How to choose your first field hockey stick – a beginner's guide

Your first stick is the most important purchase of your hockey journey – and the most common source of mistakes. A stick that is too expensive, too stiff or too long can put you off the sport before it even begins. Here is how to choose wisely.

Start with length, not the brand

Stand the stick upright against your leg – the top should reach roughly to your hip bone. The hip point is a rough starting point, not a precise fit: choose the length for your height from the manufacturer's size table. Junior models cover a wider range than 26–32 inches (Grays goes from 24 to 35 inches), adults most often play 36.5–37.5 inch sticks, and some tall players need 38.5 inches. Do not buy a stick to grow into: one that is too long forces poor posture and makes learning to dribble harder. You will also find a height-to-length table in our Size Guide.

Softer flex = an easier start

A high carbon content sounds professional, but at the beginning it works against you: a stiff stick does not forgive trapping mistakes and sends vibrations straight into your wrists. A stick with a softer flex and good ball feel usually works better at the start – wooden, or composite with a lower carbon content. Treat the carbon percentage as a guide only within a single series from one manufacturer; between brands, fibre grade, lay-up and flex matter just as much.

Bow: start with standard

Low bow and extra low profiles seen among competitive players are built for drag flicks and 3D play – for a beginner they make flat passing harder. Choose a standard or mid bow (~22 mm): predictable in trapping and passing, which is what you learn first.

Head: a profile that makes trapping easier

Head names and geometry differ between manufacturers, and your position on the pitch does not automatically decide the head shape. A beginner should look for a profile that makes trapping and dribbling easier, following the description of the specific model. The most common names:

• Midi – an all-round profile, usually a good starting point for a beginner
• Maxi – a larger playing surface, chosen among other things for stopping and trapping the ball
• Shorti – a shorter head favoured by dribblers, too demanding at the start

Some brands use their own names and profiles (such as Micro), so go by the model description rather than the label alone.

How much should a first stick cost?

A sensible first stick costs around PLN 150–350 (as of September 2026). More expensive models (PLN 600 and up) only make sense once your trapping and hitting technique is solid – before that you will not yet get the full benefit of them, while their stiffness will get in the way.

Pre-purchase checklist

• Length matched to your height using the manufacturer's table (see also our size guide)
• Softer flex: wood, or a composite with a lower carbon content within its series
• Standard / mid bow
• A head profile that makes trapping easier (e.g. midi)
• Variant matching where you play: outdoor (grass/artificial turf) or indoor (hall)

You can check the length and bow of every stick in the Hockey Sticks category of our shop; we list the composition wherever the manufacturer publishes a reliable specification. If you prefer to ask, write to us. Equipment here is chosen by someone who has actually played the game. A full guide to stick parameters is in How to choose a stick.