Stick advice for a short guy

[Jarick 5]

Bauer makes intermediates that are 60, 67, and 75 flex so you can get one that will end up where you want it.

In my opinion and experience, just ignore the "final" flex number. What's worked best for me is to go to the store, pick up a stick, put my top hand where it would be when it's cut down, and give it a little push (obviously not bearing all your weight through your bottom hand). That's how it will feel when you cut it down anyway.

Even the starting flex varies by the manufacturer. I've had TPS intermediates that felt like about 50 flex and Mission intermediates that felt like 90 flex, and everything in between. Easton and Bauer seem to be truest to flex ratings for me.

Chadd, wouldn't the halfway point be correct for measuring flex even with tapered sticks? That's where your bottom hand would be, and aren't we trying to measure the force necessary to deflect the stick say 1"?

[Chadd 916]

Chadd, wouldn't the halfway point be correct for measuring flex even with tapered sticks? That's where your bottom hand would be, and aren't we trying to measure the force necessary to deflect the stick say 1"?

I would say that you should clamp the top and the middle and try to deflect the blade. I want to know how much force it takes to deflect the blade an inch, not the middle of the shaft. A 100 flex standard shaft does not perform or load like a 100 flex tapered shaft yet measuring them in the middle would lead you to believe otherwise.

[Jarick 5]

That would make a lot more sense, that's exactly what we're trying to do with the sticks anyway.

It would be especially nice if the mfgs would do that and adjust flexes, the intermediates are all over the board.

Out of curiosity, if you were running these tests, would intermediates be measured at 60" (if that's what the seniors are)?

[Chadd 916]

That would make a lot more sense, that's exactly what we're trying to do with the sticks anyway.

It would be especially nice if the mfgs would do that and adjust flexes, the intermediates are all over the board.

Out of curiosity, if you were running these tests, would intermediates be measured at 60" (if that's what the seniors are)?

I would measure at full length, whatever they ship is the length to measure. Then start cutting an inch or two at a time and measuring the results.

[shotty 7]

At age 40 you'll be too strong for the junior stick.

I'm gonna guess probably not seeing how he's 5' 4" 135 pounds.

at that age, height and weight have little to do with overall strength. body and muscle control/development along with ability to adapt and execute far outweighs physical stature. and for those reasons, a junior stick wouldn't be able to offer the kind of performance he is capable of, 20 year lay off or not.

I agree, but to a certain extent. At some point in the equation you're dealing with a person 5' 4" 135lbs. Fully developed muscles, adult, adolescent, male or female, it's still a 135 pound person leaning in trying to load the stick.

if you understand how the stick works, and how to use your muscle to operate the stick, weight will have little bearing. that's what i'm getting at. all those things you listed come before height and weight. you can be 14 years old, 6' and 180 pounds and not understand how or have the strength to get kick out of a 110 flex stick. not all mass is at scale, nor is it equal. a 40 year old at 5'4" and 135 has a significantly different make-up than a 12 year old at 5'4" 135.