Choosing The Right Hockey Stick
Choosing the right stick is key as it acts as an extension of the player's body and directly impacts their performance in terms of ball control, shooting, accuracy and power.
Personal preference is vital. Experimenting with different options will help player's find the stick which feels comfortable whilst complementing their playing style.
Here a few helpful pointers:
1.The Bow
The Bow of a hockey stick is the degree of curve built into the sticks. This bow defines how the stick interacts with the ball. Its more than a bend, it’s a deliberate arc that lets athletes harness greater control, throw press-breaking aerials, deliver powerful shots or passes, and execute those 3D wow moments.
- Low Bow
Suited to midfielders with an eye on both a defensive and offensive approach. Those with an all-round game - 3D skills, ball control, tackling, hitting forehand and backhand, ball control in pressure situations.
- Mid Bow
Suited to more defensive or deep controlling ball-player. Ideal for those who need a great first touch and accuracy when passing on backhand or forehand, along with line-breaking aerials.
- ICONIQ Xtreme Low Bow
Suited to attacking players who need to know they can rely on an excellent first touch and eliminate defenders in one to one situations. Those who execute 3D skills, drag flickers or throw impactful, distance aerials.
2. The balance point
Try to balance your stick on your finger.
Measure from that point to the top of the curl and you know the balance point of your stick.
Why is this an important factor?
This significantly affects the overall 'feel' of the stick.
The higher the balance point the more controlled the stick is. The lower the balance point the greater the ball speed because the lower shaft carries more weight.
3. Stick Composition: the different types of materials
- Carbon
Stiffness, durability, power, and very high strength to weight ratio allowing for a high performance light-weight hockey stick. Higher carbon percentage the greater the stiffness and power. We firmly believe all intermediate and advanced players should use sticks with a minimum of 75% carbon fibre, as this really challenges you to become a better player each time you play or train.
- Glass Fibre
Flexibility, enhanced impact resistance.
- Aramide
Lightweight and has excellent anti-abrasion properties, Aramide is used on the heel of the hockey stick to prevent quick wear down from use. Aramide fibers in the shaft also enhance vibration dampening.
- Kevlar
Kevlar, due to its inter-molecular hydrogen bonds, provides field hockey sticks with a high strength to weight ratio. The SX3 Triple Carbon ZoneTM on the ICONIQ Urban and Vanguard ranges are reinforced with Kevlar fiber. This ensures consistent, accurate and firm ball striking, as well as excellent ball control when receiving.
4.The Balance Point
The balance point of a field hockey stick is the exact spot along the shaft where the stick feels perfectly balanced when supported on one finger.
- Simple Definition:
The balance point is measured as the distance (in centimetres) from the toe of the stick to the point where the stick naturally balances. Most sticks fall between 36–41 cm.
- What It Tells You:
• Higher balance point (toward the handle): Lighter head feel — quicker skills and faster stick speed.
• Lower balance point (toward the toe): Heavier head feel — more power, stronger hitting potential.
- How to Measure It
1. Place a finger or thin edge under the stick.
2. Slide it along until the stick stays perfectly level.
3. Measure the distance from the toe to that balance point.
5.Composition of field hockey sticks
- What are they made from and what kind of material should I pick?
Those young athletes just starting out on their field hockey journey should start with a 100% fibreglass stick. They are light, flexible and more cost effective. They come in small sizes with shafts designed for the younger age groups.
Intermediate hockey players will have developed more power and will demand more of his/her stick, therefore carbon is added which gives more stiffness and strength to the stick. In keeping with our ICONIQ design philosophy, these players should immediately challenge themselves to get better every day and select a 50% carbon fibre stick.
For ultimate feeling, balance, power, and ball control the advanced hockey players should commit to 75% or 95% carbon. We do not recommend playing with anything below 50% carbon fibre in order to consistently move forward as a hockey athlete.
