fully understand the specifics ofeach

component.

The Mesh

The mesh of a lacrosse stick is the interwoven nylon fabric that creates the pocket of thelacrosse stick. The pocket is where the ball is held while a player has the ball in his stick.

Additional nylon strings are also used in a stringing process. These additional strings attach the

mesh to the sidewalls of the head (discussed in next section). Themain decisions when selecting mesh for a new stick is whether the

individual wants hard or soft mesh, along with the number and

shape of shooting strings.

Hard Meshinterwoven nylon string that is coated in aspecial layer to add rigidity, durability, and water

resistance. In addition, hard mesh offers a player good ballcontrol, a quick release, and fast shot.

Soft Meshthe same interwoven nylon string used for hard mesh without the specialcoating layer. A player who chooses soft mesh over hard mesh should know that he or

she is choosing ultimate ball control while sacrificing good performance during

inclement weather game conditions. In any wet conditions, soft mesh will lose all

accuracy as a result of the wet nylon changing the normal pocket size.

Shooter stringsthese pocket additionsare interwoven into the mesh. They areeither nylon strings just like the actual

mesh, or are hockey laces. These strings

adjust the tension in the mesh affecting

the release of the ball from the pocket.

The shape of shooter strings (straight, U-shape, or rounded) affect the hold the

pocket has on the ball as well as

accuracy. For example, U-shaped shooterstrings secure the ball in the pocket much

better than straight shooter strings.

Nylon

Mesh

(Either

Hard or

Soft)

Figure 3: Hard mesh with hockey lace shooter

strings before attached to the head

Figure 4: Front view showing shooter strings. Side view showing pocket.


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The Head

Before the 1970s, the head and shaft was still just one long heat-bent piece of wood with

leather mesh forming the pocket. Then, in 1970, a revolutionary patent by STX (a leading

lacrosse manufacturing company) created the first patent of a lacrosse head. Since then, lacrosse

heads have transformed from wood to lighter yet more durable plastic molds, coming in all sortsof shapes. As a result, the complex decision of choosing which head to buy is yet another

common problem faced by many current lacrosse players. A lacrosse head is a plastic mold that

connects to the shaft. The mesh, woven through provided slots in the head, creates the shape ofthe pocket, aiding in ball control, catching, and throwing. While beginner players should only

consider traditional heads that allow for easy catching and scooping of ground balls, a player

looking to take their game to the next level is strongly

advisedto choose a head in correspondence with aspecific position: defenseman, midfielder, or attackman.

Defensemanshould consider astiff head that acan take a beating as it will be used to checkattackmen throughout the game. Also, a widerhead is preferred as it will take up more of the

passing lanes and help with catching.

Attackmanshould consider a head that has a muchthinner width. This will help with ball protection and keep theball in the pocket even after getting checked. Also, a thinner

head aids in better accuracy and shot control.

Midfieldershould consider a head that incorporatesstiffness and durability for defense as well as a thinnerwidth for ball control and accuracy. Themultifunctional design is due to the fact that

midfielders are required to play both offense and

defense during the course of a game.

Figure 5: Defensive head called STX Hammer U

Figure 6: Attacker head called Warrior Cobra X

Figure 7: Midfielder head called Brine Clutch Elite X


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The Shaft

The shaft of the stick is the longest component and is used to handle the stick. As

opposed to the wooden shafts made over forty years ago, present day shafts are manufactured

with many different materials such as titanium, scandium, magnesium, aluminum, or alloys. The

choice of material directly affects the strength, durability, and weight. While all shafts areoctagonal instead of circular for better handling, shafts vary in length depending on positions.

Depending on whether the player is performing in an offensive or defensive position, different

materials are preferred in the construction of the shaft.

OffensiveOffensive shafts can vary from 40 to42 in length,with the top players often leaningtowards the smallest possible shaft. The top

attackmen prefer an elite shaft that includes

lightweight material while still having enough

strength to withstand hitting around the crease. As aresult, an attacker looking to take his or her game to

the next level should consider shafts such as theGait 803 Ice, Warrior Krypto Pro, or Brine Swizzle

Scandium. The materials in these shafts, such as

Titanium or superlight alloys, provide the user with

the necessary strength and weight to make quickmoves and even quicker shots.

DefensiveDefensive shafts vary from 52 to72 in length with the most players choosing thelongest length possible in order to obtain their greatest

reach when defending. Unlike attackers who desire

lightweight over strength, defenders want strong shaftsthat can withstand the multiple hits they will be putting

on the attackmen. Therefore, a defenseman looking to

take their game to the next level will want to considerdefensive shafts such as the STX Sc+Ti Pro, Warrior

Dolomite Diamond, or Maverik H2 Scandium

Titanium. The combination of Scandium and Titaniumin these shafts creates a super-strength shaft while stillhaving a manageable weight.

Figure 8: Offensive shaft called the Gait 803 Ice

Figure 9: Defensive shaft called the STX Sc+Ti Pro


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Conclusion

In conclusion, players looking to advance to the next level in this physical game of

lacrosse should give much consideration and research when choosing a new high performancelacrosse stick. One should analyze the stick as three individual components to purchase: the

mesh, the head, and the shaft. Selecting each component with respect to ones position he or she

will be playing at the next level is the most advised approach when purchasing a high-level stick.There are many variables to be evaluated when crafting ones new stick to be suitable for the

next level of play, but the following three suggestions are the foundation for starting such a

complex process:

The mesh can either be hard or soft, depending on whether ball control or performance ininclement weather is more important.

The head should be chosen with respect to the position one plans on playing at the nextlevel. Shafts are different lengths for each position. The materials in the shaft affect its weight

and strength, so choose accordingly to personal preferences.

If the suggestions above are considered when choosing a new lacrosse stick to be used at the nextlevel, optimum stick performance will be achieved and stick failure will, in fact, be the least of

the players worries.


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Works cited

"BRINE Lacrosse."BRINE Lacrosse. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.

"How to Choose a Lacrosse Head."How to Choose a Lacrosse Head. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar.

2013.

"Lacrosse Stick." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 02 Apr. 2013. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.

"My Website TopNav Museum & Hall of Fame History."My Website TopNav Museum & Hall

of Fame History. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.

"STX Lacrosse." STX Lacrosse. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.

"STX Sc Ti Pro Scandium/Titanium Defense Lacrosse Shaft Review." Bestcovery. N.p.,

n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.

"Types of Lacrosse Mesh."Lax Doctor RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2013.

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Lacrosse Stick TDD Final