BUYING THE RIGHT STICK

Buying the right stick

There are many kinds, types & styles of sticks on the market. One can choose by brand, by material, by size, by weight and by shape.

Choosing a stick is a little bit like choosing the right skis. You must first determine what you would like to do with them and what they should be able to handle. You must then choose a ski that is able to perform accordingly and feel natural to you.

The key to choosing the right stick is to play with a variety of them. Try to use a demo stick or borrow one from a teammate or a friend. Once you try a stick that you think might be the right one, do not get frustrated and give up on it if it does not work for you right away. A change in sticks takes a little while and you must allow for time to get used to it. However, if you still have doubts after 3 or 4 sessions with it, it is probably not the right stick for you.

• Are you a hitter?
• Are you a finesse player & like to dribble?
• Do you mostly distribute the ball in midfield?
• Do you hit or flick corners?
• Do you push out corners?

They are all questions that will help you in your choice....As a result:

• If you do not hit much, choose a lighter stick that offers you better & quicker control. By choosing a composite stick, you can probably make up for the lost power if you need to hit sometimes.
• If you flick on corners, you should probably get a stick with a good curve or bow.
• If you have trouble with backhand trapping, a stick with a "maxi" head will probably help you. However, if you also push out corners, make sure that the shape of the head doesn't limit you from cradling the ball like you need to be effective.

All stick suppliers make similar sticks. The choice of brand is individual and depends on what feels right. The biggest difference between brands is seen in the stiffness, the shape of the shaft and the way in which this shape continues into the head of the stick and the grip. The quality in manufacturing should be important when making your choice. Most mainstream brands offer high quality and use similar materials although, manufacturing processes & techniques can be quite different.

Try them out and see what feels right for you. Don't let the grip bother you, it can be exchanged just like the bindings on a pair of skis. GOOD LUCK

Size: up to about age 12 the stick should measure up to the hip or belly button. After that the best way of measuring is from under the armpit to inline with the knee. Normally heights between 5"2in and 5"11in should play with a 36.5" and any taller then you should play with a 37.5"

The stick: sticks range widely in price to cater from the biginner to the elite. The composite stick which is now the most popular as it aids hitting power starts from around £50 and works up to over £200. The main difference is that the more expensive the stick, the stiffer the stick and the more hitting power it will give. Also the stronger compound sticks tend not to wear as quickly on sand based pitches.

Light or medium: most sticks nowadays are available in light or medium weights. Light is the most popular as it aids stick skills and quicker head speed. Medium weights are prefered by defensive minded players while attackers should look to the lighter weighted sticks.

Head shape: there are a number of head shapes available. These include midi, maxi, j-turn and hook heads. The right choice really comes down to the player and what they feel comfortable with. The midi head is the most popular.