3.0 METHODOLOGY The three main qualities that any player would look for in a field hockey stick are lightness, responsiveness and stiffness. All these qualities are achieved by making the right selection of materials and also through an adequate production process. (Michael Cavette, 2003). For example, the lack of flexibility is crucial in the blade of a club, where any twist is capable of deflecting a shot from the desired trajectory. 3.1 RAW MATERIALS The greatest variety is found in the materials used to construct the hockey stick shaft. There are no actual recipes used in the manufacturing process of a hockey stick, but instead a huge variety and combination of selected materials such as wood, aluminum, composites (carbon fibers, Kevlar, Nomex, etc.) and fibers the glass, each in its own proportion, is used to make an ideal hockey stick. (Wilkins, Charles, 1989) 3.2 MANUFACTURING PROCESS Hockey sticks are produced in two main parts which are the shaft and the tip. Hockey sticks are also made primarily of high-quality wood, typically known as mulberry or hickory. A high-grade or high-grade lumber ensures the overall strength and stability of a hockey stick. Hockey sticks are also molded together with composite materials and carbon fibers. Wood and synthetic materials determine varying degrees of stiffness, which affect shock absorption and power. (Barrington, 1999) Fresh lumber used to make wooden rods is thoroughly dried and processed in building-sized kilns to prevent the wood from warping after production. Next, the logs are cut into thin sheets of wood by feeding them through a multi-blade saw. The thin sheets of wood and multiple layers of carbon fiber are coated with nanoresin stickers and hot pressed... into the center of the paper... carbon fiber main element. Beyond that, Kevlar also increases impact resistance and ultimate power transfer. Figure 3.3.2 shows Kevlar tape. Figure 3.3.2: Kevlar Tape (Van Paepegem, 2001)3.3.3 Kevlar (Braid)This type of Kevlar is braided into a full-length sleeve and coated throughout the club for overall impact resistance. This helps you use the club to make powerful shots and hold up for a longer period of use. Figure 3.3.3 (Van Paepegem, 2001) 3.3.4 Ceramic (tape) Unlike other materials, ceramic tape is only applied to the flat side of the hockey stick. This advanced aerospace technology provides maximum strength and vibration reduction capabilities. Figure 3.3.2 (Van Paepegem, 2001) 3.4 HOCKEY PRODUCTION FLOW CHART