What are the best methods to repair a damaged lacrosse head. How can players extend the life of their equipment. What are the legal implications of using a repaired lacrosse head in official games.
Understanding Lacrosse Head Damage and Repair Options
Lacrosse players often face the challenge of dealing with broken or damaged equipment. A broken lacrosse head can be particularly frustrating, as it’s a crucial component of the stick. However, before rushing to purchase a replacement, it’s worth exploring repair options that can save both time and money.
There are several methods to fix a broken lacrosse head, ranging from simple tape repairs to more complex procedures involving drilling and screws. It’s important to note that while these repairs can extend the life of your equipment, they may not restore the head to its original condition or make it legal for official game use.
Common Types of Lacrosse Head Damage
- Cracks in the sidewall
- Broken or loose scoop
- Warped plastic
- Loosened connection to the shaft
Understanding the type of damage your lacrosse head has sustained is the first step in determining the most appropriate repair method.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing a Broken Lacrosse Head
For more severe damage, such as cracks in the sidewall, a comprehensive repair process may be necessary. Here’s a detailed guide on how to fix a broken lacrosse head using a screw and glue method:
- Evaluate the breakpoint
- Drill a hole and ink the surface
- Transfer the hole
- Drill a second hole
- Prepare the screw
- Remove the screw head
- Fit the strut together and evaluate
- Examine and fix imperfections
- Test the repaired lacrosse head
This process requires patience and precision. Is it suitable for all types of breaks? While effective for many sidewall cracks, some damages may be too severe for this method.
Detailed Breakdown of the Repair Process
Let’s examine each step in more detail:
1. Evaluating the breakpoint: Carefully inspect the lacrosse head to identify the exact location and extent of the damage. This assessment will guide your repair strategy.
2. Drilling a hole and inking the surface: Using a small drill bit, create a hole in the center of the cracked area. Then, apply ink to the crack to help with alignment in later steps.
3. Transferring the hole: Press the broken pieces together, allowing the ink to mark the opposite side. This ensures proper alignment when drilling the second hole.
4. Drilling a second hole: Create a hole on the opposite side where the ink has transferred. Test the alignment using a toothpick or similar object.
5. Preparing the screw: Select a wood screw approximately 4.75 inches long. Carefully screw it into one of the drilled holes, ensuring it doesn’t protrude too far.
6. Removing the screw head: Using a hacksaw or bolt cutter, remove the head of the screw. This allows for a flush fit when joining the broken pieces.
7. Fitting the strut together and evaluating: Align the broken edges and insert the headless screw. Apply super glue to the crack and hold the pieces together until the glue dries.
8. Examining and fixing imperfections: Once the glue has set, remove any excess and address any remaining issues. Applying baking soda to the glue can help strengthen the repair.
9. Testing the repaired lacrosse head: After the repair is complete, test the head’s integrity. Remember, a repaired head should only be used for wall ball practice or stringing, not in official games or team practices.
Quick Fix: Using Tape to Repair a Lacrosse Head
For minor damages or as a temporary solution, tape can be an effective repair method. Here’s how to fix a lacrosse head using tape:
- Remove the head from the shaft by unscrewing it
- Wrap electrical or athletic tape around the end where the shaft connects to the head
- Ensure a tight and even wrap to secure the connection
Can tape repairs withstand the rigors of gameplay? While tape can provide a quick fix, it’s generally not durable enough for intense play and should be considered a temporary solution.
Legal Considerations and Gameplay Restrictions
It’s crucial to understand the limitations of using a repaired lacrosse head. Most official lacrosse leagues and organizations have strict equipment regulations to ensure fair play and player safety.
When Can You Use a Repaired Lacrosse Head?
- Wall ball practice
- Stringing practice
- Personal training sessions
When Should You Not Use a Repaired Lacrosse Head?
- Official games
- Team practices
- Scrimmages
Using a repaired lacrosse head in official games or team practices is typically considered illegal and could result in penalties or disqualification. Always consult your league’s rules and regulations regarding equipment standards.
Preventative Maintenance: Extending the Life of Your Lacrosse Head
Prevention is often the best cure. Implementing proper maintenance practices can significantly extend the life of your lacrosse head and reduce the need for repairs.
Tips for Lacrosse Head Maintenance
- Regularly inspect your equipment for signs of wear or damage
- Store your stick properly, avoiding extreme temperatures
- Clean your head after each use to remove dirt and debris
- Avoid leaving your stick in direct sunlight for extended periods
- Use the appropriate string tension to prevent warping
How often should you replace your lacrosse head? While there’s no fixed timeline, most players find they need to replace their heads every 1-2 seasons, depending on usage and care.
Understanding Lacrosse Head Warranties and Replacements
Before attempting repairs, it’s worth checking if your lacrosse head is still under warranty. Many manufacturers offer warranties against defects in materials and workmanship.
Key Points About Lacrosse Head Warranties
- Warranty periods typically range from 6 months to 1 year
- Warranties usually cover manufacturing defects, not damage from normal use
- Some brands offer limited lifetime warranties on certain models
- Always keep your proof of purchase for warranty claims
Do all lacrosse heads come with a warranty? While many do, the terms and coverage can vary significantly between brands and models. Always check the specific warranty details for your equipment.
Choosing the Right Replacement Lacrosse Head
When repairs are no longer feasible, or you need a game-legal head, it’s time to consider a replacement. Selecting the right lacrosse head is crucial for your performance and playing style.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a New Lacrosse Head
- Position (attack, midfield, defense, goalie)
- Level of play (recreational, high school, college, professional)
- Head shape and face shape
- Stiffness and flexibility
- Weight
- Stringing options
Which lacrosse head shape is best for beginners? Generally, wider heads with a more forgiving face shape are recommended for new players, as they offer larger catching and ball retention areas.
Understanding Illegal Lacrosse Heads
An illegal lacrosse head is one that doesn’t meet the official regulations set by governing bodies like the NCAA or US Lacrosse. These regulations typically cover aspects such as:
- Minimum width at various points on the head
- Overall length
- Depth of the pocket
- Shape and design features
Why might a lacrosse head become illegal? Rules changes, wear and tear that alters the head’s shape, or using a head designed for a different level of play can all result in an illegal head.
Advanced Techniques for Lacrosse Head Customization
For players looking to fine-tune their equipment, there are several advanced techniques for customizing lacrosse heads. These modifications can help tailor the head to your specific playing style and preferences.
Popular Customization Techniques
- Pinching: Narrowing the sidewalls to create a tighter channel
- Flaring: Widening the scoop for easier ground ball pickup
- Face shape adjustment: Altering the face shape for better ball control
- Custom stringing patterns: Creating unique pocket designs
Are all customizations legal? It’s crucial to check your league’s regulations before making any modifications, as some alterations may render the head illegal for official play.
Breaking In a New Lacrosse Head
A new lacrosse head often requires a break-in period to achieve optimal performance. Here are some methods to break in a new lax stick:
- Wall ball practice: Repeatedly throwing and catching against a wall
- Pocket formation: Using a softball or lacrosse ball to stretch the pocket
- Hot water treatment: Carefully applying hot water to make the plastic more pliable
- Gradual stringing adjustments: Fine-tuning the string tension over time
How long does it take to break in a lacrosse head? The process can vary, but most players find their head is adequately broken in after 2-3 weeks of regular use and targeted break-in techniques.
Troubleshooting Common Lacrosse Head Issues
Even with proper care and maintenance, lacrosse heads can develop various issues over time. Understanding how to diagnose and address these problems can help extend the life of your equipment.
Addressing a Loose Lacrosse Head
A common issue players face is a loose connection between the head and the shaft. Why is my lacrosse head loose? Several factors can contribute to this problem:
- Worn-out screws or bolts
- Stripped screw holes in the head or shaft
- Warping of the plastic around the connection point
- Normal wear and tear from extended use
To fix a loose lacrosse head, try the following steps:
- Tighten the existing screws if possible
- Replace worn-out screws with new ones
- Use a rubber washer or spacer to improve the fit
- Apply a small amount of low-strength threadlocker to the screws
- If the problem persists, consider replacing the head or shaft
Dealing with Warped Lacrosse Heads
Warping can occur due to exposure to heat, improper storage, or excessive force during play. To address a warped lacrosse head:
- Use hot water to make the plastic more pliable
- Carefully bend the head back into its proper shape
- Immediately submerge in cold water to set the shape
- Allow the head to dry completely before restringing
Can all warped heads be fixed? While minor warping can often be corrected, severe deformations may require replacement of the head.
Addressing Pocket Issues
Problems with the pocket, such as inconsistent ball release or poor ball retention, can often be resolved through restringing or adjustments. Consider the following:
- Experiment with different stringing patterns
- Adjust the tension of existing strings
- Replace worn-out mesh or leathers
- Ensure the pocket depth complies with league regulations
How often should you restring your lacrosse head? This depends on usage, but many players find they need to restring every 3-6 months to maintain optimal performance.
The Future of Lacrosse Head Technology
As the sport of lacrosse continues to evolve, so does the technology behind the equipment. Manufacturers are constantly innovating to create heads that offer improved performance, durability, and customization options.
Emerging Trends in Lacrosse Head Design
- Advanced materials for increased strength and flexibility
- Computer-aided design for optimal weight distribution
- Integrated string-lock systems for consistent pocket performance
- Customizable components for player-specific adjustments
- Eco-friendly manufacturing processes and materials
How will these advancements impact the game? As technology improves, players can expect heads that offer better ball control, increased shooting accuracy, and longer-lasting performance.
The Role of 3D Printing in Lacrosse Head Repair and Customization
3D printing technology is opening up new possibilities for lacrosse head repair and customization. While not yet widely available, this technology could potentially allow players to:
- Print replacement parts for minor repairs
- Create custom components to modify existing heads
- Prototype and test new head designs
- Produce personalized heads tailored to individual playing styles
What are the limitations of 3D printed lacrosse parts? Currently, 3D printed materials may not meet the strength and durability requirements for official gameplay, but the technology is rapidly advancing.
Environmental Considerations in Lacrosse Equipment
As awareness of environmental issues grows, many players and manufacturers are considering the ecological impact of lacrosse equipment. This includes both the production of new heads and the disposal of old ones.
Sustainable Practices in Lacrosse Head Manufacturing
- Use of recycled plastics in head production
- Development of biodegradable materials for certain components
- Implementation of energy-efficient manufacturing processes
- Reduction of packaging waste
How can players contribute to sustainability efforts? Consider the following practices:
- Properly maintain equipment to extend its lifespan
- Repair heads when possible instead of replacing them
- Donate usable equipment to youth programs or charitable organizations
- Recycle old heads through manufacturer take-back programs or local recycling facilities
By adopting these practices, players can help reduce the environmental impact of their lacrosse equipment while still enjoying high-performance gear.
The Best Procedure on How to Fix a Broken Lacrosse Head
Playing with a broken lacrosse head can be frustrating and can lead to costly repairs. But don’t worry, there is hope!
We’ve put together this comprehensive guide to walk you step-by-step through the process of fixing any issue that arises in your lacrosse head.
By the end of this post, you will feel confident about tackling any repair needed for your sticks!
More…
Table of Contents
- How to fix a wobbly lacrosse head: A wholesome process
- Step 1: Evaluating the breakpoint
- Step 2: Drilling a hole and ink the surface
- Step 3: Transfer hole
- Step 4: Drill a hole
- Step 5: Prepare the screw
- Step 6: Remove the screw head
- Step 7: Fit the strut together & evaluate
- Step 8: Examine and fix the imperfections
- Step 9: Try out the new lacrosse head
- Fixing a broken lacrosse head with a tape
- Valuable tips for lacrosse head maintenance
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How often should you replace your lacrosse head?
- Do lacrosse heads have a warranty?
- What is an illegal lacrosse head?
- Why is my lacrosse head loose?
- How to break in a lax stick?
- Conclusion
Take Away Key Points:
- The guide below offers the best answers on how to fix a broken lacrosse head
- There are various steps to complete the procedure
- Fixation is possible with glue, tape, and other tools, but remember that you cannot use a fixed head for the game and practice. You can only use it for a wall ball drill.
How to fix a wobbly lacrosse head: A wholesome process
Instead of buying a new head when your stick breaks, you can try to fix it, and make the lacrosse stick valuable for stringing practice, wall ball drills, etc.
Let’s see the entire fixing procedure.
Step 1: Evaluating the breakpoint
Examine the broken lacrosse head to find the place where the crack is located. You will start repairing that sport first.
Step 2: Drilling a hole and ink the surface
You should drill a hole into the middle of the surface of the cracked sidewall strut. Do not fill the entire hole with ink. Instead, use a marker to put a considerable amount of ink into the crack.
Step 3: Transfer hole
You should line up and press the strut pieces together to transfer ink on the opposite side of the strut. Once you complete the step, the ink will leave its trace on the white circle directly on the other side where you drilled the hole.
Step 4: Drill a hole
After you perform the transfer hole operation, you can drill the hole into the circle. An extra tip after drilling both holes is to perform a test fit with a toothpick, match stick, or similar small items. You can inspect how well and if the two holes align.
Step 5: Prepare the screw
Apply a 4.75-inch wood screw and carefully screw it into the inked hole without extending too far from the sidewall strut of the lacrosse head.
Step 6: Remove the screw head
Carefully remove the head of the screw. Ensure you use a hacksaw or bolt cutter to complete the procedure. Ensure the screws match the driven holes and allow a quick connection of the parts.
You can also enlarge the hole if mandatory, but do not make it too large. Instead, use the crazy glue and put it into the transfer hole and on both surfaces of the crack to create a firm connection between the parts. Before that, ensure the screw aligns correctly and fits the holes well.
Step 7: Fit the strut together & evaluate
You should line up the strut edges and correct the lacrosse head structure. Fit the screw into the transfer hole.
Hold the opposite sides of the head of the shaft together for an extended period until the super glue is dry.
Use a vise or clamp to glue and hold the two sides of the shaft head when you don’t want to hold them with your hands.
Step 8: Examine and fix the imperfections
You should remove any excess glue and other issues once you attach the two sides and complete the cracks. To fix the cracks, sprinkle a baking soda on the glue to help strengthen the attached point.
The baking soda will react with the glue, and harden in the wrong places, making the cracks full of hard materials, similar to plastic, keeping the fixed figure tight.
However, the combination will also sand down faster and firmer, so it’s helpful for further repair procedure.
Step 9: Try out the new lacrosse head
You can only use your fixed lacrosse head in the wall ball drill or stringing process. However, using it in the game or practice will be illegal. For these reasons, you will have to replace your broken lacrosse head with a new one.
Fixing a broken lacrosse head with a tape
Below you can find the procedure to fix the broken lacrosse head with electrical tape or athletic tape. Follow the steps instead of using a replacement head.
1. turn the screw counterclockwise – you will undo the connection between the shaft and the lacrosse head
2. wrap the tape around the end where the shaft joins the lacrosse stick
3. ensure you get less room for an empty area and a firm base on the head. The head won’t wander around, or make noise.
4. ensure there is no annoying clicking sound that the lacrosse stick and shaft might produce
5. make sure there is no rattle after you tighten the screw and reattach the head to the shaft
Valuable tips for lacrosse head maintenance
To prevent crack and break issues with your lacrosse head, you can follow these instructions:
– Replace the ball stop when you notice it’s falling off the head
– Examine the screw and ball stop before the game day. Find them on the back of the head, and make sure there is no crack. Ensure the connection is tight enough to hold the stick together.
– Before each season starts, replace your old head with a new one. If you’re a more aggressive player, you might need more than one head. Remember that the external temperature also affects the plastic in your stick, so it might break soon when you don’t pay attention.
– Clean the head with an all-purpose cleaner, and wipe it with a rag. You will remove the dirt and potential stains. Do not use bleach to prevent the quality of the material, and whiten the color of the stick.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you replace your lacrosse head?
You should replace your head at the beginning of every lacrosse season.
Do lacrosse heads have a warranty?
Yes, most lacrosse heads have a six-month warranty period, and if they are broken, you get a replacement within thirty days from the date of purchase.
What is an illegal lacrosse head?
An illegal lacrosse head is a type of gear higher than 2.75 inches from the highest point or fixed by your hands. The referees and other officials can conduct various tests to determine the legality of the heads.
Why is my lacrosse head loose?
Your head might be since the screw connecting the shaft, and the head might be loose or stripped.
How to break in a lax stick?
You can break in a lax stick by bringing it in the shower. You can lather the mesh in a conditioner and then knead the pocket with the ball. The conditioner and water will soften the mesh and cause its stretching out.
Conclusion
With advanced knowledge and tools on how to fix a broken lacrosse head, you can fix most broken lacrosse heads. However, doing so may take away from your competitive edge in the sport. Fortunately, there are plenty of other pieces of equipment available on the market should you decide you don’t want to risk using a repaired stick.
Before purchasing something new, ensure you factor in quality, warranty, and cost.
With that information at hand, you’ll be able to find the best lacrosse head that fits both your playing style and budget. Until then – keep practicing!
Fixing a Broken Lacrosse Head
Saving your worn-out lacrosse sticks from finding their way into the dark and desolate world of landfill is a great way to help the environment and save some money while you’re at it. And thankfully, the steps involved are not that complicated. Just follow these simple lacrosse head restoration steps and your old lacrosse sticks will be as good as new in no time.
However, we need to clarify one thing and that is – you are not legally allowed to use a repaired lacrosse head in a game. The only time you can use a repair kit is during practice. But you can always keep it as a souvenir or a spare in case your game-day stick meets an untimely end.
Inspect the Crack
First thing first – you need to check the crack in your lacrosse head up close. You need to figure out first whether the head can be repaired or not. If the crack is extensive, then it might be better to just get a new lacrosse head altogether because it makes more sense economically. But if the crack is tiny and only affects a small area, then you can go ahead with the repair. If the crack is in the middle, you need to consider getting a new head rather than trying to get it fixed.
Time to Drill A Hole
Now if you feel that the crack is repairable, then it’s time to get to work. The first step is to drill a hole in the middle of the cracked surface. Next, you will have to apply an adequate amount of ink on the cracked surface but make sure that you are filling the entire hole with the ink as this might later interfere with the application that you’ll be using to fix the crack.
Transfer Hole
Now, you need to replicate the same hole on the opposite side of the strut. This can be done by pressing the pieces of the strut together forcefully so that the ink on the opposite end gets transferred to the other side. Of course, you will get the exact replica of the hole on the other side but still, it will give you a general idea about where to drill the second hole. Once you have got a general idea about the probable location of the 2nd hole, go ahead and drill the second hole.
Prepare The Screw
Now, find a 3/4 inch long wood screw. You can either use a drill or a simple screwdriver to screw it into the hole. Don’t screw it too tight because that might more harm than good. Also, at the same time, you need to make sure that it is not too loose otherwise it will come out easily.
Get Rof Off The Screw Head
The screw is firmly attached to the hole. So, now is the time to remove the head of the screw. Now, enlarge the 2nd hole and apply some glue to it so that it can keep the screw in place and create a strong bond. Also, don’t forget to apply some glue to the surface of the cracked area. It is recommended to wear protective goggles while removing the head from the screw.
Attached the Struts Together
Hold the two sides of the strut together for at least 5 to 10 minutes so that the super glue can get enough to do its job – i.e. keeping them together. Got a clamp? Use it for your advantage and save the hassle of trying to keep the two sides together by hand.
Sand Away The Excess
So, the glue has finally dried out. So, now is the time to sand away any excess or imperfection. Be careful not to ruin the surface by putting too much pressure while sanding. Take your time and be patient while you are doing it. Once you are done sanding, apply some paint to the entire lacrosse head and let it dry.
Read Online The Horns by Joe Hill-Litres, page 4
8
Returning to the hallway, Ig looked through the door that opened onto the porch at the sun-drenched outside world and thought that he should probably get out, get out quickly, until he bumped into someone else, a father or a brother. He had already changed his mind about dating Terry, decided to do without it if possible. After everything his mother had told him, Ig no longer wanted to test his love for anyone else.
Still, he didn’t leave the house through the front door, turned around and started up the stairs. If he is already here, then you can at least look into your room and see if it’s worth picking up something from there when leaving the house. Leaving where? He didn’t know yet. But there was no certainty in him that he would ever return here.
Under Ig’s feet, the centuries-old steps creaked and murmured. As soon as he stepped on the last of them, the right door, which opened into the corridor, swung open, and his father leaned out of it. Ig had seen this scene hundreds of times before. His father was very curious and couldn’t let anyone go up the stairs without looking who it was.
– Oh! – he said. – Ig. And I thought it was … – The phrase somehow died out by itself.
His gaze shifted from Yog’s eyes to the horns. Father stood barefoot in a white T-shirt and striped suspenders.
“Just tell me,” Ig said. “This is the chapter where you tell me something terrible that you wanted to keep secret. Maybe something about me. So say it and let’s not talk about it anymore.
– I wanted to pretend that I was busy with important business in my office so that I wouldn’t have to talk to you.
– Not bad for a start.
– It’s very hard for me to meet you.
– Understood. We just talked about this with my mother.
– I keep thinking about Merrin. About what a good girl she was. I loved her, in a way. And envied you. I have never loved anyone the way you and her loved each other. And certainly not your mother – a petty whore with a shift in status. Worst mistake I’ve ever made. Everything bad that happened in my life happened because of this marriage. But Merrin… she was wonderful. You couldn’t hear her laughing without smiling yourself. When I think about how you fucked her and killed her, I start to vomit.
“I didn’t kill her,” Ig said through a parched mouth.
“And worst of all,” continued Derrick Parrish, “she was my friend and took care of me, and I helped you get away unpunished.
Ig looked at him in complete bewilderment.
– This is the guy who runs the crime lab, Jin Lee. His son died a few years ago, but before that I helped him get Paul McCartney tickets and arranged for Gene and his son to meet Paul backstage and all that. When you were arrested, Jin contacted me right away. He asked me if you did it and I said I couldn’t give him an honest answer. Two days later, this fire broke out in Concord, in the state laboratory. Of course, Gene is not the boss there, he works in Manchester, but I always thought …
Yoke literally turned inside out. If the evidence collected at the crime scene had not been destroyed, it would likely have helped establish his innocence. But they vanished in smoke and flame, like the hopes nestled in Ig’s heart, like all the good things in his life. Sometimes, in fits of persecution mania, he imagined some complex conspiracy, secretly drawn up for the sole purpose of destroying him. And he was almost right: secret forces really worked here, only it was a conspiracy of people who wished to protect him.
– How could you do that? How could you be such a fool? asked Ig breathlessly; now he was on the verge of hating his father.
– So I ask myself the same thing. Every day. Of course, when the whole world rushes at your children with knives, you have to shield them. This is clear to everyone. But here… Here Merrin was also one of my children. She has been in our house every day for ten years. She trusted me . I bought her popcorn at the movies, went to see her when she played lacrosse [6] played cribbage with her [7] and she was adorable and loved you and you blew her fucking brains out. It was completely wrong to cover for you, this is not the case. You should have gone to jail. When I see you in the house, I want to punch you in the face to get that stupid look off your stupid face. It seems like you have nothing to regret. Killed – and came out dry from the water. In the most literal sense. And he pulled me into this. You make me feel dirty all the time. I want to wash myself, rub myself with a steel washcloth. When you talk to me, I get goosebumps. Well, how could you do this to her? She was one of the best people I have ever known. And certainly the most beloved person.
“And mine too,” Ig agreed.
“I want to go back to my office,” said the father. He was breathing heavily through his open mouth. “When I see you, I want to hide. To your office. To Las Vegas. Or to Paris. Anywhere. I want to leave and never come back.
– And you really think I killed her. Have you ever wondered if the evidence you told Gene to burn might have saved me? How many times have I told you that I didn’t do this, so didn’t you ever think: maybe, just maybe, I’m not to blame for anything?
The father silently looked at him, a little bewildered, and then said:
– No, I didn’t think so. To be honest, I was surprised you didn’t do something to her sooner. I always thought you were a little shitty pervert.
9
Ig stood at the door of his bedroom and did not go in, did not go to bed, as was planned. His head hurt again—his temples, at the base of his horns. It felt like pressure was building up behind them. At the edge of his field of vision, in time with the beats of his pulse, impenetrable darkness flickered.
He wanted to rest, he wanted more than anything else, and he didn’t want any more madness. He wanted to feel a cool hand on his forehead. He wanted Merrin to come back, wanted to cry with his face buried in her lap and her fingers caressing the back of his head. Any of his thoughts about peace and tranquility were associated with her, she was an obligatory part of all his peaceful memories. Windy July day, they lie in the grass over the river. It’s a rainy October, he and she are drinking cider in her room, huddled tightly under a knitted coverlet, Merrin’s cold nose against his ear.
Ig looked around the room, taking in the wreckage of his life here. An old pipe case protruded from under the bed, and he pulled it out and placed it on the mattress. Inside lay a silver tube. It darkened noticeably, the valves were worn out, as if the pipe was actively used.
As it really was. Even when Ig learned that his weak lungs would never allow him to play the trumpet, he continued to rehearse for reasons he himself no longer understood. After his parents sent him to bed, he played in the dark, under the covers, flying his fingers over the valves. He played Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis and Louis Armstrong. But the music was only in his head; when he put the mouthpiece to his mouth, he did not dare to blow for fear that a wave of dizziness would come and a black blizzard would flash. It seemed like a waste of time now, all these exercises, doomed in advance to give no result.
In a fit of sudden rage, he emptied the contents of the case onto the floor: small pipes, valve oil, a spare mouthpiece and everything. The last thing he could get his hands on was the Tom Crown Mute, which looked like a large, polished copper Christmas toy. He wanted to throw it across the room, he even swung it already, but his fingers did not open, they did not release the mute. It was a very beautiful metal toy, but that was not why he held it. He himself could not understand why he kept her.
“Tom Crown” put into the bell of the pipe to muffle the volume; when used correctly, the sound is obscene, lascivious. Ig looked at the mute and frowned, feeling something disturb his mind. It wasn’t an established thought, it wasn’t yet. It wasn’t even half a thought, just a fleeting vague guess. Something about trumpets and horns, something about how they are played.
In the end, Ig put the mute aside and turned back to the case. He ripped the foam padding out of it, put on a fresh change of clothes, and started looking for his passport. Not because he was going to leave the country, but because he wanted to take everything important with him so that he would never have to return.
His passport was stuffed into a sumptuous Bible in the top drawer of the chest of drawers, King James Version, in white leather with the words of Jesus printed in gold. Terry referred to this book as his Neil Diamond Bible [8] ; Ig won it as a child in the Sunday school Bible “reverse quiz”: when answers were given from the Bible, Ig always guessed the right questions. Ig took his passport out of the book and paused for a moment, staring at the column of dots and dashes scribbled in pencil on the flyleaf. It was Morse code; Ig himself wrote it into Neil Diamond’s Bible more than ten years ago. He had once thought that Merrin had sent him a message in Morse code, and had spent a full two weeks compiling a similar response. His answer was still written here in a chain of dots and dashes, his favorite prayer in this book.
He shook the Bible in his hand and dropped it into the case too. There must have been something there, some useful clues to his position, some kind of homeopathic remedy that might come in handy in a direct confrontation with the devil.
It was necessary to get out before someone else got caught, however, going down the stairs, Ig noticed how dry and sticky his mouth was, how painful it was for him to swallow. He turned into the kitchen and drank from the tap. He cupped his palms and splashed water on his face, then dipped his face into the water and dusted himself off like a dog. He dried himself dry with a dishcloth, enjoying the feel of his rough touch on his skin, stunned by cold water. In the end, Ig threw back the towel, turned and saw his brother.
10
Terry slumped against the wall, just outside the entrance. He looked rather awful – perhaps the consequences of a long-distance flight. It was time for him to shave, his eyes were inflamed, as happened with allergies. Terry was allergic to everything: pollen, peanut butter; he once almost died from a bee sting. A fine silk shirt and tweed pants dangled from him as if on a hanger, as if he had suddenly lost weight.
The brothers looked at each other. Ig and Terry hadn’t been in the same room since the weekend Merrin was killed, and Terry didn’t look much better then, stammering and slurring his words out of pity for her and Ig as well. Soon after, Terry flew off to the West Coast—allegedly for rehearsals, though Ig suspected he had been called in to fix the situation by Fox executives—and hasn’t returned since. Terry didn’t really like Gideon even before the murder.
“I didn’t know you were here,” Terry said. “I didn’t hear you come in. Have you grown horns? While I was away?
– I decided it was time to change my image. Do you like it?
Terry shook his head.
“I want to tell you something,” he said, and his Adam’s apple jerked up and down several times.
– There are many of you.
– I want to tell you something, but I don’t want to tell you . I’m afraid.
– Let’s rash all at once. Perhaps everything is not so bad. It is unlikely that anything you can tell me will excite me too much. Mom just said she never wanted to see me again. And my dad wants me to go to jail for life.
– Impossible.
– Very likely.
– Oh Ig! Terry said, and his eyes filled with tears. – I’m very guilty. In everything. How things turned out for you. I know that you loved her very much. You know, I loved her too. Merrin. She was an amazing girl.
Ig nodded.
“I want you to know…” Terry said and stuttered.
“Come on, come on,” Ig encouraged him.
– I didn’t kill her.
Ig silently looked at his brother, his chest stung. The idea that Terry had raped Merrin and then killed him had never crossed his mind, belonged to the realm of the impossible.
“Of course not,” Ig said.
– I loved you two and wished you happiness. I would never do anything to her.
“I know,” said Ig.
“If it had only occurred to me that Lee Turno would kill her, I would have tried to stop him,” Terry said. “I thought Lee was her friend. I really wanted to tell you, but Lee forced me into silence. Forced.
– EEEEEEEEE! Ig shouted.
– He’s terrible, Ig, – said Terry – You just don’t know him. You think you know, but you have no idea.
– EEEEEEEEE! Ig continued.
– Lee framed both you and me. I’ve been in hell ever since,” Terry said.
Ig jumped out into the corridor, ran in the semi-darkness to the front door, flew out into the dazzling radiance of the day with eyes full of tears, missed his foot on the step and fell into the yard. Crying and panting, he somehow got up. Ig had dropped his trumpet case as he fell—he hadn’t even realized he still had it—and now picked it up from the grass.
He rushed across the lawn, almost not knowing where he was going. The corners of his eyes were wet and he thought he was crying, but when he touched his face with his fingers, there was blood on his fingers. He raised his hands to his horns. The tips of the horns pierced his skin, and blood trickled down his face. He could feel a measured pulse in his horns, and although his temples were very raw, they gave off a nervous sensation, something similar to an orgasm. He stumbled forward, letting out a torrent of curses and obscenities. He hated how hard it was to breathe, hated the sticky blood on his cheeks and hands, hated the blue sky too bright, hated his own smell, hated, hated0039 hated.
Lost in his own thoughts, he did not see Vera’s gurney until he nearly crashed into it. He stopped literally a step away from his grandmother and stared at her. She dozed off again and snored softly. She smiled a little, as if at some pleasant thought, and her peaceful, happy face made Yg completely furious. He kicked the wheelchair’s brakes and pushed it hard.
“Bitch,” he said as the carriage rolled down the slope.
Vera lifted her head from her shoulder, put it back, lifted it again and stirred slightly. The gurney flew over the green well-groomed grass, hit a cobblestone with one wheel, jumped over it and rushed on, and Ig remembered himself as a fifteen-year-old and descending on a shopping cart along the trail of Evel Nivel [9] , which, if you look at it, became the turning point of his whole life. Was he flying that fast? Wow – how a gurney picks up speed, how a person’s life picks up speed, how this life becomes a bullet aimed at the final target, a bullet that cannot be slowed down and not led astray, and here, like the same bullet, you do not know what you will hit , and in general you know nothing, except for the whistle of air and impact. Vera hit the fence below at a speed of forty miles.
When Ig approached the car, he was already breathing easily again, the tight feeling in his chest passed as quickly as it appeared. The air smelled of fresh grass warmed by the August sun and green leaves. Ig didn’t know where he was going next, he only knew that he was leaving. Behind him slipped a swamp snake, black and white and damp in appearance. A second one joined him, then a third, he did not notice them.
Sitting at the steering wheel of the Gremlin, Ig began to whistle. It really was a good day. He turned the Gremlin around in the driveway and started down the hill. The highway was patiently waiting for him, in the very place where he left his .
11
She was saying something to him. At first he did not understand that it was her, did not know who was doing it. He didn’t even know it was a message. This started about ten minutes after the start of the service: a burst of golden light at the periphery of his vision, a burst so bright that he even closed his eyes. Ig ran his hand over his eye a couple of times, trying to erase the smudge floating in front of him. When his vision cleared a little, he looked around, but could not find the source of the light.
The girl was sitting on the other side of the aisle, one row ahead, she was wearing a white summer dress, and he had never seen her before. He looked at her all the time, not because he thought that she was somehow connected with the light, but because it was pleasant to look at her. And he wasn’t the only one who thought so. A lean guy with hair almost as white as cornsilk, sitting right behind her, peered over her shoulder at the neckline of her dress. Ig had never seen the girl, but he vaguely recognized the boy from school; he was like a year older.
Ignatius Martin Perrish looked around for a watch or a bracelet that might throw a bunny in his eye. He furtively scanned men with metal-rimmed glasses, women with hoops in their ears, but could not find the source of the flash. However, most of all he looked at the girl with red hair and white bare hands. There was something about the whiteness of these hands that made them more naked than the hands of all the other women present in the church. A lot of redheads have freckles, but this one looked like it was carved out of a bar of soap.
As soon as he stopped searching for the source of light and turned to face forward, the blinding flash was repeated. They pissed him off, those flashes in the corner of his left eye, like a light midge, persistently circling above him, trembling in front of his face. Once he even waved it off. It was then that she betrayed herself, snorting softly, trembling with efforts to contain her laughter. Then she looked up at him, a slow, sidelong glance that was full of pleasure and amusement. She realized that she was caught and that there was no point in pretending anymore. And Ig, moreover, understood that she0039 planned to get caught by , keep going until she gets caught; The thought made his blood throb stronger. She was very pretty, about his age, with her hair in a silky cherry-colored braid. She twisted in her fingers a thin golden cross that hung around her neck, turned it this way and that, and the sunlight turned it into a cruciform flame. She held him in what seemed like a confession, then turned him away.
After that, Ig could no longer pay any attention to what Father Mold was saying from the pulpit. Most of all he wanted her to look in his direction again, but she did not do this for a long time, such a sweet coquetry. But then she looked at him again, long and carefully. Looking straight at him, she threw a cross into his eyes with two short flashes and a long one. After a couple of seconds, she flashed another sequence, this time three short flashes. Blinking her cross, she looked him straight in the eyes and smiled a little dreamily, as if she had forgotten what she was smiling at. The intensity of her gaze said directly: she0039 wants to understand something, and what she does with a cross is very important.
“I think it’s Morse code,” Igov’s father whispered out of the corner of his mouth: the conversation of prisoners during a walk.
Ig twitched nervously. In the last few minutes, the Sacred Heart of Mary had become a TV program playing somewhere in the background, with the sound turned up to a barely audible murmur. But when the father spoke, he brought Ig back to the realization of where they were. In addition, Ig was alarmed to find that his cock had become slightly hard and hot. It was extremely important that he returned to his former position. At any moment, the final anthem could begin, and then it would be necessary to stand up and unambiguously kick out in your pants.
– What? he asked his father.
– She says, “Stop staring at my legs. Derrick Parrish was whispering again out of the corner of his mouth, like a wit in a movie. “Or I’ll give you an eye.”
Yg made a funny sound, as if trying to clear his throat. Now Terry was trying to see her. Ig sat right by the aisle, his father to his right, then their mother, and only then Terry. So, to see the girl, Terry had to crane his neck. He assessed her appearance – she turned to face them again – and then whispered loudly:
– Sorry, Ig, but no chance.
Lydia hit him on the head with the psalter.
– What the hell, Mom? – Terry said and got hit on the head again.
“Don’t say that word here,” she whispered.
– Why didn’t you hit Ig? Terry whispered. “He’s the one staring at the redhead. Thinks lustful thoughts. He is hungry. Just look at him. It’s written on his face. Just look at that greedy expression.
“Hungry,” Derrick corrected.
Lydia looked at Ig and his cheeks flushed. She then shifted her gaze to the girl who wasn’t looking at them, pretending to listen to Mold’s father. After a second, Lydia snorted and looked ahead.
“It’s nothing,” she said. – Otherwise, I was already beginning to be afraid if our Ig was gay.
And then it was time to sing, and they all stood up. Ig looked at the girl again, and as she rose to her feet, a sheaf of sunlight fell on her, and her hair flared with red fire. She turned and looked at him again, opening her mouth to sing, but instead let out what seemed like a low but piercing scream. She was about to flash a cross at him again, but the thin chain broke and a trickle of glass fell into her hand.
Ig watched as she lowered her head and tried to fix the chain. Then something unpleasant happened to him. The handsome blonde behind her leaned forward and awkwardly, hesitantly touched the back of her head. He tried to help her with the cross. The girl shuddered, giving him a surprised, not very friendly look. The blond didn’t blush, he didn’t even look embarrassed. Directly not a boy, but an antique statue. The harsh, unnaturally calm features of the young Caesar, who can, with a simple twist of his thumb, send the company of bloodied Christians to feed the lions. Years later, this hairstyle, the close-cropped blonde hair brush, would be popularized by Marshall Mathers [10] , but now she looked unremarkable. In addition, he was in a tie – the highest class. He said something to the girl, but she shook her head. Her father leaned over, smiled at the boy, and began fiddling with the cross himself.
Ig relaxed. Caesar made a tactical mistake, touched the girl when she did not expect it, and thereby annoyed her, instead of charming her. The girl’s father fiddled with the chain for a while, but then he laughed and shook his head because nothing worked, and she also laughed and took the cross from him. Her mother looked at them sternly, and then the girl and her father began to sing again.
The service ended, and the noise of voices increased like water filling a given volume, immediately replacing the inherent silence of the church. Of the school subjects, Igu was always the best at mathematics, and he automatically thought in terms of capacity, volume, invariants, and above all absolute values. Later, this was very useful in logical ethics, but this was perhaps the only gain from his mathematical talents.
He wanted to talk to the girl, but he didn’t know what to say and instantly missed his chance. Going out into the passage, she looked at him, shyly, but smiling, and immediately young Caesar loomed over her, saying something to her. The girl’s father intervened again, pushing her forward and somehow wedging himself between her and the young emperor. The father smiled warmly at the boy, however, when he spoke, he pushed his daughter forward, increasing the distance between them. Caesar was not at all worried about this and did not try to speak to her again, but calmly nodded and even stepped aside, allowing the girl’s mother and some other elderly women – aunts? – walk past him. With the girl’s father pushing her forward, there was no chance of talking to her. Ig followed her with his eyes, longing for her to turn and wave to him, but she didn’t—of course she didn’t. By this time the aisle was packed with departing parishioners. Father Iga put his hand on his shoulder, indicating that they would wait until the people dispersed. Ig watched young Caesar pass by. With him was his father, a man with a thick wheaten mustache that went straight into sideburns, making him look like some bad boy from a Clint Eastwood Western, the guy who stands to the left of Lee Van Cleef and will be shot down with the first shot in the final showdown. .
In the end, the flow of people in the passage became a thin trickle, and Iga’s father removed his hand from his son’s shoulder, letting him know that now they could go. Ig got up from his seat and, as usual, let his parents go ahead to walk with Terry himself. In parting, he looked at the place where the girl was sitting, as if she could appear there again, and when he did, a golden bunny flashed into his eyes again. Ig closed his eyes involuntarily, then opened his eyes and walked over to her seat.
The girl left her golden cross lying on a crumpled golden chain right in the square of light from the window. She probably put it all down and then forgot when her father took her away from that blond boy. Ig held up the cross, thinking it would be cold, but it was warm, deliciously warm, like a coin that’s been out in the sun all day.
– Iggy! his mother called. – So are you going?
Ig closed his fist around the cross and chain and hurried down the aisle. It was very important to catch up with her. She gave him a chance to make a good impression, to find a lost thing, to show his powers of observation and caring. But when he reached the door, she was gone. He only briefly saw her in a wood-panelled van, just turning onto the road. She sat in the back with one of her aunts, her parents in front.
Well, that’s okay. There will be next Sunday, and when Ig returns the chain to her, it will no longer be broken, and it will be completely clear what to say when he introduces himself.
Helmets | July 2023
Home > Helmets
bike helmets save lives
Do bicycle helmets save children’s lives? According to the NHTSA, bicycle helmets are almost 90 percent prevent brain injury. Universal use of bicycle helmets by children aged 4 to 15 will prevent 39,000 to 45,000 head injuries. Approximately 540,000 cyclists seek emergency care for injuries each year.
time trail helmet
How to choose a time trial helmet? How to choose the best time trial helmet. The choice of the best time trial helmet will depend primarily on the position of your head and how long you are able to “spin” during the event.
cat mixino helmet
Are cat helmets good? To sum it up, the Catlike Whisper is a uniquely designed, exceptionally well-fitting, well-ventilated and comfortable helmet that performed well under test conditions in the hot and humid summers in Florida.
Helmets
How to choose a time trial helmet? How to choose the best time trial helmet. Choosing the best time trial helmet will depend primarily on your head position and how long you are able to ‘spin’ during the event.
bicycle helmets
What is the best cheap bike helmet? The best inexpensive but safe bike helmets with MIPSBell Draft MIPS. Bell’s Draft helmet has 25 cooling airflow holes and a one-hand dial system for easy adjustment. Bell MIPS formula. Specialized Echelon II MIPS. Giro Isode MIPS. Giro Register MIPS. Giro Foray MIPS. Bern FL1 Pave MIPS. Laser Blade + MIPS.
the lightest helmet in the world
What is the smallest and lightest motorcycle helmet? The Slim Line Daytona Helmets Skull Cap Motorcycle Helmets are one of the smallest and lightest D.O.T. approved ever made 1/2 shell motorcycle helmets.
pumpkin helmet
Can you wear a pumpkin on your head? In order for the head to fit inside, you’ll need to cut off part of the pumpkin’s lower back. You can either cut it off and discard that part, or save it to reattach it (once the gourd is on your head) with bamboo skewers, for example.
the safest helmet
Who makes the safest motorcycle helmet? Which motorcycle helmet manufacturer produces the safest helmets? 1 AGV. Italian helmet manufacturer AGV climbed to number one in 2021 from #2. No. 2 Shoei. No. 3 Shark. No. 4 HJC. No. 5 Arai. No. 6 Nolan. No. 7 X-Lite. No. 8 Bell.
who owns bell helmets
Who makes Bell helmets?
under the helmet
Can I wear a hat under a bicycle helmet? Direct answer. It is not safe to wear a baseball cap, visor, or anything else for that matter under a bicycle helmet. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to bicycle helmet safety, warns that hats and visors compromise helmet fit and safety. 2011
Arnold takes off his helmet
Why did Arnold take off his helmet? Heroic Sacrifice: Arnold removes his helmet on Pluto to have Janet give up her “evidence” as she cannot carry it on the bus and return to Earth, and his head turns into a block of ice on the screen. He said it was to show what would happen if she stayed on Pluto.
cool lacrosse helmets
What is the most comfortable lacrosse helmet? Best Senior Lacrosse Helmet Cascade S – The safest lacrosse helmet and best concussion lacrosse helmet. STX Rival – The best fit lacrosse helmet. The Warrior Burn is the most innovative lacrosse helmet ever. The Cascade CPX-R is the best budget/low cost lacrosse helmet.25. 2021
laser cyclone mips helmet
Are Lazer bike helmets good? The Lazer Sphere MIPS is a very comfortable helmet with a nice solid feel to the touch. The safety features are impressive, the weight is quite acceptable, and it pairs well with goggles, but while the cooling is decent, those large vents can’t completely cancel out the impact of the MIPS layer.
command sky helmet
What helmet does Team Sky use? Cask Valegro helmet
Is it illegal to ride a bike without a helmet?
What happens if you get caught riding a bike without a helmet? People who break mandatory bike helmet laws face a $344 fine in New South Wales and $207 in Victoria. The lowest fine in the Northern Territory is $25. “We have nearly $6 million in face value of fines that have been issued for this one crime,” said Dr. Quilter.
bike helmet storage
How to store a bicycle helmet? Store your helmet in a cool dry place. Do not expose it to chemicals: some cleaners can damage the foam and plastic shell of the helmet. Cleaning the helmet with harsh chemicals such as ammonia or bleach, and even decorating it with paint, can potentially degrade the materials and possibly degrade its performance.
bicycle helmets
What is the best bicycle helmet? Bicycle helmets ABUS Hyban 2.0. Cannondale Intent MIPS helmet for adults. Giro Register MIPS Adult recreational cycling helmet. Smart helmet LUMOS Matrix. Retrospect CM-1 bicycle helmet for adult riders. Schwinn Thrasher Bike Helmet. Thousand adult bicycle helmets.7. 2021
how to wear a bicycle helmet
How to wear a bicycle helmet correctly? The helmet should be at head level and low on the forehead, one or two fingers above the eyebrow. Position the left buckle under your chin.