Keira Rose Sports gear is an indispensable aspect of a player’s life. So, automatically, getting it correct is one of the ultimate factors that a player simply cannot afford to overlook. When it comes to buying sports gear like hockey sticks, balls, shoes, bags and more, you need to settle down with a supplier who can provide you with nothing but the best. However, it is not always a bad idea to get to know the basics of selecting a hockey stick. After all, this will help you to determine whether the stuff offered by a provider is actually fit for you or otherwise.
Two of the most important things that any player needs to check while selecting a hockey stick are its flex and curve. ‘Flex’ indicates the flexibility of hockey sticks, while ‘curve’ talks about the curvature of the blade, with which you hit the ball. Buying a hockey stick that complements your style of play, position at which you play and your skill level can improve your performance vastly. Therefore, there are certain parameters, on the basis of which you can go about finding a hockey stick that is suitable to you. These are:
– Your starting point for selecting a hockey stick’s flex can be the age of the player. All young players should ideally start from 40 flex. This number increases to 50 in the case of juniors, 60-65 for intermediate players and 85-110 flex for adults. This number indicates the stiffness or flexibility of a stick’s shaft. The higher the number, the stiffer the shaft is and a lower digit refers to high levels of flexibility of the shaft.
– Then comes the choice between a “mid-flex” or a “low kick point” hockey stick. All traditional wooden sticks are “mid-flex”, which flex mostly at the middle of the stick and gives time to the player to load the field hockey stick. But, if you want to load your shot faster, then a “low kick” stick is the one you should look out for. Being tapered inward, these sticks flex downwards further and take less time to load the stick.
– When you visit a sports store, hold the stick against the floor and push down with your lower hand. Check whether the hockey stick flexes about an inch without you using your full strength. In case the stick flexes more than required, you need to go for a stick that has higher flex number and if it hardly moves, then you need to go for something that is more flexible.
– Choose the curve of the stick’s blade depending on your position in the team. If you play forward, you would need larger blades to gain control over high shots. Similarly, if you play in defence, you would need straighter blades that are more suited to blocking shots, poke-checking, making passes to forwards and breaking up passes as well.
– Lookout for the “lie” – an angle between the blade and shaft of your hockey stick. Ranging from 4-7, the largeness of the angle of the blade is inversely proportional to the lie number.
Following the aforementioned factors, you can rest assured that you can find the apt hockey stick suited to your style of playing.
About Author: Ashley is passionate about sports. He owns a blog where he shares information and latest updates about various games and accessories, including: hockey sticks, balls, bags, etc.
