1. What Makes a Successful Forward?
A fraction of a second can make all the difference in the attacking circle. Forwards are constantly receiving under pressure and trying to create shooting opportunities before the space disappears, so your hockey stick has to keep pace with the speed of the game. The Grays Hockey Stick Range includes a number of different bow profiles and constructions built around exactly these demands.
But what actually makes a good hockey stick for a forward? There is no single answer. Some forwards rely on explosive hitting power to finish from any angle. Others want maximum control for 3D skills and manipulating the ball in tight spaces, while some need a balanced stick that can link play from the outside to the inside of the circle.
That range of demands is what makes attacking play so unpredictable. Some forwards create opportunities through close control, others generate their edge through raw striking power, while some rely on composure to convert whatever comes their way. Because every forward reads the game differently, The Grays Hockey stick range is based on different bow profiles including Jumbow & Probow and the newer Plus profiles, as well as the specialist AC Range giving players the option to choose according to the skills they most want their stick to support.
2. Grays Hockey AC Range: The Best Hockey Sticks for Elite, All-Round Attacking
The Aerocore Range sits at the top of the Grays collection and the AC Zero is its flagship. Developed with GB international Tess Howard, it uses a solvent-free core and aerospace-grade internal foam for exceptional stability, balance and consistency when it matters most.
Its Dynabow-S profile and Vertex head combine smooth ball control with explosive hitting power, which suits first-time strikes, deflections and reverse-stick efforts under pressure. New GripZone technology adds feel just below the handle, keeping the stick locked in your hands through 3D skills and strikes.
The Grays Hockey AC Zero is ideal for forwards who want to:
- Generate the highest power rating in the Grays range
- Strike cleanly off forehand and reverse, thanks to an enlarged Low Backhand Zone
- Carry the ball confidently into the circle with a reinforced Vertex head
- Deliver elite, all-round attacking performance
3. Grays Hockey JB Range: The Best Hockey Stick for Power and Precise Finishing
Some forwards create chances through movement and skill. Others finish them through sheer power.
The Grays Hockey Jumbow profile has been developed to maximise power through hitting, slapping and aerial distribution, while maintaining the control needed to perform those skills under pressure. Whether you're carrying the ball into the circle, beating a defender one-on-one or getting a shot away in a crowded area, the JB rewards confident execution.
That power is exactly why Argentina's Tomi Domene uses the JB Range. In particular, he loves the JB10 for his dragflicking, he says "Every player has different preferences when it comes to choosing a stick. It might depend, for example, on where the weight is distributed, whether it has a lower bow or not, whether it has a groove in the face of the stick, and this also depends on each player’s technique. My personal choice is always for lightweight sticks with the balance in the middle so the head isn’t too heavy, with a more traditional lowbow (I use the JB10)"
If you're the type of forward who wants to combine clean ball-striking with the touch to manipulate the ball in tight spaces, the JB is one of the best hockey sticks for finishing.
The JB Range is ideal for forwards who want to:
- Generate maximum power on hits, slaps and shots
- Carry the ball at pace with confidence and control
- Execute 3D skills and close dribbling under pressure
- Launch accurate strikes from a variety of angles
- Combine power and control throughout every phase of attacking play
4. JB+ Range
Flair finishing is where the JB+ earns its reputation. Based on the Jumbow profile, it adds a Vertex head and Graphene construction to sharpen striking power without sacrificing feel. Inject Hockey's Louis Tipper used the JB+ during preseason, noting "I've been using it all preseason and it has some serious power. You feel it on every hit, but it also gives you great control, especially for executing 3D skills, especially in tight spaces."
It's a strong option for drag flicking and finishing cleanly under pressure. See how it compares in Is The Grays Hockey JB+ The Best Stick For You?
The JB+ suits forwards who want to:
- Drag flick with power and control
- Score from long-range strikes
- Finish cleanly under pressure
5. Grays Hockey PB Range: The Best Hockey Stick for Creativity in Tight Spaces
The Probow's ultra-low bow is built around creativity and unpredictability. Quick changes of direction, close control and the manoeuvrability to manipulate the ball in small spaces. For forwards who rely on 3D skills, drag flicks and beating defenders with flair, its shape is designed to back that instinct.
The PB Range suits forwards who want to:
- Execute advanced 3D skills and drag flicks with consistency
- Manipulate the ball in crowded, high-pressure areas
- Change direction sharply to create separation from a defender
- Play on instinct, with the control to back it up
6. PB+ Range
The PB+ takes the ultra-low Probow shape and adds a Vertex head and enlarged Low Backhand Zone, giving forwards more control when manoeuvring in tight areas and changing direction under pressure.
The PB+ suits forwards who want to:
- Rely on close control, 3D skills and quick feet inside the circle
- Turn and react sharply in tight areas
- Get extra control from the Vertex head and enlarged Low Backhand Zone
See Is The Grays Hockey PB+ The Best Stick For You? for more detail.
7. So, What is the Best Hockey Stick for a Forward?
The answer depends on the forward.
If you create chances through close control in tight spaces, the PB Range is built around that instinct, and the PB+ takes it further with a Vertex head and enhanced Low Backhand Zone for even more control. If your game is all about clinical finishing, the JB Range is built for clean, powerful striking, and the JB+ sharpens that further for drag flicking and backhands. And if you want the most advanced stick in the Grays collection, one built to deliver extreme hitting power, then the AC Zero deserves serious consideration.
Your position can point you in the right direction, but your individual playing style should ultimately determine your stick, because no two forwards attack in exactly the same way.
Explore the complete Grays Hockey stick collection and find the profile built for your game.
