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Having a good head and string job is probably more important for attackmen than any other position in lacrosse.
Attackmen often carry the ball, initiate the offense, dodge one on one with defensemen, and shoot regularly throughout the game.
Attack heads have to have the right balance of being durable and lightweight, while having a face shape that helps with control and accuracy.
To help players find the best attack heads for lacrosse, I've researched the top options on the market to put together this guide.
8 Best Attack Lacrosse Heads
To find the best attack heads, I started off by considering 25 different options either designed specifically for attack or for offense, in general.
I then looked into what heads college players use and which sell the best, read customer reviews, and drove around to my local sporting goods stores to feel them in my own hands.
The result was a list of the best 8 lacrosse heads for attackmen. You can read about these heads below including where each excels and falls short.
Best Attack Lacrosse Heads:
Details
- Weight: 4.87 oz
- Ideal Pocket: Low to mid/low
- Stiffness: Above-average
- # String Holes: Above-average
- Year Released: 2021
Just recently released in June 2021, the Optik 3.0 is the newest elite attack head in Maverik's popular Optik line.
Compared to the Optik 2.0—which was previously our highest-rated attack head—the 3.0 has a shorter throat that gives you more control when one-handed cradling, more sidewall holes (20 on each side), and is a bit stiffer.
The Optik 3.0 has a tight pinch throughout most of the head, giving you more control when dodging and accuracy when shooting and passing.
The increased number of stringing holes, along with Maverik's Tension Lock system, make this head super easy to string.
With a low offset, the Maverik Optik 3.0 is great for low or mid-to-low pockets. If you prefer a mid-to-high pocket, however, you may be better off going with an alternative.
Overall, this is an amazing head for attackmen. It has a great face shape, is stiff, holds its shape well, and the shortened throat gives an advantage for one-handed cradling.
If you are looking to save some money, the Maverik Optik 2.0 is still one of the best attack heads currently available.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Stiff & durable
- Tight face shape
- Shortened throat gives more control when one-handed cradling
Cons
- Not great for mid-to-high pockets
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2) STX Surgeon 900
Details
- Weight: 4.4 oz
- Ideal Pocket: Low to Mid
- Stiffness: Average
- # String Holes: Average
- Year Released: 2020
The STX Surgeon 900 checks in next on our list of the best attack heads thanks to its light weight, narrow face shape, and stiff plastic.
It is one of the lightest lacrosse heads ever created, weighing in at only 4.4 oz. It is, however, surprisingly stiff for how light it is—mostly due to STX's EnduraForm plastic which is one of the best on the market.
With that being said, it's not quite as stiff as some of the bulkier (and heavier) attack heads such as the ECD Rebel Offense.
Another great thing about the Surgeon 900 is that it has a narrow face shape throughout the head. It has a narrow pinch until about halfway up the head then starts flaring out towards the scoop which is still pretty narrow compared to other heads.
This makes it great for carrying the ball like so many attackmen do—whether that be dodging from X, coming in from the wing, or going down the alley from up top.
The last feature I'd like to touch on is the Speed Scoop that STX used on this head. It is great for picking up ground balls at all angles and slightly hangs over the top string holes, making sure that your strings don't interfere with scooping.
Pros
- Extremely light
- Narrow face shape
- Great scoop
Cons
- Not as stiff as some alternatives
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3) StringKing Mark 2A
Details
- Weight: 4.56 oz
- Ideal Pocket: Low to mid/low
- Stiffness: Average
- # String Holes: Many
- Year Released: 2017
If you prefer an attack head with a slightly wider face shape, the StringKing Mark 2A is a superb option.
It is pinched towards the throat but starts flaring out lower on the head than many other options. This gives it a leg up on catching while sacrifycing some hold depending on your string job.
It has a traditional offset towards the throat making it easy to string those low pockets that are great for one-handed cradling.
Another thing I love about the Mark 2A (like most StringKing heads) is that it has a TON of sidewall holes, letting you customize your pocket to your play style.
It is pretty stiff for being the second-lightest head on this list and should hold up well over the course of a season.
Finally, it has a flat scoop that is good for ground balls and contributes towards a quicker and more accurate release.
Overall, if you are looking for an attack head with great stringing versatility and a great strength-to-weight ratio, the Mark 2A is a solid choice.
Pros
- Many sidewall holes
- Great scoop
- Very light
- Low offset helps w/ one-handed cradling
Cons
- Wider face than alternatives
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4) Epoch Integra Z-One
Details
- Weight: 4.85 oz
- Ideal Pocket: Low
- Stiffness: Below-average
- # String Holes: Above-average
- Year Released: 2018
The Epoch Integra Z-One is another great head for attackmen due to its light weight and tight face shape.
Of all the attack heads on this list, it has one of my favorite face shapes.
It has a pretty narrow pinch throughout most of the head, then flares out towards the scoop, helping with ball control and accuracy.
Epoch did a great job with the sidewall holes on the Z-One. It has larger holes towards the top of the head for your top string, then many smaller holes throughout the rest of the head until you get towards the throat where they open back up.
The max offset is pretty low on the head, making this a good head for those that prefer low pockets—like many attackmen do.
On the downside, it seems that in making the Z-One lighter, Epoch compromised some on stiffness.
It's not flimsy by any means, but if you prefer a very stiff head, this may not be the best option for you.
Pros
- Tight face shape
- Smart sidewall hole design
- Pretty light
Cons
- Not as stiff as alternatives
- Not great for mid-to-high pockets
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5) Warrior Burn XP-O
Details
- Weight: 4.75 oz
- Ideal Pocket: Low to Mid
- Stiffness: Below-average
- # String Holes: Above-average
- Year Released: 2021
The newest head to Warrior's popular Burn line is the Burn XP Offense. It has a tight face shape that is great for any offensive player.
The Burn XP-O is designed specifically for the outside shooter—but it performs well all over the field. It strategically flexes in specific spots to generate more power on big shots.
On the downside, this flexibility may take some getting used to and could cause some trouble on ground balls. The Therma Loc plastic should, however, help stop the plastic from getting too flimsy in hot weather.
The Warrior Burn XP-O has a pretty dramatic offset towards the throat that it maintains until about 2/3 up the head. This makes it great for stringing almost any pocket. If you're an attackman that prefers anywhere from a low to a mid pocket, the Burn XP-O is a solid choice.
You can also opt for the built-in Warp pocket that has become more popular over recent years. While I prefer to string my own pockets, the Warp pocket in the Burn XP-O definitely seems improved compared to previous versions.
Finally, the Burn XP Offense has a removable Loc-Throat that you can use to reduce head rattle. If you don't want the extra weight or find that your head is pretty stable without it, you can simply remove it.
Pros
- Tight face shape
- Great for outside shooting
- Can string any pocket in it
- Loc-Throat reduces head rattle
Cons
- More flexible than other heads (supposed to help with outside shooting)
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- Unstrung
- Strung (Warp pocket)
6) ECD Rebel Offense
Details
- Weight: 4.75 oz
- Ideal Pocket: Mid/low to mid/high
- Stiffness: Above-average
- # String Holes: Above-average
- Year Released: 2018
The ECD Rebel Offense is a great choice for both attackmen and middies. It is stiff, yet decently light, and has a great face shape.
It has a pretty narrow pinch towards the throat and gradually starts flaring out a little lower than many other offensive heads. The scoop is slightly narrower than a lot of other heads as well.
One of my favorite parts about the Rebel Offense is the versatility in stringing options. The max offset is towards the middle of the head, allowing for anywhere from a mid/low to mid/high pocket.
Like many other heads from ECD, there are numerous stringing holes so you can customize your pocket how you like it.
I've also found them to be placed on the sidewall really well. It was easy to find a sidewall pattern that worked for me in the one I tested.
Finally, the Rebel Offense has a great scoop that makes it easy to pick up ground balls from a variety of angles. It also has a slight lip to it that ensures your top string doesn't interfere with scooping the ball.
Overall, the ECD Rebel Offense is a versatile head that should work well for most attackmen.
Pros
- Allows for a variety of pocket placements
- Stiff for offensive head
- Many stringing holes
- Great face shape
Cons
- Slightly heavier than some alternatives
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7) STX Hyper Power
Details
- Weight: 4.9 oz
- Ideal Pocket: Mid to mid/high
- Stiffness: Above-average
- # String Holes: Average
- Year Released: 2021
The newly released STX Hyper Power is next up on our list of the best attack lacrosse heads.
If you are a fan of the Proton Power, Super Power, or Ultra Power, then you'll love the Hyper Power—the next head in that series.
Like the Ultra Power, the Hyper Power features the Power Ramp geometry that has a more-traditional offset towards the throat but comes back forward towards the scoop, helping increase power.
It’s supposed to increase shot speed by pushing the ball more down and forward, allowing you to wind up more and holding the ball in the head for longer. On the downside, it may take some getting used to since it's so unique.
Another benefit of the Power Ramp is that it makes high angle ground balls easier. You don’t have to get your butt end as close to the ground since the scoop is already angled forward.
As compared to the Ultra Power, the Hyper Power has a tighter face shape that is more similar to a Stallion.
While the Hyper Power can really be used for an position on the field, we recommend it mostly for those who prefer mid to mid/high pockets given the higher offset.
Pros
- Very stiff & durable
- Great for ground balls
- Power Ramp increases shot speed & accuracy
Cons
- Limited customer reviews since brand new
- Slightly heavier than some alternatives
All Buying Options
- Unstrung
8) Warrior Evo QX2-O
Details
- Weight: 4.9 oz
- Ideal Pocket: Mid to mid/low
- Stiffness: High
- # String Holes: Above-average
- Year Released: 2022
The Warrior Evo QX2-O is the newest member of the popular Evo family of heads. The “O” part of the QX-O stands for offense—and that's exactly who this head is made for.
The Evo QX2-O is an upgrade over the original QX-O mainly thanks to its tighter face shape, increased stiffness, and better scoop.
Its face shape is similar to the Evo 5 and QX-O with a pinched throat that opens up to the wide scoop. The QX2-O, however, is slightly more pinched, giving ball carriers better control of the ball.
Like the QX-O, the QX2-O is very stiff—actually even stiffer. The new Therma-Loc+ hybrid thermoplastic resin and update sidewall strut design makes the newest Evo head one of the stiffest options available.
In the Evo QX2-O, Warrior also improved the scoop, by making it more rounded, and eliminated some unnecessary materials making it lighter than its predecessor.
Like most other attack heads, the Evo QX2-O is designed for low to low/mid pockets, making it great for one handed cradling and quick feeds. There are also many stringing holes so you can customize your pocket to your preference.
Some customers have noted that the sidewall holes end early, possibly causing you to have to tie off sooner than you'd prefer.
Pros
- Very stiff
- Nice face shape
- Throat lock eliminates head rattle
Cons
- May be hard to string for some
All Buying Options
Budget Attack Lacrosse Heads
If you are looking for a cheap lacrosse head, there are some solid options. It's important to know that just because they're cheaper doesn't mean they're bad. Often, they're just older models that stores are trying to get rid of to make room for the newest releases.
- STX Surgeon 700: This is the older version of the Surgeon that was released in 2017. It has a very similar face shape to the Surgeon 900 (see review above) but is considerably heavier. Despite its weight, it is very stiff for an attack head. It also has the Speed Scoop which is great for ground balls.
- Brine King 2: Another head that came out in 2017, the King 2 is a cheaper option for those looking to save a few bucks. It is pretty heavy for an attack head at around 5.2 oz, but is durable and has a decent face shape.
- Brine RP3 II X: Designed by Rob Pannell, this head features many of the things attackmen look for in a lacrosse head. It is pretty light at 4.9 oz and is designed mainly for low pockets. It's worth noting that the RP3 II does have a wider face shape than a lot of other attack heads.
- Epoch iD Vision: This head was designed specifically for players around the U14 age group. It features a slightly wider face shape than many higher-level attack heads, but is a much better option than most other youth and intermediate heads available today. Like other heads for attackmen, it is designed to have a low to mid/low pocket.
What to Look for in a Lacrosse Head for Attack
With so many lacrosse heads designed for attackmen, it can be hard to decide which is right for you. To help you decide, I've put together a list of some of the most important things to consider when choosing.
1) Face Shape
Most attackmen like heads with a narrow face shape, especially around the bottom half of the head. A tight pinch helps keep the ball in your stick better which is very important for someone who typically carries the ball a lot.
There are some exceptions. If you are a crease attackman, for example, you may prefer a wider head to help you catch passes easier. Newer players may also prefer wider heads until they are more confident in their catching.
2) Weight
Weight is probably the next most important thing to consider. Lighter heads are easier to handle and can help you shoot faster since you can move your stick faster.
I consider any offensive heads under 5 oz to be light, with extremely light heads checking in at under 4.6 oz.
3) Stiffness & Durability
While stiffness doesn't matter as much for attack heads as they do for defensive heads, it is still worth considering. You don't want a head that is going to bend to the side every time you go down to scoop a ball. Stiff heads also hold their shape better when getting checked, helping them stay consistent when passing and shooting.
In addition, it's not enough to just feel how stiff a brand new head is. You should read reviews to see how sticks hold up over time. Less durable heads may feel stiff when they are new but may become flimsy in heat or break easily after some use.
3) Pocket Placement
You should look for a head that is optimized for your ideal pocket placement. The easiest way to tell is by looking at the side profile of the head to see where the max offset (the part where the bottom rail is the lowest) is.
Most attackmen prefer a low pocket to help with one-handed cradling. In this scenario, you should look for a head where the max offset is towards the throat.
If you prefer more whip, on the other hand, you may choose to go with a head that's ideal for mid pockets.
4) Scoop
Making sure you like the way the scoop feels is important for any type of lacrosse head. Having a good scoop allows you to be confident in picking up ground balls at a variety of angles.
Scoops that area more angled/curved (when looking down your stick) allow you to pick up balls at a higher angle in relation to the ground, whereas flat scoops force you to bend over a lot which may slow you down.
5) Stringing Holes
Unlike when I played in high school, most heads nowadays come with many stringing holes, giving you plenty of options for stringing your stick. There is still some fluctuation from head-to-head, however.
Before choosing a stick, check out the number and size of the sidewall holes to make sure they look like they will work with your preferred stringing pattern.
6) Strung vs. Unstrung
The last thing to consider is whether to buy a strung or unstrung head. A few years ago, I would have told you to always go with an unstrung head and either string it yourself or find someone that knows how to do it for you.
More recently, however, a lot of companies such as ECD and StringKing have started offering much better string jobs on their strung heads, making them viable options.
If you decide to go with a strung head, do some research to see if customers typically like the string job and if it meets your preferences. Avoid factory-strung pockets—which are typically very shallow—at all costs.
High School & College Head Rules
NFHS (high school) rules for lacrosse head dimensions started to match NCAA (college) rules starting in 2018. Previously, high school heads could be narrower towards the throat but had to be wider towards the scoop, and vice-versa for college heads.
Now that both organizations have the same set of rules, any head that meets NCAA rules is legal for NFHS as well. Here are the rules for heads:
- Minimum width of 6″ at the widest part of the head
- Minimum width of 3.5″ on front and back of the head at 5″ up from throat of the head
- Minimum width of 3″ at 3″ up from throat of the head
- Minimum width of 3″ at 1.25″ up from throat of the head
The following diagram from Stringers Society makes the rules a little easier to visualize:
If you are buying a head that was released in the past 2 years, you shouldn't have to worry about it meeting these regulations.
If you are buying a head from 2017 or before, you should check to see if it meets NCAA specs. If it does, it should also meet current NFHS rules. If not, then it is likely illegal for both high school and college since the new NFHS rules went into effect in 2018.
>> Read More: What Makes a Lacrosse Head & Pocket Legal?
How We Rate Attack Lacrosse Heads
We take our ratings seriously and only recommend products that we would use ourselves.
To come up with our ratings for each product, we test the product ourselves whenever possible, review product specifications (weight, number of stringing holes, etc.), and read customer reviews/talk to lacrosse players we know that use the product.
When testing attack heads, we bring them to a field and test for passing, catching, shooting, scooping ground balls, and checking—all with a standard pocket to reduce the number of variables. When it's not possible to extensively test a product ourselves, we spend extra time talking to real customers who have used the product for a while themselves.
If you ever have any feedback for any of the products listed on this page or have a recommended addition, please contact us and let us know!
Other Products to Consider Alongside Your New Attack Head
If you opt to go with an unstrung head, you'll need mesh and strings.
You can also check out some of our other gear guides that can help you take your game to the next level:
- Best Attack Shafts
- Best Lacrosse Heads
- Best Lacrosse Balls
- Best Lacrosse Rebounders
- Best Lacrosse Helmets
- Best Portable Lacrosse Goals
- Best Lacrosse Nets & Replacement Nets
- Best Lacrosse Backstops
Photo credit: Flickr