Field hockey sticks: Does my field position mean I should purchase a particular hockey stick?
When a squash, tennis or cricket player purchases a racquet or bat the main considerations are comfort, weight, strength and feel. The same decisions apply to hockey players when buying a field hockey stick but there is another important element to consider. The field position the player plays in is an important factor to take into account when purchasing a stick.
The four main positions in hockey are defender, forward, midfielder and goal keeper. Each position plays in different areas of the field. Each player performs different actions when in possession of the ball which is why they each require slightly different hockey sticks.
Defender
When playing in defence the task is to prevent the opposing team’s attacks and to feed the ball to midfielders and forwards. The main actions required are to tackle, stop the ball and trap the ball. In addition, defenders take long hits for clearances and therefore require more power to clear the ball. The defender also stays back in the defence zone so there’s generally less running than a forward.
With the specific tasks of a defender in mind, the stick best suited is heavy with not much bow and a lot of stiffness. A composite stick with Kevlar would be ideal as vibration from a high-impact fast-moving ball is felt less in the player’s hands. As there is less running than a forward the heavier stick should not be too energy draining to carry.
Forward
When playing forward the role is to constantly attack the opposition’s goals. The main actions are to run with the ball, flick-pass, drag back, dribbling and to score. The forward plays all over the field so there’s a lot of running.
The type of field hockey stick best suited for a forward is light-weight with the maximum bow allowed of 25mm or close to it. Having a bigger bow is an advantage when doing drag-flicks at the goals. In terms of the weight of the stick, a light-weight, such as a carbon fibre composite, is ideal given the amount of running required.
Midfielder
Midfielders play as both attacker and defender, therefore the ideal stick is somewhere in the middle of a heavy defender’s stick and a light-weight forward’s stick. A bow somewhere in the middle range of 12 to 20mm is a good option.
In addition, it’s important to consider whether the specific midfielder tends to attack or defend more. In a more attacking style the stick should be lighter. Conversely, a heavier stick would suit those midfielders with a defensive focus wanting to hit the ball hard to gain greater distance.
Goalkeeper
Some hockey commentators and goalies themselves say goalkeepers don’t always require a hockey stick. A stick can seem redundant given the frequency that goalies stop the ball with their thick padding. However, it’s unlikely goalies would do away with a stick willingly as it’s proven to be a critical tool at times! The 2014 Commonwealth Games saw Hockeyroo’s goalie, Rachael Lynch, win a penalty shootout against England by hitting the ball away with her stick. The English goalkeeper went on to do the same!
The best hockey stick for a goalkeeper is one that has a large surface area to assist in stopping the ball making it into the goals. Fortunately the goalkeeper is allowed to use a different stick to the other players, specifically one with a larger shaped hook at the end.
Given the differences between each position it makes sense for players to select a field hockey stick that meets the specific needs of their role. For those players who rotate through multiple positions it would be wise to have a variety of sticks at their disposal. To learn about stick construction and the benefits of wood versus composite read our hockey stick article here.