Bow or "rake" differential is just one of the variables field hockey players must consider when selecting a stick. Sticks also come in a variety of lengths, weights, materials and head shapes. Players should select a stick suited to their playing style, experience level and position on the team. Players may find that their stick needs to change as their game evolves.
Field Hockey Stick Spectrum
As in ice hockey, field hockey sticks have seen traditional wood models give way to blended and composite models. Materials such as fiberglass carbon, Kevlar and Dyneema have improved stick performance and increased durability. Sticks come in a variety of lengths, starting from 26 inches for youth players. There are many head shapes to choose from, including shorti, midi, maxi and hook. Sticks may have a slight or more pronounced bow.
Matching Sticks to Playing Style
Sticks with some flex offer more control to novice players, while experienced players may prefer stiffer sticks that offer more power. Backs may prefer heavier sticks with a maxi head to add distance to hits and heft to their defense. Midfielders may want a midweight stick with midi heads to accommodate offensive and defensive play. Forwards may prefer light sticks with a shorti head for maneuverability.
Bow Differential
Sticks with more pronounced bows create a slingshot effect while hitting. The Hockey Rules Board originally allowed sticks to have a 50-mm bow, but later reduced that limit to 25 mm after assessing the impact on the sport. A 25-mm bow located closer to the toe allow players to hit powerful "drag flick" shots, but the International Hockey Federation subsequently legislated against such sticks as well. A 20-mm bow offers a slightly greater slingshot effect than a 19-mm bow. Since the bow cannot be near the toe of the stick, that difference is minimized.
International Hockey Federation Stick Rules
The bow is measured by placing it side downward on a flat surface. The space from the surface to the highest point of the bow cannot exceed 25 mm. The curvature must have a "continuous smooth profile along the whole stick" and cannot be at one end of the stick. Sticks can weigh no more than 737 g. The generated ball speed must not be greater than 98 percent of stickhead speed under test conditions. Metal handles are not allowed.
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