Best Field Hockey Sticks by Position and Skill Level

 

Which field hockey stick is best for my position and/or skill level?

With the vast amount of options these days, it can be difficult to choose which field hockey stick to purchase based on your position and skills.  Here we break down which sticks are best for each position or skill level and why, and we’ve included our stick recommendations for you to check out.

Beginners

It is recommended that a beginner player use a stick with a standard bow shape and no larger than 20 millimeters in size.

Beginner field hockey players should choose a stick with a wood or fiberglass composition.  Wood sticks will provide the most forgiving feel and the best touch on the ball, while fiberglass sticks also provide an excellent first touch with a lightweight feel.  Having a flexible stick will help them learn the fundamentals, so they can get accustomed to trapping the ball without too much rebound off the stick.  It should feature a larger hitting surface to help players get a touch on the ball.  A maxi toe or hook head shape will offer you the largest surface area, ensuring you make great contact with the ball when trapping it or driving it down the field.

Beginner Field Hockey STRYK Field Hockey Stick - Burst

When choosing a stick, you must also consider the bow size and shape.  It is recommended that a beginner player use a stick with a standard bow shape and no larger than 20 millimeters in size.  This will help him or her learn the basics while maintaining excellent control over the ball.  A larger size or later shape will more easily cause the ball to pop up in the air and earn yourself a dangerous play whistle.  A standard bow is very versatile and can be used on offense or defense, making it the ideal stick shape for beginners who have yet to discover which will be the best position for them.
Our recommendations:
and

Defenders

We recommend buying a stick that has a higher fiberglass content since carbon can be more brittle in a compound stress way.

When searching for the perfect stick, defenders will often choose heavier sticks with the weight concentrated in the head of the stick.  This allows them to make stronger block tackles, and the extra weight will help generate more momentum when hitting the ball down the field.  Also, often times, defenders will buy slightly longer sticks than their player height recommends to give them a little extra reach when tackling and jabbing at the ball.
TK 1.1 INNOVATE DEFENSE FIELD HOCKEY STICKSince defenders see a lot of stick-on-stick contact when tackling their opponent, they require a stick with a lot of durability.  We recommend buying a stick that has a higher fiberglass content since carbon can be more brittle in a compound stress way.  Including aramid in the composition can also help improve the strength and durability of the stick, and it dampens the vibrations felt in the handle of the stick for less sting in your hands.  In addition, we recommend choosing a stick with a maxi toe as it provides the largest sweet spot, allowing you to make better contact with the ball when hitting or trapping it.
Our recommendations:
STX Apex 901 Field Hockey Stick or other sticks in the STX Apex line
and

Midfielders 

The attribute we find most important in a midfielder’s stick is control.  Midfielders are responsible for controlling the ball and delivering it safely to the attackers to put it in the back of the net.  They are also sometimes trying to score themselves, or they are trying to stop their opponent from advancing down the field.  Therefore, a lightweight and well-balanced stick with a lot of versatility is a must.
The presence of aramid in a stick’s composition can make all the difference.  Aramid dampens vibrations to keep the ball from rebounding too far off the stick, allowing you to have great control when trapping the ball and dribbling.  It also adds durability to the stick, helping to prolong its life even with all the stick-on-stick contact it sees when making defensive blocks and tackles.
GRYPHON TOUR PRO STICK FIELD HOCKEYSince midfielders play with the defense and the offense, they need a lightweight stick that can keep up with the speed of their game and offer the necessary precision for ball handling and passing skills.  A midi toe provides a well-balanced feel that’s great for all around stick skills, especially reverse stick work, and it provides a decent sized sweet spot for quickly trapping the ball and passing to your teammate.  A standard or mid bow size (19 – 23mm) is recommended for midfielders because of its versatility, but any shape you are most comfortable with can be used.
Our recommendations:
and

Forwards

Offensive players, or forwards, prefer to use lightweight sticks that are well-balanced, giving them the necessary agility to move the ball around their opponent.  A lightweight stick is not only more effective when dribbling, but it allows you to swing your stick faster and quickly get a shot off before the defender can intercept it.  A midi toe also helps to enhance a forward’s abilities.  The toe is smaller in size and lighter in weight, and it increases maneuverability and offers more precise ball control.  It allows you to quickly and easily move the ball from side to side to dodge your opponent and dribble towards the goal.
OSAKA PRO tour gold pro bow field hockey stick for forwardsA forward demands power from his or her stick.  They must be able to generate extreme power when shooting and when passing to an open teammate across the field, which is why they need sticks with a high carbon content.  The higher the carbon content the more powerful the stick will be and the harder it will be for your opponent to stop you.  This added power will also improve your drag flicks and aerial skills to enhance your 3D game.  The attacking position is defined by speed, accuracy, and precision, so their sticks should be too.
Our recommendation:

Aerial players

The most important element of a stick that the aerial player should consider is the shape and size of the bow.  A stick that bends closer to the head will allow you to get under the ball more to perform aerials and lifts.  A low bow or late bow is most recommended since their point of maximum bow is the closest to the head the FIH will allow (200mm).  Also, the more the stick bends the easier it will be to execute 3D skills with precision and accuracy.  A large bow, such as a 24 or 25 millimeter, will help generate high velocities when drag flicking.
Another feature that has recently become more popular is incorporating a slight concave channel onto the face and shaft of the stick.  This helps to channel the ball where you want it and keep the ball on your stick as you lift it up for aerials.
Our recommendations:
If you’re uncertain which position you will be playing when purchasing your stick, it would be best to buy a medium-weight stick that’s versatile and can be used in any position.

What’s In A Football Helmet Safety Rating?

With safety concerns mounting and new concussion research taking place every season, the football helmet has quickly become one of the most scrutinized pieces of protective apparel in sports.

Each year, manufacturers introduce new technologies to make their helmets more equipped to handle head impacts, rotational forces and linear impacts that occur during standard course of play. And now there are two laboratory studies that give us even more insight into how football helmets work.

Virginia Tech Football Helmet Rating Study
Virgina Tech Study
NFL/NFLPA Study

In 2011, Virginia Tech’s Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics released its first STAR rating system, putting football helmets to test in a lab environment. The study assigns a rating to each helmet and breaks them into six categories ranging from five stars (Best Available) to zero stars (Not Recommended).

In 2014, the NFL followed suit, forming an Engineering Subcommittee as part of its existing Head, Neck and Spine Committee. The subcommittee completed its first project in July of 2015, a helmet study jointly sponsored by the NFL and NFL Players Association (NFLPA). Initially, the study set a threshold and broke 10 of the 17 helmets into a “Top Performing Group” meaning none was statistically significant from the others.  Continue reading “What’s In A Football Helmet Safety Rating?”

The Best Portable Soccer Goals

School’s almost out which means you’re about to have a lot more time to hone your soccer skills. If you’re looking for a new portable soccer goal, let me tell you about a few of the best currently on the market.

Kwik Goal Portable Soccer Goals

Kwik Goal Flex Soccer Goals 

Kwik Goal just introduced a new line of soccer goals called the Flex series. Available in a few sizes: 6.5’ x 12’, 4’ x 6’ and 2m x 3m (Futsal play) to meet your needs. Weighing in at 30 lbs or less per goal, the Kwik Goal Flex goals feature an ultra-durable fiberglass and metal frame that is expandable with a snap button construction. Quick and easy set up and take down with a true soccer goal appearance. These goals are ideal for recreational leagues, practice or backyard training.

PowerNet Portable Soccer Goals 

PowerNet also makes a superior portable goal, offered in multiple size options. It’s lightweight design can be set up in under 3 minutes without the use of tools. Steel and fiberglass poles plus ground stakes create a durable construction that flexes with each shot resulting in a stable base.  It can also be used as a rebounder when laid on it’s side. Packs up conveniently in the included bag, making it ideal for coaches and backyard training or pick-up games. Check out this quick video to see the PowerNet 6’ x 4’ Soccer Goal in action! 

Bownet Portable Soccer Goals

Bownet offers portable soccer goals in all sizes from as small as 3’ by 5’ to as large as official regulation size (8’ x 24’). All set up in less than 3 minutes and can be done without the use of tools. Bownet’s EAS (Energy Absorption System) technology diffuses ball energy throughout the goal to create better stability and extend the life of the goal. Rubber, non-marking feet help maintain stance making Bownet great for indoor or outdoor use. See how quickly a Bownet portable soccer goal can be set up below.

 

Whether you are looking for a small indoor or a large outdoor goal, Sports Unlimited has the perfect portable soccer goal for your needs. All Bownet, PowerNet and Kwik Goal portable goals ship free and many even ship out the same day if ordered before 3pm EST. So don’t wait, get a head start on your summer soccer training!

Outdoor Games For The Summer 2018

Memorial Day weekend is finally here! At Sports Unlimited, we look forward to the unofficial start to summer. It’s a long winter here in the northeast, and we’re ready to get out and enjoy everything the beautiful weather has to offer. From backyard bbq’s with family and friends, to trips to the beach, and outdoor games and activities, it just doesn’t get any better!
We can’t be there to flip burgers and hotdogs for you, but we can provide you with the best selling outdoor games this summer. Here is a list of some of our favorites, along with high rated customer picks.

  1. The Park & Sun Spectrum Classic Volleyball Set – It’s called the classic for a reason, because it’s a summer staple year after year. Whether it’s a graduation party, birthday celebration, or summer bbq, everyone can enjoy some volleyball fun. It’s easy to setup, portable, and comes in a variety of net colors.
  2. St. Pierre American Professional Series Horseshoe Set – Made of solid steel, these American made horseshoes are finished with a powder coating to resist chipping and wear. Whether you’re a casual player, or take your game a little more serious, this set works for everyone. Perfect for the backyard or beach.
  3. Victory College Cornhole Set – If you have a favorite college team, then Victory probably has a cornhole game for your school. They have hundreds of schools to choose from, with many designs for each team. Not only do these sets look good, they’re also made in the USA with high quality materials. They’re constructed cabinet grade 1/2″ birch plywood tops, and strong 2 x 4 frames and legs. These cornhole boards blow the competition away. No cheap plastic here.
  4. Morey Cruiser 42.5″ Morey BodyboardBodyboard – Beach goers will love this classic bodyboard! It’s easy to grip, maneuver, and contours for proper body positioning. The slick bottom will help you maximize speed so you can ride
    waves like never before! It’s recommended for riders 160 – 210 pounds.
  5. Park & Sun Badminton Pro Set – Another summer classic from Park & Sun. It includes everything you need to play, including a weather resistant net, four steel frame rackets, and three shuttlecocks. This set is easy to setup and will be a family favorite. A great game for all ages!
These are just a handful of the many backyard games we offer at Sports Unlimited. Check out all of our outdoor games including other summer classics like bocce, washers, croquet, ladder golf, and more!
 – Steve

New 2018 Adult and Youth Football Shoulder Pads from Sports Unlimited

For the first time in Sports Unlimited’s history as a major equipment retailer, football shoulder pads have been added to the Sports Unlimited branded product roster. With so many years of experience selling the best shoulder pads in the world from companies such as Schutt, Riddell, Douglas, Gear Pro Tech, Xenith, X-Tech, and more, 2018 is the time to add Sports Unlimited to that list of equipment brands. Using customer feedback, extensive football gear knowledge, and an in-house design and testing team, the PROSPECT ($42.95) for youth and PROSPECT PRO ($114.95) for adult have been released. Take a look at the designs below.

Sports Unlimited Prospect Youth Shoulder Pads
Sports Unlimited Prospect Youth Shoulder Pads

Youth Football Shoulder Pads - Sports Unlimited ProspectThe 30 years of experience Sports Unlimited has had as a retailer helps it break into selling its own products because using the millions of interactions directly with customers and seeing the successes and failures of selling other brands provides a deep knowledge of products across the category. As a small business in America, it takes creativity and the ability to change who you are to compete with the biggest stores in the world and going from a sports equipment retailer to a sports equipment brand and retailer is a necessary move to combat those challenges.

Sports Unlimited Prospect Pro Adult Football Shoulder Pads
Sports Unlimited Prospect Pro Adult

Sports Unlimited Football Shoulder Pads - Prospect Pro Adult - Side View

Adult Football Shoulder Pads - Sports Unlimited Prospect Pro

 

 

 

 

The goal for developing the Prospect line was to create superb quality, lightweight, and cheap football shoulder pads that would stand up against the already well-known brands in the industry. Football is an expensive sport to play with equipment to buy for every part of the body and dealing with so many players, parents, and coaches over the years, it’s important to provide these people that are passionate about football an option that is able to balance on the line of quality and price. If someone can afford $600 shoulder pads, a $600 football helmet, cleats, pants, girdle, gloves, jerseys, back plates, among other equipment, that’s fantastic (and Sports Unlimited can provide it), but that isn’t true of the vast majority of football players and parents. The game should be accessible. Gear should be accessible. And that shouldn’t come at the cost of quality or safety. The Prospect and Prospect Pro for youth and adult aim to make the game more accessible through low costs, but also without being ‘cheap’.

Product Info:

The Prospect Pro uses a flat pad design, dual density foam, and stainless steel hardware among other great features that have had first users saying it is “amazingly light, breathable, comfortable, and [gives] the best range of motion”. The youth pad is built for all positions, uses an extended body length design with double layer EVA foam. As always, the best place to look for more features and specifications for these football shoulder pads is on the product pages themselves at SportsUnlimited.com. If you want more information about the differences between the adult and youth versions of these shoulder pads you can check out our comparison page here: Adult vs. Youth Shoulder Pads Comparison.

INTRODUCING THE BRAND NEW SPORTS UNLIMITED SHOULDER PADS
SHOP NOW

Sports Unlimited Stops Hunger

Yesterday, the Sports Unlimited team took to our warehouse (the one with the sweet sports gear) and set up stations with the help of Stop Hunger Now in an effort to make 10,000 meals for hungry children. This wasn’t our first time helping this organization, but as a competitive bunch, we aimed to work faster and do better than last year.

Here are some photos that I took of the event…

 

stop hunger now boxes sports unlimited
And so it begins!
The first pour!
Byler pouring vegetables in
Byler uses his muscles to save children! Pour those vegetables!
Mary cracking jokes, I presume. Nothing wrong with having some fun while you work!
Mary cracking jokes, I presume! Nothing wrong with having some fun while you work!
Ally is the most serious person at this entire event.
Ally is the most serious person at this entire event.
Steve Sealing Stop Hunger Now Packets
Perfect form Steve! 10,000 more sets!
Hand model? No, just Steve. SN Modeling Group?
Hand model? No, just SN Modeling Group. Work it, Steve!
Kristy preparing for launch!  Jared Cook out there at the dock!
Kristy preparing for launch! Jared Cook out there at the dock!
Is Lou Magneto?
Is Lou Magneto?
Who is Lou staring down? What have they done to deserve this? Have they turned to ash?
Who is Lou staring down? What have they done to deserve this? Have they turned to ash?
Nothing is more stylish than hats over hair nets.
Nothing is more stylish than hats over hair nets.
Whatever Drew did, Rumer does not think it is funny.  Not one bit.
Whatever Drew did, Rumer does not think it is funny. Not one bit.
They seem to have reconciled in the name of ending hunger.
They seem to have reconciled in the name of ending hunger. Proud of you guys!
The Rumor montage continues with this focused shot of him pouring. You go Rumor!
The Rumer montage continues with this focused shot of him pouring. You go Rumer!
Dave goes reverse and rocks the hair net OVER the hat. That there is some stylish innovation to the original hat over hair net. What a twist!
Dave goes reverse and rocks the hair net OVER the hat. That there is some stylish innovation to the original hat over hair net. What a twist!
These guys don't mess around. You can tell it from the backwards caps!
These guys don’t mess around. You can tell it from the backwards caps!
Here we find Don "The Philosopher" Ball thinking deeply about something. Of what? We'll never know.
Here we find Don “The Philosopher” Ball thinking deeply about something. Of what? We’ll never know.
LOOK AT THAT TECHNIQUE.  Is that Byung-Hyun Kenny?
LOOK AT THAT TECHNIQUE. Is that Byung-Hyun Kenny?
Matt's no slouch in the tossing category either.  Can you say, PINPOINT?
Matt’s no slouch in the tossing category either. Can you say, PINPOINT?
Riley Lou-per out there making slick grabs... Maybe he prefers Jordan MatthLou?
Riley Lou-per out there making slick grabs… Maybe he prefers Jordan MatthLou? These captions are deteriorating, but I’m not. going. to. stop.
Byler is fearless!
Byler is fearless!
Eyes on the prize Carolyn. Looks like not everything is making it into the bag...
Eyes on the prize Carolyn. Looks like not everything is making it into the bag…
I put myself in harms way to get this shot. Was it worth it? Eh.
I put myself in harms way to get this shot. Was it worth it? Eh.
Drew struts around demanding attention with his newsboy style hair net over hat. Nothing will stop this man from feeding kids.
Drew struts around demanding attention with his newsboy style hair net over hat. Nothing will stop this man from feeding kids.
Drew's best pour yet. Newsboy for MVP!
Megan has no time for Drew even though this is his best pour yet. Newsboy for MVP!
Drew does what he wants, including Steve's job.
Drew does what he wants, including Steve’s job.
This is what 10,000 meals looks like. No joke here!
This is what 10,000 meals looks like. No joke here!
The efficiency is palpable!
The efficiency is palpable!
What a delicate hand-off!
What a delicate hand-off!
This is a picture of Dave!
This is a picture of Dave! Undoubtedly in a Penn State hat.
Don, Ryan, and Lou reminiscing about the Stop Hunger Event that ended 1 minute ago. Great stuff guys!
Don, Ryan, and Lou reminiscing about the Stop Hunger Event that ended 1 minute ago. Great stuff guys!
Superman approves this message.
Superman approves this message.

 

10,000 meals out to kids all over the world who need them. That’s not a sentence, but that’s what we did and it sure looks like we had fun doing it.

If you want to learn more about the effort to stop hunger, visit StopHungerNow.org.


Amazon Payments Is Here!

We’re happy to announce that we have added Amazon Payments to our checkout options on all devices! Do you have an Amazon account? If you do, this will make checkout super-easy. It’s as simple as clicking the Pay with Amazon button, putting in your Amazon password and then selecting from your saved addresses and stored payment methods and then sending the order! You won’t have to type in your address or credit card information if it’s already tied to your Amazon account. We’re proud of how easy, secure, and fast this process is because we want to get your products to you as fast as possible!


The Hike

We hiked to the Pinnacle on a fine day in late June. There were rocks to climb and branches to wade through, but there is little that we cannot do when we’re together and striving for a collective goal. As you must already know, our goal was to raise funds and awareness for Progeria Research Foundation through HIKE4HOPE. This, we achieved raising tens of thousands of dollars as well as awareness through our online efforts.

To remain forthcoming, the hike was challenging and the views were sublime. We thought about our friends Nathan and Bennett. We thought about our cause. We thought about how inspiring the  rolling hills of Pennsylvania are from up high. It was a good day.


Sports Unlimited Group Picture Hike
Sports Unlimited Hike4HopeThe Appalachian Trail SignDoug Ponders Existence
Sports Unlimited Owner Dave Neff on Hike

 


Sports Unlimited and HIKE4HOPE Team Up

Bennett wearing a football helmet

Whatever ups and downs we see as a business, we never forget that it is our responsibility to do good. Hopefully, we can do some good this month through our partnership with HIKE4HOPE, which is an organization that benefits Progeria Research Foundation. HIKE4HOPE is a truly astounding effort of Amy Ruhf to walk one mile of the Appalachian Trail this summer for each child in the world who suffers from Progeria (250 children means 250 miles). This is to honor the families and children affected, bring awareness and raise funds for the Progeria Research Foundation.

We joined in for the past few weeks and for every dollar donated, we are donating two more, allowing each donation to go three times further. If you are so inclined, you can donate through this link.

Our involvement in HIKE4HOPE not only comes from our collective desire to do good, but also because there are two children in our neck of the woods that live with Progeria and they have inspired us with their warm hearts and adorable smiles. Raising many thousands of dollars for HIKE4HOPE is something that we are proud of, but our muscles have been aching to get involved a bit more and really show our support for the children all over the world with this condition and the children right here in the Philadelphia area.

Many of us at Sports Unlimited will be hiking through a 9.5 mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail with Amy from HIKE4HOPE this Friday, June 27, 2014. We’ve got our boots and our water ready to go and although it will be difficult, it will be worth it. We will look over the stunning views of the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania and know that our sweat and our effort is not just for ourselves.

Last week we hosted our friends Nathan and Bennett, as well as their parents, sister, and friends. We showed them some of the sporting goods that we carry and had them take part in some games like field hockey, lacrosse, football, baseball, soccer, and so much more. They even got to sit on and start a motorcycle with the help of Matt! It was a day I will always remember and I think it will be one they will too. Below are some pictures of our time with the boys.

Look for more posts about our hike and some pictures on the trail!

 

Nathan hitting a baseball

Megan and Bennett learning lacrosse

Nathan Kicking the Soccer Ball

Nathan the catcher

Bennett in a crazy football helmet while Nathan secures it

The boys with Catcher's Gear

The Pitch over the plate

Nathan on a motorcycle with Matt

The boys together on a motorcycle

Nathan and Bennett Phillies Awards and Gifts

To learn more about Progeria click here

 

– Isaac