How to look after your stick – care and storage

A good composite stick costs anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand zlotys – and it is a piece of equipment that works in sand, in water and in contact with a hard ball. The good news: a few simple habits are enough to make it last longer and keep its properties. Here is a complete guide to care and storage.

After training: the 30 seconds that make a difference

Artificial turf is dressed with rubber granulate and sand, and sand works on a stick like sandpaper. After leaving the pitch, wipe the stick with a damp cloth – especially the head and the lower part of the shaft – and dry it off. While you are at it, glance at the head: light scuffs are normal marks of play, but deeper chips are worth keeping an eye on.

The grip: small cost, big difference

The grip is the only point of contact between your hands and the stick. A slippery or worn-through grip ruins ball feel and forces a tighter hold. Replace it when it stops gripping – with regular training usually once a season or more often. You can choose between chamois grips, which also work well with sweaty hands, and synthetic PU ones. Wrap from the bottom of the shaft upwards, with light tension and an overlap of about one third of the width. You will find grips and tapes in the Grips & Tapes.

Tape on the head

The bottom edge of the head – the part that rubs against the surface most – can be protected with stick tape. It is a cheap way to let a replaceable layer take some of the abrasion: the tape wears out, the stick stays.

Storage: enemy number one is the car boot

Composite – fibreglass, carbon or aramid, which we covered in our post on stick materials – does not like extreme temperatures. In a hot car in summer the resin binding the fibres softens; in winter the material turns brittle. Store the stick in a dry place at room temperature: a room, a hallway, a locker at the club. Do not leave it in the boot overnight, do not lean it against a radiator and do not dry it on a heater. In transport, a stick sleeve or bag gives extra protection.

What not to do

• Do not soak the stick – krótki kontakt z wodą nie szkodzi, ale kij nie powinien leżeć w wodzie ani schnąć „na mokro” w zamkniętym pokrowcu.
• Do not straighten or heat it – the curve is part of the stick's design, not a fault; we described bow profiles in our post on stick bow.
• Do not play on asphalt or concrete – a hard, rough surface can destroy the head in a single afternoon.
• Do not ignore cracks – a light scuff is cosmetic, but a lengthwise crack in the shaft or head is a warning sign.

When the stick is due for replacement

Trzy sygnały: podłużne pęknięcie trzonu lub główki, wyraźna zmiana dźwięku przy uderzeniu (głuchy, „pusty” odgłos) oraz utrata sztywności – piłka przestaje „wychodzić” z uderzenia tak jak kiedyś. Jeśli to brzmi znajomo, zajrzyj do naszej oferty w kategorii Hockey Stickscategory, and our guide will help you choose a new model: how to choose a stick.

Got a question about a specific model or a small chip on the head? Email us at [email protected] – we will tell you whether tape is enough or it is time for a new stick.