Junior Field Hockey Sticks

Best field hockey sticks for kids and juniors:

Junior or new field hockey players actually don’t necessarily benefit from having the most professional/expensive field hockey sticks. Elite style field hockey sticks can often be quite unforgiving as they are generally stiffer and tend to have larger bows. Young players often benefit from a shock absorbent stick which generally means more fiberglass or wood as the primary construction material. This makes trapping the ball easier and developing dribbling skills more achievable when using good junior field hockey sticks.

So below we have made it simple for you and presented what we think are the best field hockey sticks for kids and juniors.

#1 – Grays Surf 500

The Grays Surf 500 Hockey Stick is an excellent choice for young players. Users say that it is easy to maneuver and it brings new energy and enthusiasm to the playing field. It is light as air, but enough to push the ball wherever you want.

This junior field hockey stick is truly an asset for players that have just started to play and want to develop their technique, as well for the intermediates. Also many club players maintain to use this great hockey stick because it gives them great control, balance and feel.

The maxi shaped head makes bigger surface area and players say it is elastic and provides soft feel and comfort during the game.

Features:

• Bow: 20mm
• Weight: 560 grams, depending on length
• Material: Fiberglass reinforced mulberry wood
• Head shape: Maxi

#2 – DITA Exa 500 NRT

The Exa 500 NRT Junior stick has a unique and high-tech combination of carbon fiber, fiberglass and aramid fibers.

Those materials create a perfect combination of strength and flexibility. With the Exa 500 NRT Dita Junior hockey stick, your child will soon move from the beginner to the intermediate level. This is because these hockey sticks enable the players to have the full control of the ball as well as power, when they strike.

Features

• Materials: Full composite
• Head: J-Shape – gives players the ability to dribble faster
• Bending (Curve of): 19 mm

#3 – STX Field Hockey Surgeon 100

A professional grade stick for beginners is the best way to describe the STX Surgeon 100. If you are just starting out with field hockey and you need a good quality stick and not a toy, this one is definitely for you. Made out of high quality materials such as fiberglass 95% and carbon 5%, it will provide the stiffness and flexibility that you will need to get into the game and perform at your best level. It is primarily designed for forward players and gives them great control with its 19mm bow and midi toe. The weight of the stick is at around 530 grams, making it lightweight and easy to handle. All in all, the Surgeon 100 is one of the the best field hockey sticks for kids out there with advanced features and ball control at a very affordable price.

Features:

• Hiqh quality build: 95% Fiberglass, 5% Carbon
• Standard type bow at 19mm
• Midi toe type
• Approximate weight 530 grams (depending on size)

#4 – DITA FX R10

The FXR series from Dita brand are very popular among the beginners in hockey who want to improve their technique and to feel confident during the game.

Dita FXR10 Junior Hockey Stick is a high quality stick, made of the finest wood with the fiberglass reinforced shaft.

This stick has a great design, it is perfectly balanced, has light weight and it provides a natural feel. The Dita FXR 10 hockey stick has a large surface area, because of the Midi head shape, so the players say it is impossible to miss the ball. In addition, the ‘Midi’ shape is good for players to be strong on their reverse side.

To conclude, it’s a great stick to learn the first ins and outs of hockey. And the price is great – the wood is always cheaper than composite materials.

Features

• Materials: Wood with fiberglass reinforced shaft
• Colors: orange/pink, black/pink  and white/silver/black
• Power Index: 3.90
• Size: from 24 to 31 inches
• Head shape: Midi

#5 – STX Field Hockey Aqua Stick

You do not need to spend hundreds of dollars just to enjoy Field Hockey or to introduce it to a child. With its lightweight and slim shape, beginners will be able to learn how to play, and get used to using a stick with ease. Made from fiberglass, it is a easy to use yet powerful junior field hockey stick. It features a midi toe which makes it ideal for all positions on the field without the need for multiple sticks.  The colorful pattern on the STX makes it appealing to children who are just starting out with this fun sport. Introduce your children to field hockey and get them a great stick for an affordable price. Good equipment does not need to be expensive and the STX Field Hockey Aqua Stick proves it.

Features:

• 100% high quality fiberglass construction
• Standard bow – 19mm in size
• Midi toe
• Weight 520 grams

NEW field hockey sticks for kids and juniors

Not exactly what you are looking for? Ask us about more suggestions or reviews.

New to Field hockey? Here is a great video that explains the basics of the game for beginners.

If this has got you pumped for junior field hockey check out the upcoming junior field hockey world cup here…

Some frequently asked questions about junior field hockey.

Is field hockey safe for kids?

As field hockey is a non-contact sport it is far safer than many sports such as rugby which are not. However with twenty players, two goalkeepers, hockey sticks and a hard plastic ball on the pitch, collisions and accidents are bound to happen.

Most accidents in field hockey are minor such as ankle sprains, knee sprains, muscle strains, muscle tears and ligaments. None the less from time to time accidents can result in broken bones and possibly concussions.

Many accidents can be avoided by obtaining the right protective gear for children who play field hockey. Equipment includes cleats (shoes), shin guards, goggles, mouth guards, gloves and masks for general players. Goal keepers require more safety equipment such as padded head, leg, foot, upper body and arm armour.

Before play the playing field should be inspected to ensure there is no debris, hazards or holes in it. Players should also warm up by stretching to lessen the risk of muscle strains etcetera. Correct playing techniques and the rules should also be learnt and applied in every game and practice session

Are the rules of junior field hockey different for kids?

In general the rules of field hockey are the same for juniors as they are for adults. Juniors are still made to adhere to rules about foot fouls, air balls, penalty corners, penalty strikes, free hits and obstruction. They are also subject to the card system – green for a warning, yellow for a temporary suspension and red for a permanent exclusion from the game.

Where junior hockey may vary from adult hockey however is when it comes to the length of the games and protective equipment. Matches for juniors can last anywhere from ten minutes per half up to approximately twenty five minutes. In general adult games are thirty five minutes per half. From a protective equipment perspective it can be a requirement for juniors to wear mouth and shin guards and also eye protection. The rules will vary from school to school and club to club.

How much does field hockey cost to play?

The cost of junior’s playing field hockey will vary but you can expect to be paying around $40 – 65 per hour for lessons in small groups of three or four children. Once a child has learnt how to play and joined a club sessions are usually around $5 a time.

If a child proves to be exceptional they and their team may enter state wide, country wide or global competitions. If the parents are expected to pay or contribute towards these it can be costly depending on where the event is.

Safety equipment and field hockey sticks vary in price depending on the quality you require. You can expect to pay around $25 for shin guards, $20 – $60 for eye wear, $80 for cleats and $90 upwards for a hockey stick. Mouth guards can be bought for as little as $2 but if the child in question needs a special fit they will have to go to an orthodontist and the cost will rise substantially.

Goal keepers due to needing more equipment require a higher financial outlay. Gloves will cost around $80, pads $600 – 700 and a helmet $200 – 300.

How are junior field hockey sticks different from senior sticks?

Junior hockey sticks are usually carefully designed to maintain a good balance between the shaft and head weight. They are usually also shorter and lighter in weight than their adult counterparts.

A junior hockey stick is usually designed to be level with the child’s hip until they reach the age of about fifteen. Adult field hockey stick length can be the same, but is more about personal choice and what suits them. Length wise a junior hockey stick will usually be between 26 and 35.5 inches.

Junior hockey sticks are usually designed with ease of play in mind which helps them develop their skills and play the game more easily. They are designed with children in mind and are more decorative, brighter and attractive to young people.

Is field hockey popular among kids in the US?

Field hockey is a hugely popular sport in the US in general. It is however more popular in general with girls than boys, there are usually twice the number of girls teams at a club than boys. This could be because field hockey is a non – contact sport and therefore more appealing to girls.

Field hockey in the past has been thought of as a sport that is only available to the upper class section of society. This however is really not the case as more and more schools have made it part of their gym class curriculum and clubs have sprung up everywhere.

Field hockey can be state dependent as it is more popular in some of them than others. However it is feasible that you can find a field hockey club or class near you. Most of these will have at least one junior team, if not more.