Lacrosse Pockets

The lacrosse pocket has the most direct impact on a player's performance. Most lacrosse heads come pre-strung, and they can be strung in a variety of ways, but it's important to tweak the pocket and the throwing strings after purchase. For example, some players prefer a pocket that sits high in the head, which gives them a quicker release on their passes and shots, while other players prefer a pocket that is towards the bottom of the head, where the head is more pinched, to make it easier to keep the ball in the stick while cradling and dodging. Also, the shooting strings in the pocket (the strings or hockey laces strung horizontally across the pocket) need to be adjusted to a players preference. Interestingly, the strings are basically the same product as the laces for hockey skates. The tightness or looseness of the shooting strings determines how the ball is released from the pocket. If a stick has a very smooth release, it is said to have "no whip". If, while throwing, the ball tends to jump out of the stick at a certain point in the release, the stick is said to have "whip". Whip has varying levels depending on how severely the ball pops off the shooting strings while throwing and shooting, and a player's preference is usually determined by whatever he is most used to. Beginners are advised to take their stick to a coach or experienced friend to have them adjust the pocket depth and throwing strings.

My Lacrosse Pocket Recommendations

• Soft mesh: This mesh comes out of the package ready to play. It is pre-broken in and can instantly offer a great lacrosse pocket.
• Hard mesh: Similar to soft mesh but this mesh has a wax coating for added durability. This mesh holds its shape in rain and bad weather better than non-mesh pockets and requires little adjustment once strung. The main drawback to hard mesh is that it often takes a while to break in and doesn't hold the ball as well as soft mesh.
• 6-diamond mesh: Offers all the durability of mesh but has larger holes than other kinds of mesh. Consequently, it's more difficult to string a deep, well-positioned pocket.
• Traditional leather lacrosse pocket: This type of pocket was popular in the eighties and nineties, but mesh lacrosse pockets have been proven to be much more consistent than leather pockets. This pocket often requires adjustment and doesn't perform well in bad weather, as the leather stretches when wet. This pocket must be well-cared for, as the leathers will shrivel and warp if the pocket is left in the sunlight to dry.
• Rocket pocket: The Rocket Pocket claims to make a player shoot the ball better. While this may be true, this kind of pocket has several drawbacks. The pocket is made with leather and nylon and has all the drawbacks of the traditional leather pocket (not suitable for bad weather, requires care). As this pocket is created by a lot of advanced stringing, it is difficult to tweak the pocket as necessary. Also, all the stringing in the pocket makes the head extremely heavy. Furthermore, the pocket is rigid making the pocket poor in ball-retention.