The Best Lacrosse Mesh for Every Position in 2023

The Best Lacrosse Mesh for Every Position in 2023

Choosing the Right Lacrosse Mesh Type Based on Your Position

As a lacrosse player, one of the most important choices you can make is deciding what type of mesh to string into your lacrosse stick head. The mesh affects how the ball releases, holds, and handles – so you’ll want to pick a mesh that complements your playing style and position on the field.

For attackmen who handle the ball the most, a soft lacrosse mesh is often the best choice. Soft mesh bags out and provides a deep pocket, allowing superior ball control, feel, and hold. As an attackman dodging defenders and looking to bury shots on cage, soft mesh gives you the ability to cradle the ball securely and release clean shots on command. Premium soft meshes like Stringking Type 3F or ECD Vortex allow you to string up pinched shooters pockets that hug the ball on quick stick shots or wraps.

While soft mesh excels at ball retention, the deep pocket can make it harder for defensemen or middies to get quick ground ball pickups or make checks. So players in those positions may opt for more semi-soft meshes instead. Semi-softs offer a balance of hold and release – allowing decent ball feel but easier ground ball scoops. Popular semi-soft picks include Stringking Type 3X or ECD Rebel Offense mesh. Middies can string up a mid-low pocket with these meshes to help collect ground balls while still maintaining some hold for shooting after running coast to coast.

For defensemen who focus on collecting ground balls, disrupting passing lanes, and executing checks, a hard mesh offers superior ball release speed and pocket stability. Hard meshes have less give, so the pockets break in tighter with quicker release points. This allows defensemen to limit offensive holding time, create turnovers, and push transition. Top hard mesh choices include Throne of String King or Hero Mesh. Ground ball machine defensemen can string up mid-high pockets with hard mesh for scooping grounders and immediate outlet passing after the collect.

As you can see, attackmen, middies, defensemen, and goalies all have different needs from their lacrosse head mesh. Make sure to experiment with lacrosse mesh types to find your ideal pocket based on your position and style of play. The right mesh can help maximize your performance on the field.

Considering Pocket Style and Stringing Based on Lacrosse Position

In addition to choosing the best lacrosse mesh type, players also need to think about optimal stringing styles and pocket placements based on their position and preferences. The way you string your mesh and form your pocket has a big impact on overall stick performance.

For attackmen, pockets with a lot of hold are ideal for superior ball control and custody. Typical attack pockets include mid to deep bags, channeled shooters, and pinched pockets. Deep bags allow attackmen to hang the ball in the mesh for secure cradling and quick sticks, while channeled shooters focus the release point for deadly accuracy on shots. Pockets like the Weapon X provide hold while also ensuring crisp release points needed for passing and shooting. Many attackmen also like to string lacrosse stick pockets with a little more whip to generate extra ball speed on shots and feeds.

Middies benefit from more balanced pocket styles that maintain decent hold while still allowing good ball release for clears, transition play, and two-way midfield play. Popular middie pockets include shifted mid pockets, mid-low bags, and hybrids like a mid-low with a channel or 1 shooter. The mid-low bag holds the ball enough during offensive possessions but the slightly raised release point makes ground ball pickups easier. A mid-low hybrid adds hold while still making it easy to release passes on fast breaks or over-the-shoulder feeds from X.

For defensemen, quicker release pockets are ideal so the ball can be moved quickly from point to point or cleared downfield efficiently. Defense pockets typically feature mid to mid-high placements, bags with U-shoots rather than deep channels, and minimal whip/shift. The higher pocket placement and minimal shifting allow defensemen to easily direct passes and clear the ball after scooping ground balls. Defensemen also like to string pockets with 10 diamonds or less, which adds stability for checking.

When stringing up your lacrosse stick, think about how the mesh, pocket placement, channel, and sidewall length will impact your handling, hold, and release. Ultimately your stringing should complement your skill set and support your role on the field.

Soft Mesh Benefits Attackmen With Superior Ball Control

When it comes to lacrosse stick stringing, attackmen heavily favor soft mesh for the supreme level of ball control, feel, and hold it provides. Soft mesh is specifically designed to bag out more deeply in the pocket and have increased flexibility. This allows attackmen to achieve those deep pinch and channel pockets that hug the ball on quick sticks, wraps, and shot opportunities.

The soft mesh fibers conform around the ball, allowing it to embed deeper into the pocket. This helps enhance overall ball control as attackmen cradle through traffic or absorb checks. Soft mesh also dampens ball vibration better thanks to the flexible nylon, creating a smoother feel and release. Less vibration leads to better handling. Soft mesh pockets with defined channel shoots and diamond runner systems further improve ball control for attackmen.

When it comes to hold, soft mesh again excels due to its flexibility and ability to bag out. The deep bag cradles the ball securely in multiple points of contact, making it harder for defenders to check the stick effectively. Soft mesh pockets maintain their shape better over time compared to harder meshes as well. This consistent hold and defined channel maintains the accuracy needed for the high-volume shooting that attackmen are responsible for.

While softer meshes do lack the immediacy of release that comes with hard mesh, the superior ball control and feel more than make up for it as an attackman. You can always add shooters or a defined channel to improve release points if needed. But overall, the ball retention and handling benefits of soft mesh make it the top choice for attack players looking get the most out of their lacrosse sticks.

Middies Need Mesh With Balanced Hold and Release

For midfielders, the lacrosse stick mesh choice comes down to finding the right balance of hold and release. Unlike attackmen who want maximum ball control or defensemen who prioritize quick releases, middies need a pocket that can do both to account for playing both ways.

This is why most midfielders prefer a semi-soft lacrosse mesh over soft or hard options. Semi-soft mesh provides more hold than a hard mesh but faster release than a true soft mesh. The nylon fibers have a bit more structure for improved ball response while still bagging out decently in the pocket.

With semi-soft meshes like Stringking Type 3X or ECD Rebel, middies can string up mid or mid-low pockets that maintain the hold needed when on offense. The mid placement makes ground ball pickups easier as well compared to attack-style low pockets. A mid-low bag holds the ball well for offensive possessions and ripping 2-pointers, while still allowing quick transfers and fast break opportunities.

By going semi-soft instead of hard, middies also get much better scooping ability on ground balls. The slight flex and forgiveness of a semi-soft mesh allows the ball to embed more on ground ball pickups, ensuring secure clamps. This helps minimize those 50/50 battles on pinnies and clears.

In the transition game, a semi-soft mesh gives midfielders a nice combination of hold and release. It allows driving top-speed on clears while still maintaining control of the ball. And on fast breaks, enough hold for over-the-shoulder feeds to attackmen while still enabling quick release passes.

Overall, it’s easy to see why most middies turn to semi-soft mesh. It provides the balanced performance needed to cover the entire field and play both offense and defense when called upon.

Defensemen Prioritize Harder Mesh for Quick Releases

For defensemen, the lacrosse mesh of choice is typically on the harder side of the spectrum. Hard mesh sacrifices some hold in favor of maximizing ball release speed and pocket stability – both vital aspects for defenders.

Hard meshes like Stringking Throne or Hero Mesh use more structured and rigid nylon fibers, reducing the amount of give and flex in the pocket. This leads to an overall tighter pocket shape with decreased depth. With less bag and flex, the ball sits higher in a defenseman’s stick for lightning quick release checks and outlet passes.

The stiffness of a hard mesh improves ground ball performance as well. Since hard mesh pockets don’t collapse and bag out as much, ground balls sit right on top of the plastic for easier scooping. The extra rigidity helps clamp down and secure ground balls to start fast breaks.

In the clearing game, hard mesh gives defensemen superior ability to start the transition play. Harder pockets don’t absorb as much energy from passes, leading to crisper outlets and faster direction changes. Less pocket dampening leads to better ball response. The tighter channels also make over-the-head clearing passes easier for defensemen to execute.

During defensive possessions, the minimal hold of hard mesh allows defenders to be more disruptive. The ball can be checked out of an attacking player’s stick faster thanks to the immediate release upon any contact. Hard mesh also maintains pocket shape better over time, leading to more consistent release and throw behavior.

For defensemen looking to play takeaway defense and force turnovers, stringing up a lacrosse head with hard mesh is the way to go. The controlled pocket and lightning quick release it provides leads to excellent defensive capabilities.

Soft Lacrosse Mesh Maximizes Ball Control for Goalies

Goalies rely on their lacrosse stick more than any other position, using it constantly to make saves and clear the ball. This is why soft mesh is the top choice for most goalies thanks to the superior ball control and feel it provides in the crease.

Soft mesh helps goalie sticks form deep pockets that completely surround and envelop the ball. This helps goalies securely cradle clears and absorb the force of blazing outside shots. The soft mesh pockets bag out around the ball as saves are made, ensuring excellent ball retention and fewer rebounds.

The flexibility of soft mesh also improves handle and touch for goalies. Soft pockets dampen ball vibrations better, leading to smoother rotation and feel. This helps goalies track the ball more precisely to make clean saves. The dampening effect also reduces sting when stopping high-velocity shots.

Since goalies need to make saves and clear the ball with their stick, defined pocket placement is less important. But deep bags with channel shooters remain common since they centralize the release point. Soft mesh shooter channels help direct clearing passes and outlets more accurately after making tough saves.

While softer goalie mesh picks up slower on ground balls, the improved control outweighs this. Goalies rely on their mesh to control save rebounds and volleys rather than scooping constant ground balls like field players. Soft mesh gives them the control needed to wrangle saves and initiate fast breaks.

Overall, soft mesh is the top lacrosse stringing choice for goalies looking to master the art of making saves and moving the ball in transition. Maximum ball control and feel leads to peak goalie stick performance in all aspects of the crease game.

Customizing Your Lacrosse Stick Through Mesh Color

In addition to choosing the right lacrosse mesh type and pocket style, many players also like to express themselves through custom mesh colors. While white remains the most common, mesh is now available in a wide variety of colors to match your style or team uniforms.

Mesh colors initially started in the late 1990s and early 2000s as players looked to personalize their sticks. Colors like black, blue, red, orange, green, and pink became popular. Players would string colored meshes that matched their school colors for game day pockets. Bright fluorescents also emerged for players wanting to stand out.

These days, mesh color choices have expanded even further thanks to brands like Stringking, ECD, and Throne. It’s now possible to string a pocket with vibrant purples, neon yellows, dark grays, and more. You can find specialty meshes like tri-color fades as well for truly unique pocket flair.

While color is mostly an aesthetic choice, some players do feel it helps on the field too. Darker colored meshes can blend into stick heads better, making ball movement tougher for defenders to read. Brighter colors stand out more for teammates to see passing lanes. Goalies also like brighter mesh to track shots against dark backgrounds or turf fields.

Mesh colors also impact visibility when playing in varying weather. White pops better in low light rain or snow games, while black meshes can disappear. Brighter colors show against darker storm cloud backdrops. Grass stains also show up more on light meshes.

At the end of the day, lacrosse mesh colors are purely personal preference. Don’t be afraid to string some vibrant Royal purple or bright red mesh if it suits your style. Customizing your pocket shows off your personality. Just make sure it doesn’t clash with any team uniform rules first!

Investing in Premium Lacrosse Mesh for Maximum Durability

When it comes to getting the most out of your lacrosse stick stringing, using a high-quality premium mesh is highly recommended. While cheaper mesh options exist, premium meshes from leading brands deliver noticeable benefits in consistency, pocket feel, and overall durability.

Premium lacrosse meshes utilize advanced nylon composite materials that improve weather resistance and pocket break-in. For example, Throne Mesh uses a special wax coating to repel water and maintain shape. Stringking and ECD mesh go through proprietary tempering and stretching processes for enhanced durability.

These production techniques result in mesh that keeps its shape longer through all weather conditions. Premium mesh maintains precise pocket channel shapes and release points for more consistent throwing and handling. Cheaper meshes tend to bag out quicker and get sloppier.

Premium meshes also seem to soften up and feel better over time, versus getting stiff and brittle. The improved materials develop a smooth, refined feel the more you use them. This leads to increased ball control and response. Less time breaking in the pocket also means more time perfecting your game.

While costlier up front, premium lacrosse mesh easily outlasts cheaper mesh by a few seasons or more. This makes it worth the investment over the long run. Less restringing means less wasted time messing with the pocket. And fewer mid-game blowouts help avoid costly turnovers and lackluster performance.

For lacrosse players demanding peak consistency and longevity from their pockets, investing in a quality premium mesh like HeroMesh, Throne, Stringking, or ECD is the smart play. The performance and durability gains outweigh any small upfront cost differences when it comes to critical pieces of your setup like lacrosse mesh.

Pre-Stretched Lacrosse Mesh Simplifies Pocket Stringing

When stringing up a new lacrosse head, using a pre-stretched mesh can save you time and frustration versus struggling with unstretched mesh. Pre-stretched mesh helps streamline stringing by reducing the meticulous break-in process.

The main benefit of pre-stretched mesh is avoiding the hassle of constantly working the knots and diamonds to manually break-in an unstretched piece. Pre-stretched meshes from ECD, Stringking, and Throne come ready to string right out of the bag. You can start forming defined pocket channels immediately.

This leads to much faster overall stringing and pocket setup. You can string, tweak, and dial-in your perfect pattern in about half the time. Less manual knot and diamond work also leads to fewer blown out diamonds or premature mesh failure.

Pre-stretched mesh also snaps into place quicker when stringing due to the tempering process. The fibers conform to knot tensions better. Channels and shooter lanes form faster, letting you test out pocket placements as you build the pattern.

Once strung up, pre-stretched mesh pockets generally hold their shape a bit better as well. The fibers stay aligned, keeping defined channels and cross-lacing in place. This improves consistency and minimizes wasted time restringing every few weeks.

While unstretched mesh works fine, pre-stretched lacrosse mesh offers noticeable time savings for stringers. Less pocket adjustment pre and post stringing lets you spend more hours perfecting your game on the field rather than fighting with mesh off it.

Waxed Lacrosse Mesh for All-Weather Performance

For lacrosse players who compete in rain, snow, or cold weather frequently, waxed lacrosse mesh is an excellent stringing choice. The wax coating helps these pockets repel moisture while retaining shape.

Brands like Throne Mesh and ECD WaxMesh utilize proprietary wax dipping or impregnation processes during production. This allows the mesh to absorb less water when wet conditions arise. The wax prevents the fibers from getting waterlogged and heavy.

By repelling moisture, waxed mesh pockets maintain their structure and shape better when wet. The channels and diamonds don’t get weighed down or bag out as quickly. This results in more consistent release points and pocket performance.

Wax coating also improves pocket stiffness and memory. The wax allows the mesh to hold its form through humidity, temperature swings, and frequent use. Less re-adjustment is needed to maintain optimal pocket shape.

The water-repelling properties of waxed mesh are especially useful for players dealing with spring snow storms or damp turf fields prone to heavy condensation and puddling. The pockets perform consistently despite the elements.

While wax may slightly reduce natural mesh softening, the benefits often outweigh this when battling the weather. For field players and goalies alike, waxed mesh brings all-weather durability to lacrosse stick stringing.

Next time you need to restring, try some coated mesh for reliable performance through the ups and downs of a season. Your pocket will maintain its sweet spot much longer.

Blending Mesh Types for Unique Pocket Performance

Advanced lacrosse stringers will often blend different mesh types within a single pocket to achieve specialized performance. Mixing soft, hard, and semi-soft meshes allows stringing pockets with distinct sections that complement playing style.

A common hybrid stringing technique is pairing a soft mesh up top with a hard or semi-soft mesh on the bottom. This gives you the ball control of soft mesh up top with added release speed from the lower section of harder mesh. Many offensive players favor this hybrid setup.

You can also do the inverse – hard mesh up top with softer mesh down low. This focuses on quick ball movement and checks up high while letting you maintain some hold down low for cradling. Great for defensive-minded players.

Some players will create “shooter lanes” by splicing small strips of a different mesh into their main mesh piece. Adding a shooter of semi-soft mesh to a soft pocket provides more defined release points while retaining hold. A hard mesh shooter lane does the opposite – boosting release while limiting hold.

Others mix different mesh pieces within larger diamonds to make unique pinch points and pocket shapes. A diamond of soft mesh surrounded by semi-soft pieces allows deeper bagging just in that section for example.

Blending mesh types encourages creativity and customization during stringing. Don’t be afraid to experiment with mixing and matching to build the ideal pocket tailored to your game. The possibilities are endless to design something unique that plays exactly how you want.

Shopping Online for the Best Lacrosse Mesh Selection

Thanks to the rise of ecommerce, it’s now easier than ever for players to access the latest lacrosse mesh products. Shopping online provides way more choices compared to small, local lacrosse shops.

Leading online lacrosse retailers like Lax.com, Universal Lacrosse, and Main Street Lacrosse offer a huge selection of mesh from all the top brands. You can find the newest meshes as soon as they are released rather than waiting for local inventory.

These digital lacrosse stores also allow you to filter and compare mesh options using different criteria. You can shop meshes by exact style, mesh gauge, stiffness, and other specs. This makes it easy to zero in on the right mesh type for your needs.

Online shopping also gives lacrosse players access to hard-to-find colored and limited edition meshes. Smaller shops simply can’t carry the full product ranges of brands like Throne and Stringking for example.

Better prices can be found shopping online as well, thanks to lower overhead and wider distribution of ecommerce merchants. Larger volumes allow retailers to offer mesh packages and combo deals that traditional shops can’t match.

For the biggest selection of meshes and best pricing, lacrosse players should leverage the power of online shopping. The selection is unmatched. And meshes will show up directly on your doorstep in just a few clicks.

Buying Lacrosse Mesh in Bulk Saves Money

For lacrosse players looking to save money on mesh expenses, buying lacrosse mesh in bulk quantities is the way to go. Bulk mesh purchases provide savings over buying single pieces of mesh periodically.

Brands like Stringking, ECD, and Throne offer mesh in bulk packs of 3, 6 or even 12 pieces per pack at a discounted rate. The more mesh you buy at once, the lower the per-piece cost becomes thanks to volume discounts.

Bulk packs represent anywhere from 15% to 30%+ savings per piece compared to buying mesh individually. For players constantly restringing sticks or dialing in new patterns, the savings add up fast.

Buying mesh in bulk also saves repeated shipping costs that come with small one-off orders. You get all the mesh you need in one delivery. No need to pay shipping multiple times throughout a season.

Stocking up on mesh also ensures you always have spare pieces on hand for restringing sticks on short notice. No need to wait days for new mesh to arrive if a pocket blows out right before a big game.

Teams can maximize savings by buying whole mesh bulk packs together rather than each player buying smaller amounts individually. Splitting a bulk team order brings down the per-piece cost even more.

For frequent stringers looking to SAVE money over the long run, investing in bulk lacrosse mesh purchases makes complete financial sense. The volume pricing and convenience are impossible to beat.

Always Have Backup Lacrosse Mesh Ready for Restringing

To avoid getting caught off guard with a blown-out pocket, every lacrosse player should keep spare mesh on hand for emergency restringing situations. Having backup mesh helps minimize downtime when your current pocket becomes unusable.

Mesh pockets degrade over time with use, weather, and abuse. Sidewall strings fray, diamonds rip or blow out, and overall structure loosens up. This leads to decreased performance and unpredictable throwing/handling.

Rather than scrambling to source new mesh when a pocket finally goes bad, wise lacrosse players stock up on a few pieces of backup mesh they can quickly string into a stick if needed.

Keeping spare mesh on hand ensures you can repair a pocket or restring a stick right away. No waiting days for new mesh to ship. Just toss in a backup piece and get back to playing in no time.

Having extras also allows trying out new meshes, patterns, and setups during the offseason rather than going mesh-less for weeks waiting on new supplies.

Consider keeping a range of backup mesh pieces – different brands, softness levels, and colors. This provides options for tailoring the restring to current needs or fixing multiple sticks.

A few extra dollars on backup mesh now pays off hugely when your gamer pocket inevitably fails mid-season. Don’t get left in the cold without a playable stick. Invest in spares and be ready to restring at a moment’s notice.

Mastering Lacrosse Pocket Stringing Techniques

Getting top performance from your lacrosse stick starts with properly stringing the mesh pocket. While ready-made pockets exist, learning correct stringing techniques allows for total customization and quality control.

Start by watching online stringing tutorials to understand proper knotting, diamond orientation, and row stacking. Going step-by-step helps build proper fundamentals to support the desired pocket shape later.

Pay close attention to diamond spacing and mesh tensioning as you string. Wider diamonds with relaxed tension promote deeper pockets and more hold. Tighter diamonds have less give for quicker release and response.

Work each section of the head to shape the pocket progressively as you string. Define the ball ramp, sidewalls, channel, and scoop areas bit-by-bit instead of forcing a shape at the very end.

Consider trying different interlocking and lace techniques to fine tune performance. 1-and-1 lacing is looser while 1-and-2 increases tension for example. Multi-lace cross patterns also influence hold and release.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with dropping meshes, adding shooters, using different knots, and more. Use stringing to solve any issues you notice in your game, like inconsistent passing or weak hold.

Over time, recording pocket patterns in a stringing log allows tweaking and reproducing what works best for you. Reference past stringing sessions to recreate great pockets precisely.

With dedication to proper stringing fundamentals and technique, you can craft your perfect pocket every time. The right stringing skills give you total control over your lacrosse stick performance.