Mercian sticks are made in our own unique moulds, only used by us, having been commissioned by us and designed for us, they are not a replication of other ‘free market’ moulds and reflect our thoughts on stick bows, head shapes and handle dimensions.
Xtreme Bend
The Xtreme bend features a number of the popular concepts seen in our other bends in addition to some new elements. The toe of the stick has been thinned down both on the face and the back of the head to aid getting the ball into the air for 3D skill execution. The backhand zone has been flattened to aid passing and shooting accuracy. The actual bend of the stick (face) is the same as the Ultimate – 24.5mm at a maximum bend point of 200mm from the head but it also has a 2mm concave shaft, with the concave situated above the stick face, so enhancing flicking and ‘sling-shot’ slapping skills but without compromising the ball / face impact. A 4-degree face twist has been added to aid ball handling, dribbling and control on the reverse side and finally a thinned handle so that with the EVA under grip on the CKF90 the grip dimensions feel ‘normal’.
Sticks with Xtreme Bend:
CKF90 - standard
CKF90 - white face
CKF55 - standard
CKF55 - white face
Pro Bend
The Mercian Pro Bend incorporates a near maximum 23.5mm bow positioned just below the mid-point of the shaft, approximately 250mm from the bottom of the stick. The shaft has then been shaped to give a thinner profile under the right hand and a balance point that favours the head end of the stick. This gives a combination of great stick turn-over due to the shape but enhanced hitting power because of the balance point and sweet spot, the hitting power is also enhanced because the head is 1.5mm thicker than the ultimate bend.
Ultimate Bend
The Mercian Ultimate Bend is the most aggressive low bow that we have ever made, with the bend of the stick effectively cupping the ball. The maximum bend at this lowest legal point enhances drag flicking and aerial skills with the balance point of the stick adjusted to also favour 3D dribbling skills. Whilst the shaft weighting aid sticks head speed it still provides power and balance for the slapping and pushing associated with elite level skill execution.
DSH Bend
Similar to the Pro bend but with a concave face. That concave face shape ‘cups’ and cushions the ball to help with close control, 3D skill execution and lifted passes but is obviously within the FIH 4mm deviation guidelines. To create the concave face the head is 2mm thicker than the Ultimate bend and therefore also offers a head weighted bias which aids hitting and slapping power.
Mid Bend
The Mercian mid-bow has a 22mm bend situated 300mm up the shaft. A majority of players are still looking for a low or extreme low bow stick that helps with drag flicking, aerials or 3D skill execution. However, an increasing number are looking for a straighter stick, this Mid-bend aligns the hands more with the stick face and so it assists accuracy with hitting and slapping. With some people considering that the primary skills for defensive players are distribution using hitting and slapping, this stick is perfectly suited for that purpose.