The design and manufacturing processes that goes into the making a hockey stick to ensure its functioning and performance is y intricate and constantly evolving. However there are compliance and safety rules established by FIH that ensure hockey stick manufacturers remain within uniform standards parameters as they strive independently to manufacture a hockey stick that hockey players would desire to use.
This article provides detailed information about these parameters.
All measurements are made and other specifications assessed with any coverings or additional fixings attached to the stick (that is, with the stick in the form in which it is used on the field).
2.1
Properties outside the specifications are not permitted. Although the properties are described as explicitly as possible, the FIH reserves the right to prohibit any stick which, in the opinion of the FIH Rules Committee, is unsafe or likely to have a detrimental impact on playing the game.
2.2
The shape and dimensions of the stick are tested by placing the stick playing side downwards on a flat surface marked with the lines shown in figures 3 and 4 below . Lines A, A1, B, B1 and Y are parallel and are perpendicular to lines C and X.
Figure 3: The stick
Figure 4: The head of the stick
The dimensions in figures 3 and 4 are:
|
Line A to line A1 |
51mm |
|
Line A to line B |
20mm |
|
Line A1 to line B1 |
20mm |
|
Line A to line Y |
25.5mm |
|
Line C to line X |
100mm |
2.3
The stick has a traditional shape, consisting of the handle and the head:
a
The stick is positioned in figures 3 and 4 so that the line Y passes through the centre of the top of the handle; the handle of the stick starts at line C and continues in the direction Y+.
b
The base of the head of the stick is positioned touching line X; the head of the stick starts at line X and terminates at line C.
2.4
The stick is assessed with any covering, coating or fixing belonging to the stick.
2.5
In any of the specifications below, the following definitions apply:
a
“Smooth” means without any rough or sharp parts. The surface must be even and regular, free from perceptible projections or indentations and not rough, wrinkled, pitted, grooved or scored. No edge shall have an angle with radius smaller than 3 mm.
b
“Flat” means without any curved, high or hollow parts having a radius smaller than 2 m, transforming smoothly to an edge with a radius not smaller than 3 mm.
c
“Continuous” means all along the defined subject without interruption.
2.6
The playing side of the stick is the entire side shown in figures 3 and 4 and the edges of that side.
2.7
The transition from handle to head must be smooth and continuous without any unevenness or other discontinuity.
2.8
The head must be a ‘J’ or ‘U’ shape the upturned or open end of which is limited by the line C.
2.9
The head is not limited between lines C and X in the direction X- or X+.
2.10
The head must be flat on the left hand side only (the side which is to the player’s left when the stick is held with the open end of the head pointing directly away from the player’s front, ie the side shown in the diagrams).
2.11
A single convex or concave deviation with a smooth continuous profile and of maximum 4 mm at any point is permitted across the otherwise flat playing side of the head of the stick and any continuation of it along the handle.
Deviation is tested by placing a straight edge of length 53mm across the stick at any point along the playing side and using a standard pointed depth gauge; the device used to measure bow or rake and shown in figure 6 can also be used for this purpose. The depth of concave curvature below the straight edge must not exceed 4 mm.
Other indentations or grooves are not permitted on the playing side of the stick.
2.12
The flat playing side of the head of the stick and any continuation of it along the handle must be smooth.
2.13
A twist or twists along the flat playing side of the stick from the head and any continuation of it along the handle are not permitted; ie the intersection of the plane comprising the flat playing side of the stick with any plane comprising all or part of the flat side of the handle must remain parallel to line C-C.
2.14
It is permitted for the handle to be bent or curved to protrude beyond the line A once only to the limiting line B at maximum or but not also to be bent or curved to protrude beyond the line A1 once only to the limiting line B1 at maximum.
2.15
Any curvature along the length of the stick (the bow or rake) must have a continuous smooth profile along the whole length, must occur along the playing side or the back of the stick but not both and is limited to a depth of 25 mm. The point of maximum bow must not be closer to the base of the head (line X in figure 3) than 200 mm. Multiple curves are not permitted.
The stick is laid playing side downwards on a flat surface in its natural resting position as shown in figure 5. The device shown in figure 6 is used to measure the bow or rake and is placed with its base on the testing surface. The 25mm high end of the device must not pass freely more than 8mm under the stick at any point; ie this end of the device must not pass freely under the stick to the extent that the edge of the stick touches the remaining part of the device.
Figure 5: The stick rake or bow
Figure 6: Device for measuring stick bow or rake
2.16
The edges and the non-playing side (back) of the stick must be rounded and must have a continuous smooth profile. Flat sections along the edges or back of the stick are not permitted.
Smooth and shallow undulations or indentations on the back of the handle are permitted to a maximum depth of 4 mm. No undulations or indentations are permitted on the back of the head of the stick.
2.17
Inclusive of any additional coverings used, the stick must pass through a ring with an interior diameter of 51 mm.
2.18
The total weight of the stick must not exceed 737 grams. The length of the stick as measured from the top of the handle to the bottom of the head of the stick (line X in Figure 3) shall not be more than 105 cm.
2.19
Ball speed must not be greater than 98 % of stick head speed under test conditions.
Ball speed is determined over a series of 5 tests at a stick speed of 80 km/hour in the simulator of an FIH approved laboratory. Ball speed is calculated from the time the ball passes two measuring points and is expressed as a ratio to the specified stick speed. FIH approved hockey balls are used. The test is carried out at prevailing laboratory conditions with a temperature of approximately 20°C and relative humidity of approximately 50 %.
2.20
The entire stick must be smooth.
Any stick which poses a potential risk for play is prohibited.
2.21
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.
2.22
The application of tapes and resins is permitted provided that they are not hazardous and that the stick conforms to the specifications
Source: Hockey England archives
