Impact of flex on shooting

[johnnysocko 0]

I play defense and have been using a Mission M1 Maculey curve. Its a 100 flex and therefore pretty stiff. I cut the stick down and therefore its probably more like 110. I should mention I am 5'7 and weigh about 160 pounds.

I do not have much of a slapshot to begin with, but I have a better snapshot.

If I bought like an Easton 75 or some sort of medium flex stick, would I notice an immediate impact on my shot?

I am sure there was a previous post somewhere, but believe me I searched for it and could not find one...

[Jake 0]

You would notice a difference, but I'm not sure if it'd be a positive or negative impact.

I'm a similar build to you and prefer 75ish flexes (Warrior/Inno 300 flexes to be exact) cut down 6-7 inches.

I've gone as high as a 90 flex and as low as a 65 with varying degrees of success.

[golfpuck 0]

you should see an impact.

someone in another thread mentioned to use a flex half your weight, as a starting point to figure out the exact flex you need.

of course as usual.. user results my vary.. and depends on technique etc..

most NHL players use 90-110 flex? ( i could be wrong )

these days... most NHLers are 6ft+ and 200lbs+

does it make sense for you to be using 100flex? doubt it..

[johnnysocko 0]

That makes sense. I appreciate the input.

[Konig von Kuhlem 0]

You will definitely feel an impact from switching to a more flexible stick. I used to use 100 flex sticks, but I really had to try hard to get the most out of the flex. When I switch to an 85 flex, it was so much easier to shoot and I scored top corner on my first shot in a game with it (probably a fluke :P ).

[Chadd 916]

75 would be a drastic change, I would go with something cheaper just in case you can't get used to the lighter flex.

[Dangles919 0]

golfpuck i use a 100 flex warrior dolomite without cutting down and im like 5'8 and sometimes feel like its gonna break in half so i think its more of a stick to stick difference in flex if u get what im saying. like between easton and warrior or mission. id say get the 85 flex easton if ur mission is to stiff cuz 85 cut down a bit would end up at 90 or 95 and would still flex alot but not to much... hopefully some of that info helps

[Jarick 5]

I'm 5'8" 175. I use an 87 flex Vapor cut down 1.5" so it's about 90-95 flex. Not great for wristers but I like it for slappers/snappers. I also have an RLXN10 whip shaft which is about 70-75 flex. Don't notice much difference with wristers but my slappers/snappers suffer.

[johnnysocko 0]

Just as a quick update. I took Chadd's advice and got a cheaper composite at 85 Flex. I found a sale online for Mission Axis for 45.00. I got an 85 flex Rafalski. Not exactly a Maculey, but not too far off.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks.

[jjtt99 0]

Most people in rec/beer leagues are using sticks that are too stiff for them. Look at the bend NHLers get on sticks. Not many people I play against are able to do that.

I'm 165 pounds. I can skate pretty good, but my shot is lame. Give me 10 seconds to set up and I can crank a pretty good slapper, but in a game situation my wristers are really weak. I can't imagine using anything stiffer than an 85 flex because I can hardley get that to flex in a game situation.

[B-Nads 0]

Lately I've found myself using my 85 more and more over my stiff XN10 Response OPS. I get a harder slap-shot out of the TPS, but when I average out the overall benefits the lighter flex gives me in game situations, the choice becomes obvious, and I am 230lbs.

[biff44 0]

I seem to remember that Brett Hull used an 85 flex, and I think he knew what he was doing. ( I tried to research it, but only came up with a message board entry that said it was 65 flex! which I might not believe).

But, my opinion is that most Dmen play with too short of a stick, so I would recommend against cutting one down too much! You need that length to poke and sweep check, especially if you are short to begin with! And if it is too short, you end up skating like granny--all bent over just to stick handle the puck. I would go with a standard 100 and not cut it down and try to learn how to shoot with it. If that did not work, probably the 85 flex cut down.

[Chadd 916]

I seem to remember that Brett Hull used an 85 flex, and I think he knew what he was doing. ( I tried to research it, but only came up with a message board entry that said it was 65 flex! which I might not believe).

But, my opinion is that most Dmen play with too short of a stick, so I would recommend against cutting one down too much! You need that length to poke and sweep check, especially if you are short to begin with! And if it is too short, you end up skating like granny--all bent over just to stick handle the puck. I would go with a standard 100 and not cut it down and try to learn how to shoot with it. If that did not work, probably the 85 flex cut down.

Hull used 80 flex ultralights and the TPS stuff he used near the end was 62 flex.

[hockeypunk3 0]

I seem to remember that Brett Hull used an 85 flex, and I think he knew what he was doing. ( I tried to research it, but only came up with a message board entry that said it was 65 flex! which I might not believe).

But, my opinion is that most Dmen play with too short of a stick, so I would recommend against cutting one down too much! You need that length to poke and sweep check, especially if you are short to begin with! And if it is too short, you end up skating like granny--all bent over just to stick handle the puck. I would go with a standard 100 and not cut it down and try to learn how to shoot with it. If that did not work, probably the 85 flex cut down.

It's all personal preference, I have a few forwards on my team who are around 5'6" and have a shorter stick then me. I'm 5'10.5" and theirs are a good 3-4" taller than mine. I like the shorter stick so handling pucks in my feet is easier. I sometimes miss the reach when playing a 2-1 or 3 on 1. But I found with a shorter stick i have a more accurate pass/shot.

[GSHL99 0]

You'd definitly see a difference in your shots switching to the lighter flex. The problem is, however, if you're bordering on being able to use the current flex and the lighter is too light you're going to bust your sticks all the time and that can get spendy right quick. As such I'd probably suggest working on your upper body and working into the current flex as opposed to going down to the lighter flex.

[fatwabbit 93]

depends on your shooting style as well... I'm about 210lbs, but been using whippy sticks for the longest time. I find that its better for me, especially since I do a lot of snap shots.

[biff44 0]

I seem to remember that Brett Hull used an 85 flex, and I think he knew what he was doing. ( I tried to research it, but only came up with a message board entry that said it was 65 flex! which I might not believe).

But, my opinion is that most Dmen play with too short of a stick, so I would recommend against cutting one down too much! You need that length to poke and sweep check, especially if you are short to begin with! And if it is too short, you end up skating like granny--all bent over just to stick handle the puck. I would go with a standard 100 and not cut it down and try to learn how to shoot with it. If that did not work, probably the 85 flex cut down.

It's all personal preference, I have a few forwards on my team who are around 5'6" and have a shorter stick then me. I'm 5'10.5" and theirs are a good 3-4" taller than mine. I like the shorter stick so handling pucks in my feet is easier. I sometimes miss the reach when playing a 2-1 or 3 on 1. But I found with a shorter stick i have a more accurate pass/shot.

Well, you can practice you stickhandling and shot with a longer stick and eventually get it right. But if you have a short stick, there is NOTHING you can do to reach the puck for a poke check if it is a few inches out of your short reach. Think about that! You DID say you were a Dman?

Have someone watch how you use the stick. Maybe you are doing something wrong. Some players hold it too close to the body, and end up bumping their own stick when the skate.

[Lfntn10 0]

I'm 5'7 and 165 and I use Nike/Bauer's 102 flex. My slapshots are just fine, but thats because ive been using stiff flexes since I switched to composites 5 years ago. I guess I'm just used to it, plus my stick has a little more flex to it since ive used it so much.

[johnnysocko 0]

I got a mission Axis 85 flex. I broke it out last night in a practice. I cut it down, but not as much as my M1. I like the lie going from 5.5 (Maculey) to 6 (Rafalski). I also liked the longer reach.

I think I jinxed myself though, I drove through and fired a snapshot which felt perfect and went top right with some velocity. It was my first shot with the stick and it was great.

Then, I started thinking too much and the other shots were a bit more "wild". I am planning on another pickup game Saturday before a league game Sunday.

Just experimenting right now and that's why I got the price point Mission Axis. I like it however.

I appreciate the feedback and messages.

Take Care.

[yipperzz 28]

i'm 5'8" 160 pounds and play defense. i have a 85 flex dolomite and a pro stock 100 flex dolomite. i also had a 85 flex inno 1100. i used both in ice and roller. for myself, i find the 85 flex dolomite to be like a noodle on ice. and i feel the 100 flex is too stiff for roller. maybe it's just me and the puck weights...who knows.