Field hockey is an action packed and demanding sport. It's a sport that demands a serious level of fitness, skill and bravery. That means that the equipment you use needs to be top notch, so that you can dedicate 100% of your focus to your game, and not worry about anything else.
Midfielders are the power houses of field hockey. They play a crucial role with a mix of defensive and attacking play. Without a strong midfield, a team can quickly feel unorganised and descend into chaos!
As a midfielder, you need to have the right type of field hockey stick, if not the best field hockey stick for midfielders. However, it's important to make sure you're choosing a stick for the right reasons, not just for it's colour or fancy patterns. The right stick can be a very powerful tool, so continue reading to find out how to choose the best stick that can increase your performance!
How to choose the best field hockey stick as a midfielder?
First, let's talk about carbon fibre percentage. Depending on your skill level, you may opt for a different percentage of carbon fibre. Generally speaking, the higher carbon fibre the stick has, the more difficult it will be to control.
However, with a higher carbon stick, you are rewarded with that extra power needed to give you an edge against your competition. As a midfielder, this could mean the difference between making a long through ball to an attacking player, or even a shot on goal that has enough power to beat the keeper.
It is recommended to go for a 95% carbon stick rather than 100% as the remaining 5% is made from Kevlar, which heavily reinforces the stick and stops it from breaking. As a midfielder, you’re going to experience some heavy tackles, so making sure your stick is durable and will actually last is important.
What bow is best for midfielders?
This all comes down to the type of playstyle you have as a midfielder. There's no one size fits all approach when it comes to hockey sticks. The best thing to do here is think about your style of play. Your favourite passes, skills and shooting techniques. All of these will help to identify the right stick for you.
Mid Bow
Mid Bow sticks have long been the most common type of stick used by traditional players. In the older days of hockey, low bows didn't exist, so these really do form the backbone of hockey. In short, these sticks are relatively straight without much curve. Mid bows are all about power and control of the ball. Typically, if you are the type of midfielder that goes in for hard crunch tackles, big hits and hard slaps, then a mid bow might be for you.
As well as this, be sure to look out for a mid bow stick with a reinforced head. This will mean you have even more power in your hits, tackles and reverse tomahawks!
Low Bow
These require some experience to properly handle. The difference between a mid bow and low bow is that these have a more aggressive curve, which typically aids the flicking action. Now you may be thinking, "but I'm not a drag flicker?"
Well don't worry! Using a low bow stick doesn't necessarily mean you're a pro drag flick specialist. It may certainly help you pull off flicks and aerials, but there's much more to it than that.
Low bow sticks typically have a much thinner profile overall. So as well as flicks, you may also experience much better dribbling, 3D skills and push passing. So if you're the type of midfielder that makes lightning fast runs up the pitch, slices through the opposition like a hot knife through butter, then a low bow might be exactly what you need!
How to decide?
At the end of the day, choosing a stick is much like a science. It's a personal experience that will be different for everyone. A stick that works for a teammate, might not necessarily work for you! Especially given that you play in different positions or simply have different styles of play. So is there an easy way to find the perfect stick for midfielders? Luckily, there is!
Here at Rival hockey, we’ve put together a helpful 60 second stick quiz. The stick quiz is designed to match you with your perfect stick, by quickly analysing your play style and skills. By answering a few questions about how you play, you will then be matched with a stick that is scientifically designed to improve your playing ability! Ready to take the quiz? Click the button below.
But why should I take your word for it?
At Rival, we've been matching players with their perfect stick since 2020. But don't just take it from us, here's what some our players have to say about it.
