The best field hockey sticks for youth players are designed to enhance skills, that experienced players will have learned already. Your selection will depend on –
- Your experience
- Position
- What you’re comfortable with
- Budget
When a youth player feels comfortable controlling a ball, he or she may want to consider a more advanced stick. A low bow for an aspiring forward can help with 3 D skills and penalty flicks. A nimble midi-shaped hook with a flatter bow will assist with dribbling in tight spots.
An aspiring defender may want a flatter, robust stick which is more predictable when trapping the ball and in the tackle. Choosing a maxi head can help development as it’s larger for trapping and taking shots.
The first six sticks covered are for the more advanced youth with aspirations of climbing the game’s ladder, while the last two are for those with a stricter budget in mind, as well as for the inexperienced player.
- Grays GR7000 Jumbow Junior – advanced youth stick
- Adidas FLX Compo 6 Junior – advanced forward youth stick
- GRAYS GR6000 Dynabow Junior – advanced youth’s all-rounder
- Kookaburra Connect M-Bow 2.0 Junior advanced all-rounder
- STX Stallion HPR 701 – powerful advanced all-rounder
- Grays GR4000 Dynabow Junior – good for 3D skills
- Symphony Set. Budget youth entry level
- STX Field Hockey Junior Set – Higher quality entry-level kit
- Grays Blast Ultrabow Junior Budget all-rounder
Manufacturers have designed many special features to assist with different skills. You may find some leading sticks come with reverse stick special features. Others will be made of incredibly strong graphene, which is harder than diamond and will offer great durability. While some will offer features designed to help with 3D skills.
Let's take a look at some of the best Youth Field Hockey Sticks on the market
The GR7000 Jumbow is a forward’s dream stick. This low bow hockey stick has all the leading features of the adult’s stick. A stick of this caliber doesn’t come cheap, however, owning this gem would put a big smile on your kid’s face and take their game to the next level. This is the top of the range in junior field hockey sticks.
Featuring –
- A low bow to perform 3D skills and drag-flick penalties
- Performs better than a flatter shape when scooping the ball
- Made from graphene, making it more powerful, lighter, and more durable than the Jumbow.
- Top of the range model
The Adidas FLX Compo 6 is not just a great looking stick, but a solid mid-range option. The combination of a 95% fiberglass construction, with a trapezoid stick shape makes this a super light option.
Featuring –
- Mid bow with a pure control head with great surface area
- 95% fiberglass construction
- PU grip tape over an EVA foam sleeve for enhanced shock absorption
- Trapezoid shape for better 3D skills
- Good value
The GR6000 Dynabow is somewhere between a low bow and a mid bow, making it a bit of an all rounder. While juniors will be able to enhance their 3D skills the stick is slightly more predictable in the tackle than the low bow, so is a great choice for defenders or midfielders. This shape, suitable for almost every position, other than the goalie, will allow the youth player to continue to develop apace.
Featuring –
- A narrow handle which is a good grip for smaller hands
- Graphene composite, the new wonder material making the stick durable, light, and strong
- All-rounder stick, suitable for all positions
- Micro head for better 3D skills
Evolving from the M Bow 1, this is the new M Bow 2.0 Composite stick from Kookaburra. With a decent 25% Carbon fibre content, this stick is strong, yet lightweight. This combined with the dual-core construction makes for quite a powerful stick, at a reasonable price.
Features –Â
- M Bow 2.0, which is 24mm @410mm
- Flat precision backhand edge for accurate backhand shots
- Concave stick face for excellent close control, 3D skill and drag-flicking
- Pro Cushion stick grip
- Good value for a mid-range stick
While not technically a junior stick, the STX Stallion HPR 701 is a great intermediate hockey stick that wouldn’t feel out of place for the older aspiring teens. Whilst not a cheap stick, investing in the Stallion will ensure your kids aren’t asking for an upgrade after 6 months once their skills have improved.
Features –
- 70% carbon composition offering a firm hit while allowing more flexibility in the take.
- A balanced bow offers more assuredness to the defender while giving the forward good control in upright, tight positions.
- Countervail Vibration technology assures a comfortable grip throughout your game and in every situation from hitting to defending.
Check out our full STX Field Hockey Sticks review
Made with graphene, the GR4000 Dynabow Junior is one of the best junior sticks available. With a narrow midsection for smaller hands, while the composite features hi-tech graphene which stiffens the stick (usually reserved for Grays marquee field hockey sticks) offering superior durability.
The GR4000 comes either in the style above, or with a black/purple design, giving the stick a top dollar look. Parents investing in this stick will see a beaming face looking back up at them.
Features –
- Midi/micro head allows for nimble play, switching to reverse play and back
- Somewhere between a low bow and mid bow allowing for 3-D skills while also being more predictable than a low bow
- Designed to have a light feel to hone control and 3D skills
- Good value for money
Mazon Black Magic Slingshot Field Hockey Stick
Again this choice is cheating somewhat as it is not specifically designed for the junior. However it comes in a 36.5 inches version which is suitable for the average height of a 14 year old boy or 15 year old girl. I couldn’t resist putting this in the top 6 with its great TomaHawk Zone … see my article on the tomahawk skill.
Torsion Stability rating of 95 provides great power in the shot. The shaft contains two cores of aramid (graphite) to contain impact & provide stability. The Reduced Vibration System + (RVS+) technology ensures that composites are placed strategically in key vibration areas to absorb the vibration whilst hitting and trapping.
The X-Bow is Mazon’s version of a low bow, great for drag flicking but also quick pushing and 3D skills. More suitable for an aspiring forward it offers plenty of bang for the bucks.
At about $300, 220 GBP, $240 AUD it’s a serious stick. See how much you can find it on Amazon>>
Sticks For a Tighter Budget
So we have covered some pretty advanced sticks. For parents who want a budget starter kit for their aspiring hockey player, the Symphony set is the cheapest option at under $100USD.
Included in the kit –
- An entry-level wooden hockey stick
- Shin guards
- Gum shield
- Ball
- Stick bag.
All that is missing is a helmet or eye protection. While the hockey stick is very basic, it’s perfectly fine as a starting point. There is a plastic film over the stick to protect it however, which will break away after some use. By that point your little swinger will be ready for an upgrade!Â
Suitable for kids around 5-8 years old, this will get them on the field with one click.
This STX Field Hockey Junior Starter Pack is suitable for kids aged 9+, as the choice of stick lengths are from 34″ to 36″.
Included in the kit –
- HPR50 Stick
- Black Field Hockey Stick Bag with room to pack the whole set plus your child hockey balls and personal items
- Youth reversible Shin Guards
- 2 See-S Junior Goggles
For younger kids, STX does a similar kit called the STX Field Hockey Rookie Starter Kit. Suitable for children from 5-8 years.
STX is a quality, well-known brand in field hockey. As a starter kit, you won’t go wrong here. The two things you would consider adding to this pack are a mouthguard and helmet.
The Grays Blast Ultrabow Junior Field Hockey Stick is one of the best low-budget sticks on the market. Available from a tiny 26″ up to adult sizes, this stick is perfect for the little ones who are just starting out.Â
Prominent features –
- Crafted from wood, then strengthened with fiberglass-reinforced mulberry wood
- Designed to be thin and lightweight
- Maxi head with a hook toe to give maximum hitting surface area. Great for reverse stick control and drag flicks
- 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
The maxi toe area provides more surface area, so beginners can hone control skills while still playing competitively. The ultrabow shape is more of an all-rounder than the low bow. This means the youth beginner doesn’t have to choose a position and stick with it at this stage of his or her progress. For less than $50 this durable number is a no-brainer for the youth beginner, and could even be used at higher levels of college hockey.
To find out more about bow shapes here is a useful illustration, or you can read the Low Bow vs Mid Bow article here>>
