The bow of a field hockey stick — the curve along the shaft — is one of the most misunderstood aspects of stick choice. Get it right and it can transform your game. Get it wrong and even the most expensive stick will feel awkward. Here is everything you need to know, including a dedicated breakdown of low bow, extra low bow, and pro bow profiles for attackers and specialists.
What is the bow?
The bow refers to the amount of curvature in the stick's shaft, measured in millimetres, and the position of the maximum curve point along the shaft. World Hockey (FIH) rules cap the maximum bow at 25mm.
The main bow profiles are mid bow, late bow, low bow, extra low bow, and pro bow. Each places the deepest curve point at a different position from the head of the stick, and that placement changes how the stick performs entirely.
Mid bow
A mid bow places the curve apex in the middle of the shaft, further from the head than a late or low bow. The overall arc is more gradual, which makes the stick feel more natural for traditional hitting and receiving.
Who it is for:
- Beginners and developing players
- Defenders who prioritise strong hitting and tackling over aerial skills
- Goalkeepers
- Players transitioning from wooden sticks to composite
A mid bow offers a more upright and natural feel on the ball. Hit technique is easier to develop because the angle of the head relative to the ground is more forgiving. The Zeme 30 and Supreme 50 use a mid bow profile.
Late bow
A late bow places the maximum curve point lower on the shaft, closer to the hook. This is the most common profile for advanced players and provides an ideal balance between 3D skills, drag flicking, and standard play.
Who it is for:
- Club, regional, and international players
- Midfielders and forwards who need a combination of skill moves and standard ball control
- Players developing drag flick technique
The lower curve point provides extra leverage on drag flicks and gives the stick a natural lift angle that makes 3D skills, tomahawks, and aerial passes more intuitive. The Genesis 100 and Truth 80 feature a late bow profile.
Low bow composite field hockey sticks with great control
A low bow pushes the maximum curve point further towards the head of the stick than a standard late bow, typically positioned around 200mm from the head with a curve of 22 to 25mm. The result is a stick that combines the ball manipulation advantages of a lower bow position with a profile that still works well for all-round play.
Who it is for:
- Advanced midfielders who want better 3D skills alongside their distribution game
- All-round forwards who play aerials and need quick releases
- Players at club level and above who want the full benefits of a low bow profile without the extreme commitment of an extra low bow
Why low bow improves control:
The bow position closer to the head changes the angle at which the stick meets the ball. On receiving, it creates a more natural cradle position. On flicking and lifting, the lever arm is longer, which means less effort is needed to generate lift. For dribbling and 3D skills, the lower bow position makes it easier to manipulate the ball quickly because the head of the stick responds more directly to wrist movement.
The trade-off compared to a mid or late bow is that receiving and pushing on flat surfaces requires a small adjustment in technique. The head angle is more acute, which takes time to adapt to if you are moving down from a mid bow.
A low bow at 80 to 90% carbon is the configuration used by most serious club midfielders and all-round attackers. It gives you genuine power when you need it alongside the ball manipulation that modern hockey demands.
Extra low bow field hockey sticks: for drag flick specialists and aerial players
An extra low bow takes the low bow concept to its extreme: the maximum curve sits 200 to 210mm from the head, as close to the hook as the FIH 25mm cap will allow. The profile is specifically engineered for drag flicking, penalty corner injections, and aerial work at the highest level.
Who it is for:
- Penalty corner drag flick specialists
- Elite attackers who rely on aerials and reverse lifts
- Players with a high technical level who want the maximum from their set-piece game
What the extra low bow does at the highest level:
Naked Hockey co-founder Felix Denayer used an extra low bow throughout his international career with Belgium, winning three Olympic medals and competing at the top of the world game for over a decade. The extra low bow position maximises the mechanics of the drag flick action: the curve creates a longer lever between the point of contact and the release, which generates more rotational force and therefore more velocity. On aerials, the acute head angle makes it easier to get cleanly under the ball, which is essential for consistent height and direction.
The honest trade-off is that an extra low bow punishes imperfect technique more than any other profile. On standard pushing, receiving, and hitting, the acute head angle requires precise body position. Players who are still developing their fundamentals will find a late or low bow more forgiving.
If your game is built around penalty corners and aerials, and you have the technical level to handle the profile, an extra low bow is the right choice. Browse Naked Hockey's extra low bow range.
Pro bow: lightweight field hockey sticks for attackers
A pro bow sits in a slightly different position on the shaft compared to a standard low bow, with a sharper angle in the curve profile itself rather than simply a lower position. It is designed for pacey attacking players who want the quick release and wrist speed of a low bow without the full commitment of an extra low bow profile in everyday play.
Who it is for:
- Fast wingers and attacking players who prioritise stick speed and quick releases
- Players whose game relies on quick dribbles, fast first touches, and sharp directional changes rather than drag flicking from set pieces
- Lightweight elite attackers at club level and above
Pro bow sticks are typically built at the high end of the carbon spectrum — 90% and above — because the players choosing this profile are attacking specialists who want every gram of weight removed and every percentage of power retained. The combination of high carbon and a sharp pro bow profile produces a stick that responds immediately to wrist input and generates rapid power in short, sharp movements.
Bow profile vs carbon: which matters more?
Both matter, but they affect different aspects of performance. Carbon percentage governs power and stiffness — how much energy transfers from your swing to the ball. Bow profile governs ball manipulation — how easy it is to drag flick, lift, and play 3D skills.
A complete stick choice considers both together. Read our carbon percentage guide and our high-performance carbon buyer's guide alongside this one to get the full picture.
Quick reference: bow type by position
| Position | Recommended bow | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Mid bow | Natural hitting angle for clearances |
| Defender | Mid or late bow | Hitting power with some 3D ability |
| Midfielder | Late or low bow | All-round profile for modern play with better 3D capability |
| Attacker / all-round forward | Low or pro bow | Quick releases, 3D skills, aerials |
| Drag flick specialist | Extra low bow | Maximum leverage for flick mechanics and aerials |
Still not sure?
Use the Naked Stick Selector to find the right stick for your position, level, and budget. For position-specific advice, read our defenders' guide and our drag flick specialists' guide.