Hockey Stick Size Guide
The right hockey stick length should let you play low, move the ball freely and reach comfortably without forcing your posture. For most shoppers, the best process is to use a body measurement or brand height chart to find the starting size, then check how that length feels in a hockey stance.
In this guide
Stand normally in socks or the footwear you will play in and measure from the top of the hip to the floor. Use that figure as your first stick-length estimate. Then compare it with the manufacturer’s height chart and, where possible, test the stick in playing position. A correct stick should not force a developing player upright, feel excessively head-heavy or make close control awkward. For adults who sit between common sizes, personal preference and technique become more important than a single height rule.
At a glance
- HockeyDirect’s current starting method is to measure from the top of the hip to the floor in inches.
- Junior players should be sized for control now, not given an oversized stick purely for future growth.
- Adult 36.5in and 37.5in sticks overlap across manufacturer height guides; comfort and playing posture decide the final choice.
- Brand charts differ, so use the chart for the actual stick you are buying whenever it is available.
How to measure for a hockey stick
Method 1: HockeyDirect hip-to-floor measurement
- Stand upright on a flat surface.
- Find the top of the hip.
- Measure vertically from that point to the floor in inches.
- Use the nearest available stick length as a starting point.
- Check the result in a hockey stance before buying if possible.
This method is simple and is especially useful when comparing junior sizes because it relates the stick directly to the player’s proportions.
Method 2: manufacturer height chart
Brands also publish height-based guides. These are useful because they reflect the lengths sold in that particular range, but they are not identical.
For example, current Grays guidance places 36.5in roughly in the 162–184cm height band and 37.5in around 184–193cm. Kookaburra currently recommends 36.5in for roughly 161–178cm and 37.5in from 178cm upwards. That overlap is exactly why a height chart should be treated as guidance rather than a rule.
Current junior starting points
The table below combines the broad pattern used by current brand charts. Always check the specific brand page before publishing an exact recommendation against a product.
HockeyDirect’s live junior collection currently carries many of these increments, including 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35in options, so there is rarely a good reason to make a child jump several sizes at once.
The fit test matters more than the chart
Once you have a likely length, use these checks.
Can the player get low comfortably?
In a normal dribbling and receiving stance, the player should be able to bend at the knees and hips without the stick forcing the hands too high or the upper body unnaturally upright.
Can the player move the head quickly?
Ask them to make small left-right touches. If the head feels difficult to change direction or the player needs large arm movements to control the ball, the stick may be too long or heavy for them.
Is reach comfortable rather than excessive?
A longer stick can add reach, but it should not make the player feel disconnected from the ball. Close control matters as much as reach.
Is the grip position natural?
The top hand should sit comfortably at the end of the handle without the player having to choke dramatically down the shaft just to make the stick manageable.
Junior sizing: why “room to grow” can be false economy
Children grow quickly, so it is tempting to buy the next size up. The problem is that an oversized stick changes both length and effective swing weight. A player who cannot comfortably move the stick may learn to stand too upright, sweep the ball rather than control it or compensate with poor hand positions.
A better compromise is to choose the correct current size and prioritise a sensible price/construction level. HockeyDirect stocks entry and developing junior sticks from brands including adidas, Grays, Gryphon, Kookaburra, Naked, Osaka, TK and Voodoo, so the choice does not have to be between correct fit and an expensive model.
Adult sizing: 36.5in vs 37.5in
These are the most common decision points for adult players. The extra inch can alter reach and the way the stick sits in your stance.
36.5in may suit you if:
- you prefer compact close control;
- a 37.5in stick feels cumbersome in a low stance;
- you are around the overlap between brand size bands.
37.5in may suit you if:
- you are taller and the shorter stick pulls you too low;
- you value the extra reach and still control the head comfortably;
- it matches a length you already use successfully.
Some brands also offer 38.5in. Treat it as a fit choice for taller players or those with an established preference, not an “upgrade” from 37.5in.
Goalkeepers and specialist preferences
Goalkeepers, drag-flickers and players with very established techniques may deliberately choose lengths outside a basic height chart. That should be an informed choice. If you are replacing a stick you already like, compare the old and new total length, bow and balance, not length alone.
Common sizing mistakes
- Buying a junior stick too long to save replacing it later.
- Copying a teammate’s size without comparing body proportions.
- Assuming every brand uses exactly the same height chart.
- Moving to 37.5in because it is “more adult”.
- Ignoring the effect of weight and balance when increasing length.
Frequently asked questions
Where should a hockey stick come up to?
There is no single body landmark that guarantees the correct size. HockeyDirect uses a hip-to-floor measurement as the starting method, then recommends checking comfort and playability.
What size hockey stick does a child need?
Use current body height or hip-to-floor measurement, then compare with the specific brand chart. Choose the size the child can control now.
Can a junior use a 36.5in adult stick?
Yes, when the player is physically ready for the length, weight and stiffness. The label “adult” is less important than whether the complete stick is manageable.
Is 37.5in better for a defender?
Not by default. Extra reach can be useful, but handling speed and posture matter. Many defenders use 36.5in and many attacking players use 37.5in.
Should I cut down a composite stick?
Do not modify a stick casually. Cutting the handle changes length, grip area, balance and may affect warranty or construction. Buy the correct size where possible.
What if I am between sizes?
Try both if possible. Keep the one that lets you stay low, move the head quickly and control the ball without feeling cramped or stretched.
Shop the right length
Start with HockeyDirect’s hockey stick collection or junior hockey sticks, filter by size, then compare bow and construction only after you have narrowed down the correct length.
