Which length stick is right for me?
The standard length of a senior hockey stick is 36.5 inches and the majority of sticks used are of this length, however most manufacturers provide 37.5 inch sticks in a wide range of models, with some also being available in 35, 38, 38.5 inches. There are no rules governing which length of stick will be right for any individual players. It really is down to your personal preference, but as a guide the taller you are the easier you will find using a longer stick.

Which weight stick should I buy?
Most hockey sticks are available in light and medium weights with some still available in heavy. With wooden sticks the heavier the stick, especially in the head, the more power that can usually be generated when striking the ball. With the modern composite sticks the aim is to generate the power from the composition of the stick rather than the weight in the head or shaft. Whilst this claim may actually be true to an extent, there is a modern myth that composites always generate more power than comparable wooden sticks. To date all of the scientific evidence fails to support this view.
As artificial turf has overtaken most of the game the recent trend has been towards using lighter sticks with thinner heads, which offer some real advantages in dribbling and stick skills especially to younger players. However, many players still favour the balance offered by a slightly heavier stick with a head heavy, rather than even weight distribution. It is therefore impossible to advise which weight or style of stick will be best for any given player, it is very much a trial and error process.

What is the difference between composite and wooden sticks?
Composite sticks are made of a combination of Carbon, Fibreglass, Aramid and Kevlar, whereas wooden sticks are made from a wooden core reinforced with combinations of Carbon, Fibreglass, Aramid and Kevlar.

Some of the advantages of composite sticks
- Slightly more power when striking the ball than can be generated from an equivalent weight wooden stick
- More uniform balance, weight distribution and shape making it easier to buy a second stick of a similar set up
- Thinner heads make flicking and aerials easier, lighter weights can aid ball movement

Some of the advantages of wooden sticks
- Increased feel on the ball when dribbling
- Better first touch and stopping skills
- Less vibration when hitting the ball and better performance in cold conditions

Some disadvantages of composite sticks
- Get it wrong and it will sting your hands, when it is really cold it will sting you hands whatever you do
- Performance deteriorates with use and even though the stick may have less obvious wear than a wooden stick of similar age its performance will have declined more noticeably
- Increases in the carbon content significantly impair first touch and feel

Some disadvantages of wooden sticks
- Despite very significant advances the breakage rate is still a little higher than composites
- Whatever the manufacturer does in an attempt to slow it down wooden heads wear out quicker, unless of course you play exclusively on water based pitches
- They are not fashionable any more, although there is an increasing trend for international players to use them because of the better feel and touch that they offer

The difference between the composite sticks within any manufacturers range is essentially a combination of their composition, head and shaft shape. As you go up the ranges in price the amount of carbon in the stick increases, which in turn makes the sticks stiffer and allows a greater hitting power, and different head shapes and shaft layouts designed to aid specific skills like the drag flicking are added. These changes to aid specific skills are balanced by the decrease in control that is the consequence of having a high carbon content and a stick profile that is concentrated on promoting one or more skills to the overall detriment of others. The increases in costs for a wooden stick follows a similar pattern, the more money you pay the more advanced the reinforcement on the shaft, and the greater hitting power that is generated. However the more extreme shaft profiles are not available in wooden sticks.


What is the advantage of having a bowed stick?
Bowed hockey sticks have been with us for many years but have recently increasing in popularity. Their advantages include:
- Increased flicking ability, in particular the drag flick
- Improved swept or slapped passes
- The bow in the shaft is an aid to dribbling skills as it helps to keep the ball under greater control (there are some complex physics involved here which I will not go into)
But they have their disadvantages as well:
- It is much easier to inadvertently raise the ball when hitting
- Unless you are a drag flicker a straighter shaft will perform most flicks just as well
- Whilst it can assist the “Argentinean Backhand” by raising the hands off the ground, it can also increase the inadvertent use of the back of the stick when stopping on the reverse

FIH have set a limit on the bend allowed to 25mm and most manufacturers produce sticks in their ranges from 25mm downwards.

What is the difference between the head shapes?
Head shapes have altered over the years from the English heads of the post war years to the shorti of the eighties, but most sticks on the market today are only available in a limited number of head shapes. The two major types are hook or maxi heads, with many manufacturers settling on a compromise between the two. It is very much personal taste which you prefer as the differences are often very subtle.

Why are some sticks more expensive than others?
The cost of wooden sticks is determined by the quality of the shaft and level of reinforcement around it. Cheaper sticks may only be reinforced with fibreglass, whereas the more expensive sticks will have strips of carbon coating the shaft giving increased stiffness and power with Kevlar or Aramid added to dampen vibration.
The cost of composite sticks is directly proportional to the percentage of carbon making up the stick. The more you pay, the more carbon is in the stick, making it stiffer, resulting in increased striking power. Manufacturers often limited the numbers of specific high end sticks to increase their attractiveness.


Is there any warranty on hockey sticks?
Due to the nature the game of hockey, it is not possible to fully guarantee any stick against breakage – all sticks will break eventually. As a general guideline, any inherent fault in the construction of a stick will manifest itself within the first month of use. Breakages after that time are likely to be the result of direct contact, e.g. a stick tackle, or a flying goalkeeper… which are not covered by any guarantee. Once a stick has seen a lot of use any breakage is very unlikely to be a manufacturers fault and is one of the inherent costs of the game.

Damage caused by edge hitting (for example the Argentinean backhand) is not covered by any manufacturers warranty.
If you are concerned that your stick may be faulty we will be pleased to examine it and if necessary send it back to the manufacturers for their assessment. Often damage is repairable which may be done at the manufacturers discretion.

Players must take responsibility for the maintenance and care of their sticks, particularly when playing on sand based surfaces. Wear and tear will occur to the shaft and head of the stick, but damage can be limited by the use of stick tape and stick repair kits. Most manufacturers estimate that players should expect to use more than one stick per season if training and playing regularly.


Can I get a different (or an additional) grip put onto a stick purchased over the internet?
Unfortunately we cannot put different or additional grips onto sticks before they are sent out. Once a stick has been altered it would not be fit for resale and you would therefore be unable to return it if for any reason it did not meet your expectations.