The Surgeon 900 is a head built for the prototypical attackman. The tight face design and mid-low bottom rail retains the ball in the stick through contact and checks.  Weighing in around 125 grams, it’s an incredibly light head which makes it easier to pass and shoot. The STX Speed Scoop™️ provides one of the easiest ground ball pickups on the market. It’s an absolute dream to string up with grooves on the inside of the head that allow for inside stringing to make a tiger face shape feel even more pinched. STX dialed in the sidewall hole placement and size on all of their 900 heads.

• Tight face shape to retain ball possession
• Channel Lock top string to give you a smooth release off the top
• Durable plastic made to hold up against hard checks

One of the most popular lacrosse heads during the 2021 PLL season, the Optik 3.0 is the perfect addition to the Optik trilogy (the first edition also makes an appearance later on this list). At first glance this looks pretty similar to the Optik 2.0, but on further inspection you can really see the improvements made by Maverik. They’ve added sidewall holes to bring the total up to 20 creating even more options for tying up the perfect pocket for your playstyle. The offset (how low the ball sits past the center point of the shaft) was increased which allows for even more feel when the ball is in the pocket. The super short throat (think like faceoff head short) pushes your hand even closer to the ball which is a huge advantage when carrying the ball with pressure. And of course, the Optik 3.0 is available in 4  colors to let you stand out on the field: White, Gray, Black, or Hyperlite Blue.

• Short throat to get your hand as close as possible to the ball
• Increased offset for easier ball handling
• Strings up an incredible low to mid-low pocket for quick passing

Epoch is a newer player in the lacrosse gear world and their Integra Z-One is the flagship head of the company. Another perfectly crafted low pocket bottom rail set up (noticing a theme here?) the ball just doesn’t seem to get knocked out of the head. The angular flare towards the top of the head creates an incredible channel for the ball to travel along for ripping shots from the outside or making feeds into tight windows. The Z-One features a bevy of stringing holes that utilize a unique groove to keep those knots nice and tight.  Matt Rambo, #1 player in the PLL,  has been using the Z-One to dominate the highest level of field lacrosse the last three seasons. While you can put almost any pocket in this head, we would suggest a mid-low or low pocket for the best results.

• Tight and pinched face shape
• Easy to use sidewall holes
• Low pocket design

In lacrosse, when you hear the name “Evo'' you conjure up images of one of the longest running lines in the sport. Dating back to 1999, Evo can be identified by its unique and almost unchanged sideall strut design which creates a super durable and reliable head. Both versions use Warrior’s new Therma-Loc Resin in the plastic which holds up well in high heat and maintains the head’s shape and stiffness. They cleaned up the scoop from the Evo 5 and gave you the option to add or remove a Loc-Throat device which can keep your head tight to the shaft. The QX Offense has an incredibly smooth release from it’s mid-low pocket location. The QX is one of the best middie lacrosse heads you can find on the market.

• Therma-Loc Resin holds up against extreme weather
• Iconic evo sidewall design that maintains the head’s shape
• Removable Loc-Throat to reduce rattle

Putting the Lakota 3 (or L3 as Nike is calling it now) as a “midfield” head is really a disservice to its versatility. Lakota 3 could easily be used by a number one attackman drawing doubles and hitting cutters for assists, alley dodging midfielders who snipe corners on the run, or even long poles who can handle the ball and aren’t afraid to carry up the field. It’s such a well crafted head that almost every position (except maybe faceoff but I wouldn’t doubt the Lakota) can dominate with it. The sidewall holes are easy to use and guide you into that perfect mid-high pocket location. The offset was slightly increased and the scoop angle adjusted to really dial in ground balls and ball control. PowerForm™️ plastic makes for a super durable head as well. The Lakota 3 continues the legacy of its predecessors and is one of the best lax heads of 2020.

• A versatile construction and face shape makes this a viable option at any position
• Increased offset and scoop angle
• Mid-high pocket location allows for easier shooting from the outside

Gait left the men’s lacrosse scene for a few years and has stepped into the women’s game as one of the top manufacturers. However, back in 2019 they made their return to the men’s game with the triumphant return of the Gait Torq (a revamp of the old Torque line). The Torq is a wider head with a unique V-Scoop design which feels like it’s folded in on itself. This creates a tight channel for the ball to roll into the head with. Another standout feature is the sidewall fin that actually sticks out into the center of the head. This gives you some neat options to string a really tight channel and make this wider head feel tighter than it is. The Torq is a strong, wide, and stiff head that (similar to the Lakota 3) is viable all over the field. Be aware, it’s a little heavier than some heads on this list.

• Wide face shape allows for easy catching and finishing
• V-scoop vacuums up ground balls and retains its shape
• Sidewall fin for tight channels when stringing

Welcome to the wonderful world of Defensive heads where the heads are super wide and the sidewall struts zig zag back and forth like a demon zipper. The Tank 2.0 takes this to the next level and then some. In all seriousness, the wider design of the Tank 2.0 gives you a little more room for error when catching and trying to knock down passes. The scoop is built specifically for d poles with its angle and design. The zig zag struts keep the head durable and stiff no matter how much force you put the head through. If you’re looking for big and beefy, the Tank 2.0 is going to rock your world. Another perk of using a Maverik head is those 4 signature factory head colors. The black head with black mesh and black strings is absolutely *chef’s kiss* on a d-pole.

• Multiple sidewall struts keep the Tank stiff
• Aggressive  scoop angle specifically made for D-poles
• Signature 4 factory colors available

Was the Tank not tough and scary enough for your d-pole needs? Look no further than the STX X20 which has literal jagged edges like a saw blade. You’re right, that’s pretty metal. The X20 follows up on the success of the X10 (which is still available and a great budget d head) and is the great-great grandchild of the original STX Excalibur. That signature face shape and criss cross sidewall strut make for a dynamic duo in a defensive head. X20 gives you that awesome wide face shape, SpeedScoop™️ design, and the strong EnduraForm™️ plastic that STX has become so well known for. The “saw blades” use what’s called Strike Plate™️ technology to amplify the effectiveness on checks and can almost grip onto the opposing player for increased control. Yes they are legal and are super hardcore at the same time.

• Enduraform™️ plastic holds up against aggressive play
• Wide face shape built for knocking down passes
• STX’s SpeedScoop™️ makes ground balls a breeze

The face off athlete has become one of the most valuable positions in lacrosse. Possession means everything (especially in non-shot clock leagues) and the Weapon X is one of the best at controlling the dot. Not only does the Weapon X crush the faceoff with its optimized flex points and perfect scoop, but it can stay on the field and play offense or defense due to its tougher plastic. This maintains the faceshpe even after a long battle to keep you on the field. If you’re a player who likes to take the faceoff, snag the ground ball, and run down to play some offense the Weapon X is the head for you. On top of this, ECD historically has a great returns/customer service reputation so if it ever breaks (which faceoff heads are susceptible to) they can get you a new one if it’s under warranty.

• Viable to face off and still play offense or defense
• Stiff plastic that can take a beating
• Additional screw holes to on the side to keep the head secure

Budget does not necessarily mean bad or lower level. The Optik U, which came out in 2016, was a top tier head offensive head at its release. Similar to the Optik 3.0 earlier in this list, the Optik U does best with that mid to low pocket location. At just $49.98 it’s a complete steal and we are a little crazy for offering that. You can even catch it on clearance weekends for less. An absolute gem to add to your collection and a great head for an intermediate player looking to upgrade from their old beginner heads. It’s light, easy to use, and a beast on the field no matter your skill level.

• Mid-low pocket construction
• Lightweight and built for speed
• Available in multiple factor colors