Accessories

Hey guys! Welcome back to my blog about how to become the best field hockey player you can be. Even though finding the perfect stick and the best fitting shoes are very important in the process to becoming a field hockey star, it is also important to look good. SAY WHAT?? Yeah, looking fashionable does play a big part in being a spectacular field hockey player, believe it or not. 

I know what you're thinking. Why does it matter what you look like when you're playing in the game?? Well, your appearance has a lot to do with confidence and intimidation. 

If I am playing against a girl who is wearing a cute headband, has her hair done in a braid, and color coordinates all of her accessories, to me that means she is very put together, knows what she's doing, and came here to get. stuff. done. 


Not only does all of that intimidate other people who you might be playing against, but it also boosts your own confidence. If you are on the field playing and you know you look put together and organized, you will definitely play with more confidence in yourself.  If you have more confidence, you will play like a superstar, no doubt.
 

Some accessories that I think make your appearance outstanding are headbands, the color of your mouth guard, socks, and your stick grip. First of all, you want to make sure the color of your headband matches with your uniform, just like your socks should. I personally think its cool to match your mouth guard with your stick color. And you should definitely try to buy a grip for your stick that matches not only the stick itself, but your uniform. That way you will look put together for sure! 

Shoe-per star

Hey guys! Welcome back to my blog. My last post was about finding the perfect stick for you, and making sure all the details fit the position you play so that you can be the best player on the field. But your stick isn’t the only accessory that will enhance your field hockey performance.

Let’s be real, every girl loves shoes. I couldn’t even tell you how many shoes my closet is holding right now. Shoes are important when you go out with your friends, or out on a date, or even a business meeting or any type of interview. They matter in your appearance, but it is also important that they are comfortable so that you can do your best in that interview, or have a night out with the girls wothout any pain from those six inch stilettos. It is the same idea when looking for the perfect pair of shoes for field hockey.

There are many different types of shoes you can wear for field hockey, but you want to find that one perfect pair. It all really depends on what type of field you play on. Some people play on a grass field, some play on a turf field, and some play indoor field hockey which takes place on a gym floor. You will need different shoes for each of these surfaces, depending on which you will be playing on.

If you are playing on a turf field like me, the best shoes to get are Asics turf shoes. They come in different shapes and colors but the kind that I have are very wide and comfy to wear.

There is a difference in what shoe to wear if you are playing on a grass field. You will need a shoe that has more grip on the bottom so that the shoes can dig into the ground to get more momentum when you are chasing down or out running the other team. The shoe best for that is a type of cleat. My favorite brand of cleats are Nike because they are comfy, cheap and normally really cute.😋

Now, if you are playing indoor field hockey, it is probably a lot easier for you to find a good shoe to wear. It doesn't really need to be anything special, just any type of sneaker that is comfortable to you. Some people do wear their turf shoes indoor on the gym floor, but I think its easier to just wear normal sneakers. The type of shoe I wear when I play indoor are Asics. They are the most comfy to me!

Finding The Stick For You

Finding the best stick for you is the most important step to becoming a field hockey star. There are so many different types of  sticks and different brands that it might seem like it will be difficult to find the perfect stick for you. But don't worry, after reading this, you will know what type of stick to look for.

There are some websites that can help you find your stick. They might describe the thickness of the stick, or if the stick has a bow, or even how heavy the stick is. All of these things factor into determining the perfect stick for you. 

Why does it matter if the stick is too thin or too thick? The thickness of the stick matters because thicker sticks allow you to hit the ball harder and farther whereas thinner sticks are more for stick-on-ball control. So if you are a defender/mid-field, you would want a thicker stick. If you are more of a mid-field/forward, you would want a thinner stick. 

If the stick has a bow, that makes a big difference too. What I mean by a bow is a curve or a dip in the toe and shaft of the stick that helps with control and 3-D skills. I am a defender and my stick has a bow in it because it will help me lift the ball and pass it in the air at extraordinary distances. Normally, defense/mid-field players will have a bow in their stick and mid-field/offensive players won’t. But hey, if you want a bow in your stick, no-one's stopping you!

The weight of the stick will make a major difference in how you play. If you are a defensive player, you will want a heavier stick so that you can hit the ball harder and move the ball with more force. If you are an offensive player, you will want to play with a lighter stick because it is easier to dribble with the ball and make quick and smooth pulls and moves to get around the other teams defenders. 

Check back to see my next blog post about how the right type of shoe will enhance your performance! 

Introducing Me

Hey guys! My name is Mashayla Valentine and I am a college student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I play field hockey at the collegiate level and I will be giving tips on how to be the best field hockey player you can be.

This blog is for any high-schooler or college student who is interested in playing field hockey or who already plays. If you don't already play and you are thinking about trying out, you should 100% go for it. Take a chance, step out of your comfort zone. I bet you will not regret it.

I played field hockey in high school and am currently on the university's team as a freshman, and I know from my experience that its important to make sure you have all of the right equipment that works best for you so that you can perform to the best of your ability.

I always had a love for sports, but field hockey has always been my favorite. Whenever I play, I forget all of my worries in school and typical life stresses, and focus on playing the game. I won a couple awards in high school for field hockey including team captain and also being named first team defensively in my hometowns local newspaper. I love working with younger girls who come to our camp we hold in the summer because I enjoy spreading my love for the sport with other people.

It is important to know which stick works best for you and the position you play. A defender should not have the same type of stick as a forward. There are multiple websites that show you different sticks and their prices and gives you an idea of why they are for that certain position.

The shoes you wear will have a huge impact on your performance. If you are not comfortable in the shoes you are wearing, then it will be more difficult to run at the different speeds that you need to during competition. And of course, no one likes to get blisters on their feet.

Anyone who knows me knows that I like to look good while I play. It is important for me to wear clothing where everything matches and color coordinates. I must wear a headband in my hair because of my layers so that my hair isn't all up in my face, which would distract me during the game. I will give tips on the best types of headband brands and other accessories and the best prices, because who doesn't like a good deal?

Keep checking back to my blog to get updates on how to become a field hockey star!