This is because the top string of your lacrosse head is the foundation of stringing a consistent lacrosse pocket. Also, a high pocket enables a quick release. I may receive a commission if you purchase products through the links on this page at no additional cost to you. Pros:Good strength to weight ratio, asthetic appeal with texture and hard lines, precision ball handling, aggressive face angle for loose balls, Cons: The price is on the higher end of the range, but top tier performance. If youre ready to shop, check out all of our full selection of attack lacrosse heads! I attended Alex Smiths faceoff camps before each season in high school to perfect my craft and get hundreds of live reps just days before the season started. If you ever have any feedback for any of the products listed on this page or have a recommended addition, please contact us and let us know! Best Lacrosse Heads (2021) | Middie & Attack Lacrosse Heads If you like to pinch and pop, then you need to choose a head that has some flexibility. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. $99.99 Overview: The Surgeon 900 is a head built for the prototypical attackman. This is an easy choice if your a mid fielder looking for a head that is specific to your game, it improves the power of your passing and offers some of the best ball control features on the market. While you can put almost any pocket in this head, we would suggest a mid-low or low pocket for the best results. STX SC-TI. This head isnt just for goal scorers, as the slightly pinched scoop helps quick and accurate passers for the play makers. ECDs comes with the Weapon X and is simply a rounded block that slides into your throat. If youre looking for a lightweight head but dont want to sacrifice durability, youll want to look at some of the graphite or composite injected polymers for the best of both worlds. If you have two pieces of the same kind of mesh, use a single spool of sidewall, and are stringing pockets in two of the exact . If you are interested in learning more about faceoff heads and techniques, here are a few of my favorite resources that you may want to check out: If youve found your next faceoff head, you may be interested in some other products that can help take your game to the next level. ECD Lacrosse is an american born company and they focus all their efforts on one thing, making the best possible lacrosse sticks. The ball will sit closer to the lip of the head, just further up from the mid lacrosse pocket. The FlexForm plastic helps the head snap back into shape after every faceoff. Unlike the Tank, Havok has a much tighter pinched face shape as LSMs are more involved in passing as transition players. In other words, any shooting strings that fall outside 4 inches range are deemed illegal. This head delivers smashing pokes and slap checks. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Also, what shaft do you use, Im not sure if this head fits all shafts. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. New for 2021, the Maverik Optik 3.0 Unstrung Lacrosse head is the perfect upgrade to one of the best heads on the market. This head syncs up perfectly with the unpredictable attackman, the kind where their first goal they finish inside and their second goal they rip one from 15 yards out. StringKing Junior Complete: The Best for Attack. If youre looking at buying a new head to improve your ball control and ball handling, this might be the beast youre looking for. Best Defense and LSM Lacrosse Heads Lacrosse Video - Lax.com This head is also great for durability and has flex zones for even better prowess in the face off circle. Many college players and pros, such as Joe Nardella (Whipsnakes faceoff man), have used the head for some time now and seem to like it. I still havent been able to extensively test the Duel 3 yet but I suspect its going to be a fan favorite pretty quickly. Its sharp angle, along with the dramatic forward cant shape of the head, allow you to easily scoop balls even when your butt end is still high in the air. This is our choice for the top overall lacrosse head and its sure to enhance your lacrosse skills! I remember being shocked at how much easier it was to faceoff with and the advantage it gave me. Much like the Weapon X, it snaps back into place very well after every faceoffmaking it another great option for playing offense after facing off. This is a great article. The biggest downside is that there are only 15 sidewall holes on each side. 5. These simple components: pocket location, play style, and something make up three vital parts of the attack position. STX Surgeon 900 Unstrung Lacrosse Head Rating: 3 Reviews Overview: The Surgeon 900 is a head built for the prototypical attackman. Check out the video below to see how quickly and easily you can string your own stick, or even just replace the worn out mesh in your stick with a newer style! We've found that the scoop on the Mark 2D is great for ground balls. If you just face off then get off, then its much less important. The tight face shape creates a super aggressive channel that provides pinpoint accuracy. 5. The tight face design and mid-low bottom rail retains the ball in the stick through contact and checks. 7 Best Lacrosse Heads For Defense To Buy [2022 Update] Assuming the stiffness and durability is equal, most players prefer a lighter head because they can throw faster checks, react faster, and move around the field faster. You dont want a head that is going to warp so much that its difficult to pass, catch, and shoot with. When testing heads, we bring them to a field and test for passing, catching, shooting, scooping ground balls, and checkingall with a standard pocket to reduce the number of variables. After searching eBay daily for one that wasnt over $200 (they were discontinued by Warrior at the time), I finally found one. Pair this with StringKings incredible Type 4X or 4S Performance Mesh and you have a match made in heaven. Lacrosse Goalie Helmets & Throat Protectors, Best for FOSO or FOGO who prefers stiff head, Thin profile helps it get under other heads while facing off. From the wider face shape for easier catching to the easy to string set up. The scoop of this head makes picking up a loose ball much easier that some more aggressive flare heads. This means they flex somewhat sideways when you pinch the ball. Overall, the STX Stallion HPR is a high-performance lacrosse head that is suitable for advanced players looking for a stiff, responsive head that is great for shooting and passing. STX Lacrosse Hammer 500 EnduraForm Unstrung Head The 7 Best Defensive Lacrosse Heads 1. This helps me keep this site free but doesn't affect my opinions in any way. According to the different polls, attack position is considered to be the most difficult lacrosse position. How to String a Lacrosse Head | Shooting String | Step 11 - YouTube Do you think it makes sense for us to buy the ECD Weapon X and give it a try given your review? It features the new Therma-LOC+ Resin, making it very stiff and durable even in high temperatures. If it does, it should also meet current NFHS rules. The way the head flexes and grabs the ball is unmatchedand is the reason why it has become one of the most popular faceoff heads of all time. It is easy to think all lacrosse heads are the same, but the design and construction go a long way in the durability and performance in a game. My preferred way of breaking in faceoff heads is to simply take a bunch of faceoffs with it. As the attackers usually focus on the precision of passing and shooting, a narrower head is ideal for them. 9 Best Lacrosse Heads for Middies (Updated for 2023) | Lax Drip After reading and watching countless reviews and traveling to my local sporting goods store to feel the heads for myself, I was able to narrow my list down to 7. I was very close to choosing this head and am sure I would be happy with it if its the route I decided to go. It also has STX's amazing speed scoop which makes picking up groundballs a breezeespecially on a long pole. If you end up going with the X20, we recommend stringing as tight of a channel as possible to account for the wide face shape. Mainly because your head is attached to a long defense shaft that makes it more difficult to achieve a low angle with the ground when scooping. This is most likely to be a problem with older heads as most new heads developed nowadays do have numerous stringing holes to work with. I think either of those options would work well for your son! Its offset top and bottom rails direct scooped and caught balls into the sweet spot so players can be ready for their next move. This gives players the choice of the type of mesh they want to use (hard vs soft) and lets them fully customize how their pocket is setup right from the beginning. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchase. These features create a head that can hold up to physical groundball play on the offensive side of the field. Overall, if you are just looking for a head to faceoff with, the CEO is undoubtedly one of the best choices. The Surgeon 900 is one the the top STX lacrosse heads available and for good reason. He keeps telling me that his current head (Warrior Burn FO) is making it challenging because it is warping a fair amount (even w/the wedge) and he cant pass/shoot well. The most important part of your lacrosse equipment is the head and it is essential for controlling the ball, scoring, and for defense! With generations of this head on the market, you might as well just stick with the Evolution. 1. It is 3.25 oz lighter than the original. They have heads built for every position and level of play. Maverik Optik 3.0 Unstrung Lacrosse Head Lacrosse shooting string rules. Most new defensive heads on the market today weigh around 5.2 oz to 5.6 oz. Back in the days I fell in love with the scoop of Stringking (Im a 68kg lightweight, but pretty fast, so against heavier opponents i would benefit from a 50/50 gb). Warrior just released the newest heads in its popular Evo QX series, including both an offensive (QX2-O) and defensive head (QX2-D). Even though it's a bit more flexible than the original, it has much better shape retention. Just learning to play lacrosse or not at an elite level yet? This also has advantages for defensive players as picking up ground balls is easier, which is one of the main responsibilities after creating a turnover! Brilliantly written! The flexform material gives you a heightened feel of the ball and one of the quickest releases you can find. What Are The Best Attack Lacrosse Heads? Im a 2way mid (Foso) playing with the weapon X as my backup. This top of the line offering offers great versatility for midfield or attack players, and helps ball control with the shortened throat. Still not sure what you are looking for? Can a lacrosse head affect my game? Learn how to string a lacrosse head shooting cord with uSTRING tutorials.To learn more about how to string the best lacrosse stick check out our other lacros. You can buy the Warrior Wedge separately for just $19.99. Warrior offers the Wedge (see image below) that slides into your throat. This lacrosse pocket is used by midfield players that have a big shot, and arent necessarily as concerned about getting that quick release. Designed with input from Greg Beast Gurenlian, a modern day prodigy in the face off circle this is a elite product meant for serious lacrosse players! The newly released STX Crux Pro Elite women's complete lacrosse stick has a new minimal design for the lightest Crux head in history. This will allow you to get the best possible performance from the lacrosse stick! Im looking for a shaft to go with it, the ECD alloy shaft is out of stock. If you prefer a wide defense head that will hold up for multiple seasons, you won't be disappointed with the Maverik Tank 2.0. StringKing Men's Mark 2D Unstrung Defense Lacrosse Head 4. Gait Torque The only NON-Brine, STX, Warrior head on this list. My favorite part, thoughand probably what I was the best atwas facing off. The high performance plastic provides a stiff feeling head without adding unnecessary bulk or weight. This style of pocket is typically used by defensive or midfield players, as it promotes superior ball control, and enhanced ground ball abilities. The head shape and numerous stringing holes make it easy to string a high pocket with good hold and smooth release. In both the attack and defense models precision passing is emphasized, and designed for ball control specialists. Featuring a shorter throat, the Optik 3.0 reduces the distance between top hand and the ball which results in unmatched control and feel. ECD is proudly Made in the USA. The Weapon X should fit any metal shaft. Even though Warrior recreated the OG Blade a few years ago, there has recently been an influx of faceoff-specific heads to the market that are even better. To help, I've listed out 7 things you should consider when choosing which to go with. To see more options, check out our full selection of lacrosse heads. Check out some of our other gear guides that can help you take your game to the next level: Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Best Women's Lacrosse Heads 2023: Ratings & Reviews Using a dropped top string is a good way to achieve a tight channel in a high pocket with the Tank 2.0. Like the sidewall string, having extra laces on hand is a very smart investment as aside . It improved upon our previously top-ranked defense head in the Hammer 900 with its increased stiffness and shape retention thanks to improved EnduraForm plastic. Best Lacrosse Heads For Attack 2022 Lacrosse Video - Lax.com Designed for the mid-range shooter and the precision feeder. This style is a favorite among offensive players and players that demand superior ball control. The ECD Rebel with Graphene material is an extremely innovative new product designed by their new Project Beta team focusing on pushing the boundaries in the game of lacrosse. These heads typically have a narrower face shapeespecially towards the throat of the headthat allows for better control of the ball. The ball will sit right in the middle of the head, giving you equal advantages in ball control, quick release, and accuracy. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email below to get a 20% off coupon when we launch: As an Amazon Associate, I earn money from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. The scoop at the front makes battling for loose balls a breeze, it acts as a guide for the ball and gives the player exceptional feel. The Mid Scoop Angle always gives the head a 20-40 degree angle of attack. This newest member of the STX Duel family is the best yet in my opinion. The best array of lacrosse heads for sale anywhere. The 2A is simple, versatile, and easy to use which makes it one of the best offensive lacrosse heads. Feb 7, 2022 The best lacrosse heads for attack in 2022 are based on Lax.com's two decades of knowledge and understanding of what the best new technologies can do for a player's age, ability, and position. NFHS (high school) rules for lacrosse head dimensions started to match NCAA (college) rules starting in 2018. How To String A Lacrosse Head - Best Stick Stringing In 2014, NCAA and NFHS updated lacrosse shooting string rules, "The 4-inch shooting string rule". Why? This boosts a tighter throat for precision passing and shooting, while the stiffness provides long lasting durability for all calibers of lacrosse players all for under $50! But they impact your throwing ability heavily and the overall performance of the pocket. You also need to consider your faceoff style when choosing a head. Originally Nike designed it to be used by attackmen who prefer a very tight pinch. Epoch is a newer player in the lacrosse gear world and their Integra Z-One is the flagship head of the company. The stronger plastic Maverik added makes for a tougher head than its predecessor. The way it flexed on the ball was unlike anything I had ever experienced and allowed me to pinch and pop like never before. While they definitely did solve a lot of the durability issues, the CEO 2 doesnt flex quite as well or the same as the original. Compared some other options such as the CEO and Burn FO, this head doesnt warp easily and is much more durable over time. Like the Burn FO, the Recovery has a face flex on top and oblique on the bottom, but it grabs the ball much better. Once you get into heads over 6 oz, your stick may start to feel top heavy. STX X20 lacrosse head was built for toughness and maximum stiffness. STX dialed in the sidewall hole placement and size on all of their 900 heads. In this review we made sure to hit all the best lacrosse heads of 2021 and broke them out by position and skill level so there should be something for everyone! In his 15+ years of playing lacrosse, he always had trouble figuring out which gear to buy without a reliable and trustworthy gear review siteso he created the resource he always wished he had. Top 10 Best Lacrosse Heads 2021 | Detailed Buying Guide - LegionLoc The angle of the face also plays a major roll in picking up loose balls, and depending on your position and game style each player will have a different preference. Lacrosse Heads: Pre Strung & Unstrung Lacrosse Stick Heads In this review we have crowned the Nike CEO 2 lacrosse head as top for 2021 for its pinpoint passing and shooting accuracy! Whereas attackmen and middies can bend down a few inches to achieve a low enough angle to scoop a ball, defensemen often have a higher angle due to their shaft length. This is a top choice for offensive players or midfielders that like a deeper pocket to improve overall ball handling. Overview: The Tactik 3 is perfect for a midfielder that wants to control both ends of the field. ), and read customer reviews/talk to lacrosse players we knew that use the product. If you were a fan of the original Burn FO, you'll love the Burn FO Recovery. The pocket is usually further back, which promotes better ball control and a quicker release. Gait is working with retailers to allow players to trade in illegal heads. My advice is to try out a wide head as well as a more pinched defensive head to see which you are more comfortable with. Having a more angled scoop can help you gobble up ground balls easily without having to bend completely over, which would likely slow you down considerably. You may also want to make a habit of bending your head back towards the center after faceoffs. Our choice for the top lacrosse head is the Nike CEO 2,for its high performance and versatility for every position! The Best Attack Lacrosse Heads for 2023 (with reviews). It features a slightly increased offset, mid-low pocket design construction, and a slightly pinched head towards the bottom for ball control. Best Attack Lacrosse Heads: Top 10 Attack LAX Heads for 2023 The Ion comes in three transparent colorways: clear, frost, and midnight. Best 7 Cheap Lacrosse Heads Reviewed & Rated The tight face design and mid-low bottom rail retains the ball in the stick through contact and checks. Not only is the Diamond Plastic durable, it's transparent too, so youll be clearly telling the defense youre the best attackman on the team with Ion. Pros:Lightweight and durable design, easy pass catching and ground balls, customizable stringing, Cons: Wide face designs gives up a little in ball protection, but still great for beginner lacrosse players. During the 2022 season, the right lacrosse head can be the final piece to elevating your game to the next level. Any head in this range should feel pretty normal on your d-pole. Warrior Evo 5 4. This makes it really easy to flex your head under your opponent's sidewall to grab the ball and drag it out. Read (or watch) customer reviews to get a sense of the longterm stiffness and durability of the head. As far as the offset goes, it is pretty high up on the head, making it great for a mid/high to high pocket, which is typically the preference for defensemen. Interested in seeing our other top picks for lacrosse heads and shafts? The Mark 2D also has a locking bolt mechanism in the throat that helps secure your head more than just a traditional screw helping to eliminate head rattle and movement during checks. It also is very stiff while being right in the normal weight range of most D heads. This is truly designed for play at both ends of the field, the improved strength of material lets you unleash on opponents without having to worry about your head breaking down! >> Read More: Lacrosse Head, Pocket, & Shaft Rules. Maverik Optik 3.0 Unstrung Lacrosse Head: The Optik has been a top selling head for us since its release in spring of 2021. Best Lacrosse Heads. The original Maverik Havok wasone of the most popular LSM heads on the market and the Havok 2.0 is even better. Whereas you had to almost fully clamp to pinch the ball with the Burn FO, the Burn FO Recovery is much better at pinching the ball without having to fully clamp. Its two-sidewall brace design allows the players to enjoy more stability while scooping up groundballs and shooting. X20 Official Video. Attack heads also typically have a small face and narrower throat, which also helps improve accuracy of passing and shooting. The Epoch Integra Z-One lacrosse head is specifically designed for elite lacrosse players, that have a penchant for scoring goals! This creates a lightweight yet stiff design that keeps the heads shape. My 2f stiff died on me (after 2 seasons). Maverik Tactik 2.0 - Best Overall ECD Ion - Best Design Maverik Optik 3 - Best for Ball Control ECD Mirage 2.0 - Best for Shooters STX Surgeon 900 - Lightest Maverik Optik U - Best Value (Budget-Friendly) Warrior Evo QX-O - Used by Grant Ament (Pro Attackman) Our Pick 1. Many defensive players also prefer wider heads that give them more surface area to intercept passes and check opponents' sticks. We believe that quality, consistent performance is the number one priority on the field. East Coast Dyes Rebel Defense Head 5. Since the ball is so much further in the head, it is better for ball protection especially for attack players. . Maverikreleased the newest edition of their popular defensive lacrosse headthe Tank 2.0in late 2020 and it is still one of the top choice of elite college defensemen. Sorry for the late reply. If you can wait until the offseason to do so, you should have a smoother transition. This head is sure to level up your offensive prowess and help you score more goals. The Cons of Stringing Patterns. Weve looked at all these things and are going to review them in detail to make your buying decision as easy as possible! Maverik Tactik 3 Unstrung Lacrosse Head. This is especially true if the site you buy heads from strings them themselves instead of coming with (notoriously bad) factory string jobs. As you can imagine, that can get expensive quickly. If youre looking for a product that can performance in any lacrosse game regardless of weather and temperature, this is the product for you. Watch on. Copyright 1999 - 2023 MonkeySports, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Another big improvement with the Burn FO Recovery is the plastic. This style will have the ball sitting deep in the head, closer to the throat of the shaft as opposed to the front of the stick like in the high pocket. Kinetik 2.0 also features Maveriks Duratough Materials which create a perfect balance of lightness and stiffness. Propriety polymer technology gives this a great strength to weight ratio! Another great budget defense head is the Brine King II STthe stiffer version of the popular King II head. A lightweight and durable design make this a top choice for the money, and the multi-hole stringing system lets you customize your pocket like the pros! Read on for our top recommendations and review of the best lacrosse heads to up your game! This image gives a good visual of the difference between the two: Most heads flex on an oblique angle. Aside from the offensive capabilities, this is an amazing head for faceoffs. To come up with our ratings for each faceoff head on this page, we tested the products ourselves, reviewed product specifications (weight, number of stringing holes, etc. The stiffness of a lacrosse head can impact every aspect of your game, including receiving passes and picking up loose balls. This is our choice for the best lacrosse head for mid fielders and its sure to give you peak performance at both ends of the field! Best Lacrosse Heads by Position Below you will find our top 3 picks for lacrosse heads by position. A lot of players are nervous about buying an unstrung lacrosse head, but the process of stringing in a new mesh is very easily and simple! 4. StringKing Mark 2A Unstrung Lacrosse Head: The 2A does a little bit of everything and it does it all at a high level. The Speed Scoop technology improves your versatility and quickness when going for the loose ball, and demands respect anytime the ball is on the ground. Below you can find those 7 faceoff heads including what type of player each is best for as well as specific information that is important to consider when choosing one such as warp resistance and flexibility. Below you can find some of my top choices for both full string kits as well as just mesh. If this head was just slightly more offset, I probably would have gone with it.