Grip 'N Rip: Patrick Harbeson

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Each week Lacrosse Playground will be featuring a different lacrosse athlete as part of our “Grip ‘N Rip” series, where we’ll find out what the best use to fine tune their game. This week we are featuring DeMatha Senior and Virginia commit, Patrick Harbeson.

harbeson

What head do you use?
Right now I have the Nike Dunk and STX Viper 2 strung up…but I have 2 evo pro’s being strung right now. I like sticks that aren’t too pinched but are narrow enough that a pocket can form.

What handle do you use?
Criss Cross and Warrior Diamond, basically anything light that won’t dent. There are shafts nowadays that are 42 inches, I like to keep my shafts about 40 inches.

Where does your pocket sit? What type of pocket do you prefer?
I like to have a good amount of hold so I usually have my pocket sit low. I like being able to carry the ball and throw stick fakes.

Who is your stick doctor? Do you string it yourself or have a go-to-teammate/friend?
I use teammate Ryan Belka, he knows exactly how I like my sticks strung.

What kind of mesh do you use? Why?
Hard mesh, I like being able to form the perfect pocket.

What is your preferred glove?
I loved the old STX IPro’s..anything that is light and my hand can mold into is perfect. There are some
gloves out there that have too much padding, also I don’t like when the palm of the gloves are leather like, I prefer the netting material.

How much whip does your stick have?
My stick has a good amount of whip in it, I feel it makes me concentrate on my passes more and allows me
to put extra torque on my shots.

Anything unique you do to your head or shaft?
I re-tape my shaft before every game, and try not to fiddle with my head at all (don’t want to screw up how it throws).

How long do you keep a stick before you get a new one?
I keep a stick as long as possible, if I’m playing well with it, why change? However if the stick doesn’t feel right I get a new one asap.

What’s most important to you in a stick/what makes a good stick?
I can tell right away when I put the right head with the right shaft whether the stick is going to be something ‘special’…it’s that feeling, haa!

Click for VIDEO FOOTAGE of Pat Harbeson in action. Extra clip of him ripping it HERE.

Past Grip ‘N Rips:

Michael Gvozden

Ken Clausen

Ben Seligmann

Ari Sussman

Billy Bitter

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.