Were you asked to string a lacrosse goal but you don’t know how to do it? You don’t have to worry because in this post, you’ll learn how to string a lacrosse goal that is easy and secure.
Stringing a lacrosse goal might sound difficult especially when you have a large net that can be bigger than you, to wrap around the goal. The good thing is that with simple tools, this inconvenient task becomes easy, secure, and quick.
Stringing a Lacrosse Goal: The Basics
First of all, there isn’t one way to string a lacrosse goal. Depending on what video or guide you find, there are at least two methods to do it – through the speed lacing method or the lock lacing method. Which one is better?
In a nutshell, the speed lacing method is literally lacing the string around the net and the goal or rod attached to it (if it has any). It’s like you’re looping the string around the two objects. On the other hand, the lock lacing method involves making a knot for every loop you make. Obviously, the second option is a lot more secure because you have knots involved. However, it’s not the fastest method.
If you’re wondering how to do both, read on for a step-by-step guide.
Your Guide on Speed Lacing
The first and easier method among the two is the speed lacing method. Based on its name, you know that you’re going to be able to do it quickly so you don’t have to hate having to set up the goal net yourself. Ready to get to it? Here is everything you need to know.
Materials:
- Goal
- Net
- String
- Zip Ties (optional)
Instructions:
- Start by prepping the net and the goal. Make sure the goal is standing right-side-up. Untangle the net and drape it over the sides. You’ll notice that simply draping it is not enough because the net will slowly slip unless the corner has slipped through a hole in the net.
- This is where the zip ties will be handy. Were you wondering why it was optional? They’re optional because you don’t really need them to string a net, but it’s definitely helpful so the net doesn’t fall off while you’re stringing it to the pole.
- Using the zip ties, insert one end of it through the net and the pole. Connect it to the other end of the zip tie and lock it. Do the same thing for the opposite top corner of the goal. When you put the ties, you already have a sense of how it should look and all you have to do is to loop the string through the holes and the pole.
- Get a long string and then start at one end at the top. Some people start in the middle just so they can divide the string properly, but that doesn’t give a big difference in the quality and the speed you finish.
- To do a loop, just insert the end of the string in the top left corner of the pole (it usually has a hook) and then make a knot to secure the string. Continue looping the string through each hole and through the pole right beside it. Make sure that each loop closes the space between the net and the pole.
- Continue the whole loop until you finish at the other end. Once you’re done on the other end, make a knot similar to the one you did on the opposite side. Continue looping down towards the lower corner of the goal.
- When you’ve done the top and the other side, it’s time for you to continue at the bottom. Don’t jump to the other side because you will have to use a new string and lose your momentum in the process.
- When you reach the middle of the goal or the intersection of the two base poles on the floor, wrap the net around it. It should fit perfectly and should resemble a ‘V’. If it doesn’t, then you used the wrong end a while ago. If you used the right side of the net, tuck it with the pole and continue making a loop using the string. Do the same for all remaining sides.
- When all the sides of the net are secured, cut the zip ties and try to yank the net to check if they will lose their hold. If it doesn’t, then you’re good to play!
If you will notice, you’ll just be doing the same thing for all corners. This is why this is the easiest – you can even go on autopilot and just mindlessly loop the string around the net and the pole. You won’t notice how fast you’ll be able to finish!
Your Guide on Lock Lacing
So how is lock lacing different? Lock lacing is not just putting loops around every hole of the net. Rather, you’ll be putting knots every time you insert the string into the net. Why? It’s more secure and it makes sure that the nets don’t sag after a few weeks of playing.
Materials:
- Goal
- Net
- String
- Zip Ties (optional)
Instructions:
- You’ll take the same first steps as you would if you’ll do a speed lacing technique. So, start with draping the corners of the net on the corners of the goal. If you have a zip tie with you, you can knot the net to the hook in the corner of the goal to hold the net in place. If you don’t have any zip ties, draping the net over the corner is fine, too.
- Get a long string and start by making a loop with your fingers using the opposite side of the string. Then, get the other end and loop it around the net and the pole. However, don’t wrap it around the whole pole yet. Instead, insert it inside the loop you made with your fingers effectively making a knot with it.
- Pull the loose end of the string so the knot secures the net to the goal. To avoid getting tangles with the string, you can also cut it in half. It’s also a lot easier to handle.
- Continue doing the same loop-and-knot process from one corner of the goal down to the other end.
- When you’ve reached the other end, loop the string into the hook you find there and create a knot. What you’re doing is making sure that all corners have a secured part of the net so it doesn’t fall off when the ball hits it.
- Continue doing what you were doing with the string around the sides and down to the bottom beams.
- Have you reached the middle of the back part? If you have, then you’ll notice that it forms a V with the opposite bottom beam. When it does, get the part of the net that forms a ‘V’ as well. Knot it with the string and continue the lock lacing technique until you’ve done it on all sides.
- When you’re done, cut off the excess string and the zip ties.
- To make sure everything’s well-made, try pulling the side of the net near the pole. If it comes loose, then the knots weren’t that secured.
Which Stringing Method Should You Do?
Is the lock lacing technique better? Or is it just the same with the loop lacing technique but slightly more complex?
When choosing which technique you’re going to use, you’re only considering three things – the speed at which you’ll make it, the complexity, and the security it gives to the pole.
If you’re looking for the fastest technique, it’s definitely the loop lacing method. It’s fast and it’s not complicated at all. You are just like wrapping the string around the hole of the net and the pole. It can’t be any simpler than that. It’s so easy that anyone can do it and it only takes a few minutes.
What about the easiest? Well, you know the answer to that, too. Obviously, the easier method is the loop lacing technique because you don’t have to create knots for every loop you make. If you’re a little impatient, the lock lacing method is something you shouldn’t attempt to do.
However, even if the loop lacing technique seems to be the best method, it’s not the most secure. Unfortunately, if you don’t loop everything right, there will be areas of the net that will start to sag after a few games. With the lock lacing method, that’s rarely the case because each hole is knotted with the pole so tightly that it doesn’t leave room to get loose. If it does, it’s most likely due to wear and tear.
Conclusion
Overall, both lock lacing and loop lacing are great methods to stringing a lacrosse goal. In all honesty, they’re not that complicated since they’re all repetitive. The only annoying part here is not the looping itself, but rather, doing it for every hole of the net!
