Grip ‘N Rip: Callum Robinson, Chesapeake Bayhawks

What do you think when you think of Australia? I personally, think of all the big scary things that can kill me. Callum Robinson is no different. He has been manning up the best attackmen in the MLL all season and he is a force to be reckoned. Callum played his college ball at Stevenson University where he collected 238 groundballs and won a National Championship.

What head and shaft are you using?

Warrior Regulator head and Warrior Regulator Pro shaft.

Do you string your own sticks? If not, who does?

I have been stringing all my own sticks since I first started playing the game. I think it’s important for a player to be able to understand their stick and be able to manipulate it depending on what they want or require. Sometimes changes need to be made on the fly so I believe it’s essential for players to be able to tweak and change their own sticks and heads when required.

Callum Robinson 3

What kind of pocket are you using?

  • Mesh: East Coast Dyes Hero mesh and Hero strings.
  • Pocket placement: Mid pocket.
  • Shooters: Two straight nylons and two straight shooters.
  • Whip: I play with a generous amount of whip.

How do you tape your sticks?

I typically tape the bottom of my pole about 10” up the handle and then I have another 5-10” of tape for my top throwing hand roughly around the middle of my shaft.

Why do you like this set up? (tape and pocket)

I love the shape of the new Regulator head; it’s a tough and stiff hybrid of the classic Warrior Evo/Revo heads. The Regulator offers a variety of stringing options and is great for picking off passes and scooping up loose balls. I like a mid pocket with generous whip because it allows me to get the ball out of my stick quickly and efficiently whilst also being an offensive threat in the transition game.

Callum Robinson 1

You had to adjust to the 2013 NCAA shooting string rule, how did you go about it? Was it a hassle?

The change in college stick regulations forced me to move away from U’s and V’s in my stringing setup. At first this was a lot to get used to but since making the change in 2013 I have continued to use straight shooters in all my sticks. I like the consistency and reliability that this setup offers in both passing and shooting.

How has your stick changed since college?

I use a very similar stick setup now in the MLL as I did in college. The only change I made was moving my shooting strings lower down towards the pocket beyond 4” from the top of the head.

Any superstitions or funny stories?

I always put my cleats on and lace them up exactly the same way before the game starting with my left foot. I also like to listen to a lot of music in my pre game routine and joke around in the locker room to help stay loose.

 What is your wall ball and shooting routine?

I don’t like using set wall ball routines and instead I prefer to mix it up in my left and right hand using timed sets. As for shooting I like to practice running down the alley and releasing in my left and right hand as well as practicing pulling up from 16 yards or more to simulate two-point shots.

What was it like representing Australia in the World Games in 2014?

It’s a dream for any athlete to be able to represent their country on the international stage so the 2014 world games were an unbelievable experience. I got the rare opportunity to play in front of my family and friends against some of the world’s most premier lacrosse players. Being able to wear the Australian jersey and hear the national anthem before each game was certainly a privilege and an opportunity I treasure very highly.

How did you get into lacrosse?

I first started playing lacrosse when I was 12 years old after being introduced to the game by a family friend of mine. After my first taste of the game I knew it was my calling card. The speed, physicality and skill required to play the sport were all huge drawing cards for me.

What’s your favorite Australian cuisine? 

I think the Australian cuisine I miss the most when I’m away from home would have to be fresh seafood cooked on the barbeque or Tim Tam’s, which are an Australian chocolate biscuit delicacy.

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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