One of the main questions we get around this time of year is “How can I take my stick on a plane?”. The answer? A durable, high-quality travel stick bag. These unsung heroes of travel play a pivotal role in ensuring a hassle-free and enjoyable journey. In this blog, we will explore the importance of travel equipment bags and why investing in the right one is a decision you won't regret. Flight Approved Durability This specific time of year is when a lot of teams start traveling for upcoming tournaments, especially during Thanksgiving weekend. Investing in a durable travel stick bag is the best way to make sure your equipment will withstand the rigors of travel, whether it's being thrown onto conveyor belts at airports or even experiencing rough handling during bus rides to the field. Look for bags made with durable materials and reinforced seams. Organization & Convenience Let’s get organized! you're a frequent flyer or an occasional traveler, a well-designed bag can keep your field hockey equipment neatly compartmentalized. With specific pockets, zippers, and compartments for various items like field hockey sticks, shin guards, turf shoes, and clothing, you'll find what you need when you need it, eliminating the frantic search through a chaotic mess of items in your luggage. Protection of Valuables Travel bags are designed to protect your valuable belongings. Whether it's a padded field hockey stick compartment, a separate turf shoe pocket, or water-resistant fabric, these bags are built to safeguard your important equipment from potential damage, theft, or the elements. Comfort & Ergonomics Comfort during travel is essential, and travel equipment bags are designed with this in mind. Our selection of high-quality stick bags come with padded straps and ergonomic designs that make carrying your belongings a breeze. Whether you're navigating crowded airports, trekking to a tournament, or heading to practice, your travel bag will help ease the strain on your shoulders, back, and neck. Travel stick bags provide the organization, protection, and convenience that make your journeys more enjoyable and stress-free. By investing in a high-quality bag that suits your travel needs, you'll ensure your belongings are safe and well-organized, and you'll travel with style and comfort. So, the next time you're planning a trip, don't overlook the significance of the right travel equipment bag—it might just become your most valued travel companion.
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We are excited to announce the launch of our brand new Longstreth Sporting Goods website! As a leading retailer of field hockey equipment, we strive to provide our customers with the best possible experience when shopping for athletic gear. Our new website is designed to do just that.
One of the key features of the new Longstreth website is its user-friendly interface. We understand that our customers lead busy lives and need to find what they're looking for quickly and easily. With our new website, finding the perfect gear has never been easier. Our intuitive search function, easy-to-use navigation, and streamlined checkout process will ensure that you find what you need with minimal hassle. In addition to being easy to use, our new website is also visually stunning. We know that athletic equipment isn't just about functionality - it's also about style. That's why we've invested in high-quality product images and videos that showcase our products in all their glory. Whether you're looking for a new field hockey stick, goalie foam, or coaching gear, you'll be able to see every detail up close and personal. Another exciting feature of the new Longstreth website is our expanded product line. We've added a wide variety of new products to our inventory, including training aids, footwear, and apparel. This means that you'll be able to find everything you need for field hockey in one convenient place. Plus, with our knowledgeable customer service team, you can feel confident that you're getting the best advice and recommendations when it comes to your gear. Finally, we're excited to offer a range of special features on our new website, including a blog, product reviews, and a wish list. Our blog will be a great resource for athletes of all levels. Product reviews from other athletes can help you make informed decisions about your gear, while our wish list lets you keep track of all the must haves for future orders. At Longstreth, we're passionate about empowering athletes to be their best, and our new website is just one more way we're doing that. We hope you'll enjoy the new Longstreth website as much as we do, and we look forward to serving you for all your field hockey needs. Today Longstreth Field Hockey announces the signing of Sam Swart as she trades in her lacrosse stick for a field hockey stick in her final year of eligibility at Syracuse. Over the last five years, the two-time Inside Lacrosse Honorable Mention All-American helped guide the Syracuse women’s lacrosse team to four NCAA Tournaments. But lacrosse isn’t the only sport that Swart has excelled in. Swart was actually a three-sport athlete during her high school years at Archbishop Carroll, excelling in lacrosse, field hockey and basketball. She ultimately chose to pursue lacrosse in college, but her heart never completely left the hockey field. As the opportunity presented itself to have one more season of eligibility in a different sport, Swart is seizing the chance to make another dream come true. Throughout high school, Swart played club hockey for WC Eagles and was part of USA Field Hockey’s pipeline as a member of the U.S. U-19 National Team. She was selected to the AAU Junior Olympic Games twice and consistently received All-Delco, All-Catholic and All-Main Line teams. Although her fans have gotten used to seeing her with a lacrosse stick, Swart says she never completely put her field hockey stick down. She has been playing in a summer league of the last few years so her stick skills have stayed fresh. And that stick- it has always been a TK Hockeystick. Longstreth is proud to be the exclusive supplier of TK Hockey equipment in the US. As the experts in field hockey and #1 retailer, Longstreth is proud to support Sam Swart as a TK Hockey Brand Ambassador as she steps back onto the field hockey field this coming fall. Additional information: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/news/2022/06/16/sam-swart-pursues-a-new-passion-this-fall# https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sam-swart-orange-nation-6-8/id1280670715?i=1000565670694
Ready to purchase your new OBO Robo field hockey goalkeeping equipment but not sure where to start? Our goalie experts are here to help you! The OBO Robo line perfectly meets the needs of players at the national and senior level, and those wanting to get there. Within the Robo family, there are a lot of different options that better suit different playing styles. As goalkeepers, we are all amazingly unique, so there isn’t a one-style-fits-all option when it comes to your equipment. It is important to make sure you are finding the gear that best compliments your playing style, not necessarily the style of the others in your GK squad. There are pros and cons to every piece depending on the type of player you are, so take some time to get familiar with the equipment so you can get the best benefit out of your gear! The OBO Robo range is broken into three different playing styles of foam: Hi-Control, Hi-Rebound, and PLUS. There isn’t one that is better than the other, but there is one that is better for YOU. You can also mix and match between kickers, legguards, right hand, and left hand to really customize your game. For example, take a look inside of my goalie bag Generally speaking, the Robo Hi-Control gear is designed for the extremely active goalie. That player who has an endless amount of energy and is up, down and all over the place. Hi-Control is designed to make movement easy. Robo Hi-Rebound is a little bit of a hybrid between Control and PLUS. The Hi-Rebound equipment is for a player is more likely to stay on their feet and play upright, but will occasionally go down to make the save. The Robo PLUS gear is for the extremely upright and patient goalkeeper. If you want to get the benefit of maximum surface area and predictability, then these pads might be for you. So let’s go down the OBO Robo range from bottom up! Kickers… Robo Hi-Control: These are the most durable kickers in the Robo range. The rounded toe shape maximizes player acceleration. They absorb the impact of the ball, keeping it close to your feet so you can be in complete control of your game to make the clear. Robo Hi-Rebound: These kickers give you the highest bounce off the foam. If you are a keeper who likes the one-touch redirect, these kickers are for you! Robo PLUS: These kickers are a game-changer. They are extremely lightweight, and the anatomical design makes your movements feel completely natural. The square edges give you predictability to be able to make that one-touch safe and know exactly where your rebound is headed. They have the most surface area and are the most protective, but if you go through kickers quickly or play on harsher surfaces they may not be the best option for you. Legguards… Robo Hi-Control: Maximize your movement! The legguards are built for you to get your groove on. They are narrower than the other legguards in the Robo range, but the left legguard is wider than the right to give you a little more area where it won’t get in your way. Robo Hi-Rebound: Sitting as the middle man between the Hi-Control and PLUS, these legguards try to offer some of the best of both worlds. The Hi-Rebound foam gives you maximum bounce off of your pads while still providing as much natural movement as possible. Robo PLUS: The newest from the wonder kids at OBO, the Robo PLUS legguards fit a very upright playing style. Robo PLUS offers predictability to your game and the ability to direct the ball out of danger or onto your teammate’s stick. Not quite as much rebound pop, but all of the peace of mind knowing exactly where the ball is going. If you are considering making the change to the PLUS legguards we strongly suggest trying them on first! Come to our Longstreth retail store or visit us at an event to put them on and experience the difference firsthand. These feel very different, so we definitely recommend trying before you buy! Left Hand… Robo Hi-Control: This thick left hand protector is shaped to help deflect the ball downwards so you can make the controlled clear with your feet. Robo Hi-Rebound: Maximum rebound means you can redirect the ball effortlessly, to the side or up and over. Right Hand… Robo Hi-Control: The best part about the Hi-Control right hand protector is the complete freedom of your wrist movement. When on the ground, the protector has a flat profile that makes ground clearances easy and reliable. Robo Hi-Rebound: The largest blocking face, this hand protector gives you maximum pop off of your pads. This will take some adjustment of your stick and wrist as you go to the ground. Robo PLUS: Meeting in the middle, the PLUS right hand combines the best of the Control and Rebound RHP. More wrist movement than the rebound while still providing maximum front facing surface area. Field hockey goalies aren’t always the tallest players on the team, here’s a shout out to those spicy keepers who are on the shorter side or have smaller feet… Robo MINI! These legguards and kickers are made out of the elite Robo foam but in a size that fits you! Get the elite performance you’ve been craving without sacrificing fit. Still have questions? Our goalkeeping experts are happy to help! Shoot us an email, give us a call, visit us at the Longstreth retail store, or stop by to see us at your next event. We love talking GK gear and are happy to help find the right equipment for your game! It's that time of year again. The holidays are quickly approaching and it's time to shop for the field hockey fan on your list. We've put together a holiday gift guide just for you. Stocking stuffers? We've got 'em! NEW winter clothing? Now in stock! Gifts for your goalie? Absolutely! Get ready to shop this season with the Longstreth Holiday gift guide - everything you need for your favorite field hockey player. Layers to Love: Stay warm on and off the field in the colder months. Layer up this winter with Under Armour cold gear tops and leggings. Add a USA Field Hockey hoodie or sweatpants to complete your Outfit of the Day look. Cold weather gloves are the perfect addition for outdoor play. Don't forget a hat! Longstreth offers a variety of hats and gifts with the official USA Field Hockey logo. Field Hockey Favorites: You can't go wrong with these Longstreth favorites. Field Hockey graphic tees are a popular present for every field hockey fan in the family! We have field hockey books for the book worm on your list and magnets to show their love of field hockey no matter where they are! Stocking Stuffers: 18" mini field hockey sticks, keychains, stick pens and magnets are the perfect sized stocking stuffers. Need a new field hockey ornament for your tree? Visit our online Holiday Shop to grab one before they're gone! Not sure what to get? When in doubt, a Longstreth gift card is the way to go. Gifts for goalies:
Hey foamie homies! Show your love of goalkeeping all year long with an OBO legguard keychain (bonus points if it matches your actual legguards!). Don’t forget to add our best-selling “I’m a Keeper” tee to your wish list too! Looking for the latest legguards or kickers? We’ve got our top picks right here! Field Hockey was introduced to the United States by an English woman named Constance M.K. Applebee. Since then, the sport has developed rather quickly. Starting as a sport for women, it is now played by women and men of all age groups. It also developed into a winter indoor sport. With the move to indoors, the game changed in many ways. When looking at the difference between outdoor and indoor field hockey, you will see major differences in the field surface, measurements, number of players, rules, and even equipment. Outdoor Field Hockey is played on grass or a synthetic field. Indoor Field Hockey can be played on a gymnasium floor, linoleum, or snap tiles, making it a much faster paced game. Although the game is a faster pace indoors, it is a much smaller court, requiring players to use the basic skills of passing and pulls. The typical outdoor Field Hockey playing area is measured at 100 yards by 60 yards. Compared to the outdoor field, the indoor court is much smaller; measured at 39 to 48 yards by 19 to 24 yards. The sidelines in indoor field hockey are actually replaced with boards. This allows players to use the boards to pass to each other. Out of bounds occurs when the ball goes over the boards or if it rolls out on the end lines. Because of the large difference in the size of the field, there are less players out on an indoor court at a time. Your typical 10 field players and 1 goalie turns into 5 field players and 1 goalie. This means that the team is limited as to what formation they can play. Some teams choose the formation consisting of 2 forwards, 1 midfield, and 2 defenders. But, all positions are expected to move up and down the court as one unit. With the exception of one rule, the rules of outdoor field hockey are consistent with indoor. For example, the ball must travel a certain distance before entering the circle on free hits, no hacking, the ball cannot touch your feet, etc. The number one difference between outdoor and indoor is lifting. In outdoor, players can lift the ball over the opponents stick and they can use aerials to create space or an opportunity for a breakaway. On the other hand, there are no lifts allowed in indoor field hockey. The only exception is that players may lift only if it is on goal. Corners also look a bit different compared to outdoor play. On a typical outdoor corner, the defense is only allowed 4 field players and 1 goalie in the cage. Whereas, the offense can have as many players on the circle as they would like. In indoor, both the defensive and the offensive team can have as many players as they would like to, in the cage and on the circle, respectively. The rule stays the same that no one can enter the circle until the ball is inserted and the ball must come out of the circle in order for the corner to count. Even the equipment is different between outdoor and indoor field hockey. Essentially, the only real difference is the stick. Outdoor sticks are required to have a thicker toe in order to accommodate for the powerful drives and hits. Indoor sticks look a little different. The toe, and the stick in general, is much lighter and thinner. This is because there are no drives allowed indoors. The thinner toe also allows for complete ball control while moving at a faster pace. You will also see players wearing protective gloves. Since there is no lifting, players will keep their hands close to the ground which allows for a better chance of getting hit by the ball or a stick. If you are a player looking to keep up with your skills in the off season, consider looking into a local indoor team. It is a great opportunity to stay in shape, keep up with your skills, and make new friends. First time players can find everything they need for field hockey at Longstreth Sporting Goods. We offer a large selection of sticks and field hockey starter packages perfect for the beginner.
New to the game? We can help size you for the right size field hockey stick and shinguards! Make your package complete by adding on a stick bag. First time players will learn the basics of the game such as dribbling, passing and shooting. All you need to start playing is a field hockey stick, ball, shinguards and a mouthguard. The Kollectaball K-Strike will collect field hockey balls with no problem at all. It has the unique, inbuilt dispensing unit which will allow you to empty the balls back into a bucket or bag in seconds and also features our patented wire removal system. Instead of picking up the balls with your hands and risking sharing germs this season, the Kollectaball K-Strike is your solution for no-contact ball pick up! Collect, disinfect, and release all without touching the field hockey ball. The Kollectaball K-Strike is a lifelong tool that'll solve the issue of forever bending down to collect field hockey balls. Get a Kollectaball today! Selecting a new field hockey stick is a decision driven by personal preferences. It’s much more than graphics and position, it really comes down to your personal playing style. Think about what skills you perform on a regular basis- do you need more power? High carbon content contributes to high power in hits, but can also make receiving more challenging. If control is more your focus, you will want something with a little less carbon. Players need to find the right balance of power and feel to best suit their game. If you are typically a fall-season field hockey player, we usually suggest an advanced stick which range from about 30-60% carbon. If you also play club field hockey year round, you may want to consider an elite stick which are usually around 70-100% carbon. Similarly, you will also need to find the best shape that suits your playing style. All sticks have a bow to them, and the location of the highest point of that bow along the stick can have different advantages and disadvantages in the game. When first learning the game, most players will start with a regular bow, which has the highest point placed in the midsection or center of the shaft equally assisting every skill in the game. The most common shape in the modern game of field hockey is the late bow, which has the highest point closer to the toe of the stick. This shape offers extra assistance with lifting the ball, aerials, and dynamic ball movement, without sacrificing your hitting technique. An extreme late bow has the highest point as close to the toe as possible, maximizing 3D skills and dynamic ball control. This extreme shape may take some time getting used to when driving. Ready to pick out your next stick? Look at your current stick first. We usually suggest going up in carbon content about 30-50%. This will give you a nice increase in power without losing too much control all at once. So for example, if you are looking for a step up from your middle school stick and it was 10% carbon, you’d want to look for a stick that was around 40-60% carbon. If you are ready to move up from your first high school stick and it was 30% carbon, you will want to look at something that is 60-80% carbon. Once you decide what carbon range you are looking for, you can start looking at shape. If you are an all-around player who likes to do a lot of hits/slaps, you will probably want a late bow shape. If you are the type of player that likes to do a lot of aerials, 3D skills, and dynamic ball movement, you may want to get an extreme late bow shape.
Still have some questions? We know all of the details can be pretty confusing. You can always reach out to one of our Longstreth Experts for help with selecting the perfect stick for you! We’re always here and happy to help- this is what we do! #weAREfieldhockey #ChooseTheBest Jana Withrow’s years of dedication, passion and proven commitment to the game of field hockey will strengthen Longstreth’s team.
Longstreth Sporting Goods is extremely pleased to announce Jana Withrow will be returning as Director of Field Hockey. She will lead the field hockey team with a focus on Longstreth’s sales efforts, and will coordinate equipment and uniform/apparel product offerings to build a cohesive experience for our college, team, and club customers. Longstreth co-owner John Schaefer says, “We are very happy that Jana is returning to Longstreth to lead our Hockey team, and believe that she and Alli Lokey together will offer the best customer service available by combining true hockey expertise with our great selection of hockey products, including from our core brands TK, Gryphon and Ritual.” Jana has an extensive hockey background as a top-level goalie and coach. She was an All-American and National Champion at the University of North Carolina. After college, Jana earned a goalkeeper position on the USA Women’s National Team – where she was a member of the team during the 1998 World Cup and 2000 Olympic Qualifier games. Keeping her hand in the game, she spent a few years coaching at the University of North Carolina and became head coach of Columbia University in 2009. She joined Longstreth Sporting Goods in 2010 as Field Hockey Manager where she managed our hockey business to develop the best equipment and bring it to the U.S. market. Jana has spent the last six years managing hockey sales for Harrow Sports. “I am thrilled to be joining the Longstreth team,” states Withrow. “I share their values, their focus on innovative products and passion for the game. With my knowledge of the marketplace, and Longstreth's history in women's sports, I know we can offer customers a great experience.” |
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