Best Heads for Defenders

3) ECD Delta               Buy Now

Durability- The ECD Delta is one of the most durable heads on the market. The head holds up well to the rigorous day-to-day use of throwing checks and playing aggressive defense. The head does not have any durability issues and generally holds up well. 

Mouth Width/ Ground Ball Capability- Since the ECD Delta is made with defenders in mind, the head is generally more broad than a regular stick, but is less broad than the other heads on the list. The wide mouth that tapers into a narrower neck allows for picking up ground balls fairly easily and allows for fairly good control while handling the ball. The wider head allows for a larger area for checks and allows for the player to pick off passes better because of the increased area.

Rigidness- The Delta is a very rigid head with almost no bend. This is ideal for defenders since the head does not deform while checking or poking. The X shaped extra side strut act as increased support which makes the head so stiff and also helps with durability. The head does not bend very much while making contact with another player or picking up a ground ball, which is helpful to defenders.

Stringing Versatility- The ECD Delta is pretty limited when it comes to stringing versatility. The Delta only has 18 holes on each side, which is considerably less than other heads, like the StringKing ones. The placement of the holes on this head is ideal for a mid-high to high pocket, which is generally preferred for defenders. This configuration is preferred because the ball does not have to settle into the head as much when picking up ground balls, which makes fielding ground balls easier and makes it possible for the player to pass the ball off quicker. Although the stringing versatility is limited, other configurations are still possible with this head, they are just a bit harder to string and will not turn out as well.

Weight- The ECD Delta weighs in at around 5.6 oz making it one of the heavier heads on the market, but the second heaviest on this list. This is consistent with the head's profile of being ideal for making hard checks and picking up tough ground balls as defenders. The heavy head allows for more force to be put behind checks and shots, but takes away considerably from the head speed and maneuverability. The heavier, thicker head allows for increased durability as well.

Cost- The ECD Delta is a very affordable head for defenders coming in at $99.99 retail unstrung. This is the industry standard for less expensive, but still elite quality lacrosse heads.

2) StringKing Mark 2D               Buy Now

Durability- The StringKing Mark 2D is the most durable of all of the StringKing heads. The thick frame is a large reason why this head is so durable. The Mk 2D has no issues with breaking or cracking and stands up to contact very well.

Mouth Width/Ground Ball Capability- Even though the StringKing Mk 2D is not the stiffest, widest, or heaviest head on the list, it is the best at picking up ground balls. The scoop on the Mark 2D is the best of any stick on the market, allowing for seamless groundballs, even in tough situations. The fairly broad mouth tapers down into a more narrow neck, which is ideal for handling the ball and passing. The passing and shooting of the Mark 2D is fairly consistent for a defense head, but is not as consistent as the attackmen heads because of the more narrow face.

Rigidness- The Mark 2D is the least rigid head on the list for defenders. To some this may seem like a flaw to this defense head, but it works in the head's favor. The Mark 2D flexes enough to make picking up difficult ground balls possible, while not flexing too much to make playing defense more difficult. It flexes some while making checks and pokes, but not enough to decrease their effectiveness. The only downside to this is that there isn't as much support while taking hard shots as the other defensive heads.

Stringing Versatility- Because the Mark 2D is a part of the StringKind line and brand, it has 27 stringing holes on each side, making it the most versatile defensive head for stringers. Any configuration that a stringer could come up with is possible because of this ample amount of holes. Because of this, any pocket height is possible from the standard mid-high to high that defenders prefer to an unconventional low or mid-low pocket for defenders who like to push the ball on offense. The mid-high to high pocket allows for quick release while passing and the ball to settle quickly in the head while picking up ground balls.

Weight- The Mark 2D is the lightest head on this list weighing in at 5.2 oz. This is perfect for this head's profile of being an elite head for defenders who push the ball on offense, handle the ball well, and take plenty of shots. Although this head doesn't put the most force behind checks, it can be moved very quickly by the player and can still make big plays. This head is the best for stick speed and maneuverability, its light weight and slim profile for a defensive head allows for the player to slip through tight spaced and take hard and fast shots.

Cost- The Mark 2D is a very good deal for someone who is looking for a verisitle head for a defender who pushes pace and makes plays with the ball in his stick. It retails at the standard $99.99, which is a very good price for a head of this quality.

1) Maverik Tank 2.0               Buy Now

Durability- The Maverik Tank 2.0 is widely thought to be the most durable head on the market for any position. The combination of 6 side struts and its thick and wide frame, makes the head almost unbreakable. It is also the most rigid head on the list, as well as the heaviest, so the bulkiness of the Tank 2.0 bodes well to its durability. 

Mouth Width/ Ground Ball Capability- The overall construction of the Maverik Tank 2.0 is very fitting to its name, it is by all definitions, a tank. It has the widest mouth and the widest neck of any head on the market. This wide frame allows for the maximum surface area for checks, picking off passes, and fielding ground balls. The only downside to this large frame is that the Tank 2.0 is not the most maneuverable or consistent throwing head. It can be hard to squeeze through tight spaces with the Tank 2.0 and the throwing can vary slightly because of how broad the head and neck are. Because of the wide neck, ball security while ball handling is a little less than other heads, but many defenders are willing to make this trade off because of how advanced this head is defensively.

Rigidness- The Tank 2.0 is the most rigid head for defense. This fits very well with the profile of the Tank 2.0 being the ideal head for hard hitting defenders. The Tank 2.0 doesn't flex or bend while making hard checks and poking at attackers. The rigidness really helps with picking up ground balls because the head doesn't bend when making contact with the ground. 

Stringing Versatility- The Tank 2.0 is not the most versatile when stringing. Like many defensive heads, the placement of the stringing holes is designed for a mid-high to a high pocket, but it has enough holes to make any other pocket possible. The stringing holes are no where near as versatile as the StringKing line, but pretty much any configuration is possible if the person stringing it is capable and experienced. 

Weight- The Maverik Tank 2.0 is the heaviest head on the market at 5.8 oz. This is perfect for the head's intended use as a primary defensive head. The heavy weight coupled with the wide and thick frame makes it very effective at knocking the ball loose while checking. Although some head speed and maneuverability are sacrificed, this head is ideal for putting the maximum force behind checks and shots. 

Cost- In our opinion, the Tank 2.0 is the best head for the lowest price on the market. There are no other head that are as good for a specialized position at the price that the Tank 2.0 is at. It retails at $99.99, which is around the industry standard for an elite lacrosse head. The deal looks even better when comparing it to other heads that do not have the same performance that the Tank 2.0 has despite them being around $30 more expensive.

Our ratings are based on our experience and perception of how each head performs based on each of the characteristics. Each category is rated out of 10 with the max total score being 60 for the total head.

(Raw number ratings may not align directly to the list)