Hockey Sticks

Hockey Stick Buying Guide: Find the Right Stick for School and Club Hockey

Hockey is a popular team sport and perfect for warming up and burning off energy in school and club sports. In this buying guide, we answer the most important questions about hockey sticks.

• Field vs. Indoor Hockey: What’s different about the sticks?
• Which hockey stick length is right for which body height?
• What are hockey sticks made of?
• What are the differences between hockey sticks?
• Which hockey stick is right for me?
• Which hockey stick for left-handers?

 

Field vs. Indoor Hockey: What’s different about the sticks?

At professional level, the key question is whether you play field or indoor hockey, because the sticks differ significantly. In indoor hockey, the ball is usually pushed rather than hit, so an indoor stick is thinner and lighter than a field hockey stick. Field sticks typically have a more curved head to generate more power. Indoor sticks require less hitting power and therefore have a flatter head.

In school sports, you can safely ignore this distinction and use the same sticks for both. Our tip: The Sport-Thieme Classic hockey stick is a true all-rounder. You can order it for either indoor or field hockey. 

 

Which hockey stick length is right for which body height?

In general, hockey sticks are divided into junior and adult sizes. From a height of >150 cm, players use the standard senior length of 36.5". Anyone under 1.50 m uses shorter sticks.

Rule of thumb: The right stick stands on the floor with the head and reaches up to the player’s navel.

For ambitious club players, it needs to be more precise. The ideal junior stick length in relation to body height can be found in the table below:

 
 

What are hockey sticks made of?

Hockey sticks are made from wood or plastic.

Advantages of wooden hockey sticks:

• Better shock absorption and ball feel
• More affordable
• Recommended for children and beginners

Advantages of plastic hockey sticks:

• Harder stick for more powerful hits
• Lighter and therefore more agile
• More durable and robust

 

A popular material for professional sticks is carbon. The higher the carbon content, the stiffer the stick and the harder the shots – but ball control decreases.

• 10–30% for beginners
• 30–70% for intermediate players
• 70–100% for performance players

 

Good to know: For beginners and school sports, it’s not important for the stick to contain carbon. Sticks made of wood or softer plastics such as polyethylene (PE) are ideal here.

  

What are the differences between hockey sticks?

For professional hockey, key criteria are the correct stick length, the amount of bow, the material and the weight.

Low bow:

• Better hitting accuracy with less refined technique
• More powerful hits
• Easy dribbling
• Suitable for beginners

 

Strong bow:

• Higher ball speed
• Precise 3D dribbling
• For advanced and expert players

 

 

Which hockey stick is right for me?

When choosing the right hockey stick, your experience level is crucial, as beginners have different needs from seasoned players.

• Beginners:

++ Material: Wood or plastic (max. 10–30% carbon)

++ Bow: Low bow – Standard Bow (16–22 mm)

 

• Intermediate players:

++ Material: 40–70% carbon – increases hitting power

++ Bow: Medium bow – Mid Bow (22–24 mm) or Low Bow (24–25 mm)

 

• Pros:

++ Material: 70–100% carbon – maximises shot speed

++ Bow: Stronger bow – X Bow (24–29 mm)

 

 

Which hockey stick for left-handers?

Hockey sticks are not produced separately for right- and left-handed players. Left-handers also play on the right side. Special left-handed sticks are prohibited for competitions and field hockey tournaments under the rules of the International Hockey Federation.

  

Endurance, speed, reactions, tactics, fair play and team spirit – hockey combines it all. Order the right hockey sticks for school and club sport now at Sport-Thieme.