Picking a blade curve for a beginner

[napoleon83 0]

I played hockey as a kid but played goalie. I used old equipment that was given to me by others. I am older now and want to get back into playing hockey. I do not want to play goalie (never liked the position). I am going to buy a stick and I am curious which blade curve to pick left or right. I know its suppose to be which ever is more comfortable to use. However I cant decide. I have a hockey stick now (a cheap 10 dollar one) and I was playing with it to see how I would perfer holding it. I feel more comfortable holding it in the left hand when I skate or with the left hand at the top. When it comes to puck handling both ways seem fine to me, I cant really tell a difference. When it comes to shooting I can do either and it feels fine. Only difference is shooting with the left hand on top I dont put any flex on the stick but if I switch hands then I can put alot of flex on the stick when shooting. I always shot with the left hand on top of the stick and never put any flex on the stick and thought that was normal but when I switched and held it differently I was shocked by the amount of flex I put on it it was like a whole new level of power.

So which should i use left or right

puck handling both feels the same

skating feels more comfortable with the stick in the left hand

put more flex on the stick with i have the right hand on top

I am a lefty when it comes to drawing, writing, eating, or shooting my handgun

please give me some advice

[Iamhockey08 0]

Beginner

Easton- Iginla or Zetterberg

Bauer- Malkin

CCM- Tavares

[sickwilly 37]

First of all, I'd buy a nice shaft, in case you want to continue to experiment/test things out. If you change your mind, change the blade. In your case, I'd probably buy a righty blade first, since you feel more comfortable with your left hand on top. You can always work on technique and getting more flex as you go. I'd start with where I feel the most comfortable.

[mikeh7 1]

or shooting my handgun

What about your rifle?

[flyerman 0]

How do you sweep with a broom? That is how you shoot (the hockey puck, that is).

Then start with wood stick with as little curve as possible. I recommend an Easton Modano/Forsberg/Zetterberg pattern.

[IniNew 53]

How do you sweep with a broom? That is how you shoot (the hockey puck, that is).

Then start with wood stick with as little curve as possible. I recommend an Easton Modano/Forsberg/Zetterberg pattern.

Broom is not accurate. How you shovel is a better characteristic to go on.

[Chadd 916]

Broom is not accurate. How you shovel is a better characteristic to go on.

Neither is all that accurate as most people tend to switch back and forth. Dominant hand on top will generally result in better stickhandling, dominant hand on bottom will generally result in a more powerful shot. That's just a generalization, not going to be the case for everyone.

[xrickyb86x 1]

Neither is all that accurate as most people tend to switch back and forth. Dominant hand on top will generally result in better stickhandling, dominant hand on bottom will generally result in a more powerful shot. That's just a generalization, not going to be the case for everyone.

Always felt the same way. A lot of guys who shoot left are actually right handed when they eat or write but they can stick handle pretty well.

[AIREAYE 248]

How do you sweep with a broom? That is how you shoot (the hockey puck, that is).

Then start with wood stick with as little curve as possible. I recommend an Easton Modano/Forsberg/Zetterberg pattern.

Actually, I know many people prefer a neutral curve to start out, I believe that a shooter's pattern would benefit a beginner like the P92 or Sakic because it helps get those early (weaker) shots up high.

[K9 Unit 1]

Actually, I know many people prefer a neutral curve to start out, I believe that a shooter's pattern would benefit a beginner like the P92 or Sakic because it helps get those early (weaker) shots up high.

i woud rather a beginner use a closed or neutral face so they can learn to lift/shoot the puck properly then let them choose more open patterns to their own liking, getting it up high isn't a priority until they learn the right technique for themselves

i would suggest trying the iginla as its kinda the middle of everything

[shotty 7]

all the youth and junior sticks seems to be dominated by PM9, P4 patterns... so thats a good indication of where you should start.

it works because it isn't too much of anything. its closed so it works for developing backhands, its a mid heel so you can keep decent control of height. i've been playing hockey my entire life, and every time i go out and try a new curve, i always end up with this PM9/P4 back in my hands. cant get away from it.

[tareatingrat 4]

Neither is all that accurate as most people tend to switch back and forth. Dominant hand on top will generally result in better stickhandling, dominant hand on bottom will generally result in a more powerful shot. That's just a generalization, not going to be the case for everyone.

Makes sense. I'm right handed, but I shoot right. Can't stickhandle worth a damn, but I've got a pretty good wrister. (Yes, that's my excuse from now on! :P)

But yeah, there's probably more to it than that, I'm sure. And since I don't feel more comfortable using a lefty stick I figure it always ends up being whatever feels most comfortable when you're a kid.

I never really played hockey as a kid, aside from pond hockey type stuff. Don't remember at all when I first picked up a stick or why I went righty. I'm thinking it's because my Dad shoots right. He probably just gave me a right handed stick at one point.

As far as the original question, when I started playing hockey awhile back, I always preferred a very slight curve. Forsberg or whatever was similar. For ball hockey, I couldn't use anything else or my shots would always get away on me.

For ice, I had to go with a Sakic to get some more lift on the puck (big change from a ball to a puck), although I have a Malkin curve which is great for stickhandling, and I'm starting to be able to pick my shots with it the more I use it, but I do prefer the Sakic. I seem to be deadly with that curve. I would like to try a Drury (or similar) curve now that I'm getting more confident with my shot.

I agree with with an earlier comment. Go get a good shaft and some blades, try them out.

[Rustyhole 1]

Don't remember at all when I first picked up a stick or why I went righty. I'm thinking it's because my Dad shoots right. He probably just gave me a right handed stick at one point.

this applies to a lot of players!

[chk hrd 164]

I usually lie a stick on the ground and tell a kid to just pick it up. They way they naturally grab it is usually how they feel most comfortable holding it. For little kids I would tell parents to get a straight blade because they can switch back and forth without any problems. Some switch without realizng it until they naturally get comfortable holding it a certain way.

For an adult or older kid I would get a shaft with blade. Find a blade that doesn't have to drastic of a curve. That gives you the option to switch curves and even switch hands if you want.