East Coast Dyes (ECD) has been one of the best Lacrosse stick manufacturers since 2012. The Rebel Defense CF5 Elite complete stick is built for beginner male defenders or as ECD calls them ‘Rebels’. Unlike standard machine stringing, this elite stick is hand-strung by professionals. It has Advanced Pocket technology that is perfect for punishing checks, ground balls, and fiery shots.
The Rebel Defense CF5 has a proprietary Carbon fiber octagonal shaft profile with a sandpaper grip. It has a tight face shape and a stiff profile for the head. HeroMesh 2.0 is used for the stringing. The Rebel Defense CF5 is an upgraded version of ECD’s Mirage.
Table of Contents
Key Features
| Brand | East Coast Dyes (ECD) |
| Position | Defenders |
| Cost | $249.99 |
| Level | Intermediate to advanced |
| Legality | All Levels, Conforming with NCAA and NFHS Rules |
| Colors | All Black, All White |
| Year Released | 2018 |
Product Specs
| Weight | 6.2 ounces |
|---|---|
| Pocket Location | Mid (Customizable) |
| Stiffness | Stiff |
| String Holes | Sidewall: 18 on each sideTop Holes: 6 |
| Release Year | 2018 |
| Face Shape | Wide |
| Ground Pickup | Wide |
| Ball Release | On Time |
| Ease of Use | Beginner and Advanced Beginner |
| Position | Defender |
| Gender | Male |
| Spread on Shot | It’s a sharpshooter |
| Level of Play | All |
Lax Drip Official Drip Meter Lacrosse Head Ranking
Drip Meter Each Row Ranked Between 0-10
| Ground Pick-Up Performance | 10 |
| Shooting Performance/Sharp shot orwidespread | 7 |
| Cradling Performance/Ball Security | 7 |
| Catching | 10 |
| Stringablility /Strength of pocket/Customizability | 10 |
| Durability (Material and Thickness) CheckingPerformance | 10 |
| Faceoff Performance | 6 |
| Cost | 10 |
| Passing | 10 |
| Drippiness/Aesthetics/Brand Integrity | 10 |
| Total | 9.0/10 |
Intro
It is an entry-level Lacrosse Elite complete stick. Beginners or advanced beginner male defenders should use it. The Rebel Defense CF5 is one of the only three complete sticks produced by ECD. Launched in late 2018, It is perfectly strung by professionals in the USA to bring the most accuracy and consistency to your game.
Head
It has a Mirage head that has a rounded scoop and a tight face shape. Since it is for defensive players, it has a wide scoop. The stiffness of the head is ideal for entry-level players. Defensive players look for stiff heads that can endure checks and fiery ground ball pickups, and the Rebel Defense CF5 is unbendable.
Shooting, Face Shape, and Pocket Location
The Rebel Defense CF5 has an aggressive pinch and a tight face to offer players extra snap and feel control during intense gameplay. Not only is it a sharpshooter, the Rebel Defense has customizable stringing options. The maximum offset is towards the middle of the head which allows defensive players to have a mid pocket of uniform kick point.
Cradling, Passing, and Catching
It has a roundish scoop shape with a more refined rail construction than the Mirage. The Rebel Defense CF5 has a mid pocket that allows for a combination of ball security, a quick release for passing, and enough depth for effective ball control during defensive maneuvers. Defenders can have versatility in their play, being able to catch, cradle, and pass efficiently.
Flexibility, Ground Ball Pick Up, and Faceoff
The stick has a stiff construction. It has uniform flex and does not bend, even if you put your body weight to it. Although the Rebel CF5 is built for defenders, the customizable string options allow players to create an elite mid-high pocket setup. This can help in the easier ground ball pick-up, midfield, and occasional offensive play.
Defensive Capability, Checking, Knocking the Ball Out
The ECD Rebel Defense CF5 is a high-performing defender’s stick even after 6 years of its production. The mid pocket, wide scoop, and stiff construction are a perfect combination for top-notch defensive capabilities. It can easily endure punishing checks and knocks. With this Elite stick in your hand, you can fully commit to winning the ball in defensive scenarios.
Stringing Holes
The Rebel Defense CF5 has 18 sidewall string holes on each side and 6 top side holes. In total, it has 42 stringing holes. You can get it strung to create a mid-pocket or a mid-high pocket. But if you are looking for more stringing holes or a low offset, the Rebel Defense might not be the right choice for you.
Material, Durability, Flexibility, and Weight
The material used in the Rebel Defense CF5 can withstand rigors and remain durable. The head is built with stiff plastic and the shaft is made with Carbon fiber.
Customization, Appearance, and Aesthetics
Rebel Defense has an aggressive pinch on the pocket that starts flaring out towards the scoop. Unlike most entry-level sticks that have colorful designs and branding all over, this stick offers a minimalist design. If you want sleek equipment, this will be the best choice.
The shaft and the unstrung head can be bought separately.
Pros/Cons of Head
Pros
- Elite mid-pocket setup
- Strung by professionals
- Stiff construction
- Durable and long-lasting
- Uniform kick point
- Semi-hard HeroMesh 2.0
Cons
- Smaller number of sidewall string holes
- 1.2 oz heavier than the standard weight of 5 oz.
Shaft
The Rebel Defense has a CF5 shaft. It is a flex rating that indicates how much the shaft bends or flexes during play. A 5-flex rating generally indicates a stiffer shaft, providing more power for shots and checks.
Shaft Shape and End Cap
It has a standard octagonal shaft profile with an integrated end cap that protects the shaft from wear and tear.
Shaft Length
The shaft length of the ECD Rebel Defense CF5 is 52 inches.
Colors and Finish Grip
The shaft is available in all-black or all-white with a minimalist logo of ECD. The finished grip is sandpaper.
Pros/Cons Shaft
Pros
- Octagonal profile shape
- Easy to grip and maneuver
- Lightweight
- Integrated end cap
Cons
- Adjustable butt end missing
