5 Best Defensive Lacrosse Heads in 2023 (Ranked and Reviewed)
If you’re looking for the best defensive lacrosse head on the market, look no further! In this article, we will rank and review the top defensive heads for the upcoming season. We’ll take a look at what makes each one of these heads so great, and help you decide which one is right for you. So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, read on to find out which head is perfect for your game. Oh, and also be sure your to pair your head with one of the best defensive lacrosse shafts!
What is the Best Defensive Lacrosse Head?
🏆 #1 Best-Selling Defensive Head on SportStop.com in 2022
ECD DNA
The ECD DNA is designed to be a defenseman’s all-around swiss army knife. The DNA is built with FlexForm material, making it highly resistant to warping. It is durable, well-rounded, and built for a mid-pocket.
Pros:Price
$90 – $130
Bottom Line
The ECD DNA is the best overall defense lacrosse head on the market. It is an all-around beast that is built to last for multiple years. The DNA is far more durable than other heads. Its unique design nearly eliminates warping altogether. This is a major advantage over other defense heads, which have a tendency of losing stiffness and possibly cracking over time due to wear and tear. If you want to upgrade your game a defenseman, no matter what age group, we highly recommend adding ECD DNA to your lacrosse stick.
🏆 #3 Best-Selling Defensive Head on SportStop.com in 2022
Maverik Tank 2.0
The Tank 2.0 is Maverik’s stiffest head yet. Its wide face shape makes it perfect for slap checks, poke checks, and knocking passes out of the air. Its X-Rail technology combined with upgraded Ground Control makes this head ideal for scooping up ground balls.
Pros:Price
$100-$140
Bottom Line
The Maverik Tank 2.0 is another highly stiff defensive head. It is strong, durable, and includes dozens of stringing holes for custom pocket options. This head is slightly wider than the ECD DNA, making it great for throwing checks and keeping your stick in passing lanes, however, you lose a little bit of that ball control. If you’re a more advanced player (HS or above) that is proficient in catching, throwing, and cradling, then we recommend looking into Tank 2.0 for gaining that advantage on covering attackmen.
StringKing Mark 2D
The Mark 2D head features a stiff construction and wider face shape designed for harder checks and better ground ball control. StringKing identified the high-impact areas of a defensive head, and efficiently distributed material in the right places to make the structure stiff, but not super heavy.
Even though this head has a wide face (which is ideal for defenders), StringKing included a slightly pinched throat to help defenders maintain possession and remain a threat in transition.
Highlights
- Strong & stiff
- Very light: 5.2 oz
- Easy to scoop ground balls
- Plenty of stringing holes for more customizable pockets
Price
$90-$130
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for one of the best overall defensive heads, the Mark 2D can’t be denied. StringKing, a highly reputable company in the lacrosse world, designed this defensive head with every important factor in mind: a strong, stiff head that can easily withstand checks during 50/50 ground balls, while remaining lightweight. My favorite aspect of this head is the wide face in combination with a slightly pinched throat. We are seeing more & more defenders push the ball upfield when clearing the ball. Instead of being a non-factor on the offensive side of the field, the Mark 2D helps you remain a legitimate offensive threat.
STX X20
The STX20 is an update on one of the most popular defensive lacrosse heads of all time: Excalibur. The STX20 has a classic face shape, which simply means there is almost no pinch to the head. This gives defenders the most surface area possible to knock down passes.
The drawback to a classic face shape is it gives defenders less control when carrying the ball. STX leverages its proprietary Speed Scoop design to help defenders scoop up ground balls like a vacuum. The STX20, while not the stiffest head on the market, is still quite stiff, especially for how light it is.
Highlights
- Mid-high stiffness
- Very light: 5.2 oz
- Easy to scoop ground balls
Price
Mid-tier price point.
Bottom Line
If you want a classic defensive head, the STX X20 is ideal. Many defenders prefer a wide, lightweight head to swiftly knock down passes and disrupt offenses. You won’t have to worry about having trouble scooping ground balls either.
Warrior Evo QX-D
This head is designed for a close defender who wants more stiffness, durability, and consistency, but still can throw quick checks at attackmen. It’s a reliable head that performs the same in hot and cold weather.
Because of its enhanced durability, you’ll see Premier League Lacrosse pros like Tucker Durkin on the field with this defensive lacrosse head. It’s also worth noting that this head is optimized for a mid to mid-high pocket, which is great for defenders who want to scoop the ball up quickly and get it upfield.
Highlights
- Very stiff
- Easy to scoop ground balls
- Reliable in all weather conditions
Price
Mid-tier price point.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a pro-level head that is super stiff, doesn’t warp in different weather conditions, and can simply get the job done, the Warrior Evo QX-D is a great option. For a professional-caliber defensive lacrosse head, it comes in at a fairly reasonable price point compared to others on the market.
What to Look For In a Defensive Lacrosse Head
Stiffness & Durability
The first and most important factor to look for in a defensive lacrosse head is stiffness. A stiffer head will withstand harder checks and be less likely to warp over time. If you’re looking for the absolute stiffest head on the market, the STX Hammer 900 is your best bet. However, if you’re looking for a more balanced head that is both stiff and lightweight, the StringKing Mark 2D is a great option.
Lightweight
The second factor to look for in a defensive lacrosse head is weight. A lighter head will allow you to move more quickly and make faster decisions on the field. If you’re looking for the lightest defensive lacrosse head on the market, the Nike Alpha Elite is your best bet. However, if you’re looking for a more balanced head that is both stiff and lightweight, the StringKing Mark 2D is a great option.
Face Shape
The third factor to look for in a defensive lacrosse head is face shape. The two most popular face shapes for defensive lacrosse heads are classic and universal. A classic face shape is wider and has almost no pinch, which gives you more surface area to knock down passes. However, the drawback to a classic face shape is it gives you less control when carrying the ball. A universal face shape is narrower and has more of a pinch, which gives you more control when carrying the ball. However, the drawback to a universal face shape is it gives you less surface area to knock down passes.
Stringing Holes
The fourth factor to look for in a defensive lacrosse head is stringing holes. The more stringing holes, the more customizable your pocket will be. If you’re looking for a head with plenty of stringing holes, the StringKing Mark 2D is a great option.
Price
The fifth and final factor to look for in a defensive lacrosse head is price. Defensive lacrosse heads range in price from $60 to $200. If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, the STX X20 is a great option. However, if you’re looking for the absolute best defensive lacrosse head on the market, the StringKing Mark 2D is your best bet.
Consider your Position
Are you a close defender, long stick middie, or bouncing between both positions? Your play style and position on the field are worth considering when choosing a defensive head. For example, an LSM might want to optimize for speed and control with a lightweight head with a tighter face shape, while a close defender might prefer a wider head that is stiff and durable. To each his own, however many of the top defensive heads nowadays can flex for any position.
Wrap Up
Playing defense in lacrosse can be difficult, which is why equipping yourself with a defensive head can be a major advantage to your game! A defensive lacrosse head that suits you well can significantly improve your takeaways, caused turnovers, ground balls, and ball control when cradling upfield. Remember to balance face shape, weight, stringing holes, and stiffness when looking at your options. The best defensive lacrosse heads have a healthy combination of all four of those considerations.
