What is a lacrosse head pinch. How does it affect stick control and ball retention. Why do players modify their lacrosse heads with pinches. What are the benefits and potential drawbacks of pinching a lacrosse head.
The Anatomy of a Lacrosse Head: Understanding the Pinch
A lacrosse head is a crucial component of a player’s equipment, and its design can significantly impact performance. One modification technique that has gained popularity among players is the “pinch.” But what exactly is a lacrosse head pinch?
A lacrosse head pinch refers to the narrowing of the sidewalls of the head, typically near the throat or middle section. This modification creates a more pronounced “V” shape when viewed from above. Players and stick doctors often perform this adjustment to enhance ball control and create a tighter channel for the ball to sit in.
Why Do Players Pinch Their Lacrosse Heads?
The primary reasons players opt for a pinched lacrosse head include:
- Improved ball retention
- Enhanced feel and control during cradling
- Faster and more accurate releases
- Customized pocket formation
By narrowing the sidewalls, players can create a more defined sweet spot in their stick, allowing for better ball placement and increased consistency in passing and shooting.
The Warrior Evo 5: A Popular Choice for Pinching
The Warrior Evo 5 head is a favorite among players looking to experiment with pinching. Why has this particular model gained such popularity for this modification?
The Evo 5 features a versatile design that accommodates various playing styles. Its structure allows for effective pinching without compromising the head’s integrity. The material used in its construction responds well to controlled heat application, making it easier for players to achieve their desired pinch.
Box Pinch: A Specialized Technique
When discussing lacrosse head pinches, it’s essential to mention the “box pinch.” This specific type of pinch is often associated with box lacrosse, an indoor variant of the sport. How does a box pinch differ from a standard field lacrosse pinch?
A box pinch typically involves a more aggressive narrowing of the sidewalls, creating an even tighter channel for the ball. This modification suits the fast-paced, close-quarters nature of box lacrosse, where quick stick skills and ball security are paramount.
The Art of Custom Stringing: Enhancing the Pinch Effect
While the physical pinch of the head is crucial, the stringing pattern plays an equally important role in maximizing its benefits. How does custom stringing complement a pinched head?
Custom stringing allows players to fine-tune their pocket to work in harmony with the pinched sidewalls. Techniques such as the “freedom pocket” mentioned in the original text can enhance ball control and release. Specialized materials like “fire threads mesh” offer additional grip and feel, further amplifying the advantages of a pinched head.
The Freedom Pocket Explained
A freedom pocket is a stringing technique that utilizes specific knot placements and tension adjustments to create a pocket with optimal hold and release characteristics. When combined with a pinched head, this style of pocket can offer players unparalleled control and consistency.
Legal Considerations: Navigating Rule Compliance
While pinching a lacrosse head can offer performance benefits, players must be aware of the rules and regulations governing stick specifications. Are pinched heads legal in all levels of play?
The legality of pinched heads varies depending on the league and level of play. In many cases, moderate pinches are acceptable as long as the head still meets the required dimensions when measured. However, extreme pinches that significantly alter the head’s shape may be deemed illegal.
Checking Your Stick’s Legality
To ensure compliance, players should:
- Familiarize themselves with their league’s specific rules
- Use official measurement tools to verify head dimensions
- Consult with coaches or officials if unsure about a modification
The Secondary Market: Buying and Selling Pinched Heads
The popularity of pinched lacrosse heads has created a thriving secondary market. Platforms like SidelineSwap offer players the opportunity to buy and sell used equipment, including custom-pinched heads. What should buyers and sellers consider when participating in this market?
For buyers, it’s essential to carefully examine product descriptions and photos to understand the extent of the pinch and any additional modifications. Sellers should provide accurate details about the pinch, stringing, and overall condition of the head to ensure a fair transaction.
The Value of Pinched Heads
Interestingly, well-executed pinches can sometimes increase the value of a used lacrosse head. The time and skill required to perform a quality pinch, combined with the potential performance benefits, make these modified heads attractive to certain players.
DIY Pinching: Risks and Rewards
Many players choose to pinch their own lacrosse heads rather than purchasing pre-pinched models. What are the potential benefits and risks of this do-it-yourself approach?
Benefits of DIY pinching include:
- Cost savings compared to buying a new, custom-pinched head
- The ability to fine-tune the pinch to personal preferences
- Gaining a deeper understanding of stick customization
However, there are also risks to consider:
- Potential damage to the head if not done correctly
- Voiding manufacturer warranties
- Creating an illegal stick if over-pinched
Tools and Techniques for Safe Pinching
For those who decide to attempt DIY pinching, proper tools and techniques are crucial. Common methods include:
- Controlled heat application using a heat gun or boiling water
- Gradual bending and shaping using clamps or specialized jigs
- Cooling and setting the new shape to maintain the pinch
It’s important to note that these techniques require patience, precision, and a thorough understanding of the material properties of the lacrosse head.
The Impact of Pinching on Playing Style
A pinched lacrosse head can significantly influence a player’s style and effectiveness on the field. How does this modification affect different aspects of play?
Offensive players may find that a pinched head allows for quicker, more accurate shots and passes. The tighter channel can facilitate faster ball movement and improved shot placement. Defensively, a pinched head can enhance checks and interceptions by providing a more controlled surface for dislodging the ball from opponents’ sticks.
Adapting to a Pinched Head
Players transitioning to a pinched head may need to adjust their technique in several areas:
- Cradling: The narrower profile may require a slight change in wrist motion
- Scooping: Ground ball pickups might feel different with the altered head shape
- Catching: The smaller target area could necessitate more precise receiving techniques
These adjustments often lead to improved overall stick skills as players become more attuned to their equipment.
Maintenance and Longevity of Pinched Heads
Once a lacrosse head has been pinched, proper maintenance becomes even more critical to preserve its shape and performance. How can players ensure their modified heads stand the test of time?
Regular inspection is key to maintaining a pinched head. Players should check for signs of stress or warping, especially in areas where the pinch is most pronounced. Avoiding extreme temperatures when storing the stick can help prevent unwanted shape changes.
Repairing and Reshaping
Over time, a pinched head may begin to lose its shape due to the stresses of play. In some cases, players can carefully reheat and reshape the head to restore its pinch. However, this should be done with caution to avoid weakening the plastic or creating an illegal stick.
For more severe issues, consulting with a professional stick doctor or considering replacement may be the best course of action.
The Future of Lacrosse Head Design
As the sport of lacrosse continues to evolve, so too does the technology behind stick design. How might the trend of pinching influence future lacrosse head manufacturing?
Some manufacturers are already incorporating pinch-like features into their stock head designs, recognizing the popularity and performance benefits of this modification. We may see more heads with pre-pinched profiles or materials that allow for easier, safer user customization.
Balancing Innovation and Tradition
As with any sport, there’s often tension between pushing the boundaries of equipment technology and preserving the traditional aspects of the game. Lacrosse governing bodies will likely continue to refine rules and specifications to strike a balance between innovation and maintaining the integrity of play.
Players, coaches, and equipment designers will need to stay informed about these evolving standards to ensure that stick modifications like pinching remain within the bounds of fair play.
The practice of pinching lacrosse heads represents a fascinating intersection of player creativity, performance optimization, and equipment customization. As the sport continues to grow and evolve, the dialogue surrounding stick modifications like pinching will undoubtedly remain a hot topic among players, coaches, and equipment manufacturers alike.
Warrior Evo 5 Head Box Pinch
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Used but still in good condition. Warrior Evo 5 with a box pinch. It has a custom freedom pocket with fire threads mesh.
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Stretching and Massage Does NOT Get Rid of Upper Trap Pain
Stretching and Massage Does NOT Get Rid of Upper Trap Pain
Most of us carry a lot of tension in the upper trapezius and neck muscles. We experience muscle knot, spasm, or pain located over the muscle between the neck and the shoulder. Typically, most online searches will direct you to self-treat by doing shoulder shrugs, stretch, massage or rolling with a lacrosse ball. And if the pain gets worse, medical professionals prescribe oral medication, topical patches, or perform injections with numbing medications or even Botox. However, all of these treatments are minimally effective for a short period of time because they are not addressing the root of the problem.
Instead, you are just treating the pain. Very few people address the cause of upper trap relief because the pathophysiology of upper trapezius muscle is more complex and therefore difficult to understand and treat compared to other skeletal muscles. Injections and oral medications that cover up the pain temporarily are commonly performed because the results are immediate for a short period of time and we live in a culture that seeks immediate gratification. Smart and health conscious healthcare consumers quickly realize that repetitive treatment to fool the brain is not the best way to take care of our body.
Myofascial Pain
To better understand upper trapezius muscle “knot” spasm, we need to understand why these spasms develop in the first place. The medical term for this type of pain is called myofascial pain. Muscle pain occurs when the muscle fascia, which is the casing covering the muscle fibers become inflamed by several mechanisms including repetitive low-level muscle contractions, strain, direct trauma, muscle overload, lack of use, or shortening of muscles.
Other factors such as scoliosis, leg length discrepancies, vitamin deficiencies, stress and anxiety increase the chronicity of myofascial pain.
The main role of a muscle is to pull by contracting muscle fibers from one attachment to another via the attachment points. Usually, between the two points of attachment, there is a joint along with sensors that detect the tone and length of the muscles. When the muscle is not in use, it’s in a relaxed state. However, when abnormal stimulus is introduced to the muscles, it reflexively contracts and the distance between the two points shorten. As a result, muscle tone and the nervous system sends pain signals to cause inflammation. In addition, when the muscles are in a contracted state, they become weaker.
When muscles are inflamed, they often form trigger points, which feel like knots. Trigger points are painful when pressure is applied. And it also refers pain to another area of the body. In the case of the upper trapezius muscles, the referred pain can be located on the side and top of the neck, base of the skull, lower jaw and side of the head triggering headache pain.
David G. Simons, Janet Travell, Lois S. Simons, Travell & Simmons’ Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, The Trigger Point Manual, Volume 1. Upper Half of Body: Second Edition,© 1999 Williams and Wilkens
Complexity of the Upper Trapezius Muscle
The upper trapezius is a complex muscle in that the muscle crosses over a dozen joints. Therefore, any shift in the spine such as poor posture or muscle imbalance can significantly affect the muscle. And as mentioned above, shortening of any one of the joints will involuntarily contract the upper trapezius and produce knots and pain.
Equally important, the upper trapezius is innervated by the spinal accessory nerve, which is also very intricate. In most cases, nerves travel from the spinal cord directly to the muscles. However, as the name implies, the spinal accessory nerve is unique in that it is composed of two parts: from the spinal cord and from the brain. This is the only nerve in our body that enters and then exits the skull which then innervates to the upper trapezius muscle and the sternocleidomastoid.
How Poor Posture Affects the Upper Trapezius Muscle
The average person that works in an office sits up to 12 hours a day. In addition, we sit in our car and in front of the TV, and while looking at all of our electronic devices. All of these activities cause us to slouch, which brings the shoulders forward and causes the upper back to hunch. This will result in the head to come forward. But in order for us to see forward, we lift the head up, which causes compression on the back of the upper neck where the skull meets. This mechanical encroachment causes pressure on the pathway where the spinal accessory nerve enters and exits the skull. When the nerve is irritated, it sends signals to the muscle and causes contraction, in this case, it’s the upper trapezius and another muscle in the front of the neck called sternocleidomastoid. Over a period of time these micro-contractions lead to trigger points and cause pain. To make matters worse our body curls forward when we are in pain.
This vicious cycle continues and causes more muscle spasms, pain, and poor posture.
This is the main reason why traditional treatments only work briefly. It is imperative to address the root of the problem – the shortened soft tissues between the upper neck and skull that’s causing compression that innervates the upper trapezius.
Correct Movement is the Best Medicine of All
The most effective and fastest way to decompress this area is to seek care by an upper cervical spine specialist. In addition, you can perform exercises and make postural changes to reduce upper trap pain effectively. These self-treatments break the vicious cycle of pain and forward head posture which in turn puts less stress on the nerve that innervates the upper trapezius.
Good Posture is Key
Having sand as a foundation of a house is the same analogy as having poor low back posture for your neck and head. Notice that when you sit up straight and arch your back, your head comes up directly under your shoulders.
Making changes in your posture will significantly decrease stress and tension in your upper trapezius.
• Placing a lumbar cushion or roll similar to this will encourage the spine to be upright. Use it whenever you sit in your desk or drive for a long period of time.
• Bring the monitor up high so you are not looking down the whole time. If you have a laptop, use a docking station and use a wireless keyboard and mouse so you avoid any forward head posture.
• Avoid looking at your phone in bed. Besides the mechanical stress on your body, screen time before bed leads to decreased quality of sleep and may lead to insomnia.
Simple Exercises to Perform
These 3 exercises will help to encourage your body to be in more of an upright posture. It’s important to do these daily to combat the forward head posture position we undoubtedly get into on a daily basis.
Half Kneeling Position
The half kneeling position places the pelvis and lumbar spine into an optimal position which directly influences the neck and head to be in a proper position, relieving abnormal mechanical stress on nerves that innervate the upper trapezius.
To perform, get into a half kneeling position, as shown in the picture. On the kneeling leg, you should not be putting any weight on the knee cap, instead you should be feeling slight pressure on the bone under the knee cap. Make sure your knees are bent at 90 degrees. Rotate your pelvis back (posterior rotation). You may hold onto a stable surface to maintain good balance in the beginning. Hold this position for 30 seconds and repeat 3 times on both legs. This stretch can be progressed by raising your arm up on the side where the knee is on the ground.
Pec Stretch
This stretch will help to stretch the muscles that are causing your shoulders to round forward. Stand in a doorway. Bend your elbows to 90 degrees and place your forearms and hands on the door frame. Keeping your back and head straight, step one foot forward and lean your chest forward through the door. You should feel a stretch across your chest. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat 3 times.
You may repeat the set by dropping your elbows closer to the body as shown in the picture above.
Prone Scaption
This exercise will help to increase strength of your lower trapezius to offset the hyperactivity of the upper trapezius muscle. Lie on your stomach with one arm hanging straight down on the end of the table or bed with palms facing in. Or you can even go on your hands and knees to engage more of your core muscles. Raise your arm up at a 30 degree angle with your thumb pointing up toward the ceiling. Do not go above shoulder level and avoid swinging your arms. Do 2-3 sets of 10-15 reps. When the movement gets easier, use a very light dumbbell to increase the intensity.
Summary
Stretching and massage may not alleviate the knots in your upper trap.
