If you just can’t make up your mind about which stick to purchase and need some more information on which is the best one for you; here are some brief pointers on how to choose one.
Length
This is possibly one of the most important issues when choosing a stick. People very often make the mistake of getting the wrong length, but if in doubt, here is the golden rule. There is an enormous range of sizes from 102 centimetres, down to 60 centimetres. The perfect stick for you should come up to just above the top of your shorts.
What makes a good stick stand out
This can be split into two areas.
Shaft
If you have the money to buy what you want, then, I would go for carbon fibre. If you but the best, you will get a stick that will last. A rule of thumb is that females and juniors should always go for a softer shaft, which gives better ball control.
Blade
This depends on what sort of player you are. Somebody, who is good, should go for a less curved blade, to assist your passing technique and reduce the spin factor. Anyone that takes a lot of shots should go for a curved blade that is deeper.The only reason for you to buy a blade that is hard is if you want to shoot harder. Even though getting a hard blade is a matter of choice, softer blades are generally much better when it comes to ball control.
Curving the blade
When you have the ideal stick, there is still work to do.Always be aware that it is illegal to curve your blade by more than 3 centimetres. There are a number of methods to get a curve, but the easiest is:
- Put the blade in boiling water
- Curve the blade to taste
- Immerse the blade in iced water for at least five minutes after
- Don’t forget to wear some gloves, or use a cloth when you are curving the blade, because it will be very hot.
