Falcone Zone #2: How to Pinch a Lacrosse Head

Today, I’m showing you how to pinch a lacrosse head.  Pinching a lacrosse head changes the face shape of it more to your liking.  This can be used to make an old very wide head have a more modern pinch or could make it narrow (like a typical “box head”).  For these instructions, I am going to pinch an Under Armour Strategy head to give it a tight box pinch.
Warning #1: pinching a lacrosse head voids its warranty for every stick manufacturer

Warning #2: We’re using a sharp knife and the kitchen stove, so please make sure there’s a responsible adult present when you do this. 

What you’ll need:

  • A lacrosse head
  • Four chop sticks
  • A sharp knife
  • A ruler
  • A pen
  • Sidewall string (doesn’t matter what kind/color as long as it is at least 14 inches)
  • A medium to large sized pot (not pictured)
  • A stove (not pictured)

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Preparing the Head

Step 1:

Measure two chops sticks to be the length that you want the most pinched point of the head to be.  Make sure this size is big enough for a ball to have some room. I’d suggest not pinching any tighter than 2.75 inches (which is what I did for this head). Put a mark on the chop stick at that point, measuring from the skinnier end of the chop stick since it will be easier to cut.

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Step 2:

Carefully using the knife, slowly cut on the line that you drew in step one, until you have the chop stick cut.

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Step 3:

Repeat steps one and two to make another identical piece.  Put the extras to the side since you will use one of those extra longer pieces in a later step.

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Step 4:

Measure another stick and mark then cut it to be the widest you want the head to be at its widest point. Since I’m doing a high box style pinch, the widest point is going to be 5.5 inches.  Remember, if you are playing with high school rules, the widest point must be 6.5 inches.

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You should now have two pieces for the smallest point and one for the largest

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Step 5:

Next, take your piece of sidewall and thread it through the 2 sidewall holes where you want the pinch to be focused.

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Step 6:

Tie a knot on the sidewall string. It doesn’t need to be too tight, just make sure it can’t come undone.

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Step 7:

Place one of the extra pieces that were left over when you cut the small pieces of chop sticks in between the two sides of the string.

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Step 8:

Start twisting the string around itself which you’ll see will start to give the head it’s pinched shape.

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Step 9:

This step is tricky. Tighten the pinch until all three of your guided chop sticks could fit tightly in the head where they’re supposed to. Make the chop stick that spinning around the strings stay on the back side of the scoop to hold it in place. You might have to move the chop stick up or down to accomplish this.

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Your head is now all ready to be pinched.

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Pinching the Head 

Step 10:

Fill the pot up with water so that the portion of the head that you want pinched is full submerged.

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Step 11:

Take the head out of the water and place the pot on the stove. Cover it and let the water come to a boil.

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Step 12:

Once the water comes to a boil, place the head in the boiling water and leave it in there for about two to two and a half minutes.

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Step 13:

Flip the head over and leave it in the boiling water for another two to two and a half minutes.

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Step 14:

Turn off the stove, carefully take the head out of the boiling water, leaving all of the chop sticks in and run the head in the sink under cold water.

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Step 15:

Dry off the head with a towel and still leaving all the chop sticks and string in, place the head in the freezer for about 45 minutes.

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Step 16:

Leave the head sitting out with all the strings and chop sticks in until it returns to room temperature. I would suggest leaving it alone overnight and then take out the chop sticks and the string.

You have now pinched a lacrosse head and are ready to string it!

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If you have any questions, feel free to send me a DM on Instagram @FalconeLacrosse.

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Lacrosse Playground

In 2009, Adam O’Neill, Harry Alford and Thomas Alford launched Lacrosse Playground as the preeminent site for lacrosse gearheads. For years Lacrosse Playground provided lacrosse fans with tutorials and tips on how to string a lacrosse head, up-close looks at the gear the top players used and sneak peeks at equipment and uniforms before they were released. More than 10 years and millions of visits later, Lacrosse Playground has relaunched with a focus on storytelling. Our mission is to provide comprehensive coverage of the latest lacrosse news, share insights into the sports betting and fantasy lacrosse world and showcase the lifestyles and personalities of the sport of lacrosse through articles, videos and podcasts.

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