The bow of a field hockey stick, the curve along the shaft, is one of the most misunderstood parts of stick choice. Get it right and it can transform your game. Get it wrong and even the most expensive stick will feel awkward. Naked Hockey sticks come in five bow profiles: mid, pro, low, extra low and extra late. This guide explains what each one does and who it suits.
What is the bow?
The bow is the curvature of the stick's shaft: how far it bends (the bow height, in millimetres) and where along the shaft the curve peaks (the bow position, measured from the head). FIH rules cap the maximum bow at 25mm.
Each profile places the curve differently, and that changes how the stick performs. These are the specs from our product pages:
| Bow profile | Naked range | Bow position from head | Bow height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid bow | Zeme | 300mm | 24mm |
| Pro bow | Dream | 250mm | 24.5mm |
| Low bow | Supreme | 200mm | 24.5mm |
| Extra low bow | Supernova, Red Bull | 190mm | 24.5mm |
| Extra late bow | Extreme (with concave face) | 190mm | 24.5mm |
Specs are taken from the Zeme 50, Dream 70, Supreme 70, Supernova Plus and Extreme Plus. Check each stick's tech specs on its product page.
Mid bow: the Zeme range
A mid bow places the curve further from the head than any other profile in our range. The arc is gradual, which makes the stick feel natural for traditional hitting and receiving.
Who it is for:
- Beginners and developing players
- Defenders who prioritise strong hitting and tackling over aerial skills
- Players moving from wooden sticks to composite
A mid bow offers a more upright and natural feel on the ball, and hit technique is easier to develop because the angle of the head relative to the ground is more forgiving. The Zeme 30 and Zeme 50 use a mid bow. Goalkeepers use a straight bow, as on the Truth 80.
Pro bow: the Dream range
The pro bow sits between the mid and low bow, at 250mm from the head. It gives a lovely balance of power and touch, which is why we describe the Dream 70 as the step-up stick for ambitious club players who love to attack.
Who it is for:
- Club attackers and all-round players stepping up in carbon
- Players who want 3D skills and tomahawks without moving to a very low bow
The Dream range runs from 70% to 100% carbon (Dream 70, Dream 90 and Dream Plus).
Low bow composite field hockey sticks with great control
A low bow positions the curve around 200mm from the head. 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 like to flick, use 3D skills and disguise passes
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 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.
The Naked Supreme range is the low bow collection, from the Supreme 30 up to the Supreme Plus.
Extra low bow: the Supernova and Red Bull sticks
An extra low bow moves the curve closer to the head again, to 190mm. It is the profile on the Supernova and Red Bull sticks, which are built for power and control.
Who it is for:
- Attackers who want head-heavy punch and fast hands
- Technical midfielders who want power without losing feel
- Defenders with strong fundamentals who want lightweight agility and hitting power
The Supernova Plus is the most powerful stick in the Naked range, and the Supernova 70 offers a slightly softer touch for players who value control and feel. The Red Bull Power takes the same profile to 100% TeXtreme carbon. Browse the extra low bow range.
Extra late bow: the Extreme range, for drag flick specialists
The extra late bow is our drag flick profile. It is built into the Extreme range alongside a concave face, which together give phenomenal control and flicking power while the stick stays ultra light.
Who it is for:
- Penalty corner drag flick specialists
- Players throwing overheads and developing their drag flick technique (the Extreme 50 is built as a drag flicking beginner's stick)
The Extreme Plus is 100% Toray carbon reinforced with TeXtreme and graphene, and the Extreme 50 uses the same mould at 50% carbon. The Extreme range was developed with input from elite players, including a training session with Vincent Vanasch.
The honest trade-off is that a stick built for drag flicking is a specialist tool. If your game is mostly open play, a low or extra low bow is the better all-round choice. If your game is built around penalty corners, browse the extra late bow range.
Bow profile vs carbon: which matters more?
Both matter, but they affect different aspects of performance. Carbon percentage governs power and stiffness, meaning how much energy transfers from your swing to the ball. Bow profile governs ball manipulation, meaning 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 | Naked range |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Straight bow | Truth 80 |
| Defender | Mid bow, or low bow if you want more 3D ability | Zeme, Supreme |
| Midfielder | Pro, low or extra low bow | Dream, Supreme, Supernova |
| Attacker / all-round forward | Low or extra low bow | Supreme, Supernova |
| Drag flick specialist | Extra late bow | Extreme |
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.