Stick Length

[Xyphereos 0]

How much do you usually cut your stick down before using it. I just got an Senior SE, im 511 w/o skates and im not sure if I should cut it down or not, any advice?

[chippa13 1844]

Nobody can give you the right answer.

[Xyphereos 0]

I was just wondering what everybody else used, also do only pro stock sticks come in 65"?

[Rustpot 1]

I was just wondering what everybody else used, also do only pro stock sticks come in 65"?

Depends on how you measure. Most people cut somewhere between their nose and sternum, decide for yourself what length you need.

[SolarWind 23]

I was just wondering what everybody else used, also do only pro stock sticks come in 65"?

Depends on how you measure. Most people cut somewhere between their nose and sternum, decide for yourself what length you need.

According to Skinner the 'new recommended range is between the chin & colar bones', but basically as long as you can cross your arms while keeping the blade on the ice it's all good & just personal preference (which would depend heavily on stick lie as well)

[Xyphereos 0]

What do you mean as long as you can cross your arms while keeping the blade on the ice, that seems like it would be be easier to do with a longer stick?

[Hockeyman11385 1]

By blade on the ice, he means flat on the ice. If the stick is too long the toe will be way up in the air and you won't be able to control the puck. Personally, I believe, as do most people, that it's all personal preference. I use a short stick (top of my sternum) and would never go back to the "suggested" length (chin).

[selke71 0]

I second the idea of making sure your lie is right in addition to looking at stick length for comfort and usefulness. But I might be a little biased on that because I should be using a lie 4 and find them hard to find (saw a Smyth Warrior Mac Daddy OPS today for somewhere around $220 and almost bought it solely because it feels so nice to have the right lie for once).

[Chadd 916]

I was just wondering what everybody else used, also do only pro stock sticks come in 65"?

Depends on how you measure. Most people cut somewhere between their nose and sternum, decide for yourself what length you need.

According to Skinner the 'new recommended range is between the chin & colar bones', but basically as long as you can cross your arms while keeping the blade on the ice it's all good & just personal preference (which would depend heavily on stick lie as well)

Bear in mind that this is a guy that makes a living selling stickhandling videos. He's obviously going to suggest that people use something that makes stickhandling easier. Most people will see an improvement in their stickhandling just by cutting a stick, making his advice look great. It does however, create limitations in other parts of your game. Just as using a longer stick will limit your stickhandling.

I second the idea of making sure your lie is right in addition to looking at stick length for comfort and usefulness. But I might be a little biased on that because I should be using a lie 4 and find them hard to find (saw a Smyth Warrior Mac Daddy OPS today for somewhere around $220 and almost bought it solely because it feels so nice to have the right lie for once).

Lie is the single most important aspect of a stick, in my opinion.

[phunky_monkey 6]

As everyone has said it's all personal preference. Mine comes up to my chin without skates on, and I play defense and am 6'4". That's how long two piece sticks used to be from the factory, so that's what I always used as that's the longest that was available here.

[SolarWind 23]

According to Skinner the 'new recommended range is between the chin & colar bones', but basically as long as you can cross your arms while keeping the blade on the ice it's all good & just personal preference (which would depend heavily on stick lie as well)

Bear in mind that this is a guy that makes a living selling stickhandling videos. He's obviously going to suggest that people use something that makes stickhandling easier. Most people will see an improvement in their stickhandling just by cutting a stick, making his advice look great. It does however, create limitations in other parts of your game. Just as using a longer stick will limit your stickhandling.

true... I'm not afifliated with him by any means, but do like his videos a lot & found his advise quite sound...

Anyhow - I'm curious what would "limitations in other parts of your game" really be?

For instance for checking & poking Skinner specifically talks about people thinking that longer stick helps there - true - it adds a bit to reach, but not nearly as much as bending the keens & bending at the waist

[Chadd 916]

According to Skinner the 'new recommended range is between the chin & colar bones', but basically as long as you can cross your arms while keeping the blade on the ice it's all good & just personal preference (which would depend heavily on stick lie as well)

Bear in mind that this is a guy that makes a living selling stickhandling videos. He's obviously going to suggest that people use something that makes stickhandling easier. Most people will see an improvement in their stickhandling just by cutting a stick, making his advice look great. It does however, create limitations in other parts of your game. Just as using a longer stick will limit your stickhandling.

true... I'm not afifliated with him by any means, but do like his videos a lot & found his advise quite sound...

Anyhow - I'm curious what would "limitations in other parts of your game" really be?

For instance for checking & poking Skinner specifically talks about people thinking that longer stick helps there - true - it adds a bit to reach, but not nearly as much as bending the keens & bending at the waist

It also reduces velocity on your shots. I use a stick with a low lie and bend my knees, bending at the waist is a good way to get yourself off balance and watch the other guy blow by you.

[brettlynch11 0]

Growing up I was told to cut it at about my nose. Defenseman generally use longer sticks than forwards, because as mentioned above, stickhandling is easier with a smaller stick. Keep in mind you lose flex the more you cut it.

[Hockeydog 8]

I think that someone should figure out the best length stick for them then see what kind of lie they need. My experience bears out what Chadd says ( as it should) about lie. Nothing like missing every puck because the lie is too high!

I have tried sticks to my collar bone and sticks to my nose and I find the shorter stick has more compromises than the longer stick. The only way I'd go back to a short stick is if my only intent once I jump over the board is to skate down to the other goalie and stand in front of him.