CHOOSING A FIELD HOCKEY STICK

The stick should be well-balanced and should feel good in the hands. The weight in the head should allow you to have maximum stick speed when maneuvering and hitting the ball. Most of our hockey sticks are available in medium weight which varies from 19 oz. to 22 oz.

The following should be considered when choosing a stick:

• Wood Sticks
• Composite Sticks
• Length
• Types of Stick Heads
• Call the Field Hockey Experts at Longstreth Women's Sports
• View more information regarding selecting a field hockey stick at
  U.S. Field Hockey Association

Wood Sticks

Reinforcing Materials:

1. Fiberglass (or Glass fiber) is the basic material reinforcing the shaft adding strength and durability.
   
2. Carbon (or Graphite) adds stiffness to the shaft. The more experienced player can take advantage of the increased hitting power without it having an adverse effect on their receiving skills.
   
3. Kevlar (or Aramide) adds strength to the stick while also dampening vibration. The added flexibility allows for more control and “feel” when hitting or receiving.
   
4. Dyneema adds stiffness and elasticity. Similar to glass fiber or carbon reinforcement but, due to the nature of this material, it is stiff while still allowing “give”.

Composite Sticks

Composite sticks are now legal for international play and are being used by more and more players. These sticks are made in a mold so that each stick will be the same. The differences among these sticks are two-fold:

The molds will be different so that one brand may have a thicker or thinner handle and head than another stick. Also, the configuration of the shaft will vary among brands.

These sticks are made of a combination of space-age materials including: fiberglass, Kevlar and carbon. The percentage of these materials found in each stick will be another distinct difference. The higher end sticks will contain more carbon which creates more stiffness. The lower end sticks will contain more fiberglass which will allow for both flexibility and strength.

Length

Use the longest stick you can handle comfortably since the ball is played further away from the body in the modern game. While the length of the stick is determined somewhat by your height, the more mature player will want to play with a longer stick. Here is a general guide for the younger or less experienced player:

Up to 5’ 34”
5’1” - 5’3” 35”
5’4” - 5’6” 36”
5’7” - 5’9” 37”
5’10” and up 38”

Types of Stick Heads