TIPS FROM THE PROS ... Bruno Mustone, Pushback (www.pushback.biz)

To get a feel for a true field hockey selling experience, we went to one of the plethora of online sites and asked them how they believe the sport should be sold by their competition ? team dealers. Here's some advice from Bruno Mustone of Internet retailer Pushback ? www.pushback.biz ? on how he would do it.

? Love the ladies, but don't forget the men ... "The pro for selling field hockey is that it is played by both sexes, which gives a larger target base," says Mustone. While this is truer in other parts of the world, there is increasing business to be had on the men's side in the U.S. as well. Get in early.

? Realize it is seasonal ... So, like other seasonal sports the strategy is to keep stocks low and order on request, relying on vendors to fill-in quickly. Don't worry, Mustone says, the vendors are used to it.

? Support what you sell ... It is a specialty sport, which means it has "special" needs. Know them or hire someone who does. There are probably college kids around that need a pre-season part-time job.

? Don't sell on price ... Because field hockey players have an inferiority complex when compared to the big sports, they will show loyalty to a dealer or retailer who is true to them.

? Stay in touch ... Mustone says that styles change so much in both apparel and equipment in field hockey that a dealer whose bread and butter is football or baseball might miss the boat on something hot. The solution: Let the customer tell you. To do that, you have to ask ... and then listen to the answer.