Created By: Coach Giles Andrews
Dear Riptide Hockey Players and Parents,
Over the past few months, I’ve had numerous questions about sticks. When to buy a new one, and perhaps most confusing of all, which one to choose. I’ll do my best to break down what you should be looking for based on your experience level, skill development, and other key factors. If you’d like more information or prefer to discuss this in person, feel free to reach out.
Finding Your Stage
Beginner – You’ve just started, you’re learning the basics, and you’re not yet sure if field hockey is your sport. At this stage, any properly sized stick (more on sizing below) will work fine. Look for sticks in the $50-$75 range marked as junior or beginner line. These typically have lower carbon content.
Early Enthusiast – You’ve been playing for a few months, you’re enjoying the game, and you’re committed to continuing—at least for now. You’ve grasped the basics and want to improve. Your beginner stick is starting to feel limiting, especially if you’ve tried your friends’ more advanced ones. This is the right time to invest in your first proper stick. Look in the $100-$150 range (or lower during sales) with 20-50% carbon content. This stick should last you a year or two until you outgrow it in skill or size.
Leveling Up – You’ve decided you’re in this for the long haul—whether for high school, club hockey, or beyond—and your skills are genuinely improving. You need a solid intermediate stick that can grow with your developing abilities and strength. Most hockey players will settle into this category. At this level, you’ll start to develop personal preferences, and that’s crucial. There are countless shapes, sizes, materials, and specifications out there, but the most important question is: Does it feel good to me?
This is when you should try out as many sticks as possible. Swap with friends before, after, or during practice. Ask coaches about their preferences and try their sticks. If you attend tournaments with vendors, spend time testing options—even if you don’t need a new stick yet. Carbon content typically ranges from 40-80% at this level, with prices from $150-$250 depending on brand and country of origin.
Going Pro – If you’re on a D1 college track, playing abroad in countries where field hockey is a major sport, or committing to high-level play as a lifelong passion, you may find yourself looking at top-tier sticks. Be aware: these are designed specifically for elite players with extremely high skill levels. At $300-$400+, these sticks are highly specialized and fine-tuned to individual needs. Unless you know exactly what you need and understand all the technical specifications, these probably aren’t worth the investment for most of us!
Understanding Stick Shapes
Hockey sticks used to be straight. Now they come in various curved shapes that look similar but feel and play very differently.
Mid Bow – The most straight option. The curve starts high up near the grip, so it’s not very pronounced. Beginner sticks often have this shape.
Low Bow – The most common stick shape. The bow starts relatively low but isn’t extreme. This is ideal for defenders, midfielders, and intermediate players. If it’s your first real stick or you’re unsure, this is your safest bet, especially if you’ve been using straighter sticks.
Ultra Low Bow (ULB) – A higher-level, skill-based design. The stick appears fully bent at the bottom and is designed for fast skills, 3D hockey, flicks, and aerials rather than hitting. I’ve played with this style for many years after using other shapes. If you have fast hands, enjoy skills and quick pulls, and have an excellent push pass, this might suit you—but it takes time to adjust, and you definitely want to try one first.
Carbon Content Explained
Carbon content is somewhat of a marketing tool, but it does indicate how rigid the stick is. Higher percentages mean a harder stick, which requires more personal touch and control to use effectively. For reference, I play with an 85% carbon stick and would never go higher—it’s not a case of “higher is always better.” For most Riptide players, I’d recommend sticks between 40-70% carbon, but honestly, don’t overthink this. Field hockey thrived for hundreds of years before carbon content became a selling point. Feel matters more than numbers. I know at least two top-level UK players who use 50% carbon sticks.
Size and Weight
Adult hockey sticks must weigh a minimum of 520g (I’m not sure about regulations for youth sticks). Generally, look for relatively light sticks that don’t feel flimsy or hollow. The stick should absolutely not rattle!
For height, the handle should come up to approximately your waist. Sticks typically range from 32.5″ to 37.5″ depending on manufacturer (anything shorter is usually a beginner kids’ stick). There’s some personal preference here, and you may want to size up slightly for a rapidly growing child, but remember: a longer stick is harder to control during play.
Where to Buy
I think that covers the most common questions. Here are some recommended options and retailers in the US. Remember, Cal-Cup in May is worth attending even if you’re not playing—it’s a great opportunity to test sticks and potentially find deals.
Dragon Hockey – My sponsored brand and the sticks I personally play with and love. Unfortunately, they don’t make adult sticks in junior sizes, so these are only for taller players.
- Eclipse 70
- Use code GILESANDRE-20 at checkout for 25% off (I receive sponsor rewards)
- Note: I’m unsure how current tariffs may affect shipping costs and availability
- Miasma – Their kids’ stick is an excellent first option if shipping costs are reasonable, and it comes in many smaller sizes
HFS Sport (San Diego) – Many of our players choose Adidas sticks, which are easily available through HFS. Adidas can get expensive quickly, but they offer sales and clearance items with solid intermediate options like:
Longstreth – Probably the largest overall supplier in the US, stocking Greys, Osaka, TK, Gryphon, and Ritual. I’ve used TK extensively and always enjoyed their sticks. Osaka is highly respected, and Greys is one of the longest-standing brands in the world. I’m less familiar with Gryphon and Ritual, but some of our local coaches and players use them successfully.
Sample options:
Finding sticks under 35″ at the intermediate level can be challenging, so you may need to shop around if you haven’t hit your growth spurt yet—or learn to control a longer stick and grow into it!
Final Thoughts
Choosing a stick is very personal. If you can try several options, do it. If not, pick one and commit to it. If you’ve narrowed it down to a few choices, our coaches are happy to help you decide. There are almost too many options these days, so I hope this guide helps simplify things. I’m happy to answer specific questions, but please try to narrow it down—”What stick should I buy?” isn’t something I can answer without more context!
There are also numerous YouTube videos and online guides about stick selection. That said, don’t overthink it. For most of you, getting in the right ballpark—choosing a stick that roughly matches your ability level and is properly sized—will be plenty for now.
Good luck, and happy playing!
Coach Giles