wooden sticks for beginners and young players

[Yurr 0]

I've heard, that coaches in NA still prefer to teach children to hockey with wooden sticks... There are any ideas why? (except sticks cost) ... or cost is main reason?

[interpathway 9]

I believe the cost to be the main reason. Others might suggest the feel of course.

[Datsyukrulez13 0]

i think they say that they like them to use wood sticks because of the durability

[Yurr 0]

i think they say that they like them to use wood sticks because of the durability

cheap wooden sticks are not so durable ... so

[lampliter87 8]

Promotes proper technique, better feel, cheaper cost, allows for more experimentation.

[Yurr 0]

hockey industry will launch cheap composite OPS ... mostly glassfibers ... could it squeeze out wooden sticks from hockey market?

Promotes proper technique, better feel, cheaper cost, allows for more experimentation.

it allow to change a curvature and pattern ... radiuses on handle ... probably it's a reason? ... thanks 'lampliter87'

[McDougalfaschnitzer 32]

I like to see kids use wood sticks just to build up some general strength when it comes to stickhandling and shooting.

[Hooah4 12]

When I was helping coach my son's mite group we'd get alot of questions from parents regarding the wood/ops BS. I would do my best to explain to them that young kids/beginners really can't use the benefits that the technology brings so it's futile at best until they get older. Beginners should focus on technique and practice rather than worry about the tech.

[Alan 0]

Wood sticks because of the cost.

I still use wood sticks because of the cost. I don't mind breaking a wood stick. And I really don't mind breaking another guy's expensive composite stick with my wood stick. :lol:

When I was helping coach my son's mite group we'd get alot of questions from parents regarding the wood/ops BS. I would do my best to explain to them that young kids/beginners really can't use the benefits that the technology brings so it's futile at best until they get older. Beginners should focus on technique and practice rather than worry about the tech.

+1.

[Chadd 916]

When I was helping coach my son's mite group we'd get alot of questions from parents regarding the wood/ops BS. I would do my best to explain to them that young kids/beginners really can't use the benefits that the technology brings so it's futile at best until they get older. Beginners should focus on technique and practice rather than worry about the tech.

I disagree. Composite youth sticks are more flexible than wooden youth sticks. Kids with good form are rewarded with good results. It's not a replacement for practice but it is often a better fit for younger players. The key is to not rush them into junior, intermediate and senior sticks. The funny thing is that the youth sticks are often not made from high performance materials, they just flex more easily and that's what younger players need.

Wood sticks because of the cost.

I still use wood sticks because of the cost. I don't mind breaking a wood stick. And I really don't mind breaking another guy's expensive composite stick with my wood stick. :lol:

It's often cheaper to get one youth composite stick than it is to replace wood blades that have rotted out or to keep replacing with every growth spurt. Then again most youth wood sticks end up with three rolls of tape on the blade trying to keep them together so most of those parents aren't really interested in doing the right thing. Breakage is rarely a concern with youth sticks and you get the performance benefits I described earlier.

[ahbroody 1]

Wood sticks because of the cost.

My 3 year old snaped his 2 piece the other night practicing his slappers. Hes still digging behind the puck, but it made dad proud that he snapped his blade. I dont think I would want him doing this with wood sticks as I have a feeling I would be buying more sticks then I do blades for his 2P. Picked up a ton of wood blades on closeout so I just poped a new one in and he was at it again the next day. Also figure there is zero chance he will use a woodie past the age of 7 so why start him on that to change it later. Meh dont know.

He prefers his 2 piece to wood stick. I think if you can get the blades cheap the 2 piece is a better option for the little ones incase they are digging a hole to china and snap blades. No way I am buying him a OPS.

[flyerman 0]

He prefers his 2 piece to wood stick.

He's 3 years old? You mean he likes the colors better or the whippy flex and low kick point? :P

[ahbroody 1]

Definetly not the whip for him. He just likes the 2 piece. Both are fairly similar looking. Both hideous as hell. We buy him lots of different tape and he decorates the sticks in god awful color schemes. You should see the things, its amazing what a 3 yr old thinks is cool. Ugliest thing in a while. Its great at roller hockey class as hes easy to find. He just given the choice always wants the 2 piece. I wonder if its cause dad has 2 piece so he wants the same. Never thought about it. T

I like it cause the blade swaps and the consistency.

[Hooah4 12]

When I was helping coach my son's mite group we'd get alot of questions from parents regarding the wood/ops BS. I would do my best to explain to them that young kids/beginners really can't use the benefits that the technology brings so it's futile at best until they get older. Beginners should focus on technique and practice rather than worry about the tech.

I disagree. Composite youth sticks are more flexible than wooden youth sticks. Kids with good form are rewarded with good results. It's not a replacement for practice but it is often a better fit for younger players. The key is to not rush them into junior, intermediate and senior sticks. The funny thing is that the youth sticks are often not made from high performance materials, they just flex more easily and that's what younger players need.

Wood sticks because of the cost.

I still use wood sticks because of the cost. I don't mind breaking a wood stick. And I really don't mind breaking another guy's expensive composite stick with my wood stick. :lol:

It's often cheaper to get one youth composite stick than it is to replace wood blades that have rotted out or to keep replacing with every growth spurt. Then again most youth wood sticks end up with three rolls of tape on the blade trying to keep them together so most of those parents aren't really interested in doing the right thing. Breakage is rarely a concern with youth sticks and you get the performance benefits I described earlier.

I agree with you Chadd just that back then (5yrs ago) there were barely any youth composites available (in my area). Most adults were buying junior or adult sticks and hacking them down and giving them to the mites.