ECD Rebel Defense Lacrosse Head Review
ECD's stiff, hand-strung defense head and the Rebel Defense CF5 complete stick, tested on checks, ground balls, catching and outlets, with its Drip Meter rating and the head to buy today.
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East Coast Dyes (ECD) has been one of the best lacrosse brands in the game since 2012. The Rebel Defense CF5 complete stick is built for beginner defensemen, or as ECD calls them, Rebels.
Instead of a standard machine string job, this stick is hand strung by pros, with a pocket built to handle punishing checks, ground balls and hard outlet passes.
The Rebel Defense CF5 pairs a stiff, pinched head with ECD's carbon fiber octagonal shaft and a sandpaper grip, and it's strung with semi-hard Hero Mesh 2.0.
BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry the Rebel Defense. ECD's newer D head, the ECD Delta ($109.99), is the one they stock. It's lighter, stiffer and has a more aggressive scoop.
Key Features and Specifications
- Brand
- East Coast Dyes (ECD)
- Position
- Defense
- Level
- Beginner to advanced
- Weight
- About 6.2 oz
- Stiffness
- Stiff
- Mid (customizable)
- String holes
- 18 per sidewall, 6 top
- Released
- 2018
- Legality
- NCAA and NFHS, all levels
- Price
- $249.99 complete (at launch)
- Colors
- All Black
- All White
| Spec | Rebel Defense |
|---|---|
| Face shape | Pinched throat, wide scoop |
| Ground pickup | Wide scoop |
| Ball release | On time |
| Ease of use | Great for beginners |
| Spread on shot | Minimal, it's a sharpshooter |
| Level of play | All |
LaxDrip Official Drip Meter Ranking
We rate each category from 0 to 10. The ECD Rebel Defense scores a 9.0/10 overall.
- Ground ball pickup10/10
- Shooting / accuracy7/10
- Cradling / ball security7/10
- Catching10/10
- Stringability / pocket strength10/10
- Durability / checking10/10
- Faceoffs6/10
- Cost10/10
- Passing10/10
- Drip / looks / brand10/10
- Total9.0/10
Who's This Stick Made For?
The Rebel Defense CF5 is an entry-level elite complete stick for beginner and advanced beginner defensemen. ECD launched it in late 2018, and it's hand strung by pros in the USA for accuracy and consistency.
Coach's note: I've handed young poles their first real stick from upstate New York to Virginia Beach, and up in Ontario where the box kids learn to take a hit before they learn to throw one. A beginner D-man doesn't need gimmicks. He needs a stiff head, a pocket that holds and a pole he trusts. Get those right and he can focus on footwork and approach.
The Head
The Rebel Defense has a rounded, wide scoop and a tight face. Defensemen want stiff heads that can take checks and hard ground ball pickups, and the Rebel D just doesn't bend. That stiffness is perfect for entry-level players.
Shooting, Face Shape and Pocket Location
The Rebel D has an aggressive pinch and a tight face, which gives you extra snap and a lot of control when the game gets intense. It's a sharpshooter, and you can string it a bunch of different ways.
The max offset sits toward the middle of the head, so you can string a mid pocket with a consistent kick point.
Cradling, Passing and Catching
It has a roundish scoop and refined rails. The mid pocket gives you a good mix of ball security, a quick release on passes and enough depth to control the ball while you're working on D.
That makes it versatile. You can catch, cradle and pass efficiently, which is exactly what you need to pick off a pass and start the clear.
Flex, Ground Ball Pickup and Faceoffs
The head is stiff with uniform flex. It doesn't bend, even when you lean your body weight into it.
It's built for defense, but you can also string an elite mid-high pocket. That helps on ground balls and in the midfield, and for the odd time you carry it across and get a look at the cage. It's no faceoff head, though.
Defense, Checking and Knocking the Ball Loose
Years after its release, the Rebel D is still a high-performing defensive head. The mid pocket, wide scoop and stiff build make a perfect combo for D.
It takes punishing checks and slashes without flinching. With this stick in your hands, you can commit fully to winning the ball every time it's on the ground.
Stringing Holes
The Rebel D has 18 sidewall holes on each side and 6 top holes, 42 in all. You can string a mid or mid-high pocket. If you want more holes or a low offset, though, the Rebel D might not be for you. Want to string your own? Grab the ECD Hero 4.0 Semi-Hard Mesh ($24.99) or the ECD Hero 4.0 Complete Kit ($34.99).
Materials, Durability and Weight
The Rebel D is built to take a beating and hold up. The head is stiff, durable plastic, and the CF5 shaft is carbon fiber.
Customization and Looks
The head has an aggressive pinch through the pocket that flares out toward the scoop. Unlike most entry-level sticks covered in colors and logos, it has a clean, minimalist look. If you like sleek gear, this is the one. You can also buy the shaft and the unstrung head separately.
Head Pros & Cons
- Elite mid pocket
- Hand strung by pros
- Stiff build
- Durable and long lasting
- Consistent kick point
- Semi-hard Hero Mesh 2.0
- Fewer sidewall holes
- On the heavy side at about 6.2 oz
The Shaft
The Rebel Defense complete comes on ECD's CF5 carbon fiber shaft. It's on the stiff side, which gives you more power on checks and long outlet passes.
Shape and end cap
It has a standard octagonal shape with an integrated end cap that protects the shaft from wear and tear.
Length
The shaft is 52 inches, a little short of the 60-inch pole most college and high school defensemen use, which makes it easier for younger players to handle.
Colors and grip
It comes in all black or all white with a minimalist ECD logo and a sandpaper grip.
- Octagonal shape
- Easy to grip and handle
- Light
- Integrated end cap
- No adjustable butt end
BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry the CF5 shaft. For an ECD carbon D pole they stock, go with the ECD Carbon 4.0 Defense Shaft ($199.99).
Shop the Rebel D alternatives at BattleLax
BattleLax doesn't carry the Rebel Defense, but they have ECD's newer D head and everything you need to build a defense stick around it.
| Gear | Why it's here | Price |
|---|---|---|
| ECD Delta Unstrung Head | ECD's newer defense head, the closest match to the Rebel D | $109.99 |
| ECD Carbon 4.0 Defense Shaft | ECD carbon defense pole, in place of the CF5 shaft | $199.99 |
| ECD Hero 4.0 Semi-Hard Mesh | Semi-hard mesh for a defense pocket | $24.99 |
| ECD Hero 4.0 Complete Kit | Mesh and strings in one kit | $34.99 |
| ECD DNA 2.0 Unstrung Head | Two-way ECD defense head for transition poles | $99.99 |
| Maverik Tank 2.0 Head | Another stiff close D head | $109.99 |
See how the newer head stacks up in our ECD Delta review.
Shop the ECD Delta at Battle Lax
People also ask
What is the ECD Rebel Defense?
The Rebel Defense is ECD's defense head, sold on its own or as the Rebel Defense CF5 complete stick, which pairs it with a carbon fiber pole and hand-strung Hero Mesh. It came out in late 2018.
Is the ECD Rebel Defense good for beginners?
Yes. It's stiff, forgiving on ground balls and comes hand strung with a mid pocket, so beginner and advanced beginner defensemen can pick it up and play right away.
How many stringing holes does the Rebel Defense have?
It has 18 sidewall holes on each side and 6 top holes, 42 in all. That's plenty for a mid or mid-high pocket, but low-pocket fans may want more options.
Is the ECD Rebel Defense legal?
Yes. It meets NCAA and NFHS rules, so it's legal at every level.
What replaced the ECD Rebel Defense?
ECD's newer defense head is the ECD Delta. It's lighter, stiffer and has a more aggressive scoop, and BattleLax carries it.
Final Verdict
The ECD Rebel Defense is a stiff, durable defense head that wins ground balls, takes punishing checks and comes with a pro-strung mid pocket that's ready to play. It's a little heavy and has fewer sidewall holes than some, but it earns its 9.0/10 on the Drip Meter, especially for beginner and advanced beginner poles.
If you can't find one, ECD's newer Delta is lighter and stiffer and in stock now. Want more options? Check out our list of the best defense lacrosse heads and the best defense shafts.
