Make a lacrosse stick. The Ultimate Guide to Crafting and Personalizing Your Lacrosse Stick

How can you create a custom lacrosse stick. What are the key components of a quality stick. Why is breaking in a new stick important. How do traditional wooden sticks differ from modern ones. What techniques can improve your stick handling skills.

The Art of Crafting Traditional Wooden Lacrosse Sticks

Traditional lacrosse sticks, handcrafted from hardwood hickory, embody the rich cultural heritage of the sport. These sticks are not merely equipment but carry deep significance rooted in Native American traditions.

Why is hickory the preferred wood for traditional lacrosse sticks? Hickory’s exceptional strength and flexibility make it ideal for crafting durable yet responsive sticks. This dense, resilient wood can be steamed and bent while retaining its shock-resistant properties, allowing stick makers to shape it into the iconic curved form.

The process of creating a traditional stick involves multiple skilled Akwesasne Mohawk craftsmen, led by master stick makers like Lawrence Leaf and Evan Cree. Their expertise ensures that each stick is a unique work of art, connecting players to the game’s origins.

The Cultural Significance of Wooden Sticks

In Native American culture, the hickory tree is believed to have been given a specific purpose by the Creator – to be transformed into lacrosse sticks. This spiritual connection imbues each stick with deeper meaning, reflecting the balance between strength and flexibility that players must embody on the field.

Meet the Master Stick Makers

• Evan Cree: Owner of Traditional Lacrosse and head stick carver, Evan grew up around lacrosse stick factories. His mission is to revive awareness about the cultural aspects of the game through traditional stick production.
• Lawrence “Larry” Leaf: A veteran stick maker since 1972, Larry learned the craft by observing local elders and his father. His expertise has been crucial in guiding younger generations of stick makers at Traditional Lacrosse.

Modern Lacrosse Stick Construction: Customization and Performance

While traditional wooden sticks hold immense cultural value, modern lacrosse has embraced technological advancements in stick design. Today’s players often assemble their sticks from separate components, allowing for a high degree of customization.

Key Components of a Modern Lacrosse Stick

1. Head: The plastic or composite frame that holds the pocket
2. Shaft: The handle, typically made of metal or composite materials
3. Pocket: The mesh or traditional stringing that cradles the ball
4. Shooting strings: Horizontal strings that help control ball release

How do these components affect play? Each element can be tailored to suit a player’s position, playing style, and personal preferences. For example, attackmen might prefer a head with a deeper pocket for ball retention, while defenders often opt for stiffer shafts for checks and ground balls.

The Crucial Process of Breaking In a New Lacrosse Stick

Breaking in a new lacrosse stick is an essential ritual for players at all levels. This process helps customize the pocket to a player’s throwing and catching style, improving overall performance on the field.

Why is breaking in a new stick important?

• Creates a deeper pocket for better ball control
• Softens the mesh for improved feel and consistency
• Customizes the stick to the player’s specific preferences
• Reduces unpredictability in passes and shots

Effective Methods for Breaking In Your Stick

There are several proven techniques for breaking in a new lacrosse stick:

1. The Shower Method: Bring your stick into the shower, apply conditioner to the mesh, and knead a pocket with a lacrosse ball. The combination of water and conditioner softens the mesh, allowing it to stretch and form a pocket more easily.
2. Manual Pocket Formation: Use your hand or a lacrosse glove to repeatedly pound the mesh, gradually creating a defined pocket.
3. Ball Kneading: Forcefully roll a lacrosse ball around the pocket area of the mesh to stretch and shape it.
4. The Fence Post Technique: Rapidly and forcefully pound the mesh against a rounded surface like a fence post or bedpost to quickly form a pocket.

Which method is most effective? Each player may find different techniques work best for their stick and preferences. Experimentation and repetition are key to achieving the perfect pocket.

Optimizing Your Stick for Peak Performance

Once you’ve broken in your stick, fine-tuning it for optimal performance is crucial. This process involves adjusting various elements to suit your playing style and position.

Key Factors in Stick Optimization

• Pocket Depth: Adjust the depth to balance ball control and quick release
• Shooting Strings: Experiment with placement and tension for desired ball flight
• Sidewall Stringing: Fine-tune to affect pocket shape and ball retention
• Mesh Type: Consider performance mesh for consistent play in all weather conditions

How can you determine the best setup for your position? Attackmen often prefer deeper pockets for ball control, while midfielders might opt for a medium pocket depth to balance control and quick release. Defenders typically use shallower pockets for easier ground ball pickups and quick clears.

Enhancing Stick Skills: Drills and Techniques

Developing superior stick skills is essential for every lacrosse player. Regular practice with specific drills can dramatically improve your control, accuracy, and overall performance.

Essential Stick Skill Drills

1. Wall Ball: Practice throwing and catching against a wall to improve hand-eye coordination and stick control
2. One-Handed Cradling: Strengthen your ability to protect the ball while moving
3. Quick Sticks: Rapid passing drills to enhance reaction time and soft hands
4. Behind-the-Back Passes: Develop unconventional passing skills for game situations
5. Ground Ball Pickups: Perfect the crucial skill of scooping loose balls cleanly

How often should you practice these drills? Consistent daily practice, even for short periods, can lead to significant improvements in stick skills over time. Many coaches recommend at least 15-30 minutes of wall ball practice daily for optimal skill development.

Maintaining Your Lacrosse Stick for Longevity and Consistency

Proper maintenance of your lacrosse stick is crucial for consistent performance and to extend its lifespan. Regular care ensures that your stick remains in top condition throughout the season and beyond.

Essential Maintenance Tips

• Clean regularly: Remove dirt and debris after each use to prevent damage to the mesh or strings
• Check for loose strings: Regularly inspect and tighten any loose strings to maintain pocket consistency
• Protect from extreme temperatures: Avoid leaving your stick in hot cars or freezing conditions, which can warp the head or damage the mesh
• Re-string periodically: Replace worn strings or mesh to maintain optimal performance
• Store properly: Keep your stick in a cool, dry place when not in use

How often should you replace your lacrosse stick components? While it varies based on usage and care, many players replace their mesh or strings every season, while heads and shafts can last several seasons with proper maintenance.

The Evolution of Lacrosse Stick Technology

The lacrosse stick has undergone significant changes since its origins in Native American cultures. Understanding this evolution provides insight into the game’s development and the ongoing quest for equipment that enhances player performance.

Key Milestones in Lacrosse Stick Development

1. Traditional Wooden Sticks: Handcrafted from hickory, these sticks were the standard for centuries
2. Introduction of Plastic Heads: In the 1970s, plastic heads revolutionized the game, offering more consistency and durability
3. Synthetic Mesh: Replaced traditional leather stringing, providing better performance in wet conditions
4. Specialized Head Shapes: Different head designs for various positions and playing styles emerged
5. Advanced Materials: Carbon fiber and titanium shafts offer improved strength-to-weight ratios
6. Performance Mesh: Engineered materials that maintain consistency in all weather conditions

How have these advancements impacted the game? The evolution of lacrosse stick technology has led to faster play, more accurate passing and shooting, and greater customization options for players. However, it has also sparked debates about maintaining the traditional aspects of the sport.

The Future of Lacrosse Stick Design

What innovations might we see in lacrosse stick technology in the coming years? Some potential areas of development include:

• Smart sticks with embedded sensors for performance tracking
• Eco-friendly materials for more sustainable equipment production
• Further specialization of stick designs for specific playing styles and techniques
• Integration of customizable elements that can be adjusted mid-game

As technology continues to advance, the balance between innovation and tradition will likely remain a central theme in lacrosse equipment development.

Choosing the Right Lacrosse Stick for Your Game

Selecting the appropriate lacrosse stick is crucial for maximizing your performance on the field. With numerous options available, understanding your needs and the characteristics of different sticks is essential.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Lacrosse Stick

• Position: Different positions require specific stick attributes
• Skill Level: Beginners may benefit from more forgiving sticks, while advanced players might prefer more specialized equipment
• League Regulations: Ensure your stick meets the requirements for your specific league or level of play
• Personal Preference: Consider factors like weight, balance, and feel that suit your playing style
• Budget: High-end sticks offer advanced features but may not be necessary for all players

Position-Specific Stick Recommendations

How do stick requirements differ by position?

1. Attackmen: Prefer shorter shafts (30-32 inches) and heads with deeper pockets for ball control and quick releases
2. Midfielders: Often use versatile sticks with medium pocket depth, balancing control and quick transitions
3. Defenders: Utilize longer shafts (up to 72 inches for long poles) and heads with shallower pockets for easier ground ball pickups and checks
4. Goalies: Use specialized wider heads with flatter scoops to maximize blocking surface area

When transitioning between positions or advancing in skill level, players may need to adjust their stick choices to complement their evolving roles on the field.

The Importance of Trying Before Buying

Why is it crucial to test a lacrosse stick before purchasing? Each player’s throwing and catching style is unique, and what works well for one athlete may not suit another. Many retailers and teams offer demo sticks or trial periods, allowing players to experience how a stick performs in practice situations before committing to a purchase.

Consider these aspects when testing a new stick:

• How the stick feels in your hands during cradling and passing
• The ease of catching and retaining the ball in the pocket
• The consistency and accuracy of your throws and shots
• The overall balance and weight distribution of the stick

By thoroughly testing different options, you can make an informed decision and choose a stick that enhances your natural abilities and playing style.

Stick Making | Traditional Hardwood Hickory Lacrosse Sticks – Traditional Lacrosse

Our wooden lacrosse sticks are made from hardwood hickory tree. It is believed that everything in this world has been given a purpose by the Creator, therefore it’s the hickory tree’s purpose to be made into lacrosse sticks for it’s strength and flexibility.

As one of the most dense and resilient woods native to North America, the hickory can also be steamed and bent to create the lacrosse stick, yet still retain its shock-resistant abilities after being reshaped. The wood teaches players a lesson in maintaining a balance of strength and flexibility; characteristics every player must have to be successful in the game.

Traditional Lacrosse sticks are hand-crafted by multiple Akwesasne Mohawk men, led by head stick makers Lawrence Leaf and Evan Cree.

EVAN CREE
Owner, Head Stick Carver

Evan is the owner of Traditional Lacrosse and is the person who had the idea to create the company. He wanted to bring back awareness about the culture of the game and Traditional Lacrosse was the beginning of a way to do that. He feels its the best way they can share the significance of the game is through the production of our wooden sticks.

Evan’s Family ran a lacrosse stick factory in the 70’s and over the years ownership changed, but he grew up around lacrosse factories. To have the chance to not only be involved in a lacrosse factory, but to do the actual stick making production has been a great experience for Evan.

“Carving and all of the steps that go into making a stick ties you to the game more than even playing can. It binds you to the game.”

LAWRENCE “LARRY” LEAF
Head Stick Carver

Larry started making sticks in 1972 after watching local elders and his father carve wooden lacrosse sticks. He said that there was not really any formal training, but a great deal of observation until he picked up a draw knife to try it out for himself.

Having been with Traditional Lacrosse since the very beginning, Larry has been instrumental in guiding the up and coming young stick makers at Traditional Lacrosse.

“I enjoy making the sticks and like to see the end result of a stick that comes from the raw material.”

Breaking In A New Stick

Lacrosse Tip   | Tagged:
Fundamental Skills

Presented by MacKenzie Lurch, Camp Director

There are many different ways to break in a new stick. I feel as if there is an underlying rule that everyone follows: do not play a game with a brand-new stick. There are key components you want your stick to have. One, you want to have a large pocket for the ball to land in to keep it in your stick. Two, you want any mesh other than the wax mesh. Three, you want good shooting strings that guide the ball out of your stick when throwing. Some say the brighter the mesh you have the more it attracts the shooter to shoot into your stick. However, with dyed brighter mesh, it takes longer to break in.

Methods

There are many different methods of breaking in your stick. All of them take time, but each and every time you work at it, it progresses to becoming a better stick. One way to break your stick in is to bring it into the shower with you, and lather the mesh in conditioner while you knead a pocket into your mesh with a lacrosse ball. The conditioner and water soften the mesh to expand and stretch it out. A second way is to pound into the mesh with a glove or your hand to form a pocket. A third way is you can knead your mesh with a ball by rolling it around your stick with a lot of force, if it is not wet. Wet mesh breaks in the fastest, but when it dries you need to make sure you have something heavy drying in the pocket of the mesh so that it dries in the shape that you pounded out. A fourth way that is fast and quick is to find something that has a rounded top (like a fence or bedpost), take your stick, and beat the post to pound a pocket out.

Finishing it up

No matter which method you choose, you will have to repeat it a couple times. You can also play catch or wall ball to get used to the stick. This will let you figure out if there are any adjustments that would need to be made. At the end of the process you will have the best stick and the best game!

Check out more lacrosse tips and elevate your game for the upcoming season!

Lacrosse Complete Sticks for sale

History of lacrosse sticks

Lacrosse dates back to the 1600s when the Iroquois played to entertain the Creator, to help prepare themselves for battle, and to settle disputes. During its infancy, lacrosse required just two things for you to play: a ball, and a stick. Original lacrosse sticks were very simple in their construction. Sticks were only three feet long, and were made entirely of wood. The shaft and the head were connected — and the head was just a triangular net, that probably didn’t allow for a very deep pocket. Centuries later, manufacturers would think to separate the stick into two parts, allowing the shaft and the head to be constructed of different materials.

How to size a lacrosse stick

The length of your stick depends on what position you play. Goalies, defensemen and attackmen/middies all need different stick lengths to help them play their positions to the best of their ability. For attackmen and middies, a shorter shaft is best — usually around 30 inches. A complete stick (meaning the combined length of your head and shaft) for these more offense-focused positions usually falls within the 40-42 inch range. Longpoles are usually reserved for defensemen and long-stick middies (LSMs). The combined length for a longpole stick is usually between 52-72 inches, with an average shaft length of 60 inches. Goalies have the most freedom here, with some preferring shorter sticks closer to the length that a middie might use, while others could prefer a 72 inch stick that resembles a defenseman longpole.

Best lacrosse sticks

Some of the best stick brands include STX, Maverik, and Warrior. Recently, the STX Stallion 200 and the Warrior Evo Warp have both been very popular choices among lacrosse players.

The STX Lacrosse Stallion 200 U is a great option for a complete attack/middie stick, inspired by the Elite Stallion U 500 model. This stick meets both NFHS and NCAA rules and is perfect for beginner and intermediate lacrosse players. This complete stick is a great option for players looking to hone their catching and throwing skills.

The 54-inch Warrior Evo Warp features a Kryptonite shaft. This weather-resistant stick is designed for players 14 and younger. Developed using Warrior’s patented Warp technology, this stick comes game-ready, meaning you don’t need to string it yourself or spend time breaking it in. The Warp is Warrior’s answer to the problem many beginner lacrosse players have with stringing their own sticks; not everyone knows how to string a head, which could be a deterrent for younger players who are looking to get started in lacrosse. The Warp is meant to make lacrosse a more accessible sport, especially for athletes who may have never considered trying lacrosse before.

Girls Lacrosse Stick | How to Choose Girls Lacrosse Stick

Advice for First-Time Lacrosse Stick Shoppers

So, your daughter wants to try lacrosse and now she needs her first stick. First, if you have a local sporting goods store in your area, start there rather than heading to a giant box store like Dick’s or Modell’s. Aside from the benefits of shopping local, the store clerk is much less likely to sell you a toy “fiddle stick” or a boys’ lacrosse stick; in addition, the cost savings is minimal.

Do NOT Buy a Fiddle Stick!

For the uninitiated, a fiddle stick is a cute little stick that large sporting good stores often stock in the toy section. The head of a fiddle stick is undersized, so a regulation-sized lacrosse ball gets stuck in the pocket, making it difficult to catch and throw. To make matters worse, fiddle sticks are typically boys’ sticks.

This brings us to a critical point: So how are girls and boys lacrosse sticks made differently and why? The pocket on a boys’ lacrosse stick is deeper and made of mesh string. This is intentional, so that it’s difficult for an opponent to dislodge a ball from the stick as a player is running down the field. Boys are allowed to check or hit each other with their sticks, which explains why boys wear shoulder pads, gloves, arm pads, and helmets.

Unlike the boys, female players are not allowed to knock into each other or hit (“check”) each others’ bodies. The pocket of a girls’ stick is made primarily with string with a few off-setting strings or leather thongs, which are known as the shooting strings. There is almost no pocket on the girls’ stick, making it more difficult to run and cradle. Cradling is the motion lacrosse players use to keep the ball from falling out and protecting.  To confirm that you’re buying a girls’ stick, check if you can see the top of the ball from the sidewall when you hold the stick sideways. (You can loosen up the strings once you get home to make it easier for your daughter to throw, catch, and cradle as she’s learning the sport.)

Cutting the Lacrosse Stick Down to Size

Girls Lacrosse Stick

The shaft on a girls’ stick is often quite long for the average K–4th grader, so you may need to cut a few inches off the shaft. Most sporting good stores can do this for you in the store using a saw. You can also do this at home. Just pull off the rubber cap known as the “butt” at the end of stick, cut the shaft, and then put it back on afterwards.

A common rule of thumb for determining proper stick length is to have your daughter hold her stick about a third of the way down from the stick head so the stick is parallel to the ground. Whatever part of the shaft is sticking out past her armpit, give or take an inch, can be cut off.  This makes a big difference for new players when they’re learning to catch and throw.

How Much Do Beginner Lacrosse Sticks Cost?

Beginner lacrosse sticks range from $35 to $50. Popular brands include: STX, DeBeer, and Brine. Honestly, there’s not much difference between the starter sticks. Practice is the only thing that makes a difference a this point. (If you shop online, just be sure to buy a girls’ lacrosse stick.)

Parting Advice

1. Consider borrowing a stick from a friend or sister if your daughter is just starting out. (At Sum It Up, we try to have a large supply of sticks to loan out for this reason.)
2. Be sure to put your daughter’s name on the stick—90 percent of the sticks are pink so they all look alike!
3. After you know the stick is the appropriate length, put a sticker or piece of tape about a third of the way down the shaft. This will remind your daughter where to place her top hand when throwing and cradling.

About The Author

Laura Gump’s the director of Swax Lax Lacrosse. She’s also the head coach of the Kent Place Middle School Lacrosse team. Swax Lax Lacrosse is an organization that encourages girls in K-5th grade and boys in K-3rd grade to be more self-confident through the sport of lacrosse.

Lacrosse Pocket Tips — Big Head Lacrosse

1. Hit the Wall: This tip is probably the oldest in the book, but it’s still worth mentioning due to how well it works. Playing catch with a friend or throwing against a wall will not only help break in the pocket, it will break in the areas of the mesh that are most used, while helping you get acquainted with your new set up. Plus, a little practice never hurt anybody.

2. Steal Your Mom’s Hair Conditioner: To help soften up the mesh on your new pocket just give it a bath. Soak the stick in hot water and rub some hair conditioner into the mesh so that the whole pocket has absorbed your hair product of choice. Let the lacrosse head dry for 20 minutes before thoroughly rinsing out the conditioner in hot water. Make sure all of the conditioner has been washed off to avoid a crusty, stiff pocket–then dry it off with a hair dryer on high heat.

3. Butter It Up: Although this tip is great for breaking in new pockets, you should be doing this with any lacrosse heads you aren’t using a few times a week to help them keep their shape. Simply take a lacrosse ball and put it into the deepest part of your pocket. Next grab a butter knife and slide through the sides of your lacrosse head so that it goes across the top of the ball, keeping it firmly in the pocket.

4. Pound It: This tip might require a little bit more elbow grease, but it can be great for dusting off an old pocket you haven’t used in a while or breaking in some of the firmer pockets. You can find a lacrosse pocket pounder online or at your local lacrosse shop, but you can also make your own. If you choose the latter, it’s easiest to grab an old lacrosse ball and stick a screwdriver into the middle of it so that you have a handle attached to the ball. Next, spend the following 20-30 minutes taking all of your pent-up aggression out on your lacrosse head by pounding the ball into the mesh while you watch your favorite T.V. show or find yourself on a long car ride. Just make sure you aren’t driving.

5. Do a Nice Deep Stretch: For this tip, we recommend removing your shooting strings. Like the hair conditioner step, this one usually works best when you soak your lacrosse head in hot water. Once you have removed the shooting strings and soaked the mesh, pull on different parts of the pocket to help stretch out the areas that need the most improvement, but make sure you don’t pull to the point that you are putting too much strain on your lacrosse head. Finally dry it off with a hair dryer and restring your shooting strings.

We hope these steps help you break in your new pockets. Remember to keep up to date on our tips and tricks for all types of lacrosse wisdom.

Iroquois lacrosse team carries some heavy, controversial sticks – The Denver Post

COMMERCE CITY — Between the auxiliary fields and the stadium at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, massive tents house convention-type booths at the World Lacrosse Championship. Everything about the game is supplied, sold or sponsored. It’s a smorgasbord of lacrosse.

What’s missing is a lesson on the birth of the game — and the value of single-piece wooden lacrosse sticks produced by its founding people. These sticks, made of shagbark hickory, and cowhide and leather tongs from the Onondaga Nation of New York, are deemed legal by the Federation of International Lacrosse but seemingly frowned upon by its referees.

“They are a red flag,” said Alf Jacques, an Onondaga stick maker who produces 160-180 per year. “We’ve seen it: (An Iroquois) guy is defending, the referee is looking right at him and is throwing the flag before he hits the guy. He’s calling a slashing penalty because he’s got a wood stick.”

Jacques’ pole sticks used by defensemen weigh 3.25 to 4 pounds. A same-size, mass-produced composite stick (shaft and head) is approximately half a pound. The heavier, solid-wood stick causes pain that the hollow, composite stick does not — even though the action (slash) is the same.

Iroquois defenseman Kevin Bucktooth switched to the composite stick after taking three penalties in Sunday’s 9-8 loss to Canada. The Iroquois committed 13 penalties, the Canadians eight. Iroquois will get a rematch against Canada in Thursday night’s semifinals after beating Scotland 10-8 on Wednesday.

Bucktooth said his coach, Steve Beville, asked for him to go with the lighter stick and avoid what has been a lightning rod of attention. Teammates Travis Hill and Adam Bomberry also have Jacques-made sticks but aren’t using them.

“I don’t think I would get much playing time if I used it, but I feel I’m more of a threat with a wooden stick. You can just see it in the other team,” Bucktooth said. “When the ball swings around to your man, they never come in one-on-one. They’ll swing around the other way. No one wants to get hit, especially by one like this.”

Putting the wood sticks away didn’t result in fewer penalties Tuesday in a 18-5 loss to the United States. Iroquois committed three times as many penalties (nine) as the Americans. The loss dropped Iroquois to 3-2 and the No. 3 playoff seed at the time in the six-team Blue Division.

“They’re calling everything we do, with or without the woodies,” a frustrated Bucktooth said after the loss to the U.S. “After the first couple games, it seems like the refs called everything, anything — every little thing. I guess there is controversy over the wooden stick. They don’t want it, and that speaks for itself. And then we go and get calls when we aren’t playing with them.”

U.S. attackman Rob Pannell said he was thankful the Iroquois didn’t use the heavy artillery that is outlawed by the NCAA and most high school and club organizations. The former Cornell star scored seven goals.

“I wasn’t looking forward to getting whacked by them, but it’s part of the game,” Pannell said. “It’s their tradition, and they’ve been using them for world games in the past, and for years, so I was indifferent about whether they would use them. “If you’re out getting hit by them, it’s a lot different than people on the outside saying that they should be able to use them. It’s very painful.

“Even one of their defenseman told me, it’s a lot easier, a lot lighter playing with one of these (composites), because it’s about 10 times lighter. But you have to respect their tradition, respect them as a team. I was ready to play whether they we’re going to bring them out or not. I’m lucky they didn’t.”

Jerome Thompson Sr. is an Iroquois assistant coach who has four sons playing on the team. Miles and Lyle Thompson of the University at Albany shared the Tewaaraton Award as college lacrosse’s player of the year in May, and Jeremy and Jerome Jr. are their older brothers.

The boys received wooden sticks as babies.

“The relationship between the tree and the earth is part of our significance,” Thompson Sr. said. “When my boys could pick up a ball, I didn’t give them a choice. It made it easier — maybe five times easier — when they first picked up a (composite) stick. I wanted to keep (the wooden stick) alive as long as possible.”

Paul Schlange of New Hampshire-based Bar Down Lacrosse has a booth at the world tournament and sells a handful of different wooden shafts. They are much lighter than Jacques’ sticks and require a lightweight plastic head.

The average weight of one of Schlange’s wooden short-stick shafts is 8.5 ounces, compared with 5 ounces for a composite.

“Wood sticks have picked up in sales over the last couple years, probably because of the Thompson brothers,” Schlange said. “And wood is more of a challenge and brings out individual style. Composite is so run-of-the-mill.”

Jacques, who has been making sticks for Iroquois Nation for 52 years, said he does not want anyone to mass produce his sticks, because “in two years there would be no hickory trees, with all the players now. ”

“For a good hickory log, it would probably be about 130-140 years to get a tree that big,” he added. “You can’t plant them and grow them that fast.”

Jacques’ sticks have their place. But Colorado doesn’t appear to be one of them.

Mike Chambers: [email protected] or twitter.com/mikechambers

Stick figures

ALF JACQUES AUTHENTIC AMERICAN INDIAN LACROSSE STICKS

Price for Native Americans: $325 (short-stick) $350 (pole)

Regular price: “Add $50”

Weight (shaft and head): 2.5 to 3 pounds (short) and 3.25 to 4 pounds (pole)

Availability: Wait of at least eight months

More information: Onondaganation.org

MASS-PRODUCED COMPOSITE LACROSSE STICKS

Price: $29.99 and up

Weight: 5-9 ounces

Availability: Immediate

Mike Chambers, The Denver Post

90,000 Silica Lacrosse Stick – New Sports Revolution – Knowledge

If you haven’t heard about the latest trends in sports, then you are definitely missing. Sports are no longer only played during the summer months, but instead a wide variety of sports are played by a wide variety of people on a daily basis. In fact, as you are reading this right now, there are over 100 different sports played and this includes lacrosse, hockey, rugby, football, baseball, basketball, softball, athletics, volleyball, and more.If you are interested in these new sports, there is no better time than now to get involved and learn to play.

With the increasing popularity of high density silicone lacrosse sticks, it was only a matter of time before the world began to see more lacrosse games being played in public. However, while these new developments are certainly exciting and fun, there are also some questions that are faced by those trying to get involved. One of these questions is that many people are afraid to try the game because they are worried that they will slide or fall on the ice and then they will be injured.

However, with today’s advances in technology, and the knowledge that many lacrosse players use today, there is no need to worry. Now, since sticks are today designed to match the player, there is no chance that the player will slide or fall, or that they will be injured. This is good news for all young players, especially those who are just starting out and learning to play the game. If you are concerned that your new pole will not fit you properly, then you should look into an adjustable pole that will accommodate your height and allow your pole to sit perfectly on your upper leg.

The benefits of this new sport have been highly appreciated again. Not only will the new stick make it much easier for people to try it, but you will also enjoy new levels of comfort and control when playing the game. If you want to join all the other young people who are enjoying this exciting new sport, all you have to do is learn the correct ways to use your new stick.

Once you know the correct way to play the game, then it is very easy to get the hang of it all.While you may still need a little help to get started, once you know the correct way to play, you will be well on your way to enjoying your new found love for the game. If you want to know the correct way to handle a stick, then all you have to do is look at the stick guide and follow the instructions. Once you know how to grip the stick correctly, you can start taking part in the games.

For example, if you are going to play lacrosse on a frozen lake, you will need to make sure that the ice that is on the lake is thick enough so that you do not slip when you hold the silica lacrosse stick on top of the ice.If the ice is too thin, then you will end up losing control of the stick and it won’t slide as easily. By learning the right way to grip the stick, you can play with confidence and enjoy the fun and excitement of using a new stick.

stick to something – Russian translation

If we knew read online Tamara Island Stone (Page 11)

– Where is everyone? I asked Addison.

– We’re at a lacrosse match in California, not soccer in Texas.

As soon as we sat down, Lara moved up to me and exclaimed:

– Wow! Your hair is gorgeous. Did you do it yourself?

– Nope, it’s all Charlotte. I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and opened Charlotte’s Instagram page. – Here, look. She has very good instructional videos. Everything is simple and straightforward. – I handed Lara the phone. She studied a few notes and then handed the phone around for everyone to look at.

I unbuttoned my sweatshirt and showed Luke’s transformed jacket.

A professional seamstress came to our theater this morning to hem the costumes. I showed her Luke’s jacket and asked if there was anything I could do with it. The seamstress beamed and asked for fifteen minutes. In front of my eyes, she cut and altered the jacket, turning it into a pretty form-fitting dress.

– I want the same from Dominik’s jacket! Ava exclaimed. She tied the bottom of her jacket in a knot at her thigh.

– Come to my theater at lunch or after school. There is a sewing machine.I’ll do anything for you.

A whistle sounded, then a commentator’s voice came from the speakers.

I watched the teams run out onto the field and admitted:

– I will never understand what is going on in this game.

“It’s like ice hockey,” Ava explained.

– Yeah, only I don’t know anything about ice hockey. She looked at me like I said I had eight toes on each foot. – What? I’m not from a sports family like you and Luke.

My parents have never been into sports. Dad never played ball with me, he didn’t even throw a flying disc. However, his beliefs have obviously changed because last summer, when I visited him and his new family, he took us all to the Chicago Cubs game. They bought tickets for the entire season, and everyone watched the game. I didn’t know when and what was supposed to shout, so I silently sipped a cola and sunbathed.

Addison pointed to a white line dividing the field in half.

– Okay, listen. Here is Luke. He’s a midfielder, like those two on the line. This means they can run all over the field.

She pointed to three players from the right side of the field.

– These are the attackers. They keep to the opponent’s goal and try to score a goal.

Then she pointed to the left, and I followed her finger.

– Three defenders play near their goal and try to prevent the opposing team from scoring a goal. That white ball over there is being passed with those long sticks – lacrosse sticks. They also beat opponents if they take possession of the ball. She glanced at me, checking to see if I was keeping up with her thoughts. – So that is all. I’m going to ask Luke to take you to one of my matches next week and explain the rules of women’s lacrosse to you. Everything is completely different there.

– Why?

– This is not a contact sport, unlike men’s. I used to play with guys and also beat everyone with clubs, but then the guys grew up and pumped up a lot, and my parents decided that it was too dangerous for me.

The whistle sounded again, and Addison turned toward the field. Dominic Murphy and a guy were bent over opposite each other.

“This is a throw-in,” she explained, and then she folded her palms into a megaphone and shouted, “It’s yours, Murph!

I watched the game in silence, trying to understand what was happening. At first, I mainly looked at Luke, then I began to follow the ball. When Luke intercepted the ball and ran to the opponent’s goal, I unexpectedly leaned forward with Addison and stretched my neck, captured by the spectacle. Luke swung his club, and the ball flew with force into the upper right corner of the net. All of our people jumped up and started clapping and shouting, and the commentator announced:

– The first goal for the Falcons was scored by Luc Caletti, senior grade thirty-four!

When Luke returned to the white line, he looked at the stands, saw me and waved to me. I waved back and then screamed the loudest:

– Forward, Luke!

By the middle of the match, I went into the game with my head, together with everyone I cheered our team, jumped after each goal of the “Foothill Falcons” and gasped when one of ours was hit with a stick.In the third quarter, Luke scored another goal. He also made three successful passes, after which his teammates scored. Addison said it was a lot.

When the game was over, we were getting ready to leave, and I put on my sweatshirt again. Addison started to say something to me, and then she looked over my shoulder, stopped short and gave:

– Oh, hello!

I turned around and saw Luke’s parents. Mrs. Caletti held out her hand and said:

– Well, I see you survived your first lacrosse match! How do you like it?

Her dark hair was peeking out from under a Foothill Falcons cap, and she, too, came to the game in Luke’s blazer.

“I really liked it,” I admitted. – Only I did not expect that they beat each other so hard!

“Uh, wait until next year,” said Mr. Caletti. – It’s still nothing.

His words were not immediately deposited in my head. And then I looked at what he was wearing. All with the University of Denver logo. Baseball cap. Jacket.

I didn’t know what to say, and decided to get off with a joke:

– Did you buy everything?

– Yeah.He lifted his trouser leg, and I saw socks with the Denver logo.

Luke’s dad looked at me, smiling broadly, and literally glowed with pride. I wanted to smile back at him, but suddenly it struck me like lightning. I realized that I would never have to wear Luke’s Denver logo blazer. In the not too distant future, another girl will probably wear it. Not me. There was a lump in my throat. I bit the inside of my cheek and tried to cope with my emotions.

Addison must have noticed that I was uncomfortable.It took her one look at my face to understand this.

– Okay, let’s not linger. Everyone is already going to the cafe.

I didn’t want to go to a cafe. Not now. I waved my hand the other way.

– I’ll join you in a few minutes, okay? I need to take something from the theater.

I hugged Mrs and Mr Caletti and waved them goodbye. No one had time to ask what exactly I need to pick up, or offer to keep me company. I walked along the road from the stadium to the theater, as if in oblivion.Fortunately, the janitor hasn’t locked the backstage doors yet.

Slipping into the theater, I went straight to the stage and sat on the very edge with my legs dangling. Then she looked around. The lights in the hall were still burning and illuminated the red velvet chairs, and the air was filled with the scent of old wood and wet towels. They say that of all the senses, the sense of smell is most closely connected with memory, and I believe that. And I know in advance that even a smell remotely similar to this one will always bring back memories of the time spent here.

And it was coming to an end. Very soon I will say goodbye to everything at once. With high school. With this scene. With Luke. With a life with a mom, a family of all of us. Not only that I have already lost Hannah. In just a few months, I will lose everything else.

I looked down at the blazer-dress with the big number “thirty-four”, imagined how my relationship with Luke would end, and my chest seemed to tighten like a hoop. I don’t remember the last time I cried, and I wasn’t going to start now.It is too early. There are still one hundred fifty-nine days before our parting. However, can I endure them?

I sat in silence for a few minutes, trying to figure out what to do.

I jumped off the stage and walked out of the theater into the fresh night air. I confidently walked towards the cafe, repeating the prepared speech to myself. And when I got to the parking lot, I realized that I could not open the door.

I could clearly see everyone through the window. Luke and his teammates, apparently, had just arrived, because they were still standing in groups, taking off their jackets and deciding who would sit where.In the other corner of the diner sat Charlotte, Tyler and the other guys from the drama club. They had obviously been sitting there for more than an hour. Probably, it would be more convenient for them to take two tables, but they were crowded at one. The table was littered with empty plates, dirty forks, crumpled napkins and half-empty glasses.

Opposite the parking lot was a small flower garden with sculptures of flamingos and garden gnomes. I went up to him, and he lifted my spirits a little. I sat down on the sidewalk and took a breath, trying to calm myself.And I was about to get up when my phone buzzed.

The screen displayed:

…

Luke: Where are you?!?

I typed the answer.

…

Emory: On the street

I got up when I saw him looking around, looking for me. Finally Luke noticed where I was standing, frowned and waved his hand at me.

I waved back.

– How are you? He said soundlessly.

I shrugged.

He raised his index finger, which probably meant “Wait a minute,” put the phone in his pocket and walked to the door. I sat down again and waited for him to turn the corner.

– Hello!

He sat down on the sidewalk next to me.

– Hello! I moved closer so that our thighs touched, and put my hand on his leg. Then she looked up. – You played amazingly. It’s hard to believe you can run so fast.Honestly, I didn’t expect to have so much fun.

90,000 Boring … what should we do with the khl all-star game? opinion of Pavel Lysenkov

The KHL All-Star Game was good for everyone except the All-Star Game. The league needs to think about how to change the format of the game.

A colleague asked when I was leaving the stadium: “Do you know why this match doesn’t catch me?”

He was writing a note, he needed an opinion.

“There used to be some kind of trick. Hockey on Red Square.Gretzky arrived in Minsk.

Kovalchuk and Datsyuk spat on the challenge to the NHL and appeared to the Russian people. And now?”

As in the joke: “Your balloons are defective. – What, full of holes? “No, they are not encouraging.”

I replied: “You are a journalist. Previously, for you, the KHL All-Star Game was like a weekend tour.

Mystical Chelyabinsk, mysterious Bratislava, shashlik-cognac Sochi. But how will Moscow surprise you?

You came to the star match by metro. ”

Fans are another matter.Flags with the names of different cities flashed in the stands. People flew to the KHL All-Star Game from all over the country.

Whole families came. Dads showed children what hockey is – and it was great.

Excellent promotion. Banners are hung everywhere in Moscow. Good broadcast.

By the way, did you rate Match TV, which instead of a star show put biathlon on air? Two gold!

Hello Dmitry Guberniev.

And then hockey began. Let’s call it that.

What’s the problem? Okay, when in the match they do not use forceful techniques and do not click on the goal.

Nobody wants to get hurt.

But who said that forwards don’t need to run and goalkeepers don’t need to catch the puck?

Actually, this All-Star Game has turned into a buffoonery. Ideally, I would like to see hockey skills.

But even Gusev did not succeed in his last year’s bullet. And to shoot the goalkeeper with a bow, run with a piece of DiCaprio on his back, set fire to the stick, move the puck with a lacrosse stick, change into a goalkeeper, wrap his arms around Mozyakin and throw him onto the ice – that’s a skit.

You go to Spivakov’s concert, and the Moscow Virtuosi begin to knock you on Khokhloma spoons. You want to watch basketball stunts from Harlem Globrotters, and people dress up as a hare and an owl, play a bouncer.

So what can you do?

Change format. Why is the NHL constantly looking for new solutions?

They either have a star draft, or they decide to hack to death “3 on 3” for three matches of 20 minutes each.

Because the old format is boring. Even under Gordie Howe, teams split into two conferences and played a full match.

Well, it’s boring.

This is also shown by the voice of the people. I asked people on Twitter and VKontakte: “Did you like the KHL All-Star Game?” The answer was roughly the same: 60% – no.

There is a grateful audience (40%), but the rest should be somehow surprised. Brainstorm.

What do I offer?

Let, for example, the KHL stars team play against the Russian U20 youth team, which will be headed by Valery Bragin. In the wake of the aftertaste from the January MFM, it will go well.Even at the World Cup, young guys made up a whole North American team.

Why don’t we do it on the star show?

It is also interesting that the KHL stars team will play against the Russian women’s team. Why not?

Or here – the leader of the KHL championship against the national team of stars. After all, earlier in the star game of the NHL, “Montreal” or “Toronto”, “Chicago” or “Detroit” with the rest were cut.

Let’s play CSKA or SKA against everyone.

And here you won’t see 51 pucks.And Radulov will not change into a goalkeeper.

And there will be sports interest.

Define a pool of three to four formats. Put your fans to vote on the KHL website.

Try changing something.

The promotion of the All-Star Game is good. But you need creativity in the all-star match.

For now, a bit boring.

Match: West – East

Barsik invited KHL mascots to Astana to visit All Star Game

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90,000 The Importance of Lacrosse for the Iroquois Featured in Spiritual Game: Pride of the Nation,

Lacrosse is more than a game – it is ritual, medicine, tradition, culture and personality.

This sport is an original Iroquois game performed in honor of the Creator. The Iroquois have a deep relationship with the game and a lot of respect for it. Children receive homemade wooden lacrosse sticks when they are born – they are taught to respect the stick, learn about its importance and cherish it.

This relationship and the meaning of lacrosse are highlighted in Spirit Game: Pride of the Nation, which opens in theaters on May 26. It will be available on demand on Video on Demand and iTunes on June 20.

“You were born into a culture and born into the game of lacrosse.It’s easy to build a passion for him when you’ve surrounded him, ”said Lyle Thompson, one of the four lacrosse brothers featured in the film.

The Thompson brothers – Lyle, Miles, Jeremy and Hiana – grew up on Onondaga Waterfront, located in upstate New York near Syracuse. The Onondaga Nation is a politically independent American reservation that is federally recognized by the United States.

Spirit Game Companions Peter Baxter and Peter Speer will focus their film on Onondaga, lacrosse and how a nation uses sports to create awareness of its existence and sovereignty.

“It was an amazing experience for me about how important other civilizations are to the progress of people around the world,” said Baxter, who is president and co-founder of the Slamdance Film Festival and director of Wild in the Streets, and I want to be American. “Just because the population is small, it does not mean that it does not exist. We have so much to learn from the people who were here in front of us. ”

The focal point for the documentary is centered around the nationality of the Iroquois, the country’s national lacrosse team.The Iroquois citizens, who were first admitted to the International Lacrosse Federation in 1987, have dealt with countless difficulties over the years, trying to earn respect and even gain access to international tournaments. The team was unable to attend and compete at the 2010 World Lacrosse Championships in England because the United Kingdom did not accept Iroquois passports.

Team and Onondaga Nation hosted the 2015 FCP World Indoor Lacrosse.Knowing how to play your game in your home lands was the ultimate experience.

“For me, the best thing about it was that we were able to bring everyone together – the Six Nations and all the guests of the team,” said Lyle Thompson, who holds the NCAA Division I career points (400) and assists (225) and two-time winner of the Tewaaraton Trophy. “As part of the Iroquois, you are more than representing your people and playing lacrosse on the world stage, you are joining the fight as a people because we have not been fully accepted by all nations.You signed up and are doing what you can do to keep our people moving forward. ”

Spearr, the Oscar-nominated director known for Notorious BIG: Bigger Than Life and Rhyme and Reason, said there were the Iroquois first as they approached the documentary. He said that due to the fact that Native Americans took so much from them in the past, they were initially concerned, but accepted the filmmakers and embraced the project after understanding his message.

“They welcome people, but they are also somewhat protected and private, so you need to earn trust and respect,” he said.”We learned that I was not exposed to the growing class of history.”

Nike-sponsored Iroquois citizens are still seeking their first International Lacrosse Gold Medal. They finished second at the 2003 Indoor Lacrosse World Cup, ’07, ’11 and ’15 and third at the 2014 Lacrosse World Cup.

While this first glimpse of gold around their necks would be surreal, this is not about winning or losing to the Iroquois.

“Our motto is ‘We Win, You Win,’ said Miles Thompson.“What does it mean, we all play – there is a greater purpose than what we play, we play for the people around us. This is the medicine for us. It’s not about winning and losing, but about playing for people who can’t play or show young people how to play.

“This is more than us playing for the championship. The style of play can lead to a championship, but it is much more than we go out and play; it is for our people, for ourselves and for the younger generation. This is much more than us.

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