Stick Sizing
Get a "feel" for your stick. It should be well balanced and feel comfortable in your hands. Depending on your preference, the weight may be evenly distributed throughout the length of the stick or concentrated in the stick's head(or toe). The weight in the head should not be so much as to limit your stick speed when playing the ball.
Hockey sticks range in weight from light (512-540 grams.), to medium (541-626 grams), to heavy (627 grams to FIH maximum 737 grams). Most players will use a stick in the medium range. Generally, forwards prefer a lighter stick for quick manoeuvring in the circle while defenders often choose a heavier stick for powerful clearing hits and to prevent attackers from casually "pushing" the stick aside.
Most of our hockey sticks are available in light and medium weight with a few available in a heavy version. The last few years have seen movement away from the heavier sticks due to the technical advancements in the manufacture of hockey sticks (particularly the composites) and the increasing demand for hand speed on the stick. Traditionally with wooden sticks, the heavier the stick, the more power could be generated when striking the ball, however with today’s composite sticks the power is generated from the composition of the stick rather than the weight. Recent trends have been towards lighter sticks with advantages for dribbling and stick skills. However, many players still favour the balance offered by a slightly heavier stick. It is impossible for us to advise which weight will be ‘better’ for any individual player.
Length of Stick
Hockey sticks range in length from 26 & 32-inch for youth sticks to 38.5-inch sticks for taller and more experienced players.
For senior/adult players the most popular lengths are 36.5” and 37.5”. Here at Platinum Sports, we have kept the maximum at 37.5”. Whilst 36.5 has traditionally been the ‘standard’ senior length of a hockey stick there has been a trend towards more players using 37.5 sticks, with the advantages including a longer reach, and a more comfortable playing position for taller players. There are no rules governing which length of stick will be right for individual players, it really is down to personal preference. While the length of the stick is often determined by height, players often select the longest stick they can handle comfortably.
The chart and table below shows the general guideline for choosing the appropriate length stick.
| Height Imperial |
Height Metric |
Stick Length |
| Up to 4’ | Up to 122cm | 26” |
| 4’ – 4’3” | 123cm – 130cm | 28” |
| 4’4” -4’6” | 131cm – 137cm | 32” |
| 4’7” – 5’ | 138cm – 152cm | 34” |
| 5’1” – 5’3” | 153cm – 160cm | 35” |
| 5’4” – 5’6” | 161cm – 168cm | 36.5” |
| 5’7’” – 5’8” | 169cm – 174cm | 37.5” |
| 5’9”+ | 175cm+ | 38.5” |