How to Buy Hockey Sticks

Field hockey, or hockey as it is simply known, is a team sport. Involving two teams of
eleven players, this sport is impossible to play without hockey sticks, or the hard and solid
field hockey ball. Played globally, this sport is the national sport of India and Pakistan.
A popular fact about hockey sticks is that, they are all manufactured to be right-handed,
there is no such thing as a left-handed hockey stick. This means left-handed players who
are new to this sport will have to adapt to this standard stick design. hen it comes to
selecting a hockey stick for yourself, there are four things that you should focus on. They
are as follows!
". #aterial $ompositions and %tiffness
&. %tick %i'e
(. %tick eight and Positioning
). Toe*+ead %hape
,et us review the above criteria in a more elaborate manner.
Material & Stiffness
Typically hockey sticks are crafted out of either mulberry or hickory wood. +ockey sticks
manufactured out of high--uality wood have more strength and stability, which ultimately
benefit the player. .esides wood, hockey sticks can also be constructed out of composite
and fiberglass materials.
ood and synthetic sticks offer different degrees of stiffness, which means they offer
varying levels of shock absorption and power. Those new to hockey should select a
hockey stick that offers good shock absorption and is slightly fle/ible. Advanced players
prefer using stiff field hockey sticks, as they offer e/tra power when hitting the ball.
Stick Size
The height of the player determines what si'e hockey stick would best suit them. A simple
way to determine whether a hockey stick length is right for you, is to hold the hockey stick
vertically by your side. ,et the toe of the stick touch the ground. If the height of the stick is
close to the height of your hip, then it is acceptable for you to use it.
The table below lists down hockey stick dimensions that are compatible with different
player heights.
Height of Player Length of Hockey Stick
0p to ) feet 1ft2 &3 inches 1in2
) ft to )ft (in ("in
)ft (in to )ft 4in (&in
)ft 4in to )ft 5in ((in
)ft 5in to 6ft ()in
6ft to 6ft (in (6in - (6.6in
6ft (in to 6ft 7in (4in - (4.6in
6ft 7in to 6ft "8in (7in 9 (7.6in
:ver 6ft "8in (3in
Stick Weight And Positioning:
#edium-weight hockey sticks might seem like the preferred choice, however only the mid-
field players regularly use them. Forwards use light-weight hockey sticks, as they offer
greater control in moving the ball and don;t interfere when tackling or dribbling at rapid
speeds. +eavy sticks are more appropriate for defenders to use, since they need to get
ma/imum power and distance behind each shot. It is recommended that beginners start
playing hockey with medium-weight hockey sticks, which will help them train and learn the
game properly.
ToeHead Sha!e:
The curved bottom end of a hockey stick is known as the toe or head of the stick. The
head or toe can be shaped in four different ways. They are as follows!
Shorti: The shorti is the most common shape seen on hockey sticks. This style
offers hockey players good dribbling and control, while they are moving the ball.
Midi: #id-field players prefer using sticks which have a "idi toe shape. <ovices to
playing hockey should use hockey sticks that have this toe design as well.
Ma#i: %ince the "a#i has a large receiving area and good hitting power, defenders
typically use sticks that have this type of toe shape.
Hook: $onstructed to be =-shaped, this head style has a large stopping surface.
#any defenders utili'e sticks with the hook head, when they are playing on grass
surfaces.
hen you are buying hockey sticks, remember that a high price doesn;t guarantee a
perfect fit for you. >emember, there is no formula to find a perfect hockey stick. %o, take
your time to decide and test out the hockey sticks when you are buying them.