Hockey stick brands seem to come quicker than seasons nowadays, when I first saw Y1 pop up I had expected just another hockey business with grand ideas of taking over the world of adidas, Grays, Gryphon and the like.
When I first got my hands on a Y1 stick in 2022 though, I was surprised that the Y1 sticks did really offer something different. The thickness of the shaft below the grip is the biggest technical element that stood out, it makes the bottom of a Y1 stick strong and hard hitting. Once you add the layup and choice of bows (plus the funky styles) you can see Y this brand has become so popular.
The popularity of Y1 has allowed them to continue to innovate their stick range in to 2023 and here is an overview of the range to help you review which Y1 hockey stick is best.
Like most stick ranges, the Y1 hockey stick range is split by stick layup (bow depth, length and positioning) and material composition (percentage of material which is carbon). Then of course there are the designs.
ADB – Advanced Dribble Bow
The ADB sticks from Y1 are for me as a creative midfielder the best balance of bow. As the name suggests they are particularly designed for players who like to dribble the ball but are perfect for a full range of tackles, passes and shots.
By far the coolest feature is the head design, slightly tighter to the shaft to allow quick stick rotation skills.
Available in 30/50/70/90% carbon content models, the 70% option for me is the best all-round option for most club/school players.
Check out Y1 ADB 70 2023 Hockey Stick Review: A Versatile Weapon for Creative Players
GLB & GGLB – Low-bow with design options
Y1’s GLB & GGLB hockey sticks reviews are pretty much the same technically and offer a choice of designs between the two.
What’s great about these sticks is the ‘square’ (I call it fat) shaft which really adds extra bulk to the area between the head and the grip. This is common on many Y1 hockey stick review but is great to have on the low bow of the GLB/GGLB because these layups can traditionally be more tricky to control and incoming ball.
If you want a really low bow stick but have poor experience using one in open play techniques like trapping & slapping, the Y1 GLB hockey stick review could be a great option for you.
LB – As low as you can go
Y1 hockey’s lowest bow and with the addition of the ‘recurved toe’ this might be the best low bow on the market for actually playing out on field for the 90% of the time you aren’t drag-flicking or throwing aerials.
Low seems to be the trend these days but many of us have given up using them because despite the obvious benefit to our 3D work, they are just too extreme to carry, trap and pass effectively. The LB from Y1 does balance this nicely with a good layup which doesn’t make the very low bow unusual.
MB – Review of Y1 MB70 hockey stick here
What I do like about Y1 is they take player feedback and aren’t afraid to design sticks based on what works. The MB Y1 hockey sticks are technically a little lower than traditional mid-bow but with a gradual bow give the best of a mid bow with a little more curve for 3D hockey skills.
Combine the nice bow with the high-quality materials, the curved head and smaller head, this is a good hockey stick for those who appreciate traditional skills like upright hitting and sweep-passing, which just giving a touch of more technical work like 3D dribbling and reverse trapping and passing.
MR – Dribbling players dream?
Now this Y1 hockey stick is effectively a ‘special’. It has the same shape and setup as the LB (so it’s a really lowbow stick) but the special feature here is the ‘Touch Toe Technology’.
Looking at the toe of the MR hockey stick while holding in a carry position, you notice the very end of the hook opens slightly, dropping towards the Astro, giving a more open view. It’s great for moving the ball right without bringing the stick right over the top of the ball like in a traditional Indian dribble.
I think it’s definitely a specialist stick and you shouldn’t take a punt on one without trying first. But if you are a really creative player who uses a range of decepitive dribbling styles, this could really enhance your game.
YLB – Specialist Drag-Flick stick
The last model range in adult Y1 hockey sticks in the YLB. This is a specialist stick but it’s nice that Y1 have incorporated other features to allow for more than just this one technique to be benefited by the design of the YLB.
Some of these cool features include the back of the hook being thinner than normal, making it easier to get underneath the balls for 3D control when carrying. And the carbon power ridge to a stiffness for brut power when giving the ball a good old-fashion smash at goal.
Again, this is a specialist stick and I would recommend you go and give it a try before you buy.
Some Xtra’s to watch out for
Across a few of the Y1 hockey stick models you’ll notice a ‘X’ option. The Y1 ‘X’ signifies those sticks in the range which use Swedish Carbon as part of the material make up. Apparently this carbon is super powerful but soft to touch, giving immense power with more control than others.
This could be a great option for those who like the extra power from full carbon but can’t trap a toffee with them because they’re too solid. This feature does come at a premium so worth further investigation.
Overall Y1 hockey stick range for 2023 summary
Y1 are not new kids on the block anymore. They are obviously well connected as they have elite players from around the world using the sticks. They obviously love to develop features which come from real-life use of sticks in all positions and they take developing not only great looking but extremely useful sticks.
The 2023 range from Y1 offers impressive options and should definitely be considered when reviewing to buy a new hockey stick in 2023.
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