A couple months ago, Lacrosse.com asked me to string up a couple of the most popular heads in lacrosse with custom Player Pockets. The idea was to create a highly functional, all-white, no frills, college and high school legal pocket for each head. Lacrosse.com would then take the pockets I designed, and replicate them for sale on their site using String King Type 3 or ECD Hero Mesh.
Since Lacrosse.com is a partner of ours, and since I’m a BIG believer in giving all players a truly functional pocket, I jumped right in, got to work, and came up with seven different pockets, each designed specifically for the head in question. I came up with pockets for defenseman, middies, face off guys, attackmen, and LSMs, and while they all throw dimes and hold well, each pocket also has its own unique value, determined by the head.
When a player I coach asks me to string them a mesh pocket, this is what I do for them. I’ve literally never had a complaint. The pockets work really well. It’s as simple as that. They are NOT flashy, but they are clean. You can’t add in different colored mesh or string, but if you want an all-white pocket that’s going to be your new gamer, check out my new Player Pockets on Lacrosse.com.
Here is a run down of the heads I laced up, and why I strung each pocket they way I did.
The Player Pockets Theory
Nike Lakota U
The Lakota’s top mesh is attached on all six scoop holes, and a channel is created at the mid point of the head. The channel on this pocket goes a little higher than normal, due to a looser top mesh portion, so the two shooting strings truly tug on the ball and give a great snap when shooting. This is a great stick for any midfielder, a true shooter, or an offensive minded longstick as it is both a mid, and mid-high pocket, at the same time.
Under Armour Command
The channelling on the Command’s pocket is not severe, but the pocket does move from high-mid, to mid, to low, and the three shooting strings add to the hold. This is a great stick for quick passes, and offensive QBs, or longsticks who like to move the ball quickly and accurately. It has great feel and touch, but still generates good power on outside shots.
Nike CEO
By stringing the mesh to the outside, the CEO Player Pocket is definitely up to the task of taking face offs, and popping the ball out quickly. With a mid-high pocket channel, and low carry zone, this CEO can also be an offensive weapon! The two high shooters provide snap off the high channel for shots and the hold is there for sure, especially if the heads warps due to taking draws.
Warrior Rabil 2
The Rabil 2 is Rabil’s head, so I designed a pocket that is good for a Paul Rabil-esque player. If you love dodging (nice channel!), shooting hard (snappy release!), and passing (limited whip!), this is your jam. This stick has more hold than most of the other heads I strung, and a little more whip.
STX Eclipse
I love the Eclipse head. It’s light, strong, and a great head. The pocket I put together here is channeled, and it really does not need to be very deep. It can be made deep, but it’s simply not required. It limits rebound, provides great hold, and throws consistent passes. What more could you possibly want?
Maverik Tank
With such a wide head, defenders often string deep pockets, and just hope the refs won’t check their sticks. Why risk it? I strung the Tank with the mesh to the inside, kept the pocket 100% legal, AND added a good amount of hold to a mid pocket, that is ready to vacuum GBs and drop apple on offense. You’ll dangle and then throw dimes.
STX Stallion U 550
The channel on this pocket is so money I almost went no shooters at all, but then I thought about a REALLY hard shot, and how I liked a little added snap down at the end of the release. So I stacked up two shooters really high, got the extra pop I wanted, and still had a stick that gave me “touch” like I couldn’t believe. It’s all sidewalls and channel, and it’s a midfielder’s dream of a mid pocket!
