ECD Impact Goalie Head w. Elite Pocket Review
Two years in development with GoalieSmith, built from ECD's SL-105 plastic and pre-strung by the pros. A cage head made to save the unsavable.
LaxDrip verdict: a utility-rich stiff head for men's and women's goalies of all levels, with a pro-strung pocket that controls rebounds and outlets clean.
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Overview
Lacrosse goalies are a different breed of players who do not fear 80, 90, or even 100-mph balls coming at them (see the fastest lacrosse shot ever recorded). Goalies must consistently read the shooter's mind to stop goals. The right lacrosse head makes all the difference, which is why we are here to break down why the ECD Impact Goalie Head with Elite Pocket might be the head for you.
Designed and revised for over two years, the Impact Goalie was released in 2022. ECD collaborated with GoalieSmith to finetune the Impact Goalie's head and stringing. It is a prestrung elite pocket goalie head built with a proprietary light and stiff plastic, SL-105. This head features an optimized face shape, a responsive head, and a comfortable ergonomic throat for players of all levels.
Any keeper who's stood in the cage for a Virginia Beach summer tournament, a Section III playoff in upstate New York, or got peppered by box shooters back in Ontario knows the head is half the battle. I put this one through the same work I give every goalie I coach: arc drills, hip and stick-side bounce shots, and live clears under a ride.
Key Details
- Brand
- East Coast Dyes (ECD)
- Position
- Goalie
- Cost
- $174.99 (Elite Pocket)
- Level
- All Levels
- Legality
- NCAA & NFHS
- Year released
- 2022
- Colors
- White Impact
- Black Striker
Product Specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Weight | 11.5 ounces |
| Pocket Location | Mid |
| Stiffness | Stiff |
| String Holes | Sidewall: 20 on each side | Top Holes: 7 |
| Release Year | 2022 |
| Face Shape | Wide and Open |
| Ground Pickup | Wide |
| Ball Release | On-Time |
| Ease of Use | All |
| Position | Goalie |
| Gender | Male and Female |
| Spread on Shot | Wide |
| Level of Play | All |
Battle Lax carries the ECD Impact Goalie Head Unstrung ($109.99) and the lighter ECD Impact Diamond ($149.99). Grab mesh from the goalie mesh collection to string your own pocket, or check their custom pre-strung goalie head with ECD Impact semi-soft mesh.
LaxDrip Official Drip Meter
Lacrosse head ranking. Each row ranked between 0 and 10.
| Category | Bar | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Pick-Up PerformanceThe wide head allows for pick-ups over large areas. | 10 | |
| Shooting Performance ExemptThe wide head makes pinpointing shots difficult and lacks aerodynamics, causing slow releases. | 10 | |
| Cradling Performance / Ball SecurityBalls are easily knocked out, and the large head is nowhere near as agile as a typical non-goalie head. | 6 | |
| CatchingOptimized for catching, this head excels at catching fast shots on goal and passes from teammates. | 10 | |
| Stringability / Strength of Pocket / CustomizabilityThe pre-strung head is sturdy and can withstand the fastest shots. | 9 | |
| Durability (Material and Thickness)This head is built to withstand high-velocity shots, making it one of the most durable. | 9 | |
| Faceoff Performance ExemptPlayers won't even attempt faceoffs with this head because of its clunky and rigid nature. | 10 | |
| CostMore expensive than most heads, but the high-quality materials justify the price. | 7 | |
| PassingFor a goalie head, the elite pocket allows for fluid clearing passes. | 10 | |
| Drippiness / Aesthetics / Brand IntegrityECD is well known for its high-quality heads and durability, and this head is no different. | 10 | |
| TotalGreat overall score, which may seem lower compared to other positions due to the specialized nature of the goalie's head. | 9.1/10 |
Intro
Goalies hold one of the toughest positions on the field and need gear just as strong as them. Goalies look for a responsive head that is easy to handle, has ample saving space, good whip, and accurate, smooth releases. Pair it with the right protection from our lacrosse goalie gear guide.
The prestrung ECD Impact Goalie (Made in the USA) offers all these attributes. It is a utility-rich stiff head for men and women goalies of all levels.
Head
The shape of the Impact Goalie is not just for show. It is engineered to save the unsavable. The optimized wide face shape offers more saving area and stability. The prestrung elite pocket is deep enough to have rebound control. Whereas the reinforced scoop offers consistent and accurate release with no break-in time.
The low-density durable plastic SL-105 results in an above-average stiffness.
Face Shape, Shooting, and Pocket Location
The Impact Goalie has a wide face shape and deep pockets. The Impact Goalie head gives you the perfect balance with its mid-pocket location and depth to control rebounds and accurate releases.
The elite pocket is pre-strung with HeroMesh by professional stringers of ECD.
Cradling, Passing, and Catching
The primary purpose of a goalie stick is to catch high-speed incoming shots and pass the ball with accuracy, and the Impact Goalie performs effectively on this front. There is good stiffness in the scoop thanks to the proprietary light and durable SL-105 plastic.
Passing and catching feels natural and controlled because of the strategic pocket placement. However, the cradling feels average because of the depth of the pocket.
Flexibility and Ground Ball Pick-Up
The ECD Impact Goalie Head has just the right amount of flexibility in the scoop to pick up ground balls efficiently but maintains its rigidity when blocking hard shots on goal. The head responds with the agility that goalies need.
Defensive Capability
The pocket depth and semi-soft mesh make the Impact Goalie a force to be reckoned with. The lightweight but stiff head does not compromise its defensive capabilities.
The defensive abilities of this goalie stick allow goalies to control the game and make crucial stops. With the right skill set, the ECD Impact Goalie can help turn defensive plays into offensive opportunities. Wondering what else a keeper can do in the crease? Read can a lacrosse goalie use his hands.
Stringing and Number of Holes
The in-house exclusive HeroStrings are used to string the elite pocket of the Impact Goalie. It is a semi-soft mesh that controls shots and rebounds well (more on hard mesh vs. soft mesh).
The ECD Impact Goalie has 7 holes on the top and 20 sidewall holes on each side. These 47 holes ensure a fine-tuned tension and responsiveness of the pocket, giving you a goalie stick that feels like an extension of your body.
The introduction of an adjustable bottom string allows players to tune their heads to their liking.
Material, Durability, Flexibility, and Weight
The team at ECD engineered a durable and lightweight plastic, SL-105, exclusively for the Impact Goalie. This low-density material can endure high-velocity shots on the frame of the head.
The Impact Goalie weighs 11.5 ounces, slightly heavier than the average head due to its more sturdy construction. Put it on a proper goalie handle from our best lacrosse goalie shafts list.
Customization, Appearance, and Aesthetics
Beyond performance, the ECD Impact Goalie Head catches the eye with its minimalistic design. The ergonomic throat enhances the control and comfort of handling the stick.
Although it is a prestrung elite pocket head, unstrung versions are also available. The unstrung head allows you to tailor the look and feel of your stick to match your style and preferences. You have the option to either string it in all white or the Black Striker pattern. Stringing your own? Here's how to break in lacrosse mesh.
Pros/Cons of Head
- Elite pocket strung by professionals
- Optimized face shape
- Durable stiff plastic SL-105
- Depth in the pocket for rebounds
- Easy ground ball pick-ups
- A good channel for outlets
- Adjustable bottom string
- Cradle release is late
- Customization requires trial and error to find the perfect setup
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See it live
Want to see the Impact up close? Here's ECD's breakdown of the Impact head and mesh with pro goalies Drake Porter and Simon Bellamy.
More Impact videos:
Battle Lax: ECD Impact Goalie Head Unstrung$109.99
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