How do I choose the correct stick/shaft flex?

[smu 29]

Subject - Thanks for Suggestions on a Suitable Intermediate Stick with Low Flex

Thanks for all the help re: the selection of suitable, intermediate flex stick, for my height,5'6' and weight 130lb. There was another thread at the time so you may see this posted there as well.

As with all brands there seemed to be plenty of left hand sticks to choose from. I shoot right and not only was there a distinct lack of rights, there were only a couple with the 55 flex and the blade pattern was tied into all this as well. Can anyone suggest why this would be the case, i.e. left v right?

I had at least 4 great suggestions from members of the Forum and would like to thank them very much. Below are the 4 sticks I considered and what I finally purchased.

1 - The Base - I believe I could have found a match here, but for the price, it was too much for my budget. Perhaps next time I will give the Base a try.
2 - The Miken then looked to be the stick of choice, but I noticed a continual decline in the availability in all models and decided to look elsewhere. I wonder if it is still around?
3 - Sherwood - I could find no suitable Sherwoods.

4 - Warrior - I may have not bought the best of the line, but...

From all the LHS I finally found and purchased the last 2 Intermediate 55 flex Warrior sticks from 2 Separate stores and for half price - $60. One was a Bandito the other a Big Bully (weird names but...). The blades were similar - Toes & Draper, mid curve and slight open face.

I held the stick as if it was at the proper length for me and I was ecstatic, finally I had an intermediate stick that I could flex and feel comfortable with. I have not been on the ice yet, but have used it quite a bit in the garage with a net and a 4X8 piece of UHMW plastic.

Thanks again,

Alan

[Cosmic 178]

I have a question about stick flex. Should I be determining what flex I use from my physical strength, from how hard I can swing the stick, or just based completely off feel. I am a pretty small guy (5'6) and I can't really say I'm all that strong. I never lift weights, all my workouts are cardio based. Using a 105 flex stick I find I have as good of a slap shot with my 90 flex stick. The 105 stick I may have a little bit more power, but the 90 flex I definitely have better accuracy taking one timers.

I am 6'2, 225 lbs and work out sort of regularly, and am pretty strong. I am not that skilled. I use a 102 flex, which works well enough for me, as stickhandling seems easy with the stiffness, and I am strong enough to rip slappers and wristers nicely. Most of the guys I skate with are 5'8, and rather skilled. They are not crazy strong, but strong enough to get around the ice well, shoot the puck, etc. They use 67 flex.

So, I would think you might get more out of 67-77 flex, but I am no expert on this matter.

[smu 29]

I am 6'2, 225 lbs and work out sort of regularly, and am pretty strong. I am not that skilled. I use a 102 flex, which works well enough for me, as stickhandling seems easy with the stiffness, and I am strong enough to rip slappers and wristers nicely. Most of the guys I skate with are 5'8, and rather skilled. They are not crazy strong, but strong enough to get around the ice well, shoot the puck, etc. They use 67 flex.

So, I would think you might get more out of 67-77 flex, but I am no expert on this matter.

I think the members of the group have narrowed this problem down since it was posted sometime ago.

I am just shy of 5'6" and weigh 130lb. As my last two recent post indicate I have finally found an intermediate stick to fit my build. The intermediate Warrior 55 flex cut off at just below my chin, with skates on, gives me the flex I need. The cutting would equate to 60-65 flex and I am extremely pleased with the flex I can get into my wrist shot.

The juniors at 50 flex were too flexible. Most of the intermediate low flex sticks, including the 60 flex Bauer Supreme, once cut are around the 75 flex mark and way too stiff for me and a lot of money wasted. I still have the Bauer as a reminder not to buy one again!

Alan

[sjs0433 15]

From a few posts back about my new stick experience and wondering why my shot was awful....seemed like I just needed a little time to get used to the stick. I've been playing with It more lately and have been doing just fine. I think my next one I try will be a flex in between the two I have now.

[smu 29]

From a few posts back about my new stick experience and wondering why my shot was awful....seemed like I just needed a little time to get used to the stick. I've been playing with It more lately and have been doing just fine. I think my next one I try will be a flex in between the two I have now.

Something I have thought of after my last reply to you:

I got out of this funk in the past by taking some shots standing between the side boards and the center of the ice. Since I was not thinking about distance or other things, just a lazy shot, I would get better control over the height (up) and could feel my shot take off.

Trying to shoot from the blue line on a goaltender seemed to screw me all up. My shots would not rise etc. Give yourself a break and take some short slap shots as suggested and see if it helps. There you won't have any pressure to perform and things will start to look rosy. When I hit the ice I am going to do the same thing.

Alan

[Chadd 916]

From a few posts back about my new stick experience and wondering why my shot was awful....seemed like I just needed a little time to get used to the stick. I've been playing with It more lately and have been doing just fine.

It takes time to get used to the flex and kick of a new (different model) stick. A lot of people would be better off sticking with what they have and learning how the stick works, rather than always buying something different.

[sjs0433 15]

It takes time to get used to the flex and kick of a new (different model) stick. A lot of people would be better off sticking with what they have and learning how the stick works, rather than always buying something different.

I've gotten used to it now and like it so much that instead of trying anything else right now I'm thinking of pickin up another to keep as backup. I'm really happy with it now. I agree it would do much more good to get used to this stick than constantly trying to change especially given the fact I have so many areas of my game to work on.

[Stewie 721]

im 5'8 and about 175ish. for quite a while i have been using 85 flex or 80 in my miken, but lately i looked at just how much i cut off, and im measuring about 54.5 inches from butt to heel. Im considering plopping down to somewhere in the 65-75 range in my next stick, and hoping for a net flex result around 80ish to try. one question, does it seem like im hacking too much off the end for my height?

I spent some time in total hockey today playing around with different flexes, and came out of that feeling like maybe a 75 would be a good step down, or maybe a 70 if i get another z9. unsure if i wanted to go to the 65 as it seems a lot of sticks are less effected flex-wise in the top now, at least from their designations on the blade.

[smu 29]

im 5'8 and about 175ish. for quite a while i have been using 85 flex or 80 in my miken, but lately i looked at just how much i cut off, and im measuring about 54.5 inches from butt to heel. Im considering plopping down to somewhere in the 65-75 range in my next stick, and hoping for a net flex result around 80ish to try. one question, does it seem like im hacking too much off the end for my height?

I find all manufacturers have slightly or more than slightly different flex. One mfg. does not necessarily have the same rating as another.

The best way is to hold your top hand at your regular stick height and then do the "bending on the floor routine" and see where that gets you. Had I done that last year on an Intermediate 60 flex, Bauer Total One Supreme, I would not have purchased it (too stiff) and saved myself a heck of a lot of money as well as the games I played with the stick that I could not bend.

Alan

[Fonetiks007 1]

A sticks flex rating should be about half your total body weight. Give or take. So if you weigh 150lbs you should use a 75 flex. 180lbs you should use a 85-90 flex. 200+ lbs 100+ stick flex. If you add an extension - get a higher rated stick to even out the flex rating so you aren't using a wet noodle to shoot with. If you are cutting your stick down get a lower flex stick as it will stiffen the more you cut it down.

Of course this is just a general rule. Personal preference always trumps a general rule. But if you don't play around with different flex ratings you will never know what flex is really right for you.

[smu 29]

A sticks flex rating should be about half your total body weight. Give or take. So if you weigh 150lbs you should use a 75 flex. 180lbs you should use a 85-90 flex. 200+ lbs 100+ stick flex. If you add an extension - get a higher rated stick to even out the flex rating so you aren't using a wet noodle to shoot with. If you are cutting your stick down get a lower flex stick as it will stiffen the more you cut it down.

Of course this is just a general rule. Personal preference always trumps a general rule. But if you don't play around with different flex ratings you will never know what flex is really right for you.

I have found since my post one year ago and going through a season of hockey, the proper stick for me, at 5'5" and now around 125 lb is a 50 flex junior. Remember, not all manufactures are the same. Mistakenly again I took the top end JUNIOR Bauer Nexus off the shelf and gave it that little flex thinking my flex was in this one even cutting off 2". I got on the ice and could not get the shaft to bend for me so I could use the flexing to my advantage! Before buying it there was a large sticker saying that this suited someone my size or lighter even cut off! I went back to my LHS and we both agreed that trying to bend this shaft on the floor was not as easy as I first thought. Both the retailer and I felt there was a definite problem with the rating. I contacted Bauer and they acknowledged my email, yet told me to go to my LHS and get a "junior" or something to suit me. They really did not care and when I asked for a rep to call I never got another email back.

So, I did buy a Junior Graf 50 flex and my wrist shot immediately improved and I was able to feel that the stick was recoiling and given me that natural feel. I don't understand how some young, small and lightweight hockey player can use some of the junior sticks. I only know for my weith and heigth I need a flexible 50 flex. Many won't believe what I am using, but the benifits are there with the flexibility and extreemly light.

[ChunkyThunder 2]

Approximate flex when cutting the stick

Baseline Flex 2 inches 4 inches

Youth 40 48 flex 54 flex

Junior 50 58 flex 66 flex

Intermediate 65 72 flex 78 flex

Senior 85 95 flex 103 flex

Senior 100 106 flex 113 flex

Would the reverse of this apply to adding extensions?

[SlaterC42 51]

I've been trying to find the right flex for awhile too. I'm 5'8" 170 lbs, and have bounced between senior 77 flex, int 60, 65, & 67 flexes, with a few inches cut off. Lately I've been using and Easton 65 flex with about 2.5 inches cut off and seems to really have improved my shot as well. I'm thinking of trying a Sher-wood 75 flex with the "flex free zone" at the top, or a Warrior 70 flex. Anyone have any experience with these?