Going to lighter flex?

[adam14 182]

No, its all about technique. everybody releases differently and therefore uses what works best for the way they shoot.

[Jarick 5]

The s11 feels about 10-15 flex whippier than listed...the 85 flex one was whippier than my 77 flex vapor xxv.

As of right now, it is a good bit stiffer than my 7k reg, but it is brand new.

That's odd, the 85 flex S11 felt about the same or a hair whippier than my 7k mid flex.

[catfell 0]

Another notorious whippy stick user- Brett Hull.

I recall hearing that he would beg Easton to make him as whippy a shaft as they could.

Watch old video of his one-timers, he bends the shaft a ridiculous amount.

But I think flex is a very personal thing, and either way good technique is the only way to get the most out of any shot with any stick.

Try using a weighted puck to feel the shaft loading, whether it's a wrist, snap or slapshot, a weighted puck really lets you feel the shot and what muscles and where on the stick you're loosing power.

After a couple of shots with the weighted puck, try shooting a normal one. Same technique and load, the standard puck will scream off your blade.

[Law Goalie 147]

^^ Bingo.

So if Ovechkin is 6'2" 220lbs and generally uses a flex in the mid 70's, would it be safe to say that most recreational players are using a shaft that is too stiff? Or do some recreational players use a shaft that is stiffer due to either personal preference or possibly improper technique?

It would be safe to say that only if you were trying to come up with some kind of formula for determining the proper flex for everyone based on size and weight, which is I fear, something of a fool's errand. See below.

No, its all about technique. everybody releases differently and therefore uses what works best for the way they shoot.

The one thing I will say absolutely is that shooting with a lighter flex is much easier on the body. When I shot 200+ pucks with a 95 flex, my arms were dead by the end. With a 65, piece of cake. That's only logical, since the flex number is, after all, an expression of how much force it takes to bend the shaft a certain displacement from a straight line.

I did have to change my technique to shoot with a flex that low, but it didn't take much time at all.

Now, the one historical argument that seems implicit for everyone who insists that "stronger dude = higher flex" is that fact the Jr. and Int. sticks have lower flexes, which makes lower flexes 'childish'. They take less effort to flex, partly because a smaller kid just can't put that much force into it, and partly because a whippier stick helps you to learn shooting mechanics better by lengthening the timeframe of the load-and-release process (ie. adding a little lag in the shooting). But, like almost everything else intelligently designed for children, teenagers and mentally incapable adults insist on using something as far away from the youth design as possible - and if it's numerically quantified, all the better.

I have actually heard teenagers in dressing rooms say inane crap like, "You're still using a 75 flex? You must be really weak. I'm using my dad's 120 flex pro-stocks." Which is exactly how flex selection turns into adolescent dick-measuring. Wo sind Herr Doktor Freud?

[flyweightphantom 1]

I use a pretty short stick (around my collar bone) and even when I buy an 85 flex easton it becomes super stiff when i cut it down. I tried my friends synergy elite intermediate 70 flex (2 piece tapered) which is only slightly longer than my stick and I was shooting rockets. I think I may buy an Int. shaft or even a tps whip flex shaft after this.

[highslot84 0]

There are alot of good responses in this thread and I recently changed from a 85 to 75 and am not really sure what the best flex is for me either. Although the game to practice theory sounds about right with loading it correctly. I dont want to through a wrench in this thread but I was at my LHS and he had an ovechkin one95 77 flex. It was not that tall for him being 6'2 220. Anyways he may have the best wrist shot in the NHL. Im sure he could shoot good with a aluminum stick but still. Something to think about...

I've also seen his "game used" 80, 87, and 102's.

He usually uses 75ish flexes from what I understand. Look at his shots, he torques the hell out of his stick and the shots come off like lasers. There is that lag from the stick load but the velocity is tremendous.

So if Ovechkin is 6'2" 220lbs and generally uses a flex in the mid 70's, would it be safe to say that most recreational players are using a shaft that is too stiff? Or do some recreational players use a shaft that is stiffer due to either personal preference or possibly improper technique?

i think it's preference and your body adjusting to it, cause imo Semin (who is smaller than Ovi) has a better wrist shot and he uses 102 flex i believe?

I bought two of his prostocks this summer.. 107 and 112 uncut.

[technophile 0]

I just went from a 102-flex Nike Apollo to a 75-flex One75 and I couldn't be happier. I'm not a big guy, flexing the 102 in a game situation just wasn't going to happen (I ordered a regular flex back in the day and got sent a stiff instead, and just played with it since it was on clearance). To be honest I think I could have set it up on two boxes and stood on it and it wouldn't have flexed. ;)

With the 75 I've definitely noticed that my slapshots have more zing; I can feel the stick flexing, which is great because it gives me feedback that my shooting motion is on track. My snapshot seems better too; I actually beat my goalie with one in warmup from outside the faceoff circles, which I had never done before.

The wrist shot I haven't noticed as much change, but I haven't had much time to work on it thus far, so I think it's just a technique thing.

[Machinehead2k5 32]

As most of y'all know that I'm one of the few who use a junior stick (Just bought a new EastonST JR on ebay for 28 shipped). Last game I ripped a snapper just inside the blue line past the goalie's glove. I know for a fact that I would not have been able to do it with a 90+ flex stick. I love the one piece compared to my two piece Z Bubble setup.

[Jarick 5]

With all this talk I'm going to bust out my little 67 flex if there's any ice tonight. Curious to see how it holds up now that I've corrected my slapper form.

[skyscrape 5]

I think I am going to try a 87 flex one95 shaft. I currently have a 112 and a 100 flex so it should be interesting. I am 6'7 300lbs.

[mack 44]

Good luck, Fezzik.

[skyscrape 5]

Good luck, Fezzik.

Tank you Vizzini! :lol:

"Get back or I will call the brute squad!"

"I'm on the brute squad."

"You are the brute Squad!"

I take it you think I should stick with the 102?

[raygunpk 0]

With all this talk I'm going to bust out my little 67 flex if there's any ice tonight. Curious to see how it holds up now that I've corrected my slapper form.

How was the 67 flex?

[gxc999 7]

I think what all the articles suggested was right- there's only a small difference between flexes, it's more about technique. E.g. I might get a little better shot using a 92-94 flex stick than a 102, but it's far weaker if I don't get enough time to fully load it. Seems to me, if you are good enough to be able to fully load every shot in game, use as whippy of a stick as you can (Ovechkin and Hull did exactly that)! I just usually shoot in a hurry and kind of power through it, so 102-105 gives me the best wrist/snaps in game.

[Machinehead2k5 32]

Found this little tidbit while searching for Joe Sakic wristshots on YouTube:

Mike Camallerri sp?:

[mrruin 0]

I don't know, for me the most important thing besides playing a solid defense is my passing game. Shots I take 2-5 a game if I am lucky so choosing a stick based on how well I shoot is not a top priority. Passing however is happening all the time in game be it catching passes or dishing the pucks out to your teammates (well most of the time lol).

For this I found a lower flex to benefit me the most, especially on saucer passes and long breakout bombs to the breaking forward. I feel like I can load the stick much better and my accuracy is going up because I can just concentrate on where I want to put the puck and forget about muscle and strength. Moreover feeling the stick load as much as it does with a sub 75 flex also improves the puck feel for me.

So when choosing a stick in terms of curve, flex, lie it is always passing > shooting.

[Jarick 5]

Tried the 67 flex again, shot velocity went down, release lagged again. Not a big surprise.

On the other hand, a teammate broke his 87 flex Vapor XXX, same height, curve, handedness, everything as the 67. He's a bit shorter and a good deal lighter than me, so I got him to give it a shot and his shot velocity went way up. It's a sweet spot kinda thing.

[gxc999 7]

I'm thinking it comes down to 4 things, the strength of the user, technique of the user, from what distance you shoot and which type of shots you take. 1) is very obvious, if you are 6'3 230, you can't use a 70 flex without suffering a bit, 2) do you power through or do you load up? 3) you have more time to load if you shoot farther away from the net, most of the time 4) apparently, slappers benefit more from whippier sticks, while wristers might benefit from stiffer sticks.

For me, I've figured out 95-100 is a good flex. 6'0. 185, and I tend to power through shots in game, maybe because I shoot within 15-20 feet most of the time so I don't have time to load up. I'm working on taking more snappers in full motion and they feel way better to me with 100 flex. Then again, personal preference is also a factor. Some people simply like feeling the whip while some hate that.

[Law Goalie 147]

I'm thinking it comes down to 4 things, the strength of the user, technique of the user, from what distance you shoot and which type of shots you take. 1) is very obvious, if you are 6'3 230, you can't use a 70 flex without suffering a bit, 2) do you power through or do you load up? 3) you have more time to load if you shoot farther away from the net, most of the time 4) apparently, slappers benefit more from whippier sticks, while wristers might benefit from stiffer sticks.

I wouldn't assume #1 at all: see the Hull family, Ovechkin, and anyone else who likes a whippy stick for a wide variety of shots. 2 & 3 being issues of very general technique and typical shot selection are relevant, but 4 isn't really supportable, as there are plenty of guys who would argue just the opposite.

It's safe to say that there is no simple formula or set of guidelines for a 'proper flex'. There are basically two approaches: pick one and adapt to it as best you can, or experiment until you find one that works; best results would probably come from occasional dabbling with flexes mixed in with consistent use.

[SolarWind 23]

Lower the flex (65 - 90) more whipping action with each shot, which will increase your shot speed if your shot strength is average or lower. Although you will be able to increase your shot speed your accuracy will be decreased.

If you have average or greater shot strength, a higher stick flex (100+) will give you a much more accurate shot, but will require more energy to create the whipping action necessary to generate higher shot speed.

I found the above online but it seems to be weird: why would accuracy decrease with a lower flex?

I'm going to try it myself, since I still don't get it: I can flex 100 (my current flex), would my shot improve if I change down to 85 let's say since I'd be flexing it more?

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

I found the above online but it seems to be weird: why would accuracy decrease with a lower flex?

I'm going to try it myself, since I still don't get it: I can flex 100 (my current flex), would my shot improve if I change down to 85 let's say since I'd be flexing it more?

It's hard to say if your shot would improve by going down in flex. IMO it's pretty much trial and error to see what you like best. That being said I don't notice a difference in my shots when going to a 75 from 100 or vice versa. I just need to adjust my technique a bit.

[SolarWind 23]

It's hard to say if your shot would improve by going down in flex. IMO it's pretty much trial and error to see what you like best. That being said I don't notice a difference in my shots when going to a 75 from 100 or vice versa. I just need to adjust my technique a bit.

played today for the first time with a 75 flex cut down 4" (guessing it was around 85? warrior doesn't have flex marks on their sticks for some reason) - fantastic! Velocity went way up - me liking it!

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

played today for the first time with a 75 flex cut down 4" (guessing it was around 85? warrior doesn't have flex marks on their sticks for some reason) - fantastic! Velocity went way up - me liking it!

Dolomite? I love the 75 flex dolo sticks and shafts

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

I'm 5'7" and 135 lbs. I'm using an X:60 67 int flex. I had a 40 with a 77 flex and because I had to cut it down so much, it felt way too stiff for me. I gave it to my friend. I think the wrist shots improved, however, I couldn't load the stick for slapshots. I've got a 77 X60 in the garage that I'll give a shot when my 67 breaks. Maybe I won't cut it down as much. I just love being able to actually feel my stick load and release, you can tell when you've nailed it and when you've flubbed it.

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

I'm 5'7" and 135 lbs. I'm using an X:60 67 int flex. I had a 40 with a 77 flex and because I had to cut it down so much, it felt way too stiff for me. I gave it to my friend. I think the wrist shots improved, however, I couldn't load the stick for slapshots. I've got a 77 X60 in the garage that I'll give a shot when my 67 breaks. Maybe I won't cut it down as much. I just love being able to actually feel my stick load and release, you can tell when you've nailed it and when you've flubbed it.

How much do you have to cut a senior stick?