WASP Tech talk section is here to help you to understand the developments in equipment so you can make the best choice of what suits your game.

WOOD V COMPOSITE DEBATE

The debate about which sticks are best will continue for many years to come.
Both types of materials have advantages and disadvantages
Keep an open mind about what best suits your game and try not to be swayed by trendy gimmicks.
Many players think composites will give more power than wood reinforced sticks. This is not true. The reason why FIH allowed composite sticks to be used is that laboratory tests showed that they did not hit the ball any more powerfully than wooden core sticks.
Many players feel that composites will last longer than wood. This is not proved yet as constant edge hitting has led to composites failing just the same as wooden core sticks.

Wood sticks

WASP wooden core composite wrap Z Series sticks are still
reinforced/manufactured in our own factory in Yorkshire, England.
Using composite materials such as Dyneema, Aramid, Carbon and Glassfibre, our craftsmen produce sticks of varying degrees of stiffness
and feel. That is the advantage of owning our own factory.

The benefits of a wooden stick are:

More mellow feel against the ball allows easier first touch/control skills.
More “grip” against the ball. The face of the head of a wooden stick tends to grip the ball better
than a composite stick.
Wider choice of headshapes and handle thickness.
Wider choice of pick/up and balance points.

Composite sticks

WASP composite sticks are manufactured using carbon, kevlar and glassfibre matrixes, moulded and strengthened with epoxy resin. WASP Composite sticks are manufactured using a “pre-preg” system whereby the epoxy resin is premixed into the fibre matrix in the laboratory before being used by the production team. This leads to greater consistency in production and quality. The twin chamber construction optimizes the strength and balance of the sticks.

The benefits of a Composite stick are:

Same headshape, bow and handle thickness every time.
Slightly less maintenance needed as less effected by rainy or damp conditions.
Easier to choose same stick again.

At the end of the day, the choice is yours. As coaches we feel that a youngster should start off playing hockey for a couple of seasons with a wooden stick because the ball tends to bounce off wooden sticks less than the composite types. After this period it is personal choice which type of stick you choose. Some players who have tried composites are reverting back to wood because they feel it offers them better first touch control. Other players who have bought composites love them and would never go back to wood.

The choice is yours but bear in mind:

The advice which your coach gives about what will best suit your game
Both wood and composite sticks can break as we are playing a contact sport
There is little or no difference between the power from a composite v a wooden core
composite wrap stick.

THE BOW/RAKE DEBATE

There has been a trend recently for players at top level to use sticks with very big bows down the shaft. A big bow offers drag flick experts considerably more “sling-speed” at penalty corners.The bows became so large that some players could drag-flick with incredible speed and power. FIH (World Hockeys Governing Body) stepped in due to increased danger and from January 2006 the extent of the bow was limited to 25mm for sticks USED IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS.
The bow on your current stick should influence the type of bow you select on the stick that you buy next time.

We recommend that young starter players use a Classic or Euro bow.

WASP Hockey offers 4 different bows:

1. Maxi Bow - The “Maxi Bow” profile shape derives from Europe and has been developed after feedback from top players. The “Maxi Bow” measures 25mm off the straight line and is a gradual curve along the length of the shaft.

The benefits of the “Maxi Bow” are:

Extends the “reach zone” over which a player can dribble the ball without the ball “falling away” from the head of the stick.
Helps to gather the ball in when receiving the ball. The bow encourages the ball to roll up the blade not off the blade.
Increases sling power when drag flicking penalty corners
Improves consistency of Low Backhand Zone skills.

2. Euro Bow - The “Euro Bow” profile shape is the most popular profile in the range. The “Euro Bow” measures 22mm off the straight line and the bow is centred along the control zone of the stick.

The benefits of the “Euro Bow” are:

Extends the reach zone over which a player can dribble the ball without the ball “falling away” off the head of the stick.
Helps to gather the ball in when receiving the ball. The bow centred on the control zone helps to gather the ball in and keep it on the stick.
Can improve full stretch flat/sweep/slap hitting techniques by improving the angle which the stick head comes into contact with the ball.

3. Classic Bow - The “Classic Bow” profile is the most suitable for youth players or inexperienced players although many internationals still prefer this shape.
The “Classic Bow” measures 17mm off the straight line and the bow is a gradual bow along the length of the shaft.

The benefits of the “Classic Bow” are:

Helps keep hit passes on the ground thus leading to less danger.
Just enough bow to help first touch control but not that much that passing skills of hitting and pushing are adversely affected.
Ball less likely to “pop up” dangerously when stopping a hard pass.

4. Low Bow - New to the WASP range is the Low Bow which features on both Z10 models
The Low Bow is designed to improve dribbling skills and enhance 3D skills. This type of bow is often called the Late Bow as the bow is positioned just above the head of the stick at the base of the shaft.

In the end the choice of bow is all yours but we would advise that young players use the Euro Bow or Classic Bow until they develop their game sufficiently to be able to control their smooth hitting skills.

WHAT LENGTH STICK?

Selecting the right length of stick is vitally important if all the skills of hockey are to be developed and performed well.
WASP Stick Size Chart will help you to decide what length of stick is right for you.
In general, your height determines what length of stick you should use. However there are some benefits in selecting the longest stick that you can control. The more skillful player may want the benefits of extra reach and better vision that longer sticks can offer.

The main points are:

Does the stick feel comfortable?
Is it pressing into my tummy or am I having to bend too low and damage my back?
Can my hands control the head of the stick when I swing to hit the ball or is the head of the stick dominating my hands?

One method to find the correct length of stick is to stand up straight, place the head of the stick under your armpit and find a stick that reaches to the bottom of your kneecap.

Wasp Stick Size Chart
Here is a rough guide for the
younger less experienced player
and their parents.

Remember this is a rough guide
but we hope it helps you to choose
the right length of stick.

WHAT HEADSHAPE?

Most hockey sticks are now constructed with either a U headshape or a J headshape.
WASP hockey offers a Maxi U hook headshape or a Mega J headshape and there are slight differences in the benefits of the two different shapes.

Maxi U Hook

The Maxi U Hook is a very tight bend.

The benefits of this shape are:

Less twist/torsion when dribbling the ball
Easier use on left side reverse stick
Easier use for flat stick reverse side tackles
Easier flicking/scoop skills

Mega J Midi
The Mega J Midi is a more open bend.

The benefits of this shape are:

Bigger sweet spot for hitting skills
Easier to drag the ball in the headbend
Easier right to left dribble skills

Both headshapes are very popular but we would advise all young players to start off with a Mega J because we feel this shape is easier to get used to.

SZ - WASP Sling Zone has been designed and play tested by some of the world’s top players and coaches. The specially shaped scoop allows the ball to be collected in and aids several skills such as the drag flick, sweep hit pass and flick shots at goal. The head/face of the stick is left completely flat to allow smooth hitting and pushing skills.

TZ - WASP Trap Zone has been specially
designed by top coaches and players to
improve first touch quality and aerial skills.
The unique scoop shape allows improved first
touch contact around the ball trapping the ball
into the playing surface.

EPZ – EDGE PROTECTION ZONE

In 1999, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) changed the rules to allow players to hit the ball with both the lead edge and the back edge of the stick. Until this time this had been illegal. This “skill” is called the “Argentinian backhand/forehand shot/pass” because it originated in Argentina.

This skill can be quite dangerous if not well trained but it is now part of our game. It also puts stresses on hockey sticks, which are very difficult to combat. Sticks now need more edge reinforcement but to retain the good balance and comply with the rules the edges are thin.

WASP hockey has done enormous research to try and strengthen the lead and back edges of our sticks. We incorporate extra and different fibres in these zones (EPZ System) to try and prolong the life of our sticks. It helps but the forces that some edge shots place on the stick makes it impossible for anyone to guarantee a stick against breakage in this area. There is no doubt that a player who constantly uses this skill will shorten the life of the stick.

BWZ-BACKHAND WEAR ZONE

The Argentinian backhand shot also puts a greater stress on the back of the stick head. This is especially true for inexperienced players whose stick constantly impacts the ground practising this skill. WASP Hockey have increased the reinforcement layers in the Backhand Wear Zone to slow down the wear in this area and to help the stick cope with impacts against the ground.

HOW DO I LOOK AFTER MY WASP HOCKEY STICK?

By following some simple steps you can prolong the life of your stick.

Wrap cloth or fibreglass tape around the lower end of the shaft.
This not only protects your stick against stick clashes but also assists by cushioning the ball
when receiving a pass. Constantly remove the tape as it gets damaged and re-apply new tape.
Do not put tape around the wood head as this can trap moisture against the wood and lead to weakening of the timber.
After the game/training allow your stick to dry naturally. All WASP stickbags have ventilation/airflow panels to assist this process. Wipe off excess moisture, sand or soil and keep away from heat sources such as radiators.
When headwear/edgewear begins to show use a repair kit to counter its effect.
Remove any loose material and smooth down the surface carefully using glass paper.
Apply repair resin as directed and build up the area to its original shape.
Smooth down all rough edges using glass paper.
Reapply cotton/fibreglass protective tape as required.
Do not abuse your stick by using it as a cricket bat or throwing it down in frustration.

Remember every impact can potentially weaken the fibers, which your stick is constructed from.

Now that we have explained the jargon and technicalities we hope you feel more confident to chose the right WASP Hockey stick for your game. There is no doubt you cannot beat calling into our factory shop in Wakefield ,Yorkshire, North East England so we can help and advsie you first hand.But we hope the information in this section at least helps you.