International Hockey Federation : Hockey Sticks

A: The FIH is concerned that the extent of the bow/rake of some sticks has increased significantly over the last few years which appears to enable an increase in the power with which some players can flick the ball, especially for shots at goal. When the change was announced Wolfgang Rommel, chairman of the FIH Hockey Rules Board, commented, 'With players and officials we share concerns about the increasing power of flick shots. A limit to the stick bow/rake will curb some of this power without detracting from dribbling and other attractive ball control skills.'

On the advice of its Equipment Committee and Hockey Rules Board, the FIH Executive Board therefore specified a change to the 2006 Rules of Hockey, limiting the depth of the stick bow/rake to 25mm.

For international hockey matches, these rules come into force from 1 January 2006. However, individual National Hockey Associations have discretion to decide the date of implementation for matches within their jurisdiction. If they so wish, they can therefore delay implementation for levels of the game where other sticks are likely to continue to be used.

Q: Why are metal or metal components banned within the manufacture of a hockey stick?

A: There are a number of reasons to ban metal components. The first is for safety. All metal sticks or handles normally target aluminium. When broken, metal sticks in general, and aluminium sticks in particular, tend to break with very jagged edges. Quite often a stick when broken will fly through the air. This is considered an unacceptable danger to the other players on the pitch and also spectators off the pitch.

The second reason is to maintain the sport where the skill of the players in both attack and defence is paramount to the game.

FIH has noted the so called technological advances in other sports such as with the tennis racquet and golf club. The supposed improvements to both the tennis racquet and golf club by the use of metallic substances have caused remarkable changes to those sports which is not universally accepted as being in the best interests of the respective sports.

FIH has concerns on the possibility that the sport of hockey may have the same problems unless the hockey stick is controlled.

The third reason is television. With the advent of the synthetic surface, hockey has become very fast, particularly at elite level, and continuous. Advice to FIH from television technicians and commentators is that if the sport is to be made any faster, it would become much more difficult to televise as a spectacle, particularly as there are no breaks in play to show slow motion replays as occurs in many other sports.

Therefore, FIH considers it would be detrimental to allow changes to the hockey stick which would increase power factors and consequently ball speed.

Q: Regarding the composition of a hockey stick: What materials are mandated and what are prohibited?

A. Over the last several years, there have been a number of developments regarding the composition of hockey sticks.
· Composite sticks have been introduced by various manufacturers
· Experiments have been conducted involving the use of metal shafts
· Proposals have been made attempting to mandate the use of wooden heads

Regarding composition of the hockey stick, the FIH Rules of Hockey state: “The stick and possible additions may be made of or contain any material other than metal or metallic components, provided it is fit for the purpose of playing hockey and is not hazardous.”

Thus the use of metal is prohibited and the use of wood is permitted but not mandated.