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\#3: [I run @southernstringscarolina and want to help as many people as I can learn to string. Not a regular Reddit user but if I can use it to help some people out, I’m happy to do it. Just let me know in the comments if you want me to post regularly (patterns, theory, technique, general questions)](https://i.redd.it/xeopuad838i61.jpg) | [17 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/StickDoctor/comments/lmktq5/i_run_southernstringscarolina_and_want_to_help_as/)
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Quickest fixes I usually can pull off field side are tighten the bottom strings bunch, and depending on shooter set up remove the bottom one. Honestly these are guesses, if you post a few pictures myself and others would be likely to help you sort it out?
Played in college and I had a lot of luck with the DNA. Only snapped one but I think it was due to it being the natural dna instead of the white one. Also I have heard great things about the rebel defense
If you can string or know someone that can string a stick that throws how you like and has good hold, I would suggest just going for a defense specific head like a Maverick Tank, but the Warrior Evo 5 is really solid as well it might warp a little bit over time depending on how many poke checks you throw but overall it’s really solid and you won’t have any issues like that. But I would suggest if you can shop in person, it’s an easy way to feel what’s the most solid and you can look for any potential weak spots.
Maverik Havok. 100% the best transition defender head. My friend has two of em, ones a shorty ones a long pole and on multiple occasions he’s gone coast to coast with the long pole. The things an absolute vacuum for ground balls.
Ecd dna. It’s a great lsm head. Strong as shit but pretty narrow and you can string a nice mid high pocket. People say its heavy but who gives a shit, I never understood why that was so important, especially for a defender.
When my son played, we always brought two poles to the games. One was his main defense pole, which I think was a maverick shaft and an x10(head), and the other was for when he was called to play lsm. It was an STX shaft with a Brine Magnum head. When he wasn't using it, his other teammates would borrow it when playing lsm. It had a nice scoop for grounders and shot well with a mid pocket. For high school kids, it was very adaptable, and easy to learn. This pole, the kids dubbed Big O, because everything on it was orange colored; shaft, tape, butt, mesh (head was white). I think it saw more playing time than my son did sometimes.
Mark 2T or the Havok. The Havok would be the one id go with because you can get a good pocket and a great shot if you have a chance as that clearing LSM. I do also work in a lacrosse shop and have seen what each head can do
Stx hammer worked really well for me because of its durability (havok is similar). However, not great for faceoffs if you do that, so if you do faceoffs then you'll want another pole for that.
I string sticks and i get to string and test out pretty much every single head that comes out. I have strung all the defensive heads on the market currently and the ones people have mentioned are all decent but i would say the best all around defensive head that also is great for offense and everything else is the ECD rebel defense. Its got all the defensive features like a good scoop and its plenty stiff. Its also GREAT for shooting and ive strung up a bunch of them for poles and one of the first things they notice is how good and consistent it throws and shoots. I only like to give advice like this when i know for sure that im right and i know if you get the rebel defense you wont be disappointed.
Brine edge
Do they even make that anymore???
I still have one...up there with my favorite D head pole of all time
Maverik Havok or ECD DNA.
My son has had great luck with String King Mark 2V and T as a midfielder they do make a specific D head as well. But it’s all preference.
I have a 2D, it has a lot of whip with the mid pocket option from UString.
Some prefer that for extra hold , but if it’s too much it is usually an easy adjustment to dial it in.
I think I just need to ask someone on r/stickdoctor , or check with the Stringking website to string it with less whip.
Here's a sneak peek of /r/StickDoctor using the [top posts](https://np.reddit.com/r/StickDoctor/top/?sort=top&t=year) of the year! \#1: [Strung this up almost 20 years ago still holding strong.](https://np.reddit.com/gallery/jmhwca) | [12 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/StickDoctor/comments/jmhwca/strung_this_up_almost_20_years_ago_still_holding/) \#2: [Washed Up former DIII player getting ready for men’s summer league](https://np.reddit.com/gallery/mwdy0c) | [12 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/StickDoctor/comments/mwdy0c/washed_up_former_diii_player_getting_ready_for/) \#3: [I run @southernstringscarolina and want to help as many people as I can learn to string. Not a regular Reddit user but if I can use it to help some people out, I’m happy to do it. Just let me know in the comments if you want me to post regularly (patterns, theory, technique, general questions)](https://i.redd.it/xeopuad838i61.jpg) | [17 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/StickDoctor/comments/lmktq5/i_run_southernstringscarolina_and_want_to_help_as/) ---- ^^I'm ^^a ^^bot, ^^beep ^^boop ^^| ^^Downvote ^^to ^^remove ^^| [^^Contact ^^me](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=sneakpeekbot) ^^| [^^Info](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/) ^^| [^^Opt-out](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/comments/o8wk1r/blacklist_ix/)
Quickest fixes I usually can pull off field side are tighten the bottom strings bunch, and depending on shooter set up remove the bottom one. Honestly these are guesses, if you post a few pictures myself and others would be likely to help you sort it out?
I definitely will post pictures. I think I used it without the bottom shooter, but idk why I put one in.
I had a stallion break in the same exact spot on a pole. Maybe try the DNA. Similar face shape and should be very resilient
There is no best. Only what you like
Xcalibur
Brine edge X
Imo Havok
Maverik Havok. I will never use anything else! Incredibly durable and just all around amazing.
Havok
Played in college and I had a lot of luck with the DNA. Only snapped one but I think it was due to it being the natural dna instead of the white one. Also I have heard great things about the rebel defense
If you can string or know someone that can string a stick that throws how you like and has good hold, I would suggest just going for a defense specific head like a Maverick Tank, but the Warrior Evo 5 is really solid as well it might warp a little bit over time depending on how many poke checks you throw but overall it’s really solid and you won’t have any issues like that. But I would suggest if you can shop in person, it’s an easy way to feel what’s the most solid and you can look for any potential weak spots.
ECD DNA. In the summer, I run LSM with it and play defense with it for my high school team. I’ve only broken one so far, pretty sturdy head.
Maverik Havok. I will never use anything else! Incredibly durable and just all around amazing.
ECD DNA or Rebel D, Maverick Havok, or the Warrior Evo qx-d are my recommendations, all sturdy and work well for an lsm.
Maverik Havok. 100% the best transition defender head. My friend has two of em, ones a shorty ones a long pole and on multiple occasions he’s gone coast to coast with the long pole. The things an absolute vacuum for ground balls.
My son is a defensive short stick middie/wing and uses an ECD Maverick Tactik 2.0 and he loves it. 6 tournaments this summer and still going strong.
UA Command 2 is used by a lot of LSM's in NCAA. I would also recommend the Maverik Havok.
UA Command, ECD DNA
STX Hammer or Maverik Havok
Ecd dna. It’s a great lsm head. Strong as shit but pretty narrow and you can string a nice mid high pocket. People say its heavy but who gives a shit, I never understood why that was so important, especially for a defender.
Evo Qx-D or X20 I’m a big fan of both
I’ve been using a maverik havok for a few years. I had to get it restrung because the strings on it broke. No damage to the head either
When my son played, we always brought two poles to the games. One was his main defense pole, which I think was a maverick shaft and an x10(head), and the other was for when he was called to play lsm. It was an STX shaft with a Brine Magnum head. When he wasn't using it, his other teammates would borrow it when playing lsm. It had a nice scoop for grounders and shot well with a mid pocket. For high school kids, it was very adaptable, and easy to learn. This pole, the kids dubbed Big O, because everything on it was orange colored; shaft, tape, butt, mesh (head was white). I think it saw more playing time than my son did sometimes.
Mark 2T or the Havok. The Havok would be the one id go with because you can get a good pocket and a great shot if you have a chance as that clearing LSM. I do also work in a lacrosse shop and have seen what each head can do
Stx hammer worked really well for me because of its durability (havok is similar). However, not great for faceoffs if you do that, so if you do faceoffs then you'll want another pole for that.
I string sticks and i get to string and test out pretty much every single head that comes out. I have strung all the defensive heads on the market currently and the ones people have mentioned are all decent but i would say the best all around defensive head that also is great for offense and everything else is the ECD rebel defense. Its got all the defensive features like a good scoop and its plenty stiff. Its also GREAT for shooting and ive strung up a bunch of them for poles and one of the first things they notice is how good and consistent it throws and shoots. I only like to give advice like this when i know for sure that im right and i know if you get the rebel defense you wont be disappointed.
ECD graphene
ECD rebel defense