flex confusion

[lyle.m23 0]

i currently use a 100flex but am worried im not getting the most from my shot because it maybe to stiff, i only ended up with a 100 flex because thats what i got given to me when i started(not long ago) and have baught a lower flex because i dont know if i would be comfortable with it so ....

how can i tell if my stick is to stiff/soft for me ? ...

what disadvantage would this bring ?...

and does a stick soften up afer some time ? ...

thanks

[regularjoe 1]

I think the only way you can really tell is to try it for yourself.

I've been skating a little over a year and have played with mostly intermediate flexes (60-75 range), not even bothering with anything stiffer (also because I'm a small, skinny guy, about 135 lbs).

At one drop in, I decided to give a stick that was around a 100 a try. I found that when I really got into it, I -really- laid into the shot and launched lasers. The problem was consistency and when I couldn't get my legs and trunk behind, I had problems flexing the stick.

I'd say give it a try (borrowing a friend's stick preferably) and see how you like it.

[P5man 0]

how can i tell if my stick is to stiff/soft for me ?

It's all personal preferance. Pick one that feels the best in your hands

what disadvantage would this bring ?

If it's too stiff, you won't be able to obtain the proper flex to get the best shot you can. If it's to whippy, you'll break sticks way too often.

and does a stick soften up afer some time ?

Sticks do soften up to a point, but your 100 flex won't feel like an 85 anytime soon

[rubberduckie 0]

the general formula to determine what stick flex you 'should' use is just to divide your body weight (in pounds) in half. So if you weight 150lbs then about a 75 flex stick is right.

But personal preference is a much bigger part of it then going by that 'formula'. Some like whippier sticks, some like stiffer sticks, it is just what works for you. Just try some different twigs, either through using friends, or when your sticks break, buy a lower flex.

Easton also sells wood sticks with 70flex, 85, 90, and 100 flex... so you could try new flexes that way. That would be cheaper than buying composites to try

[Jarick 5]

Wood sticks with those ratings wouldn't correspond well to composite. The better way would be to try a teammate's stick or just roll the dice and grab a cheap shaft.

[english15x 3]

I weigh 200pds 6'1 and use 77 flex. Don't let your weight or height tell you what flex to use or not to. It's all about how it feels and how it works for you.

[starskie 0]

I, like lyle, have only used 100 flex sticks.

What's the difference between a whippy and stiff flex? More explicitly, would I have a better shot if went down to a lower flex?

IMO my 100 flex sticks seem too stiff for me, but have never went down because 100 flex does the job and I've never wanted to gamble on buying a new stick with a lower flex.

[Jarick 5]

Whippier sticks are easier to load. You may have a better shot or you may not. I'd definitely move down in flex if you're experience arm or elbow pain. Otherwise, give it a shot.

You do have to focus more on the mechanics of the shot rather than just pure power. If you're strong enough to properly flex a stiff stick, you're better off with the stiff stick, otherwise you could benefit from more flex.

[AWE46M3 0]

the general formula to determine what stick flex you 'should' use is just to divide your body weight (in pounds) in half. So if you weight 150lbs then about a 75 flex stick is right.

I've never seen or heard this before; is this the general consensus around here?

[rubberduckie 0]

the general formula to determine what stick flex you 'should' use is just to divide your body weight (in pounds) in half. So if you weight 150lbs then about a 75 flex stick is right.

I've never seen or heard this before; is this the general consensus around here?

I have seen it in a couple of other threads. Really it is all about personal preference, but that might give you some starting point.

With regards to the difference between whippier and stiffer stick performance.. whippier sticks load easier so wristers and snappers (especially quick ones). However, on slappers whippier sticks don't seem to give the shot near as much kick. I use a whippy stick and love my wristers and snappers, but I can't take a slapper for my life. But that isn't really part of my game, so it is okay. Give me an 85 easton, and my slappers improve dramatically, but my other shots suffer. It is a give and take. For the 5 slappers I take a season, I am fine with the trade off.

[YouTuuk 0]

the general formula to determine what stick flex you 'should' use is just to divide your body weight (in pounds) in half. So if you weight 150lbs then about a 75 flex stick is right.

I've never seen or heard this before; is this the general consensus around here?

The formual weight/2 is a bit generalized, since alot goes into Flex - A more specific formula would be include parameters like this.

Body Weight, Bench Press Max, Forearm circumfrence, Years Playing, age

but in the end its PP and "at the end of the day, does the puck wind up in the netting more times than not???"

[oggy_3 0]

Well for the past 2 years before this season i was using 100 Flex think it was right for me and this year in the summer i went down to a 95 and liked it and during the regular season i went down to 85 and my shot has never been better. At first i was told i was going to break a bunch of sticks but never did and at first it did take while to get use to it but it was worth it.

[Jarick 5]

Not only that, but you'd also have to take into account how long or short you like the stick. 85 flex sticks at full length feel like 75 flex sticks cut down a few inches.

Really, it's all about finding the length and flex of stick that work FOR YOU through experimentation, then finding the particular brand and model that you prefer from there.

[starskie 0]

Not only that, but you'd also have to take into account how long or short you like the stick. 85 flex sticks at full length feel like 75 flex sticks cut down a few inches.

Really, it's all about finding the length and flex of stick that work FOR YOU through experimentation, then finding the particular brand and model that you prefer from there.

I thought if you cut a stick down it becomes stiffer?

[thejackal 46]

starskie, that's what he meant.

im 6'2" around 190lb and i've used flexes from 75 to 100. right now 85 cut down 2 inches is a good fit for me, but i can get more juice on my slap shot with a 100 flex stick.

[Jarick 5]

I thought if you cut a stick down it becomes stiffer?

Yes, a 70 flex cut down a few inches feels about as stiff to me as an 80 flex at full length.

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

depends on the style of shots you take, too. I'm a fan of taking quick snaps right off the toe of the stick. I tried a 70flex, and found the blade torqued the shaft way to much. pucks kept fluttering. So, I shoot with a stiffer stick. It's definitely less forgiving when i try to do a slapper, but i dont shoot those very often during games. Maybe have taken two in the past few months. maybe.

[thejackal 46]

depends on the style of shots you take, too. I'm a fan of taking quick snaps right off the toe of the stick. I tried a 70flex, and found the blade torqued the shaft way to much. pucks kept fluttering. So, I shoot with a stiffer stick. It's definitely less forgiving when i try to do a slapper, but i dont shoot those very often during games. Maybe have taken two in the past few months. maybe.

weird, i have a similar shooting style and i found low flexes with a good stiff blade was money for quick snappers. now i'm using more of a sweep motion and also more slapshots, so i moved to a higher flex.

[lee92 2]

For me, I make sure I can flex the stick about an inch or two while putting light pressure on it. That way, when I get on the ice and put my weight into it, I'll get a good 4-5 inches of whip into my stick. I'm only 5'8", 178 lbs, and stick exclusively to 85 flex sticks. I find anything lower, too much whip, and I lose velocity and the lag is painfully slow. Anything higher and the stick doesn't flex enough, and I don't get enough power.

[Oggie Grip 0]

Your also height has a huge part to play in this. Assuming your stick is up to your chin or nose, the taller you are, the easier it is for you to load your stick because your stick is naturally longer.

If you can somehow get a hold of the same sticks with 2 or 3 different flex ratings and start shooting around with them, you'll know pretty quickly which one works best for you.

[Zac911 317]

how much does a puck weigh??? some guys are bearing down on the ice as if the thing was 300lbs. with a softer flex you can let the stick do the work and concentrate on FORM. guys that blow through blades generally bear into the ice a ton... they have to to get a stiff shaft to flex. there have been many topics on flex here.

[colt45 0]

I weigh 200pds 6'1 and use 77 flex. Don't let your weight or height tell you what flex to use or not to. It's all about how it feels and how it works for you.

absolutely agree...

Im only 150lbs, about 5'11" and I've tried EVERY avail. from 65-110.

To me, with the 110, 100, and even 85, I feel that my shots get no power because I can't flex the stick.

With the 75 flex however, I can literally feel the stick flexing even when I receive passes, and much more so when I shoot. I saw a pic and I couldn't believe how much it flexed.

The technique of shooting the stick is you need to just put pressure on your stick, and let your stick's flex generate the power.

Overall, it's what feels good, not what erry1 else is using, or what you "should" use according to statistics.

[P5man 0]

In my personal experience, a whippier shaft allows me to take harder shots, because I can load up the stick much easier. When I use a stiffer shaft, I can get off my shots much quicker.

I've only recently started using a 100 flex shaft and I am much happier with my on-ice performance. In my opinion, it's more important to have a quick shot, rather than a hard one.

[starsfan71 9]

A lot of it depends on your size. I hate stiff flexs because I'm small, but if you're a big guy you might really be able to sink into you shot more.

[raygunpk 0]

Is there some formula for the amount of flex added for each inch cut off?

5 flex or 10 flex..or a %?