7 Best Defensive Lacrosse Heads [Updated for 2024] & FAQ

As a lacrosse player, the equipment that you buy to use in your games is very important. This is especially true if you are playing defense since it’s easier for someone to take possession of the ball through your team if it isn’t being defended properly.

One piece of equipment that needs to play an important role in your defensive game is using the right kind of head for your stick. These heads need to be suited for defending against other players, so they should have various features designed specifically for this purpose.

The following post lists seven best defensive lacrosse heads that will help you be more successful at keeping other players from moving the ball into their offensive end. They are highly rated by customers because they have all been tested and proven to work well in a variety of situations.

Best Defensive Lacrosse Heads

The 7 Best Defensive Lacrosse Heads


1. Maverik Lacrosse Tank Universal Unstrung Head

The Maverik Tank Universal Head is one of the best defensive lacrosse heads you can buy on the market today. This head was built with defense in mind, and it has several excellent features that make it effective for this purpose.

It also comes at a relatively affordable price, which makes this an even better option if you’re looking to save money as well as improve your game.

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Key Features

Made out of solid polyprophite

This makes it great for hitting other players without being hit back herself when she takes possession of the ball.

Inside scoop design

The inside scoop design helps stop the stick from slipping through your fingers, making it much easier to keep possession of the ball for a longer amount of time.

String holes that are recessed

This prevents the lacrosse strings from being exposed and increases the likelihood that you’ll lose control over your head.

Hitting sidewall profile

The hitting sidewall is designed to absorb a tremendous amount of force, so you won’t have to worry about being hit hard.

Dual concave sidewalls

This provides a strong backbone for the head, so it’s less likely to bend or break.

Pros:

  • It works great if you use it for defense
  • Very durable and hard to break
  • Great value for the price
  • Doesn’t slip through your fingers easily
  • Works well for different lacrosse positions

 Cons:

  • It isn’t very well suited for offensive play
  • The inside scoop design doesn’t improve your ability to shoot the ball

2. STX X10 Men’s Lacrosse Head

The STX X10 Men’s Lacrosse Head is one of the most popular best lacrosse defense heads around. That’s because it has several useful features that make it perfect for preventing other players from taking possession of the ball through your team.

This lacrosse head is built with durability in mind, so you won’t need to worry about it breaking easily.

Key Features

Dual wall design

The dual sidewall design absorbs plenty of force, which makes the head itself less likely to break when it comes into contact with an opposing player.

Stinger’ shooting string hole

This is one of the best defensive lacrosse strings you can buy on the market today because they provide a large amount of control over the ball.

Fade-resistant sidewalls that are built for defense

These sidewalls are made out of solid polypropylene. This is highly durable and will help prevent your head from breaking even if it does come into contact with another player.

Solid 3-piece design for better durability

This is a very hard material that will last you through both practice and games for a very long time.

Pros:

  • It lasts a long time without breaking
  • Hard to slip from your hands with the inside Scoop design
  • Fade-resistant sidewalls make it sturdy for defense against opposing players
  • It’s highly durable and should be able to handle any type of impact

Cons:

  • The string holes are a little bit small for some customers

 3. StringKing Men’s Mark 2D Unstrung Defense Lacrosse Head

The StringKing Men’s Mark 2D Lacrosse Head is among the best lacrosse defensive heads available on the market today.

It has been designed specifically for this purpose, which means that it can benefit your game as well as save you some money.

This head is durable and made out of hard materials that will last for a long time with proper care and maintenance.

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Key Features

StringKing’s patented ‘No Wax’ construction

This keeps the head from slipping through your fingers and gives it more control than most other heads on the market today. It also helps improve your accuracy when shooting the ball with this head.

Micro scoop design

The micro scoop design helps keep the head in your hands, which makes it much harder for opposing players to take possession of the ball from you after they hit you or get past you.

Solid sidewalls for durability

These sidewalls are very hard and will last you for a long time.

Pros:

  • It works well for both defense and offense
  • It lasts a long time without breaking down
  • The micro scoop design keeps the head in your hands when you’re playing
  • The ‘No Wax’ construction helps improve your accuracy when shooting
  • It adds a lot of durability to the head over time

Cons:

  • It’s very hard to get past the sidewalls, so they usually hit you instead of the ball

4. East Coast Dyes Rebel Defense Head

The East Coast Lacrosse Head is perfect for gameplay, practice, or even just casual shooting at home if you want something to do with family members.

If you’re tired of constantly having to buy new sticks or heads that end up breaking after only a few weeks, then this could be an excellent option because it’s so durable and one of the best lacrosse heads for defense.

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Key Features

Dual sidewalls, double scoop technology

This is very helpful in keeping the head in your hands when you’re playing or practicing and makes it a lot harder for opposing players to take possession of the ball from you after they hit you or get past you.

This also helps to improve your accuracy when shooting the ball because it’s easier for you to keep track of where it will go.

Durable string holes that are triple-reinforced

These string holes are designed specifically to make sure that they don’t break out easily, which gives them a significantly longer lifespan than other heads on the market today. They can even handle being used by beginners who play frequently without breaking down quickly.

Super lightweight design

This makes the head easier to handle and is a lot better for your body when you’re playing a game or practicing. It also gives you more control over where the ball goes after it’s shot from your stick, which can help improve your accuracy significantly.

Color-reactive band

This color-reactive band makes the head easier to find after you’ve shot it. If you’re playing in a game or practicing because there’s no lighting, then that’s helpful.

Rifling

This head is specifically designed with rifling in the scoop to give it a lot more velocity and accuracy designed with rifling in the scoop to give it a lot more velocity and accuracy when you’re shooting it. It also helps improve overall distance for added convenience.

Pros:

  • It’s very hard to slip from your hands with the inside scoop design
  • The price tag is low enough that you can afford to buy them for your whole team
  • They are extremely durable and will last you a long time before needing to be replaced if they ever need replacing at all.
  • You can use it on both offensive and defensive plays
  • It has an overall great design that gives players plenty of control over their shots or passes.

Cons:

  • Customer reviews say that the string holes break after only a few weeks

5. STX Lacrosse Hammer Omega Unstrung Head

The STX Lacrosse Head is the lightest and most affordable of all the heads from STX. This makes them a lot better for those who are just starting or don’t want to spend a ton on something that may end up breaking after only a few weeks.

It’s designed specifically as a best lacrosse head for defense with an excellent design to give players, even more, control over where their shots go after they’re done shooting.

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Key Features:

Lightweight Design

The lightweight design gives players even more control over the ball when they are playing or practicing for their next big game. It’s also better for your body because you won’t get tired as easily from having to handle a heavy head.

Sleek Scoop Design

It has an overall excellent design that makes it very difficult for opposing players to take possession of the ball from you after they hit you or get past you on the field, which is great for defense and can help improve your accuracy when shooting it because of the inside scoop design.

Rugged Holes

You don’t have to worry about string holes going out of the tack, or falling apart quickly with this head because its triple-reinforced string holes give a longer lifespan than other heads on the market.

Color-Reactive Band

It has an overall great design that makes it easier for you to find in low lighting when you’re playing or practicing because of the color-reactive band.

Pros:

  • The price tag is very affordable.
  • It’s also lighter than other heads.
  • It gives players better control of where they’re shooting the ball because of the scoop design.
  • The string holes are very durable and will last a long time.

Cons:

  • The head isn’t as sturdy as other brands on the market.
  • Reviewers also state that it doesn’t have as precise accuracy as other ones they’ve used.

6. Warrior Regulator Max Lacrosse Head

The Warrior Regulator Max Unstrung Lacrosse Head is the perfect stick for players who seed an offensive head to use when they are in a game or practicing during black light hours.

It has an overall excellent design that gives you more control over your shots, which makes them easier to avoid letting opponents take possession of it when they hit you. It’s also among the best defensive heads.

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Key Features

Rifling 2

This head has rifling at the base of where you would place your hands to give you more accuracy when shooting the ball. It also lets you shoot it faster and further than other heads on the market which is especially great for offensive plays.

Swivel Technology

The swivel technology lets players rotate the head while shooting the ball to give them more accuracy and control over where they’re shooting it.

Mesh Technology

The mesh technology makes it easier for you to maximize your shots, which makes them go from good to great since you have a lot of control over how well they go into the net.

Anodized Aluminum

It has an overall great design that makes it easier for you to handle on the field during those intense matches because of the lightweight aluminum, which is also very durable and isn’t as likely to break compared to other brands.

Pros:

  • Reviews say that this head provides players with improved accuracy when shooting the bell because of rifling technology.
  • The swivel technology provides them with increased control over where they’re shooting the ball while giving players more opportunities to score goals.
  • It’s also very lightweight, which makes it easier for you to handle on the field during those intense matches.

Cons:

  • This head isn’t as sturdy as other brands on the Market
  • Players also say that it can become loose after using it for a while, which is why they recommend taking it to the tightening after using it for a while to ensure that you stay safe on the field.

7. STX Lacrosse Hammer 500 EnduraForm Unstrung Head

This is the best-unstrung head for defenders to use when they are in a game or practice. It has an overall excellent design that makes it easier for you to handle during those intense matches because of its lightweight, which lets you move more quickly on the field without getting tired easily.

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Key Features

Enduraform Construction

This head has an overall great design that makes it more durable than the other beat defensive lacrosse head brands on the market.

UV Stabilization

It has UV stabilization that helps to decrease discoloration, which makes your head look great even after using it for a while.

Polyester Webbing

This head is made with polyester webbing for improved control over where you’re shooting the ball.

Pros:

  • The head is very lightweight, which makes it easier for you to handle while playing
  • Since it has UV stabilization, this product won’t get discolored after being used outside in the sun for a long time.
  • It also provides players with increased control over where they are shooting the ball because of polyester webbing, which makes it easier for them to shoot goals during games or practice sessions.

Cons:

  • Some reviewers say that they received heads that had small dents in them when bought online.
  • Other reviews state that it can become loose after using it for a while because of its design, which is why they recommend tightening it every once in a while when in use.

What are the things to Consider when Buying the Best Defensive Lacrosse Heads?

When buying defensive lacrosse heads, there are a few things that you need to consider:

Material

The material of the head determines how durable it is. You want to purchase a product that has a head that won’t break when in use because it will be unsafe if the netting or mesh gets torn when you’re in the field.

Type of Head

There are three types of heads: Uprights, sidewinders, and goaltenders.

Uprights allow keepers to see more of the field and receive passes from their teammates while staying in one place after catching the ball.

Sidewinders let players move quickly on the field and control where they shoot the ball because of their design with rifling technology at one end and mesh technology at another.

Goaltenders have high scoop angles to protect them from shots coming directly toward them which makes it easier for them to save the ball from going Into the goal.

Construction of Netting or Mesh

There are two types of netting or mesh: single and double-ply. Single-ply have a higher durability factor than doubles, but they can become tangled easily. Doubles aren’t as durable as single-ply but they don’t get tangled up with each other after being used for a short period.

What is Your Budget?

The budget that you have determines how many defensive lacrosse heads you can buy because it doesn’t make sense to purchase an expensive brand when you’re just beginning out playing the sport.

It’s better to purchase multiple cheaper brands until you find one that fits your needs until you feel that you’re ready to purchase a more expensive brand.

Weight of the Head

You want to buy a head that is lightweight so that you don’t get tired easily when playing on the field for extended periods. If it’s too heavy, then your arm will sprain or break which means that you can’t play anymore until your arm heals from whatever injury was caused by the resistance of carrying around a heavy lacrosse head.

Type of Mesh or Netting

There are two types: single and double-ply mesh. Single-ply is sturdier than doubles because they have fewer threading holes in them, but they can become tangled with each other after short periods of use.

Read Our Review about Best Lacrosse Head For Middies


What are the Differences Between Strung VS Unstrung Lacrosse heads?

As you can guess from their names alone, strung lacrosse heads have strings attached to them while you string the head through your stick while unstrung lacrosse heads do not have any strings attached to them yet.

Stringing your defensive lacrosse head means that you get to customize it because it allows you to adjust how tight or loose the mesh is on the ball which will give you more control over where you shoot the ball when playing at practice sessions or games.

It also saves money in the long run because you don’t have to purchase new defensive lacrosse heads immediately when your current one gets destroyed, by the netting or mesh becoming too loose.

However, there is a chance of it getting tangled up if you string it incorrectly which means that you won’t be able to play with them anymore while waiting for it to get fixed.

Unstrung lacrosse heads are ready to use right away without having to worry about damaging them accidentally while trying to string them.

What are High School & College Head Rules for Defensive Lacrosse Heads?

Beginning in 2018, the NFHS (high school) rules for lacrosse head measurements began to mirror NCAA (college) regulations. Higher school heads previously grew thinner towards the throat and wider towards the spade, but they had to get thicker toward the spade and narrower toward the throat, respectively.

After both organizations have an identical set of values, any head that meets NCAA regulations is also legal according to NFHS rules. Here are the requirements for heads:

  • The broadest diameter of this head is 6 inches
  • The maximum diameter of their head is 35 inches in the front and rear with 5 inches above the throat of the head.
  • The maximum diameter of 3″ from the beak’s throat to the top of their head is 3″.
  • The diameter of the longest dimension of the head is 3″ in 1.25″ above the throat, or slightly larger than average.

Frequently Asked Questions about Defensive Lacrosse Heads (FAQS)

Q1: Does head size matter?

Ans: Although some people believe that bigger heads are better for defense since they have more surface area which means you can take down more people with them if you hit them by accident if they’re on the other end of the field.

However, this is not true if you improperly use these kinds of defensive lacrosse heads because it will end up hurting yourself rather than helping your game in the long run.

Q2: What about sidewinders?

Ans: All types of sidewinders are allowed in high school games since they’re not too long or short enough to cause problems for students who are still learning how to play the sport.

It also gives them different options to take down opponents when trying to score or set up their shot that is close to the net. This also includes 3-lens sidewinders which are typically used by goalies.

It’s only allowed for defense since they tend to get in the way of your opponent trying to make their moves towards your position or steal the ball from you after you’ve successfully stolen it from them for a shot.

Q3: Do you need extra pieces for defense?

Ans: Yes, it’s best to have extra pieces for defense since the rules are stricter than what they are during casual matches or tournaments.

You can’t use any of these defensive lacrosse head types if you lose them by accident because you’ll be penalized which means that you won’t be able to play for the rest of the game.

Q4: What does the U mean in lacrosse heads?

Ans: The U stands for universal and it means that you can use both a left-handed and right-handed position when using these kinds of heads during a game.

It’s only used for offense because the sidewinders are easier to control whether you’re using them with your right or left hand.

Q5: How are defensive Lacrosse heads different from midfielder and attacker heads?

Ans: They both differ in countless ways, but the main ones are as follows:

  • You can use two sidewinders for defense and midfielders and attackers only get to use one at a time no matter what kind of lacrosse head they’re using.
  • There’s a bigger variety of defender heads available compared to every other position in the field.
  • Attackers usually have blades with a curve to them so they can shoot better at the net which is why attackers have fewer choices when it comes to purchasing their lacrosse equipment compared to defense and midfielders.
  • Attackers tend to be stronger than defenders since they play more of an offensive position that involves them chasing the ball more often which is why they need to have stronger sticks that can withstand their rambunctious behavior of trying to get the ball at all times.
  • Defenders are usually smaller than attackers since they’re typically on the other end of the field away from the goal where attackers are at most of the time.

Q6: What are the style, weight, and size of defenders’ heads?

Ans: The majority of these kinds of heads tend to be nimble which means that you don’t need big hands to control your stick like an attacker.

They’re also lightweight with a small blade length in general so they won’t weigh you down while you’re running around to recover the ball or defend your goal.

Final Verdict

The most practical defense head is the sidewinder because it’s equally effective in the right or left hand with a small enough length that won’t get in your way while you’re trying to steal away the ball from opponents.

It leaves room for improvement when you have bigger hands so your fingertips can adjust accordingly.

In conclusion, the most effective defensive head is still up for debate, but sidewinders are always a safe bet to use because they allow you to make a quick move towards an opponent whether it’s in your left or right hand.