Contrary to what most people believe god quality defensive lacrosse head can make real difference in the game. So, if you are dead serious about stopping the opponent players from scoring goals, you need to upgrade your lacrosse head. Without having access to a high quality and state-of-the-art lacrosse defensive had, all your efforts to stop the opponent team from scoring goals will be wasted. So, time is now to check out the best 8 defensive lacrosse heads that you can purchase right now. We have listed them here – so, check them out –
As you have already guessed, not all lacrosse heads are the same. Depending on your positions, you will need to have a specific type of lacrosse head otherwise your ability to perform might get dramatically impacted. Defensive lacrosse players need to have defensive lacrosse heads, end of discussion.
Getting hold of the ball from the opponent players, picking up the groundballs, thwarting the shots of the attacking players of the opponent team and keeping possession of the ball as long as possible is some of the main objectives of a good quality lacrosse head.
Best 10 Defensive Lacrosse Heads
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1. Maverik Lacrosse Tank Universal Unstrung Head
Maverik Lacrosse Tank Universal Unstrung Head is easy to string and is the perfect weapon to add to your arsenal. Maverik Lacrosse Tank Universal Unstrung Head is well known among defensive lacrosse players for its agility and performance. Scoping ground ball will never be this easy. Delivering check would feel like a hot knife through butter. Maverik Lacrosse Tank Universal Unstrung Head is harnessing the power of True Form Technology and this is what has transformed it into a perfect defensive machine.
Though Maverik Lacrosse Tank Universal Unstrung Head has still got room for improvements, it is the best option out there for all defensive lacrosse players.
2. STX X10 Men’s Lacrosse Head
STX X10 Men’s Lacrosse Head has got a nice angle that makes it easier for defensive lacrosse players to pick up a ground ball. It has got a rugged look but it is highly flexible at the same time. Designed for elite defensemen, STX X10 Men’s Lacrosse Head can be used in both high school matches and also in NCAA play.
STX X10 Men’s Lacrosse Head draws its strength from the trestle sidewall. It offers superior ball retention capacity and that too without making it hard for the defensive players to pass the ball hard and fast. STX X10 Men’s Lacrosse Head has got multiple stringing options which is great and has got many sidewall holes.
3. String King Mark 2D Unstrung Defense Lacrosse Head
String King Mark 2D Unstrung Defense Lacrosse Head is a robust and strong lacrosse defense head that can also be used as an offensive head if needed. The company has used cutting-edge technology to make this particular defensive lacrosse head stronger and more robust. First, it has identified the high impact areas of the head and then modified the materials to make the String King Mark 2D Unstrung Defense Lacrosse Head impact resistant.
String King Mark 2D Unstrung Defense Lacrosse Head has got pinched throat, higher side profile, and 29 sidewall holes. With this amazing lacrosse defensive head, you will be able to have complete control over your abilities in the game. Scooping ground balls will be as easy as pie with this String King Mark 2D Unstrung Defense Lacrosse Head. Higher stiffness level is definitely one of the landmark features of this defensive lacrosse head.
Be it consistency or power, String King Mark 2D Unstrung Defense Lacrosse Head has got it all. Even in case of hard throws, this defensive lacrosse head is engineered specifically to limit the flex as far as possible.
4. East Coast Dyes – Rebel Defense Strung Lacrosse Head
East Coast Dyes – Rebel Defense Strung Lacrosse Head is not for the faint-hearted. Just kidding! East Coast Dyes – Rebel Defense Strung Lacrosse Head is designed for defensive lacrosse players of all age groups. East Coast Dyes – Rebel Defense Strung Lacrosse Head will allow you to dominate the ground and throw checks with meticulously ease and efficiency.
Aggressively designed, East Coast Dyes – Rebel Defense Strung Lacrosse Head is meant for those defenders who dare to throw lightning-fast shots. When equipped with this lethal defensive lacrosse head, attackers of the opponent team will start giving you the respect that you have always deserved.
Made in the USA, East Coast Dyes – Rebel Defense Strung Lacrosse Head is extremely well built and it does not have a single weak point in the design or in the structure. It has got mid pocket and an adjustable bottom string to control the depth of the head.
5. Warrior Regulator Max Unstrung Lacrosse head
Warrior Regulator Max Unstrung Lacrosse head is one of those few lacrosse heads that offer superior performance without making you pay a premium price for it. Warrior Regulator Max has identified the key areas that get the maximum number of hits and then it has reinforced those areas with extra materials so that it can withstand vicious hits from the opponent teams. Pocket tension has seen a dramatic improvement thanks to the inclusion of tilt-tech String and this will definitely have some positive impacts on the ball release.
Warrior Regulator Max Unstrung Lacrosse head makes poke checks effortless. Throwing faster checks and making powerful shots will no longer be an issue with Warrior Regulator Max Unstrung Lacrosse head. It has got all the firepower and the features that you will ever need to improve your defensive skills.
6. STX Lacrosse Stallion U 550 Unstrung Lacrosse Head
STX Lacrosse Stallion U 550 Unstrung Lacrosse Head makes groundball pickup as easy as pie. The rear sidewall flexes perfectly on a check and thus allowing you to improve your performance on the ground. STX Lacrosse Stallion U 550 Unstrung Lacrosse Head draws its strength from the C-Channel technology. To keep the head remains stable while shooting the ball, Dual sidewall braces are included in the design. You will also need extra power while shooting the lacrosse ball and which is why the design of the bottom rail is tweaked a little to make room for high pocket placement.
The best thing about STX Lacrosse Stallion U 550 Unstrung Lacrosse Head is that this defensive lacrosse head meets both NFHS and NCAA rules. STX has added more firepower in this lacrosse defensive head without increasing its weight. To improve ball retention, STX Forward Cant design is included in the design.
7. STX Lacrosse Hammer 500 EnduraForm Unstrung Head
STX Lacrosse Hammer 500 EnduraForm Unstrung Head is another popular lacrosse head for defensive players. STX Lacrosse Hammer 500 EnduraForm Unstrung Head allows quick groundball pickup and this is done by removing drag. Strong and durable, this defensive lacrosse head is going to last really long. Stress and impacts get distributed evenly on the sidewalls and thereby protecting the head. EnduraForm technology has also been used in the making of this defensive lacrosse head and this is what helps the head retain its toughness in warmer conditions.
A lot of engineering works have gone into the making of STX Lacrosse Hammer 500 EnduraForm Unstrung Head and the result is impressive, to say the least. The sidewalls have got strike plate included and this will definitely help you a lot while throwing checks. With this legendary lacrosse head, you can always expect smoother ball control and amazing catching ability.
8. STX Fortress 300 Women’s Lacrosse Head
STX Fortress 300 Women’s Lacrosse Head comes equipped with an STX 7075 alloy handle. Okay, I accept that this is not a lacrosse head but come on how can you ignore this amazing defense head just because someone decided to put a stick into it. STX Fortress 300 Women’s Lacrosse Head is designed for the defensive players so sorry attackers, you can’t have it. To make it easier for the defensive players to hug the ball, the center runners can be flexed out. It has got a runaway pocket which is hard to come by these days. The frame is incredibly strong and that means, it might handle a lot of abuse quite safely.
To eliminate the possibility of bagging, STX Fortress 300 Women’s Lacrosse Head has inducted a new revolutionary new string lock technology. To help you retain the ball for a longer period of time, STX has made the face wider and this will definitely help to catch the ball midair. And the best part, STX Fortress 300 Women’s Lacrosse Head is USL approved and that means, you don’t have to worry about the legality of the stick/head anyway. Available in a wide range of colors, STX Fortress 300 Women’s Lacrosse Head is designed for helping players improve their defensive skills.
9. Maverick Lacrosse Tank Universal Unstrung Head
If you are planning to purchase Maverick Lacrosse Tank Universal Unstrung Head, be prepared to be asked by your teammates about its price and other specifications. Yes, it is that stunning and it will definitely get the players talking about it. It will not warp in years unless you are doing something wrong. To make it easy to pick up groundballs, Maverick Lacrosse Tank Universal Unstrung Head has got a wide scoop which is a big advantage. However, there are definitely still some rooms for development but at this price range, Maverick Lacrosse Tank Universal Unstrung Head is definitely a steal.
To increase its stiffness level, Maverick Lacrosse Tank Universal Unstrung Head has got a four-strut design and it is supported by a level five bottom rail. At the neck of this defensive lacrosse head are two screw holes that will stop the head from wobbling much during the game. Maverick Lacrosse Tank Universal Unstrung Head will help you improve your passing accuracy. However, Maverick Lacrosse Tank Universal Unstrung Head is a bit on the heavier side, you can still count on it.
10. String King Men’s Mark 2D Defense Head
String King Men’s Mark 2D Defense Head is designed for those elite lacrosse players who want to improve their defensive skills one step further without burning a hole in their pockets. Known for offering superior control, String King Men’s Mark 2D Defense Head is trusted by professional defensive lacrosse players. Strong yet lightweight, String King Men’s Mark 2D Defense Head will help you pick up the ground balls fast. It has got 29 sidewall holes and that means, you will get plenty of stringing options. Slightly pinched throat offers better control on the ball while on the move and it has done an incredible job as far as the pocket setup of this defensive lacrosse head is concerned.
Just because it is marketed as a defensive lacrosse head, it does not mean you can’t use this head to attack. Nope, it can easily be used as an attacking head. String King Men’s Mark 2D Defense Head is best suited for harder checks and faster hands. StringKing has first identified the high impact areas of the head and then it has used more materials in those areas to make them withstand the most brutal checks but at the same time, StringKing has removed excess materials from low impacts areas and thus making this defensive lacrosse head ultralight.
A wide face and strong frame are two main features of this String King Men’s Mark 2D Defense Head.
Defensive Lacrosse Heads Buying Guide
A professional defensive lacrosse head needs to be durable and should be made from premium quality materials otherwise, it will not last long. Here are some of the main characteristics of a defensive lacrosse head –
Strength
The strength of a defensive lacrosse head gets tested every single minute on the field and that means if these defensive lacrosse heads are not made from high quality materials, they are going to develop cracks sooner or later. In some worse case scenarios, you might end up having a broken head in the middle of the mayhem. A good quality defensive lacrosse head will help you keep the opponent players in check so, you need to make sure that it is not made from cheap plastic or similar low-quality materials.
Resistance to Vibration
The shaft and the head of lacrosse are connected by screws. So, you need to double-check that these screws are made from stainless steel otherwise they will develop rust. Stainless steel is corrosion resistant by default. Company-fitted heads usually use the right kind of screws and they also employ the right number of turnings on the screws and which is why it always makes sense to put your trust on Pre-drilled heads.
To reduce vibration and to better absorb shocks, enough boding should be provided between the shaft and the head.
Strut Design
Ideally, a narrow-down strut is best for defensive heads as it allows better ball control and easier scooping. Be it deflecting balls or taking possession of balls from the opponent team, the strut will help you a lot in this regard.
Customizability
As a defensive player, you might always want the placement of the pocket to be high or mid as this would allow you to have better control over the ball while on the move. You will be able to make fierce shots and will be able to hold on to the ball for a longer period of time. This is the reason why you need to make sure that the defensive lacrosse head that you are planning to purchase allow you to customize the way you want it to be. Multiple stringing options is definitely a good starting point. Also check, whether you can dye the head.
Head Stiffness
Collision is quite common in this physically intensive game and that means, the defensive head needs to be made from strong materials otherwise it will get smashed easily. Durability and stiffness are quintessential to a good defensive lacrosse head.
High Pockets
To pick up ground balls, you need to have a lacrosse head that has a strong and high pocket. High pocket allows defensive players to keep control of the ball as long as possible. High pocket makes it easier for defensive players to keep possession of the ball and to have some level of control over it.
Resistant to Stress
Collision with the lacrosse heads of other players is a part of the game. As obvious, the head has to be made from premium quality materials to cushion such impacts. The lacrosse head also needs to absorb the stress resulting from the impact of the ball. The tensile strength of the metal also needs to be double-checked.
Ideally, you should settle for a medium-size and medium-weight head for all your defensive needs. Medium weight heads tend to have anti-warping properties and are stress-resistant to a great extent. However, these Medium weight defensive heads are a little hard to control in the game whereas lightweight weight defensive heads are easy to control but they tend to get warped badly.
Tightness
Do you really want to deal with a lacrosse head that wobble all the time? Believe me, it can make you look stupid and all your efforts to check the opponent team’s attacking players at bay will go wasted because of this stupid head. To fix this issue, some manufacturers have used Loc-Throat technology.
Head Model
Defensive lacrosse players usually opt for unstrung lacrosse heads as they are easier to control and also, they help to pass and deflect the ball. In short, unstrung lacrosse heads help to enhance your defensive ability in the game.
Strung lacrosse heads on the other hand stop rebound to a great extent. Made either from leather or nylon, Strung lacrosse heads have traditionally been used by defensive players but things have started tilting in the favor of the unstrung lacrosse head.