What Equipment Already Exists?

I conducted a Competitive Analysis of different types of Equipment available to lacrosse players. I found that Passing, Catching, and Shooting were the most common skills addressed and Cradling and Scooping were almost never targeted skills.

How Else Can We Learn Skills?

I explored other tools available to lacrosse players and started comparing different Training methods that touched on different learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, etc.). By comparing pros and cons, I saw that one method’s cons could be addressed by combining it with another training method. This analysis helped me see that combining training styles would be the best direction for my app.

I also noted that Cradling and Scooping were addressed more in this analysis, which lead to my next phase of research. I wanted to see if there was a way to combine Equipment and Training methods for a more hands-on approach to lacrosse skill training.

Enchanted Objects…What’s That?

Thinking about combining the different training methods with a physical stick lead me to discovering the topic of Enchanted Objects. A very important resource I found was David Rose’s book Enchanted Objects: Design, Human Desire, and the Internet of Things.

Enchanted Objects are ordinary objects that are enhanced through developing technologies and become extraordinary. Their abilities and responsive feedback is what makes them stand out from everyday objects.

Potential Feedback Mapping

I began ideating ways I could incorporate the different feedback types with a lacrosse stick. I focused on exploring ways to simulate a game experience, as well as features that would connect the stick and gloves with the app. I found a strong gravitation towards Haptic and Auditory feedback for workout responses and Visual feedback for a successful calibration.

Interviewing an Expert

I wanted to talk to someone who has a background in Sensors and Sensor Networks & Embedded Systems to see if my idea would be possible. I met with Associate Professor Dr. Bill Stapleton to discuss my ideas for the stick and what technologies I would need to include.

Dissecting the Crosse

I have provided a breakdown of a women’s stick that labels the main components of the stick. Feel free to use this as reference with viewing the sketches and screens later!

What Do Coaches Think?

Because most the coaches relied on Physical Demonstrations and Verbal Instruction to teach stick skills, I noted to include these methods in my app for familiarity. Seeing that a strong majority of coaches were interested in a statistic report of their players who use the stick, I began thinking of how coaches could be integrated within the app.

Are Players Interested?

With the help of a few friends, I was able to survey lacrosse players of varying skill levels. The average practice time will play an important role when thinking about generating suggested workout playlists and not making them too long or time-consuming.

With a majority of those surveyed showing interest in using a lacrosse e-stick on their own, I could see that my project was heading in a positive direction.

Designing for the Player

I decided that continuing from the perspective of a Player was best for my app. I focused on Jada who has a common frustration that many of the lacrosse players faced: Drills in practice are repetitive and boring. Her determination to improve her fundamental skills falls into the scope of my app. Jada’s persona not only helped me further empathize with my intended audience, but also pushed me to consider differing skill levels within the app.

Generating Statements + Ideating Solutions

These 8 statements centered around various entry points in the user flow and other aspects that would enhance the user experience. The potential solutions for each statement could be implemented into the app, the e-stick, or both.

Sketching the Product

The power unit would be housed at the base of the stick and the central unit would be located at the throat of the stick. The length of the shaft would comprise a touch sensor to read when the user touches the stick (also allows use without the gloves). The gloves consist of sensors that detect when the fingers are wrapped around the stick and a flex sensor to detect wrist movement.

Branded Mockups

LATRONIC partners with popular lacrosse brands to provide the best equipment.