Field hockey is one of the most exciting and fast paced games. It's a sport that demands serious skill, confidence & bravery to really master. 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.
Forwards, otherwise known as attackers are the goal machines of field hockey. Without forwards, many teams would struggle to convert chances and ultimately win the match. If you're reading this, you're probably a forward wondering which stick is best for you. So read on!
As a forward, you must have the right type of field hockey stick. If you don't, there's a strong chance it will impact your performance and essentially prevent you from scoring goals! This is why it's vital you spend some time selecting the right stick for you, rather than just picking the brand you like that has some fancy colours! What you really need is a stick that will dramatically increase your performance on the pitch.
How to choose the best field hockey stick as a forward?
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 expensive it will be and the more difficult it will be to control the ball
However, there's also a big upside to having a higher carbon stick. The benefit is that you will be rewarded with that extra power needed to give you an edge against your competition. As a striker, this could mean the difference between having enough power to beat the reaction time of the keeper, or laying off a nice hard pass to a teammate!
We recommended to go for a 95% carbon fibre stick rather than opting for 100% carbon. The reason for this is simple; the remaining 5% is made from Kevlar, which heavily reinforces the stick and stops it from breaking. After all, you don't want a stick that's not going to last! We all know that as a forward player, you're going to experience your fair share of hard crunch tackles from the opposition.
What bow is best for forwards?
This all comes down to the type of playstyle you have as an attacking player. There's really no such thing as a 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 attacker 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 forward 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 to seriously improve your performance on the pitch.
How to decide?
At the end of the day, choosing a stick is down to personal preference. 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 forwards? 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.
