Lacrosse Traditional Pocket: Mastering the Art of Stick Doctoring

What is a lacrosse stick doctor. How did Taylor Aronhiake Smoke become a professional stick doctor. What brands has Taylor worked with in the lacrosse industry. How are traditional pockets different from modern lacrosse pockets. What advice does Taylor offer to young lacrosse players.

The Rise of a Lacrosse Stick Doctor: Taylor Aronhiake Smoke’s Journey

In the world of lacrosse, where precision and performance are paramount, the role of a stick doctor has become increasingly crucial. Taylor Aronhiake Smoke, a 28-year-old from Akwesasne, has emerged as a prominent figure in this specialized field. His company, Smokin’ Stringz, has gained recognition for its expertise in traditional Haudenosaunee-style string variations and stick rehabilitation.

Taylor’s journey into stick doctoring began at the tender age of five when he first picked up a lacrosse stick. He quickly learned that off-the-shelf sticks often require customization for optimal performance. This realization led him to explore various techniques for improving his own equipment, from adjusting shooting strings to modifying the bridge.

The Evolution of a Craft

As Taylor’s skills developed, he found himself drawn to the intricate art of traditional pocket stringing. This complex technique, which involves the use of leathers, became a focal point of his craft. By studying the work of experienced stringers at Mohawk International Lacrosse and replicating the setups of professional players, Taylor honed his abilities and soon began servicing his teammates’ sticks.

• Started playing lacrosse at age five
• Learned to customize sticks for better performance
• Studied traditional pocket stringing techniques
• Replicated professional players’ stick setups
• Began stringing pockets for teammates

From Hobby to Thriving Business: The Birth of Smokin’ Stringz

Taylor’s transition from hobbyist to professional stick doctor was driven by a combination of passion and necessity. At 21, as his junior lacrosse career came to an end, he recognized the potential for turning his side hustle into a full-fledged business. The birth of his first son provided additional motivation to expand his enterprise.

How did Taylor grow his stick doctoring business? He leveraged social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to showcase his work, quickly gaining local recognition. The real breakthrough came in 2018 when Taylor began approaching lacrosse companies, offering his expertise to improve their stringing quality.

Collaborations and Limited Editions

Taylor’s reputation in the industry has led to collaborations with several prominent lacrosse brands. His portfolio includes work with:

• Traditional Lacrosse
• Mohawk International Lacrosse (MIL)
• Maverick
• True Lacrosse
• East Coast Dyes (ECD)

As a certified member of the Powell Lacrosse String Team, Taylor has completed four branded, limited-edition collections. One notable success was a collaboration with ECD, which featured Taylor’s traditional pocket on a limited-edition head. The product sold out in just 90 minutes, highlighting the demand for his craftsmanship.

The Global Reach of Smokin’ Stringz

Taylor’s work has found its way onto lacrosse fields around the world. His sticks have been used in prestigious competitions and leagues, including:

1. World Lacrosse Championships
2. Collegiate level competitions
3. National Lacrosse League
4. Former Major Lacrosse League

Additionally, Taylor’s creations have reached international players, with sticks being used in countries like Ireland and Germany. This global presence underscores the quality and reputation of Smokin’ Stringz in the lacrosse community.

Giving Back to the Lacrosse Community

Beyond his commercial success, Taylor has been involved in several projects aimed at growing the sport and supporting youth lacrosse. Some of his recent initiatives include:

• Stringing 100 sticks for the Gloucester Minor Lacrosse Association’s winter skills program
• Participating in a project to string 700 sticks donated by Strong Roots Charitable Foundation to the Iroquois Nationals Development Program
• Continuing collaborations with Powell and ECD to develop new products

These efforts demonstrate Taylor’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of lacrosse players and preserving the cultural significance of the sport within Indigenous communities.

The Art and Science of Traditional Pockets

Traditional pockets, which form the cornerstone of Taylor’s expertise, are a unique aspect of lacrosse stick design. How do traditional pockets differ from modern mesh pockets? Traditional pockets are characterized by their use of leather strings and intricate weaving patterns, offering players a distinct feel and ball control.

Advantages of Traditional Pockets

• Enhanced ball retention
• Improved feel and feedback
• Greater customization options
• Connection to lacrosse’s Indigenous roots

The complexity of stringing a traditional pocket requires significant skill and experience. Taylor’s mastery of this technique has not only preserved an important cultural tradition but has also contributed to the performance of modern players at all levels of the game.

Advice for Aspiring Lacrosse Players

Drawing from his extensive experience, Taylor offers valuable advice to young lacrosse players looking to improve their game. He emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s equipment and developing a relationship with a trusted stringer.

Key Recommendations

• By senior year of high school, players should know their preferred stick setup
• Establish a relationship with a reliable stringer
• Focus on stick quality rather than expensive or flashy designs
• Consider starting with a well-strung beginner stick and adjusting as skills develop

Taylor’s approach to working with players involves providing a suitable stick for their current skill level and adjusting it as they progress. This personalized service ensures that players can focus on developing their skills without being hindered by poorly suited equipment.

The Future of Smokin’ Stringz

As Taylor looks to the future, he has ambitious plans for expanding Smokin’ Stringz and furthering his impact on the lacrosse community. His five-year plan includes:

• Transitioning Smokin’ Stringz into a full-time business
• Establishing a dedicated workspace
• Training apprentices from his community
• Expanding into stick carving

Taylor’s ultimate goal is to provide comprehensive services that cater to players throughout their lacrosse careers, potentially even serving future generations. This long-term vision reflects his passion for the sport and his commitment to preserving its traditions while embracing innovation.

The Cultural Significance of Traditional Lacrosse Sticks

The art of traditional lacrosse stick making and stringing holds deep cultural significance, particularly within Indigenous communities. How does Taylor’s work contribute to preserving this heritage? By specializing in traditional Haudenosaunee-style string variations, Taylor plays a crucial role in keeping these time-honored techniques alive.

Cultural Preservation Through Craftsmanship

• Maintaining traditional stringing techniques
• Educating players about the cultural aspects of lacrosse equipment
• Bridging the gap between traditional and modern lacrosse
• Inspiring younger generations to learn and continue the craft

The importance of this cultural preservation extends beyond the lacrosse field. It serves as a tangible link to Indigenous heritage and helps to ensure that the spiritual and historical significance of the game is not lost in its modern iterations.

The Impact of Social Media on Stick Doctoring

Social media has played a significant role in the growth of Taylor’s business and the stick doctoring community as a whole. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook have provided unprecedented opportunities for stringers to showcase their work, connect with players, and build their brands.

Benefits of Social Media for Stick Doctors

• Increased visibility for custom work
• Direct communication with potential clients
• Opportunity to demonstrate techniques and expertise
• Network building within the lacrosse community
• Platform for collaborations with brands and players

Taylor’s success in leveraging these platforms has not only boosted his business but has also contributed to a broader appreciation for the art of stick doctoring. This increased awareness has helped to elevate the profession and highlight its importance in the sport.

The Role of Stick Doctors in Professional Lacrosse

Professional lacrosse players rely heavily on the expertise of stick doctors to maintain and optimize their equipment. How do stick doctors contribute to the performance of elite athletes? Their work ensures that players have sticks tailored to their specific playing styles and preferences, potentially giving them a competitive edge on the field.

Services Provided to Professional Players

• Custom pocket designs for different positions and playing styles
• Regular maintenance and adjustments throughout the season
• Quick repairs and replacements during games and practices
• Consultation on new stick technologies and materials

The relationship between professional players and stick doctors like Taylor is often close and collaborative. Players may work with their preferred stringer over many seasons, developing a deep understanding of each other’s needs and preferences.

Innovations in Lacrosse Stick Technology

While traditional pockets remain a core aspect of Taylor’s work, the lacrosse equipment industry continues to evolve with new materials and technologies. How do stick doctors adapt to these changes? Professionals like Taylor must stay informed about the latest innovations while maintaining their expertise in traditional techniques.

Balancing Tradition and Innovation

• Experimenting with new synthetic materials
• Adapting traditional techniques to modern head designs
• Incorporating performance-enhancing features into traditional setups
• Educating players on the benefits and drawbacks of different technologies

This balance between honoring tradition and embracing innovation allows stick doctors to cater to a wide range of players, from those who prefer classic setups to those seeking the latest advancements in stick technology.

The Economics of Stick Doctoring

As Taylor’s business continues to grow, it raises questions about the economic viability of stick doctoring as a profession. How does one build a sustainable business in this niche industry? Success often depends on a combination of skill, reputation, and business acumen.

Key Factors for Business Success

• Developing a unique style or specialty
• Building a strong online presence and personal brand
• Fostering relationships with players, teams, and equipment manufacturers
• Diversifying services to include retail sales, workshops, and custom orders
• Managing inventory and supply chains effectively

Taylor’s journey from a side hustle to a thriving business demonstrates the potential for growth in this field. As the sport of lacrosse continues to expand globally, opportunities for skilled stick doctors are likely to increase.

Environmental Considerations in Stick Doctoring

In an era of increasing environmental awareness, stick doctors like Taylor must also consider the ecological impact of their craft. How can traditional stick making and stringing be made more sustainable? This question presents both challenges and opportunities for innovation within the industry.

Sustainable Practices in Stick Doctoring

• Sourcing materials from responsible suppliers
• Exploring eco-friendly alternatives to traditional materials
• Implementing waste reduction strategies in the stringing process
• Educating customers on proper stick care to extend product lifespan
• Offering repair and refurbishment services to reduce waste

By adopting sustainable practices, stick doctors can not only reduce their environmental impact but also appeal to environmentally conscious players and potentially open up new market opportunities.

The Future of Lacrosse and Stick Doctoring

As lacrosse continues to evolve and grow in popularity, the role of stick doctors like Taylor Aronhiake Smoke is likely to become even more significant. What does the future hold for this specialized profession? Several trends and factors may shape the landscape of stick doctoring in the coming years.

Potential Developments in Stick Doctoring

• Increased integration of technology in stick customization
• Growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly stick options
• Expansion of the sport into new global markets
• Greater emphasis on preserving and teaching traditional techniques
• Development of specialized training programs for aspiring stick doctors

As the sport continues to evolve, stick doctors will play a crucial role in bridging the gap between tradition and innovation, ensuring that players at all levels have access to high-quality, customized equipment that enhances their performance and connection to the game’s rich heritage.

Meet the Stick Doctor – Perch magazine

Taylor Aronhiake Smoke is what’s known in the lacrosse world as a stick doctor. His Akwesasne-based Smokin’ Stringz specializes in traditional Haudenosaunee-style string variations and stick rehabs. The 28-year-old married father of two has been in the game since 2010, and is working hard to expand his brand while growing the game by supporting youth lacrosse.

TAYLOR, WHAT EXACTLY DOES A STICK DOCTOR DO?

A stick doctor customizes, maintains, and repairs any part of a lacrosse stick, whether it’s adjusting shooting strings or the bridge, fixing sidewalls, or completely re-stringing a head for better performance. I’m known for the traditional pocket, a complex stringing technique that involves leathers. I learned that to help keep part of our culture alive.

HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START?

I started playing lacrosse at age five. As a young player, I learned that you don’t just take a stick off a shelf and play with it. I started customizing my own stick with different shooting string styles or by changing the bridge, where the string spans across the top of a pocket. I studied sticks at Mohawk International Lacrosse on Kawehno:ke (Cornwall Island), and how traditional pockets were strung. I soaked it all in. Then I began replicating the exact stick set-ups of professional players I admired, and soon I was stringing my teammates’ pockets. It just evolved from there.

Illustrations by Jade Thompson.

WHAT MADE YOU THINK, ‘THIS COULD BE A BUSINESS?’

I was 21 years old and at the end of my junior lacrosse career. I had a 9-to-5 job; stringing sticks was a nice side hustle. After my first son was born, I had more than just myself to provide for. My mentality shifted, and I decided to dive into the business. I started sharing my work on Instagram and Facebook, which helped get the word out locally. Smokin’ Stringz really exploded in 2018 when I began to approach lacrosse companies, whose stringing was sub-par because they outsourced from places that don’t even know what lacrosse is.

Last year, ECD released a limited edition head with my traditional pocket that sold out in 90 minutes!

WHAT BRANDS HAVE YOU WORKED WITH?

I’ve worked with Traditional Lacrosse and Mohawk International Lacrosse (MIL), and popular U.S.-based equipment companies like Maverick, True Lacrosse, and East Coast Dyes (ECD). I’m a certified member of the Powell Lacrosse String Team. I’ve completed four branded, limited-edition drops, which means I strung a unique collection of game-ready sticks especially for these companies. Last year ECD released a limited-edition head with my traditional pocket that sold out in 90 minutes!

WHERE ARE YOUR STICKS BEING USED?

I’ve had sticks at the World Lacrosse Championships, the collegiate level, the National Lacrosse League, and the former Major Lacrosse League. I have a couple of sticks in Ireland and Germany. I really should keep track!

WHAT PROJECTS HAVE KEPT YOU BUSY THIS YEAR?

My work with Powell and ECD has continued throughout the past year. I strung 100 sticks for the Gloucester Minor Lacrosse Association’s winter skills program. That’s 100 players who got a good quality stick. Last winter, Strong Roots Charitable Foundation donated 700 sticks to the Iroquois Nationals Development Program to grow the game through youth clinics hosted in Haudenosaunee communities, and I joined other Akwesasne stringers for the project. It was a great opportunity to give back.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG PLAYERS?

By your senior year of high school, you should know how you like your stick and have a stringer who works with it. You don’t need an expensive or flashy stick, just something of decent quality. This is where my specialty comes in. I can give a beginner a stick they’ll use until they start to develop a harder shot, then we adjust from there.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM PROJECT?

I got a call from the owner of MIL, saying, “I need a stringer.” I am a total fanboy, so it was like, “My dream is happening!” It was great to get that level of recognition in my community. My five-year plan is to make Smokin’ Stringz a full-time business with a dedicated workspace. I want to train apprentices in my community. My ultimate goal is to carve my own sticks. I want customers for the length of their lacrosse careers—and maybe one day they’ll come back for Smokin’ Stringz sticks for their kids.

Follow Taylor’s work on Instagram at @smokinstringz

Learn about “Traditional Lacrosse Stick Making” in Akwesasne through a virtual tour with Airbnb’s Online Experiences.

History of Northwestern Lacrosse in the Final Four

While this year marks the fourth-straight Final Four appearance for Northwestern (excluding the canceled 2020 postseason), the ‘Cats have been mainstays in championship weekend for much longer.

2005: First appearance

2005 marked the first NCAA title for Northwestern lacrosse, and first appearance in the Final Four, only three years after they were reinstated as a varsity team and Kelly Amonte Hiller became the coach.

The ‘Cats capped off a perfect 21-0 season with their first title, taking down UVA in the championship game 13-10. This marked the first time that a team outside the Eastern Time Zone has won the women’s lacrosse title. They took down traditional northeastern powerhouses, Dartmouth and Princeton, to get there.

2006: Back-to-back titles

Northwestern brought a second title back to Evanston in 2006, beating Dartmouth in the final. The Wildcats took down Stanford, North Carolina and Duke in the NCAA tournament.

2007: Three-peat

The ‘Cats won their third consecutive title in 2007, beating Virginia again, this time 15-13. To get there, they took down Holy Cross, Syracuse and Penn.

2008: Fourth title

Clearly, Northwestern absolutely dominated this era in women’s lacrosse. The Wildcats took home their fourth consecutive title after beating Notre Dame, Syracuse, Princeton and Penn (definitely a trend here).

2009: Fifth title

Just dominance. Northwestern defeated UMass, Princeton, Penn (in double overtime) and North Carolina to take the trophy.

2010: Lost in championship

After winning five consecutive titles, the ‘Cats fell to rival Maryland by two goals in the championship to end their streak.

2011: Sixth Title

This is where we really start to understand the rivalry between the Terps and the ‘Cats. The Wildcats beat Maryland by one goal to take their sixth title after losing it the year before to Maryland.

2012: Seventh title

Once again, Northwestern advanced to the championship game — the eighth-straight time. The ‘Cats took down Syracuse 8-6 to begin a rivalry that is still alive and well, to capture their seventh and most recent title.

2013: Missed championship

2013 marked the first time in nine years that the ‘Cats did not make it to the championship game. They fell to North Carolina in the Semifinals — another rivalry that is still active today.

2014: Fell to Maryland

In 2014, Northwestern also did not advance to the championship but made it to the semifinals. The Wildcats lost to the Terrapins, 9-6.

2019: First time since 2014

2019 was the first year that Northwestern made it back to the Final Four after putting together the iconic stretch of seasons starting in 2005. Now, though, we know this was a beginning of a new dynasty — Izzy Scane’s first season in Evanston.

2021: Conference only season

Northwestern, coming off the heels of an unblemished regular season, fell to Syracuse 21-13 in the NCAA semifinals.

2022: Heartbreak

Almost a year later, and it still hurts. UNC mounted an eight-goal comeback to advance to the championship game over Northwestern. The Tar Heels won 15-14 and went on to win their first championship since 2016.

2023: Redemption?

After a dominant regular season and strong takedown of Loyola (MD) in the quarterfinals, Northwestern has advanced to its fourth-straight final four, and fourteenth appearance in the Championship weekend.

The question looms — does this year’s team have what it takes to get over the hump, and advance to the championship game for the chance to bring back a trophy for the first time since 2012? Northwestern takes on No. 5 Denver on Friday with a trip to championship on the line.

For whom duffle coats are sewn

#Curious facts

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A straight-cut single-breasted wool coat with a voluminous hood, patch pockets and characteristic elongated fasteners is a duffle coat. It has gone from the clothing of British sailors during the First World War to the most popular trend among fashionistas of both sexes and all ages. Who wears a duffle coat now?

Men in duffle coat

Initially, a warm and comfortable coat was sewn for English sailors: a thick woolen fabric called duffle was not blown by the wind and did not get wet for a long time, a large hood even fit over a cap, and pockets made it possible to store and easily get everything you need.

From the military, the duffle coat migrated to civilians, and in the 60s of the 20th century, fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent caused a second wave of popularity of this coat, creating a collection inspired by the naval military theme.

Look with men’s duffle coat

Duffle coats are worn by men who give the impression of self-confident people who prefer free, masculine simplicity, seasoned with a touch of harsh romance, to serious classics. For them, it is important that the clothes are comfortable and functional. They don’t forget about style either, but they do it with such graceful carelessness, as if it happens somehow by itself.

Women in duffle coat

Men’s and women’s wardrobes have long been intertwined, and both sexes are now almost completely free to choose clothes. The fashion for men’s accessories and costume elements among women declared itself in the last century, and now it has only strengthened its rights.

Women’s duffle coat is a phenomenon already familiar and very popular. His fans opt for easy masculine style and naughty elegance. These girls do not wear stilettos, but jockey boots, army boots, loafers or derbies – shoes that are also “borrowed” from the strong half. Bags are selected more voluminous and strict, or even completely give way to backpacks. At the same time, a woman always remains a woman: the simple silhouette of a duffle coat is complemented by feminine details, and skirts and dresses are put on in a set of coats.

Women’s duffle coat look

Duffle coat and preppy style

At first, the concept of preppy united the golden youth of the United States: students of prestigious colleges in the north of the country, future students of elite universities. Soon, preppy began to be understood as everything that relates to students and student life: clothing style, behavior, manners.

Preppy is lightness, excellent manners, friendliness and careful care of one’s reputation. The style of clothing has absorbed the features of school uniforms, clothes for playing tennis, golf and lacrosse.