August 20, 2008
Kyle,
At The Lax Hut, we use a traditional wood Louisville Slugger bat to work in all our pockets. If you use a painted bat, you run the risk of coloring the mesh in the process. With the barrel up (or handle up, both ends work fine), secure the bat between your feet and thighs and press the pocket over the top. Flip the head over and work the back of the mesh as well. Do this until your pocket meets the desired shape. If the mesh is really tough, give it a quick run under the sink, and then work the pocket with a bat. Don't soak the mesh - if too wet, it'll likely shrink by the next morning. That being said, when you do play in the rain and the pocket is muddy and soaked, the "screwdriver over the ball" is an effective way to maintain the pocket's shape.
Best,
Matt Zash
P.S.: I've seen some players use shaving cream to soften their mesh as well. Be careful - it can turn hard mesh soft.
Matt Zash was a two-time All-American midfielder at Duke, graduating in 2006. He plays professional lacrosse for the MLL's Philadelphia Barrage and the NLL's New York Titans. Zash was a member of the 2003 U.S. under-19 men's world championship team and played for Team USA in the 2007 Indoor World Lacrosse Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He owns and operates The Lax Hut, a chain of lacrosse retail stores.
E-mail your questions to Zash at zash@laxmagazine.com.
More "Straight Shooters" from Matt Zash:
Hybrid Pocket Spurs Conversation
Don't Get Stuck on New Stick Regularions
Be a Sponge, Not a Spectator
Live Lax and Dye
'Step, Hop, Step' and Crank
Recruiting Tips from a Pro
Lacrosse-Specific Training Tips
Hard or Soft Mesh?
Treading the 'Other End'
Shorten Up, Long Poles
Aug. 20, 2008
Straight Shooters Home/Archive
Hey Matt,
I have tried several times to make a good pocket. I have failed every time. I have done the "screwdriver over the ball" that seems to work...for a few minutes. Anyway, I was wondering if you had any tips or ways on making a nice pocket.
- Kyle Stephanick, 11, Asbury, N.J.
Kyle,
At The Lax Hut, we use a traditional wood Louisville Slugger bat to work in all our pockets. If you use a painted bat, you run the risk of coloring the mesh in the process. With the barrel up (or handle up, both ends work fine), secure the bat between your feet and thighs and press the pocket over the top. Flip the head over and work the back of the mesh as well. Do this until your pocket meets the desired shape. If the mesh is really tough, give it a quick run under the sink, and then work the pocket with a bat. Don't soak the mesh - if too wet, it'll likely shrink by the next morning. That being said, when you do play in the rain and the pocket is muddy and soaked, the "screwdriver over the ball" is an effective way to maintain the pocket's shape.
Best,
Matt Zash
P.S.: I've seen some players use shaving cream to soften their mesh as well. Be careful - it can turn hard mesh soft.
Matt Zash was a two-time All-American midfielder at Duke, graduating in 2006. He plays professional lacrosse for the MLL's Philadelphia Barrage and the NLL's New York Titans. Zash was a member of the 2003 U.S. under-19 men's world championship team and played for Team USA in the 2007 Indoor World Lacrosse Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He owns and operates The Lax Hut, a chain of lacrosse retail stores.
E-mail your questions to Zash at zash@laxmagazine.com.
More "Straight Shooters" from Matt Zash:
Hybrid Pocket Spurs Conversation
Don't Get Stuck on New Stick Regularions
Be a Sponge, Not a Spectator
Live Lax and Dye
'Step, Hop, Step' and Crank
Recruiting Tips from a Pro
Lacrosse-Specific Training Tips
Hard or Soft Mesh?
Treading the 'Other End'
Shorten Up, Long Poles
