How sticks change as players get older

Three things change as a player grows: the length, what the stick is made of and the shape of the bow.

1. Length goes up with height

Sticks go from about 24" for the smallest players to 36.5" for most teenagers and adults (162–184 cm on the Grays SA chart). Children often need a new stick every season or two as they grow. Check the size chart each year.

2. Wood, then composite with more carbon

First sticks are often wood, or composite with about 10% carbon. Senior sticks are usually composite, and shops list their carbon content as a percentage. In our list, senior sticks with a stated carbon content range from 15% to 100%. More carbon generally makes a stick stiffer for harder hitting, with less feel. A young player doesn't need a high-carbon stick.

3. The bow gets lower for advanced skills

Beginners and juniors usually start with a standard or mid bow, an all-round shape that suits basic skills. Low and extreme low bows help with lifting the ball, 3D skills and drag flicks, and suit older midfielders, attackers and drag flickers. The rules cap the bow at 25 mm. See bow types.

4. Prices go up

In our current list the middle junior stick costs R699 and the middle senior stick costs R1,990. Top senior sticks cost more than R6,000.