The hockey stick is undoubtedly one of the most important parts of a hockey player's outfit. There are many things to consider when choosing and buying the right hockey stick. The most important parameters are age and size. The individual preferences of the hockey player are of great importance.
Instructions
Step 1
Choose a stick according to the age of the hockey player.
The clubs produced can be divided into four categories:
Children 4-7 years old - yth marking
Teens 7-14 years old - jr marking
Boys 14-17 years old - int marking
Players over 17 years old - sr mark
Step 2
Decide what material your stick should be made of.
Hockey sticks can be made of wood or composite materials. Wooden clubs are much cheaper, but they also fail faster. In addition, a wooden club weighs much more, and contributes to the rapid fatigue of the hands. If you plan to play hockey seriously, spend 3-7 thousand rubles and buy a composite hockey stick.
Step 3
Will it be a one-piece or a combination hockey stick?
A one-piece stick is simply a non-collapsible stick. In case of breakage of such a stick, it is completely replaced. Hockey sticks made of wood are always made in one piece. The combo stick consists of two parts: a pipe and a hook. Combined sticks are more comfortable to use. If the hook breaks, you can replace only the hook, not the whole stick. In addition, the hockey player gets the opportunity to try playing with different types of hooks, replacing them. The only drawback of the combo stick is the lower playing performance. But if you are just learning how to play hockey and often break your hockey stick, the combo hockey stick is ideal.
Step 4
Determine how long your club will be.
The length of the stick is chosen according to the height of the hockey player. The stick should reach the bridge of your nose if you are standing on the floor without skates. If you are choosing a skating stick, it should rest on your chin. If the stick is slightly longer, you can shorten it by sawing off the extra centimeters. But keep in mind that by shortening the stick you increase the stiffness.
Step 5
Determine the required stiffness of the hockey stick.
The stiffness of the club has the greatest influence on the execution of the throw. The harder the hockey stick, the more effort it takes to shoot. Nearly all modern golf clubs use the Easton scale for stiffness, ranging from 40 to 120. Choose a club with a value that is roughly equal to your weight. Sometimes there is a designation of rigidity in English terms:
whip - soft, 65-75 (Easton scale), regular - regular, 75-85, stiff - hard, 85-100, x-stiff - extra hard, 100-110
xx-stiff - very stiff, 110-120.
The heavier and stronger the hockey player, the harder the stick he uses.
Step 6
Select the bend of your hockey stick.
There are left and right bend sticks. See which hand is more comfortable for you to hold the club. If you are right-handed, you need a left-handed stick and vice versa. Next, select the grip. Pick up a long stick or mop as if it were a hockey stick. If your left hand is lower than your right hand, then you have a left grip. If the right hand is lower - the right one. Often children cannot decide how it is more convenient for them to hold the club: with a left grip or a right one. In this case, get a club with a straight hook. Later, the child will decide how the grip is more convenient for him, but for now he will be able to play with both left and right grip
Step 7
Select the hook of a hockey stick.
The shape of the hook depends on the preference of the player. It consists of several elements:
Toe shape;
Bend angle;
Bend depth;
Bend place;
Curvature of the plane.
All these features are important for experienced players and those who have already decided on their playing role. If you are choosing a beginner club, especially a child, feel free to choose a hook with a round toe, a shallow depth of bend and an angle of 5-6. If the hook is selected correctly, then the stick lies flat on the ice, and the hook winding wears out evenly.
