Hockey Hell - Field Hockey Sticks

Field Hockey Sticks:

Once again these have changed considerably in recent years. Sticks have traditionally been made from wood and originally these were not very strong, however, in the 1970's they were reinforced with glass fibre, by the 1980's more sophisticated materials had become available such as Carbon fibre (for stiffness) and Kevlar (for shock absorption), these being applied to the shaft of sticks making them stronger and stiffer.

These changes enabled player’s skill levels to improve particularly when used on the new artificial surfaces.
Most recently stick manufacturers have introduced a composite product made from Carbon fibre, Kevlar and Glass fibre laid out in a mould and bonded together with epoxy resin, injected into the mould under pressure. These products are stronger stiffer and more long lasting than their wooden counterparts and have led to greater power and more consistent hitting. Initially this has led to a rapid decline in the sale of wooden sticks with sales of composite sticks going in the opposite direction.

Field Hockey Sticks The use of wooden sticks although much reduced it is likely that there will always be a market for such products in particular at the top level. WHY? this is because you get greater "Feel" for the ball. This is similar to Golf Pro's using Bladed clubs giving greater control with a small "sweet spot". Composite sticks can similarly be compared to the use of Peripheral waited clubs used by Amateur Golfers which give less control but a bigger "sweet spot" for more consistent hitting.

The hockey stick some key points from the rules of the game - the stick must be smooth and must not have any rough or sharp parts - inclusive of any coverings used the stick must be able to pass through a ring with an interior diameter of 51mm. Additional important extract from the rule book, Field and Equipment Specifications - from 1.06.06 the maximum "BOW" for a stick will be 25mm - Players must be aware that manufacturers may refuse to replace sticks which have been broken or damaged as a consequence of using the edge of the stick to hit the ball because many sticks have not been made for use in this way.