So what are the reasons for using various styles of stringing. For example why interlocked verses normal or why a triangle pattern for a top string vice others. I am an old dude that found restringing my son’s old heads soothing. So I am into the reasons why something is used over others. Thanks for the help. I am sure I will be back with other questions.
-Joe
Hey Joe,
Stringing is much more of an art than science. The different techniques used in stringing are used to create a different style of pocket. When I go about stringing a stick I consider what I want the finished product to look like. Does the player want a high pocket, mid pocket or low pocket? Do they like it when the ball hits the top plastic on a pass or do they want to ball to transition effortlessly out of the pocket? How about the amount of whip in the stick? Another factor to consider is color. As a player I prefer all white but, it also looks pretty cool to add some color to a stick.
Once I know how I want the stick to function and what it should look like I figure out what materials and stringing techniques to use. Most of the sticks I string are either ten diamond hard or 6 diamond. In the past year or so I have also seen an increase in Canadian hard mesh. Unless I am crafting a pocket that feels more like a traditionally strung stick I go with 10 diamond hard. 10 diamond hard is the Granddaddy of mesh and you really can’t go wrong with it.
Once the materials are picked out there are three major things to consider.
- The tension of your topstring. Should it be loose or tight?
- The layout of your sidewall strings. The sidewall of a high pocket should bunch the mesh towards the top and vice versa for a low pocket. The sidewall strings of a mid pocket should evenly distribute the mesh through the middle of the head… pretty simple.
- Finally, the bottom string plays a huge role in a pocket. A high pocket will have a bottom string that is higher up on the mesh than a low or mid pocket.
I don’t mention shooting strings in this list because shooting strings are not designed to change the style of pocket; they are really there to enhance the pocket that is built by the sidewall strings.
As far as what techniques to use I always go with a simple doubled up topstring. I avoid a triangle top string as it can get in the way of a smooth release. A triangle topstring has a neat look but, in my opinion, a regular doubled up topstring performs better. Sidewall techniques change based on the head. Some heads you will need to interlock for a few holes to pull the mesh up or down and hold it in place permanently. On other heads the holes and mesh will match perfectly and you will have no need to interlock. The one exception I have to this is that I always interlock the first hole of the sidewall so that the top of the pocket stays tight and do not develop unwanted whip. For help with shooting strings check out the articles on stringing shooting strings.
Hope this helps. Feel feel to ask away if you have any other questions.
String On,
The Lax Doctor
