Asymmetrical Sidewall Lacrosse Head for Faster Face-off Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lacrosse heads do not provide optimal performance during face-offs, as they require a 90-degree rotation to clamp the ball, which is slow and increases the chances of losing possession.
Innovation Solution
A lacrosse head with asymmetrical sidewalls, where one sidewall is shortened to bring its lower rim closer to the player's hands, allowing faster clamping and reducing the pivot point distance, enabling quicker rotation and improved ball retention during face-offs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional symmetrical lacrosse heads are used, then the structure is simple and balanced, but the face-off performance is poor requiring 90-degree rotation which is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making one sidewall shorter than the other, with the first sidewall extending further from the ball stop than the second sidewall. This asymmetric configuration allows the head to clamp the ball more quickly during face-offs by reducing the rotation angle needed, while maintaining overall structural simplicity through the basic frame geometry.
2Speed
If the pivot point is far from the player's hands, then the head provides stable ball retention, but the rotation speed during face-offs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different sidewall lengths to optimize different functional zones. The shorter second sidewall reduces the pivot distance for faster rotation speed, while the longer first sidewall maintains adequate ball retention stability. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both speed and reliability characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
A lacrosse head in which one of the opposing sidewall portions is shortened by bringing its lower rim upward relative to the corresponding lower rim of the opposing sidewall. At the same time, the upper rim of each of the opposing sidewalls is maintained at the same level. This moves the pivot point of the shortened sidewall closer to the player's hands and allows faster clamping when facing-off. Faster clamping likely results in an increased number of “wins”, or possessions, that occur after the face-off.