How to Buy a Field Hockey Stick

The most important piece of equipment in field hockey is the stick. To ensure a comfortable fit, there are a few things to consider when purchasing.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Remember that there are no hockey sticks for left-handed folks. All sticks have a toe with a rounded edge that faces the right and a flat, hitting surface that faces the left. To be able to hit the other direction with the flat face you have to turn the stick 180 degrees.

2. Look into sticks made from different materials. The best are made from ash or mulberry wood that gives them a firm form to enable more efficient hitting. A stick can range in price from $30 and up, depending on its materials.

3. Select a stick with a comfortable grip. Most are made out of rubber or suede. Suede may not sweat as much as rubber under a firm grip.

4. Determine the right weight of a stick for yourself - personal comfort is the judge. Sticks come in light, medium or heavy weights. See what works best by trying to control the stick with one hand. This will help ensure that you'll be able to control the stick during game play. Most players find medium weights the best.

5. Select a stick length, again based on comfort. Grab the top of the stick at the grip, letting your arms hang straight down in front of your body. Now move the stick back and forth. The swing should allow the toe of the stick to go over the top of the grass in front of your feet without being too high to make contact with the ball or too low to drag on the ground.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask field hockey players what kind of sticks they use and why. Maybe see if you can borrow one to try out before you commit to buying your own.

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[qwerty123]

on 7/23/2007 If I want to buy a hockey stick off the internet, how should I pick it out?

on 8/6/2006 Composite sticks today an important option to consider in choosing a playing stick. They generally give a harder hit, though are said to reduce control. Improvements in technology is changing this, and the greater curve allowed in the body of composite sticks is much more suited to the modern aerial game of hockey.

on 6/30/2006 If you can, it helps to play around with different sizes. This is because some people have an easier time when they use a stick that is slightly larger or smaller than is recommended. So try to find one that is the recommended size for you, and then get one that is a little bigger and one that is a little bit smaller. Good luck!

on 6/30/2006 Hold your stick upside down, with the head in the air. Insert the head in your arm pit, as if the stick was a crutch. A real crutch would reach the floor, while your stick ends somewhere near your knee.

Where the end of the handle is in relation to your knee is the key to proper fit. The end of the handle should fall between the middle of your knee cap to no more than one inch below the knee cap.

Select a stick of that length, from your arm pit to middle of the knee cap, and you may be amazed at how much your ball control will improve. Also, you are a lot less likely to cause unwanted lifted balls and broken stick heads.

on 11/22/2005 When you buy a stick you should always make sure it is right for you. You don't want one that will be too small, and you don't want one that's too big. You want one that will fit you now! To find out if a stick is your size, you take a stick and put it down vertically against your body (while standing up). You want a stick that's handle top is touching your pelvis.