How to pick the right stick length? If you search online, you will quickly find a number of tables containing the ‘right’ sizes, but is this the best size for you as well?
The answer is… it depends.
With floorball stick length there isn’t really a one-size-fits-all and there are definitely a couple of factors you can consider when deciding the length of your stick.
And that’s what I am going to do in this article! I’ll start by giving you a brief introduction and overview of stick lengths and what the difference is between shaft and stick length. After you know which size “roughly” fits your own length, I will give some reasons why you may want to deviate from the norm. Finally, I will give a couple of examples from professional players who chose to deviate from their size.
Want to find the perfect floorball STICK instead? Then check out our Ultimate Guide on Choosing a Floorball Stick (with our Recommendations).
Introduction to floorball stick length
A stick can be measured in different ways: in shaft length, stick length and stick height.
It can be all very confusing so let’s start with the simplest one.
The shaft length is the length of your shaft. So if you remove your blade and measure what’s left of your stick, that will be your shaft length.
Got it?
Now, let’s put back the blade! Next what we will measure is the stick length. The length of your stick is measured by drawing a line from the top of the shaft to the bottom. But this time we don’t stop when the shaft ends but when we reach the end of the blade if we follow this extended shaft line.
The stick length is approximately 10cm longer than the shaft length.
Last up is stick height. Look at the kiddo below:
The happy fella has his stick completely vertical. If you measure down – from the top of the shaft until the extended shaft line hits the floor – that’s your stick height.
Roughly, the stick height is ~10cm longer than the stick length and ~20cm longer than the shaft length.
If you feel that all this is pretty confusing then that’s normal because the truth is… it is pretty confusing.
But don’t worry, it will all be clear soon. Let’s get you a stick first!
Which size fits you?
But from now on it will only get easier so hang on tight. There are two possible scenarios.
- You have a couple of sticks you can test
- You have to “guess” and don’t have sticks nearby
Let’s start with the first scenario.
You have a couple of sticks at your disposal
In case you have the possibility to go to a floorball shop, you can try some sticks of friends or borrow from your club, it makes things a lot easier.
In this case, a good Rule of Thumb is the ‘bellybutton rule’, which can be seen in the picture below of eflorbal.
Put the stick against your body, completely vertical, and see if the top comes out approximately at the navel. This is 9 out of 10 times sufficient in finding the right stick length.
In some cases you’d want to have a bigger ór shorter stick, just scroll down and we’ll explain when to deviate from this general advice.
You don’t have a couple of sticks nearby
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In that case, things are a bit harder but don’t worry, we got a handy chart laying around to find the perfect length for you.
Remember when we bored you with all the shaft lengths, stick lengths and stick heights?
The most important is to know the shaft length. When people say they play with a 96cm stick, they actually mean they play with a shaft length of 96cm (so the height of their stick is 115cm), and so on.
Basically every time floorball stick length is mentioned (on the field, by us, in a shop), it’s shaft length that is actually meant by it.
Now have a look at the shaft length part of the table above, find the area that corresponds with your own length and write down the shaft lengths that you can choose from.
Now we give you some reasons to deviate from it.
Reasons to deviate from the advised stick size
I am 1.79 meters and I play with a stick of 96 cm but also with a stick of 98 cm. According to the table, this is completely fine but why did I choose for two lengths? And is 96cm or 98cm better?
There are a number of important reasons why you would choose a different stick size than advised.
1. Position in the field
The position in the field can make a world of difference to your choice of stick. I don’t play any games myself at the moment, but if we play a game during training, I’ll be on the field as a defender one week, and as a striker the next. I play with two sticks – Unihoc Carbskin 96cm and Oxdog Ultralight HES 98cm – and depending on my position in the field I choose the stick that fits best.
As an attacker, I go for the 96 cm stick, the Unihoc. This one is a bit lighter, so I can shoot fast. My drag shot doesn’t go very well with this stick, but as a forward, I mainly shoot from wrist shots – and that’s easier with a shorter stick because the ball handling is faster and better.
As a defender, I choose the 98 cm Oxdog stick. The reach is slightly larger, which is to my advantage as a defender compared to the attacker because I can take balls more easily. Also, my drag shot with this stick is very powerful, which is always an advantage as a defender (think for example of Robin Nilsberth, although I’m definitely – and unfortunately – not comparing my quality of play with his).
2. Style of play
The smaller your stick is, the lower you have to go through your knees to be able to fit and shoot properly. Some players – think of Henrik Stenberg or Nina Rantala – find this a pleasant style of play, while others prefer to stand as upright as possible.
If you stand upright, you may have more overview. This is advantageous for every player, but specifically for defenders because they have to build up the game.
Also, if you are very technical a shorter stick will be preferable.
3. Because the advised stick length is just that… advised
Probably you had already partly concluded it yourself from the previous part: it doesn’t come to a few inches what your perfect stick size is. In the end, it’s just advice.
If you are reading this article and you are new to the game, then follow the ‘bellybutton rule’ or use the table and you’re good in terms of stick length.
Examples of professional players who deviate from the norm
Then now it’s time to look at a couple of professional players who chose a stick many would consider to be away from the norm.
There is Falun player Emil Johansson, who was elected Player of the Year for best Swedish player for the 2018/2019 season last year. He’s 1.80 m tall, which would usually mean he would play with a stick around size 96-100, but guess what? He plays with a 92cm size stick!
Then there’s Krister Savonen, the world’s best field player of last year. This compact defender is 1.72 m tall but plays with a relatively large size stick – we would guess size ~100cm! His teammates from Wiler-Ersigen and the national Finnish team surely don’t mind!
Another Finnish player who also plays for Wiler-Ersigen is Joonas Pylsy. The Finnish national team player is 1.76m tall but plays with a 101cm stick. You can read all about his stick in Stick in the Spotlights!
Summary
In the picture below my whole story is summarized.
Are you looking for a new stick and you don’t know the right length?
- Use the bellybutton rule;
- Look up the chart in this article;
- Make adjustments according to your playing style and position.
How tall are you and what size stick are you playing with? Let us know via Patreon, Instagram or Facebook!
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