Is this guy's stick so outside the norm that it can't be right for him?

[sds 0]

I skate with a guy who is a very good player (played in college) and has played all his life. He never had a strong interest in sticks. He's 5'7" and about 165 lbs.

He uses a 100 flex Easton Synergy 350 that he cuts down at least 9 inches or more. It looks like a kid stick when he is done. The butt end goes to maybe his collar bone when on his skates. That would be generous. It could be shorter than that.

He gets good production out of this setup, but the fact that he is using a price-point stick that could very well be 140 in flex (he's not heavy, tall, nor a muscle-head) makes me think that he could do so much more if he ventured out into better shafts. It must feel like he is shooting w/ a piece of rebar.

So, is this so far outside the norm that this isn't really personal preference as much as it is familiarity? Does anyone have a setup like this? Could this setup ever be right for anyone his size?

[Chadd 916]

"right" is what works for you and you're used to using. I certainly wouldn't call it an optimal setup though. I would think that he would experience significant improvement in his shot if he were to change to an 85 flex stick or even potentially lower, though it will feel very different to him.

[sds 0]

"right" is what works for you and you're used to using. I certainly wouldn't call it an optimal setup though. I would think that he would experience significant improvement in his shot if he were to change to an 85 flex stick or even potentially lower, though it will feel very different to him.

this is what I'm trying to get a handle on. He's a good enough player that he could make any stick work to some extent. The point I have been trying to get across to him is that he is good enough to extract the performance benefits from a better shaft, as opposed to a marginal player who wouldn't see much difference in any stick.

He tried making a change and went to an INT 65 flex in the same stick. He ultimately didn't like the smaller shaft diameter and gave it up after a couple of skates. I tried to point out that by sticking with the price point shaft, he didn't experience as much positive change as he could have.

[Spreedizzle 1]

The main question I have for this setup cutting as much off of the stick as he does is not with regards to flex, but the lie of his blade.

[sds 0]

The main question I have for this setup cutting as much off of the stick as he does is not with regards to flex, but the lie of his blade.

excellent point that I haven't even thought of yet. He uses a Forsberg pattern, but I don't know what lie. I doubt he knows or even looks at it. I assume he would need up around 6 correct? He does get pretty low when he shoots though.

[ZINC 8]

I use a Vapor XX Pro-flex 102 Naslund w/ a 6 Lie, and also cut it very short like the player in the OP. I love it, and it works perfectly for me (6' 165). IMO sticks are such a personal pref that its impossible for others to decide what is best for you. IMO.

[Chadd 916]

He tried making a change and went to an INT 65 flex in the same stick. He ultimately didn't like the smaller shaft diameter and gave it up after a couple of skates. I tried to point out that by sticking with the price point shaft, he didn't experience as much positive change as he could have.

The smaller shaft wasn't a positive change at all by the sounds of it. Simply buying the most expensive shaft isn't the answer either. If he's cost conscious, then a closeout TPS whip flex stick might be a good next attempt.

[Methane 0]

What is his slapper like? I can't imagine it's much at all other than whatever is generated off of 165lbs worth of arm strength.

[jeffw 1]

One of the best players in our beer league uses a 70 flex Easton Cyclone intermediate that's also very short. He really gets alot of zip on his shots with that set up. He's a fairly tall guy, too, about 6 feet.

[tomh7 2]

It's not the size of you stick that matters; it's how you use it...

[sds 0]

What is his slapper like? I can't imagine it's much at all other than whatever is generated off of 165lbs worth of arm strength.

not too bad actually. Not the hardest shot I have seen, but there is some pop to it. He can pick the corner too on wristers.

My thought is that if he can adapt to a stick so outside the norm, then he might do really well with a stick that is working for him and not against him.

[Chadd 916]

What is his slapper like? I can't imagine it's much at all other than whatever is generated off of 165lbs worth of arm strength.

Slappers and arm strength are not related, assuming of course you have a good technique. Not many people seem to realize it though.

[fatwabbit 93]

agree with Chadd, its not about the strength or stick, mainly its about technique...

one of the guys I know has one of the fastest (in terms of windup and release) and hardest slappers. He uses price point skates with wheels that some of the others throw away, and also mainly price point sticks. Most of the stuff that others throw away, he would try to salvage and use. but damn... he's got a fantastic shot.

[sds 0]

agree with Chadd, its not about the strength or stick, mainly its about technique...

one of the guys I know has one of the fastest (in terms of windup and release) and hardest slappers. He uses price point skates with wheels that some of the others throw away, and also mainly price point sticks. Most of the stuff that others throw away, he would try to salvage and use. but damn... he's got a fantastic shot.

but if you have the technique - how can the stick not add to it? Proper technique will load the shaft, but after that it is the stick's ability to release that potential energy into the puck. So, it seems to me taht the stick is very important once you learn to shoot. No?

[oggy_3 0]

2 years ago one guy on my team had the hardest shot on the team and one of the hardest ive seen, he was 140 pounds 5'7 and he used a vector 110 stiff flexnand cut it down to almost his nipples, i asked him why he didnt use an 85 and he said his shot was harder with the stiff. Like Chadd said personal prefrence, ive used 100 flex for 3 years and this year my last year midget i switched to an 85 flex and have had the best shot ever.

[Nealoc187 10]

lol it sounds like you're talking about me up until a month ago when I joined this board and really started researching equipment and in particular, sticks. I've been playing for 23 years (since I was 5). Played AA Travel, etc so I'm decent. Never really was 'into' having the latest and greatest sticks but more importantly - I never really knew the benefits of having a stick with a whippier flex until I came on here and started reading.

I used wood (Titan/Jofa FTW) up until 1.5 years ago - and even then all I used a 110 flex mission L-2 that I found in the trash at the local rink. Within the last 2 weeks I started using an 85 flex synergy II and I've picked up some other sticks (RedLite XN10 whip, Salming G10 85 flex, Tour Wave 80 flex - all of which I haven't tried yet). My first shots with the Synergy II (before the Inno blade cracked on me) were a real eye opener. lol.

Anyhow, if you or one of your teammates has something like an 85 flex so it has the same size shaft, but a whippier flex, try letting him use it in tryouts for a few games and see if he doesn't change his mind. I wish someone had turned me on to whippier sticks long ago. I did just fine with what I had, but I think I've definitely been missing out.

[fatwabbit 93]

Looks like another one has turned to whippier shafts. I started out about 10 years ago using whatever shaft was available. I think I ended up with something of a 100 flex, and used that for about 2 years. Goal production didnt really suffer, but I didnt have a quick release as before.

A buddy of mine was doing an order, and helped me order an easton cyclone silver tip 85flex. The smaller profile fit my girly hands, and my shots started to rock a lot more. I used the 100flex for warmups, and then played the game with the cyclone.

Tried using a stiff shaft again, but after 4-5 shots I went back to my whip shafts. Been using 75 flex shafts for the past 4 or 5 years and have not had a problem. I dont have to windup as much, and donthave to really load up the shaft at all. My current stick of choice is a z bubble 75 flex. Its an intermediate shaft with a smaller profile but takes standard blades. Great combo, and real zing for shots.