How to Choose a Junior Field Hockey Stick: The Complete Parent's Guide
Buying a first field hockey stick for a junior player doesn't need to be complicated — but there are a few things worth understanding before you spend money on the wrong stick. This guide covers everything: sizing, carbon level, bow profile, and common mistakes to avoid.
Getting the Size Right
Stick size is measured in inches and refers to the overall length of the stick. The right size depends primarily on the player's height — the stick should reach roughly to the hip when stood upright beside the player.
| Player Height | Stick Size | Typical Age Range |
|---|---|---|
| Under 4'0" (under 122cm) | 28" | Under 7s |
| 4'0"–4'3" (122–130cm) | 30" | 7–9 years |
| 4'3"–4'6" (130–137cm) | 32" | 9–11 years |
| 4'6"–4'9" (137–145cm) | 33" | 11–13 years |
| 4'9"–5'0" (145–152cm) | 34" | 12–14 years |
| 5'0"–5'3" (152–160cm) | 35" | 13–15 years |
| 5'3" and above (160cm+) | 36"–37.5" | 15+ / adult |
These are guidelines, not rules. A player who is tall for their age may use an adult-length stick earlier. The key test: holding the stick vertically alongside them, the top of the stick should sit at or just below hip height.
Naked Hockey's junior range covers sizes from 28" up, designed specifically for developing players.
How Much Carbon for a Junior Player?
For young and beginner players, lower carbon is always better. A stick with a high carbon content is stiff and unforgiving — it sends vibrations through the hands on every mis-hit, which is uncomfortable and can put young players off the game entirely.
For most junior players, 30–50% carbon is the right range.
- Complete beginners / under 12s: 30% carbon. The extra fibreglass flex cushions poor contact and makes the ball feel more controllable.
- Developing players / regular training: 40–50% carbon. A step up once basic technique is established.
- Advanced juniors / academy or county level: 60–70% carbon. Only appropriate once technique is solid and the player is competing regularly.
The Zeme 30 is an excellent first stick — light, forgiving, and built to make the early stages of learning hockey enjoyable rather than frustrating.
Bow Profile for Junior Players
Juniors benefit from a mid bow profile. The gentler curve is more forgiving for learning basic hitting, pushing, and receiving technique. The extreme late bow profiles used by elite players require a level of body position and skill that takes years to develop — and using one too early can actually ingrain bad habits.
Keep it simple: mid bow for all players until they're regularly competing at regional or county level.
What About Weight?
Most composite sticks in the junior size range are already light (typically 450–490g for smaller sizes). If in doubt, lighter is better for young players — heavy sticks lead to fatigue, which leads to sloppy technique. Naked Hockey junior sticks are weight-optimised for their size category.
Common Mistakes When Buying a Junior Hockey Stick
1. Buying a stick to "grow into"
It's tempting to buy a size up to save money in the long run. Don't. An oversized stick ruins technique — the player can't control it properly, and bad habits set in quickly. Buy the right size now.
2. Buying too much carbon
High carbon sticks are marketed as "better" — but for a junior player they're worse. Save the extra spend until technique is established. A 30% carbon stick from a quality brand will outperform a 100% carbon stick in the wrong hands every time.
3. Choosing a late/low bow too early
The extreme bow profiles seen on elite players' sticks look exciting, but they make basic hitting and receiving significantly harder. Stick to a mid bow until the player is regularly competing at a higher level.
4. Skipping grip replacement
Grips wear out. A worn grip makes the stick harder to control and can cause blisters. Replace it at the start of each season — it takes 5 minutes and costs very little.
The Naked Mini: Our Smallest Junior Stick
For the youngest players — those just picking up a stick for the first time — the Naked Mini is purpose-built for small hands and early skill development. Light, durable, and sized to match a child's proportions rather than a scaled-down adult stick.
Ready to Choose?
Use the Naked Stick Selector — it works for junior players too. Answer a few quick questions and it'll recommend the right stick based on height, level, and position. Built with input from Olympic Gold Medallist Felix Denayer, who started his own journey with a junior stick not unlike the ones in our range.
Browse the full Naked Hockey junior range with free UK delivery on all orders.