Field hockey is an outdoor version of hockey that is played on a 100-yard field with 11 players per team. Just like in hockey, field hockey players use a stick to advance, move or hit the ball around the field. Field hockey sticks come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials so it is important to know the differences to select the right stick for you.
Stick Makeup
Feld hockey sticks are primarily made of wood, and usually mulberry or hickory woods are preferred. Sticks can be made of composite materials, such as carbon fiber or graphite, and fiberglass as well. Longstreth notes that those sticks are legal for high school and college and international play. In addition, Dick's Sporting Goods advises beginning players to look for a flexible stick with good shock absorption. Generally, composite material sticks are lighter and more flexible than wooden sticks.
Reinforcements
Reinforcements are additions that are added along different places on the stick to enhance the stick's performance. According to Longstreth, the most common reinforcement materials are fiberglass, carbon, kevlar and dyneema. Fiberglass is designed to give the stick more strength and make it last longer. Dyneema and carbon reinforcements are supposed to make the stick harder and give you more power and distance when you hit the ball. According to Dick's Sporting Goods, Kevlar can be used as a tape or woven into the entire stick to reduce vibration and increase power.
Stick Toe
The toe or head of the stick is the area used to control and strike the ball. Toes are made in different shapes based on the different needs that various players have in different locations on the field. According to Dick's Sporting Goods, there are four basic toe designs, the shorti, the midi, the maxi and the hook. Shorti's are shorter toe heads that make it easier to move and control the ball. Dick's Sporting Goods says that midi's are the most popular and appropriate shape for beginners and midfield palyers. Midi's are similar to shorti's but give a larger hitting area. Maxi's and hook's have the largest heads and are usually used by defensive players since they are not as easy to control.
Height and Length
Field hockey sticks, like baseball bats, come in a variety of lengths and weights to suit your needs. Dick's Sporting Goods says that stick length is really personal preference but you should select a stick that you can comfortably control. Stick weight is often determined by the position you play. According to Dick's Sporting Goods, offensive players should look for a lighter stick 19 to 20 oz., midfielders should use a stick around 21 oz. and backs should use a heavier stick 22 to 24 oz.
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