Intermediate sticks

[raygunpk 0]

I'm 5'11, 150lbs, and have been using 85~ flex sticks for a long time. I'm wondering if I started using a 65 flex stick, would I break it or would it improve my shot?

[BK 0]

Its all personal preference.

[Zac911 317]

I'm 5'11, 150lbs, and have been using 85~ flex sticks for a long time. I'm wondering if I started using a 65 flex stick, would I break it or would it improve my shot?

if you put the same amount of force into the ice as the 85? probably.... learn to back off a bit. let the stick do the works. you should be able to feel the shaft load up and release. consider how much a puck really weighs and how much force some guys put into the ice to shoot..... no wonder so many guys blow up blades.

[raygunpk 0]

I rarely ever feel the stick flex when I shoot. Could be my technique or my lack of strength.

[mack 44]

Yeah, you easily need to go down to intermediate/70ish flexes.

[bbruins8 0]

It depends on what type of shots he takes...If you play defense and don't find yourself using your wrist shot all that often and you sway more towards slappers/half slappers...stay with an 85...because if you transfer that over to an int you are going to snap it quickly.

[mack 44]

I've never heard about a stick not flexing when you shoot being good, no matter what kind of shot. My slapshots flex. My snapshots flex.

[wonderenzo 0]

You would break it or it will get soft very quick mainly because at your height you would have to put a plug in. Go with a 75 Sr and you will enjoy it.

[bbruins8 0]

Mack, I have a stick for when I play forward and a stick for when I play D, both with same curve, one 77 flex, one 100 flex. I can flex the 100 a lot on slapshots, but not on wrist shots. I can feel myself overtorquing the 77 on slapshots, so I stay away from them.

[mack 44]

That just seems like a waste of energy on wrist shots but I can see the reasoning if you're not taking too many on D. That also doesn't relate (that we know of) to the OP's problem because it sounds like none of his shots are getting flex on them.

[bbruins8 0]

That could be the case...I'm the same height as him with a little more weight so maybe I have more strength? IDK, but my wristshot technique isn't all that great, more along the lines of the old school technique no pre loading but I still get some flex out of it.

Edit: Back on topic Raygun...take what you think is the right flex for you, and go down a level. That is usually the general rule of thumb, at least around here anyways. I have been playing for ~15 years and I use 77 flex on forward, I see guys that can barely skate with 87 and more commonly 102, and I try to tell them but nobody wants to listen. Your best bet is to buy a stick, and in that first 30 days go to as many skate and shoots as possible...and fire pucks non stop and if it breaks, warranty it and if you conclude that the flex is too soft, blow it off (warranty replacement) on ebay or here.

[fatwabbit 93]

I'm 6' tall, about 215lbs (when my weighing scale and i agree)... and I've been using 75flex sticks for about 3 years or so. I used a 85 flex prior to switching to an intermediate shaft, and my shots havent lost any zing in them. They've actually gotten easier as I dont have to use as much strength in my shots to achieve the same results.

Why dont you borrow someone's 75 or 70 flex and try that before deciding which way to go?

[Jarick 5]

I used a 90 flex stick when I started, then eventually moved to a 75 flex to work on my shot. I'm 5'8" 170. My shots definitely are faster and I can get them off quicker, and I got used to the slap shot feeling different (not necessarily weaker, just different).

I must be getting stronger though, because lately I've wanted an 80 flex stick and have been getting TOO much whip on my sticks. The shaft ends up torquing and the shots are going wide quite a bit.

So I'd borrow a 70-75 flex stick and see how you like it, work on your shot, then if you find yourself getting stronger, move back up.

[Chadd 916]

I used a 90 flex stick when I started, then eventually moved to a 75 flex to work on my shot. I'm 5'8" 170. My shots definitely are faster and I can get them off quicker, and I got used to the slap shot feeling different (not necessarily weaker, just different).

With a softer flex think smooth, not strong and you'll be fine. It's all about technique with a softer flex.

[raygunpk 0]

Everybody on the team has an 85+ flex so I can't try it out.

Which sticks actually have a 70-75 flex? I have never seen a Mission or Easton stick with those flexes other than the Cyclone shaft. I know NBH has 77 flex sticks but other than that it's all intermediate sticks that I have been seeing in stores.

The stick I was looking at was the Easton Synergy 200 in 65 flex, with an Iginla clone which I thought looked really nice.

[Scurvy 3]

Everybody on the team has an 85+ flex so I can't try it out.

Which sticks actually have a 70-75 flex? I have never seen a Mission or Easton stick with those flexes other than the Cyclone shaft. I know NBH has 77 flex sticks but other than that it's all intermediate sticks that I have been seeing in stores.

The stick I was looking at was the Easton Synergy 200 in 65 flex, with an Iginla clone which I thought looked really nice.

You can also look at 75 flex Sr. Warrior sticks or the 75 flex Int. CCM and Rbk sticks.

[fatwabbit 93]

zbubble intermediate... been using that for about 6months, and going good.

Just be wary that some manufacturers have int blades for those int shaft.

[raygunpk 0]

Are int blades bad?

[Jarick 5]

Just a pain to find them.

Mission and Easton used to do intermediate blades, they switched to senior. You should be fine if you're buying new.

[Bravada 442 0]

I have a Sherwood RM7 75 Flex stick with a Crosby curve on it. I played with it once but realized that it was far too whippy for me.

I'd like to sell it and sell it cheap, but I don't have enough posts on here to get into the classifieds forums.

If you are interested, PM me and maybe we can work something out where I can put something up on ebay with a buy it now or something similar to that.

Also, to the mods/admins if this is totally not allowed in this forum, I apologize. Just delete this if that is the case.

[raygunpk 0]

Are there any advantages to a 'soft' blade as opposed to a 'stiff' blade?

[rollerskater92 0]

Are there any advantages to a 'soft' blade as opposed to a 'stiff' blade?

soft blade makes it easier to catch passes, but it doesn't last as long and your shots can be innaccurate if the blade is that soft. a stiff blade can be a little harder to catch passes, but it is easier to shoot and they last longer.

[burrn 0]

easton makes synergy2s in 70 flex. no grip though.

tps whip flexes are nice and whippy too, if you can find them.

[gxc999 7]

I'm 5'11, 150lbs, and have been using 85~ flex sticks for a long time. I'm wondering if I started using a 65 flex stick, would I break it or would it improve my shot?

I'm almost the exact same size as you, I think 5 lbs lighter and I'm ok with 85 flex, but 75 flex is probably the lowest I can go. I was screwing around with a 65/intermediate at the LHS and didn't want to put a lot of effort because I might've snapped it and I'm not the world's strongest guy in my weight class. I am pretty violent as far as body motion into slap shots go and am rough on sticks in general. You might enjoy doing some arm and shoulder strength training for a month or two and feel comfortable with 85 flex. I have a friend who's about 165 lbs, at my height, is a strong guy and easily manhandled my 100 flex Easton.

[bheidepr 0]

I love my intermediate. 5'10 175 beer league, dont take slappers, wrist and snap only. It is whippy but that makes it fun