The second field hockey stick buying advice is to choose the proper stick for your position. Goalkeepers, for example, use different sticks than the rest of the team. Field hockey sticks are only available in right-handed configurations, as left-handed sticks are not authorized in the game. However, some people (especially younger players) may have trouble using their left hand.
Goaltenders should get a stick that is taller and heavier than they can lift over their head with one hand. This gives them more control and power over the ball. For example, a goalkeeper who is 6'3" and weighs 210 pounds should get a stick that is at least 7' long.
Midfielders and forwards should get a stick that is equal to or shorter than theirs but still has enough weight in the handle to be effective. These sticks should be between 5' and 6' long. Taller players can use a stick that is even longer.
You should also consider how you plan to use the stick when choosing its length. If you plan to use it as a weapon by swinging it like a bat, then you should get a longer stick so that you can hit better shots.
Finally, look for quality materials when choosing your field hockey stick. Made from wood or carbon fiber, they should be stiff but not too rigid. The shaft should feel comfortable in your hands and have sufficient give when squeezed.
Field hockey, unlike other stick, bat, or club sports, mandates players to utilize right-handed sticks, even if they are natively left-handed. Each stick has a flat and rounded side. Only the flat side of the stick can be utilized by field players and goalkeepers. The ball must be struck with the flat side of the blade.
Left-handed sticks are available but are used by lefties for shooting free throws and serving food. They are not recommended for play on a regular basis because their low weight is prone to causing injuries.
The reason why field hockey sticks are right-handed is so that no player is advantaged over another. If a left-hander used a right-handed stick, she would be at a disadvantage compared to her right-handed counterpart. The same thing applies to right-handers using left-handed sticks; they would be at a technical and tactical advantage over their left-handed teammates.
Right-handed players have two choices when it comes to sticks: they can use a left-handed stick, which eliminates them from contention of being selected in national team camps and competitions; or they can use a right-handed stick, which means they will always have an edge over their left-handed counterparts.
There are some exceptions to this rule.
The perfect hockey stick may make a tremendous impact in your game by making shooting, stick handling, and general game management much simpler. Make use of this advice to choose the greatest hockey stick for you and your playing style. Before you can pick the best hockey stick, you must first understand what kind of sticks are available. There are three main types of hockey sticks: blade, hybrid, and puck.
Blades are by far the most popular type of stick used in today's NHL. They feature a thin, flat blade that's held together with a cross-brace and a tapered shaft. The thinner the blade, the faster it will turn when swung at high speeds. This makes blades ideal for offensive players who like to shoot quickly or deke their opponents out on the ice. Blades are also useful when you need to push or pull the puck down low in the zone.
Hybrids are the second most popular type of stick. They combine a blade with a curved shaft, similar to a tennis racket. The curve helps the player maintain control while moving across the ice. Some hybrids have a thicker bottom end than others; these are called "bottom-end loaded" sticks. Others are exactly equal in size throughout; they're called "evenly balanced". Either way, hybrids are generally slower turning than blades but more flexible, which allows for better shot selection and dekes.
Pucks are the least common type of stick.
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