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How to choose a hockey stick size. Club selection

Choosing a hockey stick is perhaps the most difficult moment in selecting all the equipment. There are quite a few parameters that need to be taken into account, which you will read about below, and most importantly, you can only understand whether this stick is really suitable for you during the game. Therefore, if this choice confronts you for the first time, we do not recommend that you buy an expensive stick right away; it’s better to start with a more universal stick in the middle price category, and having already felt what you would like to change, you can switch to a more expensive option with more pronounced necessary characteristics.

Basic parameters of a hockey stick

Grip

This parameter means which hand is on the bottom of the stick and which is on top, and in which direction the hook of the hockey stick will be bent. The grip can be right or left. With the left, the left hand is below, and the hook is bent to the right; for the right, the opposite is true.

If you don’t yet know which option you need and there is no opportunity to practice directly on a hockey stick, you can determine your grip using available tools, such as a mop or any other similar object. Take it in your hands as you would hold a stick, make a couple of movements simulating throwing the puck, left hand from below - left grip and vice versa.

Club length

Regarding the choice of the optimal stick length based on height, there are different opinions, in particular, coaches and representatives of schools from different countries have their own preferences. An average and probably the most common practice is to choose the length of the club from the nose to the chin. Defenders usually use slightly longer sticks, while attacking players, on the contrary, use slightly shorter sticks. It also depends on how close the player prefers to control and dribble the puck.

Rigidity

Perhaps one of the most important technical characteristics is rigidity or flex. When throwing a wrist shot, it is necessary to deflect the stick so that, straightening up in the final part of the throw, it accelerates the puck, as if shooting it.
Therefore, a correctly selected stiffness parameter allows the player to perform throws as efficiently as possible.

The stiffer the stick, the greater the effort required to throw, so the stiffness is chosen based on the weight and, to a greater extent, the strength of the player.
Thus, adult players of small weight (up to 75 kg) often choose Intermedia clubs (Int - this parameter will be discussed later) with flex = 60-70, which allows you to effectively use the stiffness of the club. Players who give greater preference to clicks choose stiffer clubs.

Not the main, but also important parameters

Club weight

For the initial models of the lines it will be more than 500 grams, with an average price of 3,000 rubles for an adult stick. For more advanced models, the weight tends to 400 grams. The difference of 100-150 grams at first glance seems quite small, but in reality it is quite noticeable. Therefore, whenever possible, players try to choose lighter clubs.

Age

You should rely on this parameter very roughly, but rather proceed from the parameters of weight growth and strength described above. But in general, the approximate gradation of clubs by age category is divided as follows:

  • Children's (youth, yth) - for children 4-7 years old.
  • Teenage (junior, jr) - for children 7-14 years old
  • Youth (intermediate, int) - for boys 14-17 years old.
  • Adults (senior, sr) - for adult players.

Hook bend

There are three types - bending the heel, end and middle of the hook.

  • Heel bend - usually used by players who prefer high throws.
  • The bent end of the hook (toe) is chosen by most hockey players - it allows for better control of the puck, but making upward throws is more difficult.
  • And the bend in the middle of the hook (mid) is the average value, which is a compromise option.

Bend degree

A slight bend is more versatile and makes it easier to control the end of the stick and make a tossed pass. It also has a positive effect on the accuracy and speed of throws with the back of the stick.
Accordingly, the stronger the bend, the more difficult it is to play the puck on the back of the blade, so before buying a stick with such a bend, it is good to make sure that it really suits you.

Tilt angle (lie)

Lie is determined by the angle of the blade relative to the shaft of the club. Expressed as numbers from 4.5 to 6. The higher the value, the more vertical the handle is. The lower the value, the sharper the angle between the ice and the stick handle.
The angle should be selected based on personal preference. A higher lean angle is best for those who hold their stick close, controlling the puck closer to them. A smaller angle is chosen by players who prefer to keep the puck at a distance, moving it in front of them.

Hook shape (toe)

The shape can be square, round or square with rounded corners. The round toe provides a larger surface of contact between the stick and the ice, thereby achieving better control of the puck.
A square toe makes it easier to play near the boards, but your puck handling may suffer. It is believed that the round toe is chosen by the forwards, and the square toe by the defenders; I don’t know the real statistics, and I think that this parameter, like others, needs to be realized during the game. And if you don’t have experience yet, choose a square shape with rounded corners as a universal option.

External covering

There are three types of outer club cover:

  • Grip is an anti-slip coating that provides rigid fixation of the hand, as a result allowing you to make more powerful blows. But it makes it difficult to move your hand along the shaft while dribbling.
  • Clear – the handle of a club with this coating is glossy and smooth. The positive thing is that the hand slides freely along the shaft. The downside is that with strong throws, the handle may rotate in the lower hand.
  • Matte – This coating allows the hand to glide over the shaft while still providing slightly better grip on shots than clear.

The choice of hockey stick blade shape depends entirely on the individual playing preferences of the player. Each hook shape option

the manufacturer assigns a separate designation. Most often, this is the name of a famous player.

The shape of the hook is characterized by the angle, the location of the bend, the depth of the bend, the curvature of the plane and the shape of the toe.

Beginner players can safely choose any hook with a round toe, an angle of 5-6 and a not very deep bend depth.

Low-angle sticks are used by players who play hockey by leaning low to the ice and moving the puck in front of them. High-angle sticks are used by players who want to keep the puck closer to their body while maintaining constant control over it.

The angle between the handle and the plane of the hook is expressed in numbers from 4.5 to 6.

The higher this number, the sharper the angle. The optimal angle for a particular hockey player is determined individually: with the correct angle, the stick rests comfortably on the ice with the entire edge of the hook, and the winding on it wears out evenly.

The shape of a club blade is characterized by the location of the bend, the angle, the depth of the bend, the shape of the toe and the curvature of the plane. Beginner hockey players can safely choose any hook with a round toe, an angle of 5-6 and a small bend depth.

A round toe makes it easier to select the puck “for yourself” and is optimal for attackers. A square toe is more convenient to play near the boards and stop the puck thrown along the boards - this hook is preferable for defenders.

The bend area of ​​the hook can be the heel, middle or toe. The fold in the middle is a reasonable compromise.

Hooks with a bend at the heel make it easier to lift the puck, while hooks with a bend at the toe make it easier to control it.

The stronger the bend, the more difficult it is to play the puck on the awkward side of the blade. Therefore, it is not recommended to use a strong bend unless you are sure that this is what you need.

The depth of the hook bend mainly affects the hockey player's dribbling and passing accuracy.

The curvature of the blade plane affects the speed at which the puck is lifted, which is especially useful for one-touch shots and touch-ups. Hooks with a large curvature are used only by experienced players.

For “composite” hockey sticks, both the “tubes” and the interchangeable hooks for them are divided into tapered and regular. Tapered hooks are suitable only for tapered pipes, regular ones - only for regular ones.

Tapered hooks have a shorter, narrower shank that moves the point of deflection downward, making the throw stronger.

Tapered hooks are usually more expensive than regular hooks, and their selection is not as wide.

But some regular blades (for example, Easton Z-Carbon) are just as good as tapered blades in terms of playability. What to choose - a regular pipe and hook, or narrowed ones - is the player’s personal preference.

Important:

For an attacker, a stick with a small hook shape and a curve larger than average is more suitable for dribbling and sharp wrist shots from above.

For a defender who often makes passes, throws low and uses his stick defensively (interrupting opponents' passes), a hook larger than average and with a slight bend is better.

However, all of the above is not an axiom, and in many ways the choice of hook depends on many anatomical factors of the hockey player that affect his technique, so the best advice is to try different hook bends to find the most suitable one.

Bauer hook bends

CCM hook bends

Preparing hockey equipment begins with choosing a stick. This is the main element of equipment, which, to a greater extent than skates and other attributes of a hockey player, reflects the sports individuality: the player’s role in the team, his playing style, personal technique. A stick is always chosen based on these features and many nuances are taken into account.

Which material to choose?

It is better to decide on this issue in advance, since the cost of the stick largely depends on the material. This way you can plan an approximate budget for the purchase of equipment. Conventionally, the entire variety of models can be divided into two groups - wooden and composite.

Wooden clubs- they are heavier and not as durable, but at the same time they are the cheapest. They are usually considered as an option for beginners. In addition to its price advantages, wood transmits vibrations well and gives a better feel for the puck, which is very important for mastering the intricacies of gaming techniques.

Composite sticks- this group unites hockey equipment made from modern multi-component materials - fiberglass, carbon, graphite, Kevlar, etc. Composite models are much lighter than their wooden counterparts, which gives a wide range of advantages to advanced level players. Carbon and Kevlar clubs are more durable.


One-piece or composite stick?

Available in the market today, there are two types - one-piece and composite. The first are monolithic structures in which the stick (shaft) and hook (feather) are one. If it breaks, which is a typical situation in professional hockey, most likely such a stick will not be repairable.

Composite sticks have a spliced ​​design: the blade and shaft are connected independently using thermoplastic glue. If the hook, which is the most vulnerable part, breaks or wears out, it can be easily replaced with a new one. Prefabricated sticks allow the athlete to experiment with blades of the desired shape and from different materials. This is especially important for beginning hockey players looking for their own individual style of play.

Choosing a size

The length of the stick is selected taking into account the height, weight and build of the hockey player. Modern manufacturers offer equipment for 4 age groups, each of which is assigned the appropriate marking:

1. Children (yth) - up to 7 years of age. The length of such models does not exceed 115 cm.

2. Junior (jr) - sticks 120-135 cm long, aimed at hockey players 7-15 years old.

3. Teenage (int) - models 135-145 cm long for hockey players under 17 years old.

4. Adults (sr) - full-length versions of sticks with a length of 145-157 cm. Small adult hockey players often prefer teenage options.


Accurate selection of size is especially important for children. A long or, conversely, too short stick will not allow you to correctly master the technique of hitting and dribbling the puck. The optimal height of a stick for a child under 10 years old should be such that when standing without skates, its upper part reaches the middle of the forehead.

Putter grip

When choosing the first club, the athlete must know what grip he has: left or right. Taking this feature into account, they are selected with a bend in one direction or another.

The specificity of the grip is determined by the location of the lower hand. If an athlete is comfortable holding the club with his right hand at the top and his left hand at the bottom, he has a left-sided grip. If the left hand is at the top and the right hand is at the bottom, the grip is right-sided.

It is important to understand that the specifics of the grip do not depend on whether a person is right-handed or left-handed. Everything here is determined solely by the factor of convenience. As a first stick, it is recommended to choose the option with a straight blade, since it is equally convenient for playing with a left or right grip. This way, in practice, you will be able to determine the usual position of your hands.

Stick stiffness

The stiffness of the stick must correspond to the weight and strength of the player. The more the club bends at the moment of throwing, the more powerful the blow. For stronger hockey players with more weight, hard sticks are optimal. In children's and junior versions, the rigidity is less, because the player must have enough strength to bend the stick and make a good throw. Without the right stiffness, it will be difficult for a hockey player to accurately control the puck while dribbling, passing, and shooting.

The stiffness indicator is marked with numbers that approximately correspond to the weight of the hockey player:

· children's and junior clubs - from 40 to 50;

· teenage models - from 50 to 65;

· for adult hockey players from 75 to 120.

Changing the length of the club (trimming it or increasing the height due to special inserts) affects the stiffness indicators. Shortening makes it more rigid, and lengthening makes it more flexible.

Hook characteristics

Bend angle- a characteristic that determines the angle between the shaft and the plane of the hook. In modern clubs this parameter varies from 4 to 8. The lower the number, the greater the angle. Choosing the optimal bend angle is an individual matter and depends on the playing style. Sticks with a bend of 4, 5.5, 5 are used by athletes who play primarily with low, inclined stances and prefer to move the puck in front of them. 6, 7 and 8 angle sticks are the choice for those who like to keep the puck short while maintaining maximum control.


Toe shape. The profile of the nose of the hook can be rounded or square. The round toe is preferred by forward players. With such a stick it is convenient to pick up the puck, move it with short alternating strokes, and perform basic attacking techniques and feints. A stick with a square toe is convenient to play near the boards, as it can effectively stop pucks shot along it. Defenders traditionally prefer to use such models.


Hook length. In accordance with this parameter, modern clubs are divided into three groups:

1. With a long hook (long) - increases the power of the throw, improves control when receiving and passing the puck.

2. With a medium hook (medium) - provides an optimal balance of control and power of strikes.

3. With a short hook (short) - guarantees sharp throws, increases control while dribbling.

Hook bend. This important parameter is determined by two points. The first of them is the bend area, i.e. the area where the curvature begins. The flex area can be closer to the heel (easier to lift the puck), more towards the toe (better puck control) or located in the middle of the blade. In terms of its depth, the bend of the stick blade can be light, medium and deep.


Types of coatings

The outer finish of the stick performs two functions: protective and anti-slip.

As the first type of coating, most manufacturers use epoxy resin-based compounds. It protects the shaft from the formation of microcracks, chips and other mechanical damage, thereby extending the service life of hockey equipment.

An important characteristic of a club is the presence or absence of an anti-slip coating on the shaft. Based on this feature, several types of clubs are distinguished.

Grip- models with an anti-slip coating, which ensures the most reliable fixation of the shaft during play without slipping your hands or twisting the shaft. All this minimizes energy loss when performing powerful shots and passes.

Clear- category of clubs without anti-slip coating. A player who prefers such models partially loses the rigidity of the fixation. But thanks to the free sliding of the lower hand along the shaft, he can change its position and react to game situations in a split second. In addition, free movement of the hand along the shaft is an important condition for dribbling.

Matte- a type of matte finish in which the developers tried to combine the advantages of the two previous options. The finish allows the hand to move along the shaft, but the slide itself remains well controlled.

Finding your stick that perfectly suits your individual playing style does not happen right away. But following our advice, you can do it much faster.

Hockey in Russia is one of the most popular sports. It is constantly developing and is played both in the courtyards and in special schools. But it is impossible to play hockey without one attribute - a stick. There are different sticks, and for professional hockey players they are selected individually with certain bends.

We will try to answer the question - how to choose the right stick if you decide to play hockey.

Reference

First of all, let's figure out what a stick is and what it looks like. Ice hockey stick- a sports equipment used in ice hockey for throwing, passing and dribbling the puck. The stick is approximately 150-200 cm long and has a long, thin shaft with a flat extension at one end called the hook. The blade is the part of the stick used to make contact with the puck, usually 25-40 cm long. Putter sizes can vary significantly as they must suit the player's preferences, height and weight. Well, the appearance of clubs dates back to the 16th century, when a game using a stick and a ball appeared in Holland. It was not exactly hockey, but this sport can be called a predecessor. Hockey appeared much later and Canadians are considered its founders.

The most important– the stick must be suitable for your height. The age of a hockey player is of great importance when choosing a stick. There are four age categories of players, for each of which it is recommended to choose different clubs.

As for the weight of a hockey player, if you weigh less than 70 kg and your age is over 17 years old, then it is recommended to buy a youth hockey stick. In all other cases, be guided by your age.

Material

Hockey sticks come in wood and composite. Professional sticks can be solid or with a replaceable blade (composite).

Previously, for example, a stick consisted of a handle and an angled hook that had no curves. The handle of the stick was made from wood, and since the wood is not uniform in structure, hockey players had to customize it to suit themselves - sawing, grinding to give it the desired shape. But still, in the game, with any sudden movement, the hook could break. Today, the club is subject to such requirements as correct balance. This is the ability of the hook not to overweight when connected to the handle. The requirements for firmness and elasticity of the handle have also increased. Expensive modern sticks are equipped with special zones on the handle, by pressing on which the hockey player has the opportunity to achieve the greatest accuracy and force of impact.

The cost of a stick nowadays ranges from 1 to 12 thousand rubles. The most affordable clubs are wooden. But they have a number of disadvantages: they are less durable and weigh much more than composite ones, which leads to hand fatigue. Therefore, if you are ready to spend 2.5-3 thousand rubles, it is worth buying a composite stick. Modern composite clubs are made from a variety of materials, including fiberglass, graphite, kevlar, titanium, etc., as well as a combination of these materials. The main advantages of composite clubs are their lightness and durability.

Rigidity

The stiffness of a stick is determined by the player's weight. The execution of the throw depends on it. The stiffer your club is, the more effort you will expend to bend it and, as a result, make a good throw. Therefore, the heavier and stronger the player, the stiffer the stick should be.

For almost all modern clubs, stiffness is indicated on the Easton scale - a number from 40 to 120. Optimal stiffness on this scale approximately corresponds to the player’s weight in kilograms.

Sometimes hardness is indicated in English words: whip (soft, approximately 65-75 on the Easton scale), regular (regular, 75-85), stiff (hard, 85-100), x-stiff (extra hard, 100-110) and xx-stiff(extra-extra-hard, 110-120).

Grip

It is very important to understand what kind of hockey stick grip you have. The hockey stick can be held with a right or left grip. A hockey player is said to hold the stick with a left grip if, when gripping the stick with both hands, his left hand is lower than his right. Such a player is called a “left-handed player.” A reverse grip is called a right grip. The vast majority of players in Russia are left-handed. If you have not played hockey before and do not know your grip, pick up a shovel or mop so that it is comfortable for you. You will hold the hockey stick the same way.

Hook bend

If you are choosing a club for a child, then at the first stage it will be enough for him to buy a club with a straight blade. Hooks in hockey sticks vary depending on the shape, location of the bend, and the plane of curvature of the hook.

The toe of the hook can be round, square or square with rounded corners. A round toe shape is best for attackers, a square shape is ideal for defenders, and a compromise is a hook whose toe has a square shape with rounded corners. The optimal angle is selected individually for each player. With a correctly selected angle, the stick rests on the ice with the entire edge of the hook during play, and the electrical tape wound around it wears out evenly. The most optimal angle between the plane of the hook and the handle is selected depending on the height of the player.

The shape of the hook is characterized by the angle, the location of the bend, the depth of the bend, the curvature of the plane and the shape of the toe. Beginner players can safely choose any hook with a round toe, an angle of 5-6 and a not very deep bending depth. The stronger the bend, the more difficult it is to play the puck on the awkward side of the blade. Therefore, it is not recommended to use a strong bend if you are not sure that you need it.

The curvature of the blade plane helps to quickly lift the puck, which is especially convenient for one-touch shots and touch-ups. Hooks with a large curvature are recommended only for experienced players.

How to care for your hockey stick?

If you don't want to change your club every time, you can extend its durability. The easiest way is to wrap the hockey stick hook with electrical tape.

Typically, tape is wrapped around the club blade from heel to toe. To prevent the hook from wearing out for a long time, stick a strip of tape on the edge of the hook that comes into contact with the ice during play, and then wrap the entire hook. An additional strip of tape will not interfere with your play, but will significantly extend the life of your club blade.

A special tape is used to wrap the handle of the stick: grip tape, which allows you to better feel the stick and prevents your hand from slipping.