Question for field hockey players..

[tridim]

Why are the sticks so damn short? If they were a foot longer the players wouldn't have to bend 45 degrees at the back to hit the ball.

I really don't get it, because constantly bending like that seems extremely dangerous.

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. If the sticks were longer, close work with the ball would be difficult

You're only allowed to use the one (flat) side of the stick head to hit or push the ball, so you have to switch the angle of the stick very fast at times - if you had a longer stick, you'd have to be doing that far away from your body, which would be more difficult. If they're right by a ball, a player can hit it without bending at all.

There are no limits on stick length, as far as I know (I played a little at school, a long time ago - you'd certainly get a stick to match your height), so I think the players will have concluded what is the most useful stick length themselves.

[Forkboy]

2. Yup, it's just like ice or street hockey.

Shorter ones help for better stickhandling in close, a good thing for offensive players. Most defensemen/women use a little bit of a longer stick to give them more range and help with poke checks.

I wish NBC would show some of the Olympic field hockey instead of what they've been showing. And some damn boxing too, while they're at it. x(

[Redbear]

3. Most of the boxing has been on CNBC

They also have been showing a lot of it live. Which crazy since its is like 2:00 AM here.

I watched field hockey on the NBC website. Good stuff.

[Forkboy]

4. I don't have cable so I'm bumming on that score.

But here I am, sitting on a computer all day every day and I didn't even think to check the website. DUH! :banghead:

Thanks for the idea. :)

[sniffa]

5. Field hockey is on right now

But why aren't the men wearing skirts, or at least skorts?

:shrug:

[underpants]

6. Funny I thought exactly the same thing

that being said --I LIKES the women field hockey!!!! :P