Hockey sticks

Which hockey stick do I need?

There are many different types of sticks, which can differ in length, hardness, material, colour, weight, curve and flexibility. All these differences contribute to the possibilities of the stick. With a very hard stick you can hit harder, but with a light stick you can, for example, manoeuvre more easily across the pitch. The different properties therefore offer different possibilities in terms of power and control. There's also a difference between indoor sticks and outdoor sticks.

Indoor hockey sticks vs outdoor hockey sticks

Besides the different rules of play, there's also a difference between these two types of sticks. The difference is mainly seen in weight and thickness. Due to the side boards and the small pitch, indoor hockey is a more technical and faster game than outdoor hockey. With an indoor hockey stick you need to be able to make quick movements, which is why the stick is lighter and flatter compared to an outdoor hockey stick. What both have in common is the u-shaped hook at the end with a rounded and flat side. Indoor hockey sticks are therefore thinner and lighter than outdoor hockey sticks, so you can move more quickly with them.

What size hockey stick do I need?

Virtually all seniors use a stick 36.5 inches long, the shorter sticks are suitable for juniors to play with. For taller people there are also sticks longer than 36.5 inches. To determine whether one is too long, you can stand the stick on the ground, and it shouldn't come above the navel. If it's too long, this causes limited freedom of movement. It also shouldn't be too short, as this can lead to back problems. Weight also plays a big role, officially the stick may weigh between 340 and 737 grams. A light stick is more suitable for a technical player who dribbles a lot. A heavy stick is used by players who mainly want to hit hard.

What are hockey sticks made of?

The playing properties are partly determined by the material it's made of. It can be made of wood, plastic or a combination of both. With a fully wooden stick you have a lot of ball feel, but it wears out quickly and is therefore not durable. A stick made of plastic is stiffer than the wooden stick, allowing you to give more speed to the ball. There are also sticks made of plastic combined with wood, giving them the advantages of both materials, but to a lesser extent than sticks made 100% of the same material. The higher the carbon percentage, the higher the ball speed. The higher the wood percentage, the higher the ball control.

The best hockey sticks

This answer is of course different for everyone and really depends on your playing style and position. Juniors often use a supple stick with little carbon. The carbon provides a lot of ball control, and with that you can also learn to play hockey. As a defender, you can best choose a heavy, stiff stick. With this you can easily give a long pass far up the pitch. Attackers who shoot a lot at goal also often use this kind of stick to make it as hard as possible for the goalkeeper by hitting the goal as hard as possible. Players who are on the ball a lot and dribble a lot with it often use a lighter stick because it's easier to handle and offers more ball control.

When should I replace my hockey stick?

Always replace it once it has become too small for you, playing hockey with a stick that isn't the right length increases the risk of unpleasant injuries. Also, if you use your stick a lot, you'll notice that over time you have less grip and hitting power. Cracks appear, and pieces might even break off, then it's high time to replace it. With intensive use you'll need to replace your stick after a maximum of 2 years.