Atlanta Blaze Long Pole Midfielder, Scott Ratliff, shows off his Under Amrour stick that he’s using to prepare for this MLL season. Scott has been shutting down the MLL’s top midfielders and is an icon for the perfect transition LSM. In Boston, Scott collected a career high 81 ground balls and 20 points, including three two-point goals. Scott graduated from Loyola University (MD) after receiving many All-American honors and winning a National Championship in 2012.
What head and shaft are you using?
I am currently using the new Under Armour Command Head with a variety of different Under Armour long pole shafts.
Do you string your own sticks? If not, who does?
I do not string my own sticks, I am lucky enough to be apart of the StringKing Lacrosse team and my man Trevor over at the SK office hooks me up with the best mesh, and string jobs, in the game.
What kind of pocket are you using?
- Mesh – StringKing Type 3 Semi-soft.
- Pocket placement – I prefer a mid low pocket.
- Shooters – I like two shooters and nylon across the top.
- Whip – Not a lot of whip, I play with a feeders pocket.
How do you tape your sticks?
I like to tape my stick up from the bottom to about 1/3 of the way up the shaft.
Why do you like this set up?
I like to be able to slide my hands up and down the top of my stick, but want to have the extra grip at the bottom to shoot and check hard.
You had to adjust to the 2013 NCAA shooting string rule, how did you go about it? Was it a hassle?
This may not be what people want to hear, but I never really believed that pockets had all that much to do with my success. Growing up in ATL I used to play with factory strung heads, or sting jobs that I tried (poorly) to figure out. So for me its really more just let me throw for a few minutes, adjust, and ill be good to go. With that being said, I do believe the mesh can be very important, I have never played with anything as consistent and with the feel that SK provides.
How has your stick changed since college?
In college I played with a little bit higher of a pocket, and a little more whip. I have switched to more of a feeders shaft because I believe it allows me to be more accurate in fast break situations and has also allowed me to add an overhand High to High shot to my arsenal.
Any superstitions or funny stories?
When I got to Loyola I showed up with one of these factory stung heads that I referenced before. I remember one of my best friends Tyler Foley, who was from Darien, got a pretty good laugh out of it when he saw the head I brought up there. I remember being really embarrassed for about a week until we started practice and I was again reminded that it isn’t the stick that makes the player.
What is your wallball routine?
I am a HUGE beliver in wall ball. It is a major part of my routine and something that I try to do every day. I typically go 50 Righty/lefty/splits dodge throw/back hand passes/BTB. I highly recommend that people check out John Zulberti’s wall ball routine (12 hands of lacrosse) that can be found all over Youtube.
What is your snack food of choice?
Me and my pup Leo both love a nice bowl of popcorn at the end of a hard workday.
