by Tim Harry

Created on: September 01, 2009

Many people when the first pick up a hockey stick will think a stick is a stick is a stick, and for the first time player then any stick may well do. The more a player plays the sport though the more obvious it becomes that the hockey stick is an integral part of the game, and can make a huge difference to the way the individual plays the sport.

From a distance every hockey stick does look the same, but there are many different specifications that make up a hockey stick, and there are even differences between manufacturers, like Slazenger, Kookaburra or Grays. It is these differences that make it essential to hold and look at a hockey stick before a purchase is made.

Hockey sticks have traditionally been made from wood, making them fairly heavy, and despite new composite hockey sticks now being available, many hockey players at the highest levels still like the weight of the wooden sticks. Weight is an important consideration and for adult hockey players, the weight of a hockey stick can range from 18 ounces through to 26 ounces. In general terms a defender will have a heavier stick to allow for clearances; whilst forward will have a lighter one for control and the ability to hit a quick shot.

As well as the weight of the stick, the length of the hockey stick is also important when considering which stick to buy. Sticks range in length from 26 inches through to 38 inches, though most adults will play with a stick somewhere between 32 and 38 inches. The length of the stick should be proportionate to the height of the purchaser, although a longer stick does obviously give extra reach.

At the end of the hockey stick is the toe, and there are a number of terms used by sellers and designers of hockey sticks to distinguish the design of the toe. Different toes are suitable to different types of players.

Perhaps the most common term for the toe design is the Hook. The Hook design is the largest and is best served for stopping the moving hockey ball, although it is also good for a powerful strike of the ball.

The term Shorti is also applied to the toe, and is usually present on a light stick, as it is ideal for close control and quick movement of the ball. The Midi, as the name suggests, is middle ground, with a increased surface area over the Shorti and also longer length, which allows for stopping, flicking and decent control. Some manufacturers also make a Maxi toe design, which is a hockey stick that provides for more powerful shooting from a

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