How Field Hockey Sticks Are Built

A field hockey stick starts as sheets of raw carbon fibre and ends up as a precisely shaped, cured composite shell built around an exact bow position and carbon percentage. The construction choices made at each stage – fibre source, layup, bow shaping and curing – are what separate a stick that performs consistently from one that flexes unpredictably under load. At Naked Hockey, every one of those choices is stated as a number on the product page: the carbon percentage, the fibre source, and the bow position in millimetres, rather than left as a marketing description like “low bow” or “performance carbon” with nothing behind it.

This page explains how that construction actually works, stage by stage, so you can read a spec sheet and know what you are buying.

Step 1: Sourcing the carbon fibre

Not all carbon fibre is the same, and the fibre source is the first thing that determines how a stick will feel and perform. Naked Hockey sticks use Toray carbon and, on the top-end models, Swedish TeXtreme carbon, an aerospace and Formula 1 grade fabric prized for maximal stiffness with minimal flex. TeXtreme is deliberately reserved for elite-performance sticks rather than used across the whole range, because that level of stiffness only benefits players who can load and release a stick fast enough to use it.

Lower carbon percentages in the range, such as the Supreme 30 at 30% Toray carbon, use less of this high-modulus fibre and more supporting fibreglass, which gives a softer, more forgiving feel for developing players. Higher percentages, up to 100% carbon in the Extreme Plus, remove that give almost entirely in favour of stiffness and rebound.

Step 2: Layup and moulding

Carbon fibre only becomes a usable material once it is layered, resin-impregnated and shaped inside a stick mould. Sheets of carbon are cut and laid in specific orientations around the stick mould, a process called layup, before resin is applied and the whole assembly is cured under heat and pressure. The orientation and number of carbon layers control how the stick flexes along its length and across its face, which is why two sticks with the same carbon percentage but different layups can still feel noticeably different on the ball.

This is also the stage where the bow is set. The bow is the curve along the shaft that determines how far down the stick the “sweet spot” for drag flicking and 3D skills sits.

Step 3: Bow shaping and position

Bow type is one of the most misused terms in field hockey equipment marketing, because “low bow” or “extreme low bow” on their own say nothing precise. A bow type only means something when it comes with a bow position, the distance in millimetres from the head of the stick to the point of maximum curve.

Naked Hockey states this position on every stick rather than relying on the bow name alone. Across the range, the bow moves progressively further down the shaft, towards the head, as you go from Zeme through to Extreme:

Mid bow (Zeme) has its curve apex in the middle of the shaft, the most traditional position in the range. Best for hitting, receiving and clearances, and the natural starting point for beginners, defenders and goalkeepers.

Pro bow (Dream) uses a sharper curve angle rather than simply a lower position, built for quick releases, wrist speed and rapid changes of direction. Suits pacey wingers and attacking players at club level and above.

Low bow (Supreme) sits at around 200mm from the head with a curve of 22 to 25mm. Built for ball manipulation and 3D skills while keeping all-round capability, suiting advanced midfielders and all-round forwards at club level and above.

Late bow (Supernova) pushes the curve closer to the hook than mid bow, aimed at drag flicking, 3D skills and aerials while staying playable in an all-round game. Suits club, regional and international midfielders and forwards.

Extreme low bow (Extreme) is positioned 200 to 210mm from the head, as close to the hook as the FIH’s 25mm cap allows. Built specifically for drag flicking, penalty corner injections and aerial work at the highest level, and best suited to penalty corner specialists and elite attackers. The Extreme range also uses a concave face, which channels the ball through the drag motion rather than letting it roll away from the shaft, keeping it in contact with the stick face for longer through the flick. Combined with the extreme low bow position, that longer contact creates a longer lever between ball contact and release, which is where the extra power comes from at the highest level.

Step 4: Curing and finishing

Once the resin has cured, the stick is removed from the mould, trimmed, sanded and checked for weight, balance and finish consistency before a grip and toe cover are added. This is also the stage where graphics are applied, and it’s where the Naked Hockey approach differs most visibly from the rest of the market: clean graphics, no unnecessary branding, and nothing on the stick that doesn’t serve a purpose. The minimalist look isn’t a styling choice made after the fact, it reflects the same philosophy that drives the spec transparency: strip away anything that doesn’t affect performance.

Why the specification actually matters

None of this is abstract for the player choosing a stick. A club-level defender who buys a 100% carbon Extreme, built for elite penalty corner specialists, will likely find it unforgiving for general outfield play, because that construction was never built for their game. Equally, an elite drag flick specialist on a 30% carbon Zeme will find it flexes too much and sits too high up the shaft to load the shot they need.

Matching carbon percentage, fibre source and bow position to your position, level and playing style is the actual job of a spec sheet. That’s why every Naked Hockey stick lists its carbon percentage, fibre source and bow position as numbers, checked against real playing data by co-founder Felix Denayer, an Olympic gold medallist with Belgium who has spent two decades at the top level of the game specifying what these numbers should be, rather than a marketing team guessing at them.

Frequently asked questions

What does bow position actually mean on a field hockey stick?
Bow position is the distance in millimetres from the head of the stick to the point where the shaft curves the most. A lower bow position (closer to the head) suits drag flicking and 3D skills. A higher bow position suits hitting and general outfield play. Naked Hockey’s range runs from Zeme (mid bow, highest up the shaft) through Dream (pro bow), Supreme (low bow), Supernova (late bow) to Extreme (extreme low bow, closest to the head).

What is the difference between 30% and 100% carbon field hockey sticks?
The percentage refers to how much of the stick’s fibre content is carbon versus supporting materials like fibreglass. Lower percentages (around 30%) flex more and are more forgiving, suiting developing players and those who mishit occasionally. Higher percentages (up to 100%) are stiffer, transfer more energy into the ball, and suit stronger, more technically consistent players.

Why does the carbon fibre source matter, not just the percentage?
Fibre source determines stiffness and rebound characteristics independent of percentage. Aerospace-grade fabrics like Swedish TeXtreme carbon are stiffer for the same weight than standard carbon fibre, which is why it’s used only on elite-performance models rather than across a full range.

Is a more expensive, higher carbon stick always better?
No. A high carbon, low bow stick built for elite players will feel harsh and unforgiving for a less experienced or lighter player. The right stick matches carbon percentage and bow position to playing level and position, not the highest number available.

What does a concave face do on a drag flick stick?
A concave face, like the one on the Extreme range, channels the ball through the drag motion rather than letting it roll away from the shaft. It keeps the ball in contact with the stick face for longer during the flick, and combined with an extreme low bow position, that longer contact creates a longer lever between ball contact and release, which is where the extra power comes from at the highest level.

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