How to choose your field hockey stick?

Playing professional hockey is not child’s play. The crisp shots and cheers from the crowd come to those who have dominated the sport over the years, with practice, skill and hard work. As they say, field hockey is about art and not about power, so you need to be solid in your skills and steady with your wrists and stick. Although, in addition to the skills, it also involves some technicality and a lot depends on the type of equipment you choose. Of all the hockey stick plays the most important role as it is the main accessory you play with. Therefore, to complement your game, it is essential that you choose the right branch to play. Here is a brief description about the type of hockey sticks (twigs) preferred by Indian players.

The essential

Both left-handed and right-handed players use the same type of stick, as you need to use both hands to control it. It features a hilt and a shaft, at the end of which is a flat area and a curved hook facing to the right. Players grip it with the right hand placed at the base of the grip and the left near the top of the stick and the flat area of ​​the stick is meant to hit the ball.

Weight

The most important aspect when choosing a hockey stick should be its weight. It should be light enough for you to hold and heavy enough to give your shots the desired power. Most pros go for a medium weight club, however it all depends on the position you play. The forward stance is complemented by a lighter stick as it can be moved quickly and easily, whereas a defender would prefer a heavy stick to stop powerful shots and ensure strong shots. Midfielders use medium weight as it provides the benefits of intensity and maneuverability. If you are a beginner, you should go for this, until you decide what your forte is in the game.

Length

The length of the hockey stick is closely related to your height and ability. If you are a professional player, the stick should be longer to allow better reach around you. But for beginners, it’s best to take a stick that reaches just above your waist. Later you can use a longer stick. A 36 to 38 inch stick will follow the average height of the Indians.

tip style

It is the area with which you hit the ball. It is available in four types: hook, maxi, midi, shorti. The hook has the most curved opening and is used by highly skilled players and defenders as it provides a large surface area to hit or receive the ball. It works best on a grass surface. Maxi is a little less curved than the previous one, it is used for the aforementioned purposes but works better on grass. Midi is moderately curved, it is useful for midfielders as it can easily spin around the ball and can also stop moderate shots. Shorti is a slightly curved stick that is ideal for dribbling. It is used by attacking line players.