About Zander Berlinski Expertise I can answer all questions concerning lacrosse. I am the founder of ZB Lacrosse Company so I am an expert on all different types of equipment and sticks as well as custom stringing. I am also an avid player of the game so I can answer most technical questions about rules.
Experience Player for 15 years, founder of ZB Lacrosse Company, advanced custom stringer, extreme knowledge of the game and everything around it.
Question What are the differences between all the different types of mesh?Like, whats the difference between 5 hole mesh and 10 hole mesh? American and Canadian? hard mesh and semi-hard mesh?
Answer Matt,
I will lay out a description for all of the mesh you asked for:
Hard Mesh
The grandfather of all mesh, Traditional Hard Mesh is still far and away the most popular of all mesh. Traditional Hard Mesh is fairly easy to break yet will hold its pocket in poor weather. Traditional Hard Mesh offers good hold as well as good shot speed. It is not coincidence that Traditional Hard Mesh remains the king of all mesh even after all these years. Traditional Hard Mesh is an excellent choice for any player.
Semi-Hard Mesh
Traditional Semi-Hard mesh can most accurately be described as Traditional Hard mesh that is already broken in. Mesh softening rituals are unnecessary, Traditional Semi-Hard mesh is ready to string up as is. As far as performance, it can be expected to display characteristics similar of Traditional Hard mesh.
American Mesh
American Mesh is a relatively new mesh. It is an evolved version of the Traditional Soft Mesh. It is uncoated and provides the same feel as Traditional Soft Mesh. However, it is nearly twice as thick, which allows American Mesh to hold its pocket better in wet or cold weather. Long story short, it is an extremely durable version of the standard Traditional Soft Mesh.
Canadian Mesh
Canadian Mesh is the coated hard mesh. It provides a similar feel to Traditional Hard Mesh. However, it is nearly twice the thickness of Traditional Mesh. Canadian may be somewhat hard to break in, but once it is, it will hold its pocket through any and all elements of nature (excluding fire). Canadian, put simply, is the ultimate in durability.
8 Diamond Mesh
8 diamond mesh is the most popular of the diamond meshes because it is the diamond mesh most similar to regular hard mesh, the most popular mesh of all. 8 diamond mesh offers the smallest diamond size of the diamond family. Like all the diamond meshes, it is durable and holds its pocket in the face of adverse weather. On account of its small diamond size, it may be difficult to break in. 8 Diamond offers great shot speed but suffers in its hold. A great mesh choice for those looking to balance the properties of Traditional mesh and Diamond mesh.
7 Diamond Mesh
7 Diamond mesh begins to bridge the gap between the lower numbered Diamond mesh and Traditional mesh. Its diamond size is moderate to small, so 7 Diamond mesh offers excellent shot speed at a slight loss of hold. It is not as easy to break in as most of the other style attack/defense mesh, but once broken in it is extremely durable and will hold its pocket through cold and wet weather. 7 Diamond is a good choice for scorers looking to maximize shot speed.
6 Diamond Mesh
6 diamond size is neither large nor small which makes 6 Diamond mesh the perfect compromise between hold and shot speed. 6 Diamond is fairly easy to string, durable, and will hold its pocket through cold and wet weather. 6 Diamond is a good choice for any kind of lacrosse player. The people have spoken, and 6 Diamond mesh reigns supreme over the Diamond family.
5 Diamond Mesh
5 Diamond mesh offers the largest diamonds of any Attack/Defense mesh. As a result, 5 Diamond tends to be the easiest of the diamond styles to break in. 5 Diamond offers a solid hold, but the trade off comes at loss somewhat of shot speed. 5 Diamond is also notable in being easier to string that other mesh styles due to the large hold size. Overall 5 Diamond is an excellent choice for beginner players and stringers, but its unique properties make it a suitable choice for players whose playing style it compliments.
Hope this helps and be sure to checkout www.zblax.com for all your lacrosse needs. Feel free to ask if you have any further questions.
